Energy saving in agricultural buildings through fan motor control by variable frequency drives

A comparison was conducted between ON-OFF and variable frequency drive (VFD) systems to control ventilation fans of greenhouses and poultry houses. The study aimed to determine the effect of each system on the energy consumption and resulting microclimate within the houses. The experiments were carried out in a commercial-size greenhouse in which pepper was grown and in commercial poultry houses. Reducing the fan speed with the VFD system resulted in reductions in the airflow rate through the houses and energy consumption, the latter being much more significant. The study showed that VFD control can reduce electricity consumption compared with ON-OFF operation. In the present study, the average energy consumption with the VFD control system was about 0.64 and 0.75 of that with an ON-OFF system in the greenhouse and poultry houses, respectively. The average greenhouse daily air temperatures and humidity ratios obtained with each control system between 07:00 and 18:00 were nearly equal. The results obtained in the greenhouse further showed that the VFD system has a greater potential than the ON-OFF, to reduce the range of amplitude variations in the air temperature and humidity ratio within the greenhouse. The average air temperatures over day and night, in the poultry houses, with each control system were nearly equal. The relative humidity, however, was slightly lower with VFD than with ON-OFF. Reductions in the range of amplitude variations of the air temperature and humidity were also observed in the poultry houses. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.