GTC Micro Generation For Indoor Agriculture Using Combined Technolgies

Pure O & M can benefit in considering an alternative energy and combined heat and power (CHP)-driven nano or microgrid for indoor agricultural applications. This industry is energy-intensive and can overwhelm the local power grid. Pure O&M can generate a portion of its electricity using wind, solar, and CHP through a nano or microgrid to reduce grid strain. Doing so will reduce the projects dependence on the local power grid, reduce its carbon footprint, and reduce operating expenses for years into the future. CHP is less likely to be used in smaller nano grid projects.

A nano or microgrid is a local system of distributed energy resources and electrical loads that can operate as a single entity, either in parallel to the commercial grid or independently from the grid. It can be used to provide emergency backup power during commercial grid outages, or when connected to the grid it can be a source of revenue and savings. Any on-site power source can serve as a node on the microgrid, including renewables, fossil-fuel generators, CHP plants, waste-to-energy facilities, and batteries and other forms of stored energy. GTC and its partners are pioneers in nano and microgrid development. One such system for industrial applications, as used by our partners, is a high voltage DC microgrid that aggregates on-site generation. Its hierarchical controls use green energy first and blend generation from a natural-gas micro turbine to produce and store electricity used on demand.

Pure O&M can greatly benefit from the CHP aspect of a GTC nano or microgrid. CHP units generate electricity and hot water using natural gas. By connecting a CHP unit to supply power and hot water, a very high level of energy efficiency can be achieved. Hot water can be used to control critical temperatures of the greenhouse facilities for both heating and cooling. This high efficiency typically leads to lower energy costs and reduced CO2 emissions compared to remotely generated electricity from the power grid. With low operating noise and a range of output classes, individual CHP units can be used in a broad range of smaller applications. For higher power applications, multiple units can be controlled together as a higher output system. This combination of alternative and efficient gas generation will be factored into building placement, capital equipment, and operations.