La intelligent climate control in the modern greenhouse It has become one of the cornerstones of modern horticulture. It's no longer just about putting in some windows, a couple of fans, and crossing your fingers for good weather; today we're talking about systems capable of automatically adjusting temperature, humidity, CO₂, ventilation, and irrigation so that plants always have almost "tailor-made" conditions.
Thanks to these systems, farmers can produce year-roundReducing risks from heat waves or extreme cold, saving energy and water, and improving both crop yield and quality. From large commercial farms to leading research centers, greenhouse climate automation is making a difference in farm profitability and production sustainability.
What is smart climate control in a greenhouse?
When we talk about a greenhouse with automatic climate controlWe are referring to installations equipped with sensors, actuators, and an electronic brain (the controller) that decides what to do at any given moment. This system is capable of regulating, in a coordinated manner, the temperature, relative humidity, ventilation, fresh air intake, irrigation, and even CO₂ dosage.
The objective of this type of air conditioning is that each phase of plant development It occurs in an optimal environment: seedling, vegetative growth, flowering, or fruit development. You no longer depend so much on what happens outside the greenhouse; the system takes care of correcting external climate changes in real time.
In practice, smart climate control integrates information from temperature, humidity, and radiation sensorswind speed and CO₂ concentration, among other factors. With this data, the controller calculates whether to open windows, activate fans, turn on the heating, or, for example, start a humidification or dehumidification system.
In this way, the farmer goes from “putting out fires” with manual adjustments to having a automated system that makes decisions constants to maintain the climate within predetermined ranges. This not only improves the stability of the growing environment, but also reduces human error and allows for highly refined climate strategies.
Another important advantage is that, with a good control system, one can record and analyze all historical data of climate and production. These records allow us to detect patterns, verify which strategies work best, and optimize crop management season after season.
Advanced climate control systems: from the EVO controller to Green Net
Within the world of smart climate control, there are solutions ranging from simple controllers for small greenhouses to systems very complete and scalable capable of managing large agricultural complexes with dozens of independent climate sectors.
An example of a controller geared towards the professional farmer is the INTA EVO controllerDesigned to offer comprehensive greenhouse climate management in a simple, reliable, and efficient manner, this type of equipment typically combines temperature, humidity, ventilation, irrigation, and fertigation control, as well as CO₂ injection (when the greenhouse is equipped with this technology), all on a single platform.
The EVO controller focuses on enabling the user to program instructions and strategies It simplifies tasks that would otherwise require constant monitoring of the greenhouse. The system adjusts the various equipment (heating, cooling, shading, irrigation) according to environmental conditions and the state of the crop.
In the case of large farms, there are platforms capable of manage up to 50 climate zones different. This is key when working with several greenhouses or with separate sectors in the same facility, since each one may have different varieties, plant ages or climate needs, but all are controlled centrally.
Some advanced solutions also integrate tools such as Green NetThis allows for remote monitoring and configuration of the system. Thanks to the online connection, the farm manager can see in real time what is happening in each greenhouse, change settings, receive alarms, and analyze data graphs from a computer, tablet, or mobile device.
This connected approach also facilitates data-driven decision-making. Historical analysis, detection of climate deviations, and cross-sector comparisons are all supported by a large amount of digitized informationThis helps to optimize the use of water, energy, and fertilizers, and improve crop yields.
The Opticlima semi-enclosed greenhouse: a high-tech model
One particularly interesting case of intelligent climate control is the Opticlima semi-enclosed greenhouseDeveloped by J. Huete Greenhouses and tested, among other places, at the experimental farm of CEBAS-CSIC, a center of reference in agri-food research and production of safe and sustainable food.
This greenhouse model is designed as an installation of research and high performance It serves to test new climate solutions, energy-saving systems, and air management strategies to reduce pests and diseases. The semi-enclosed design allows for better control of air intake and exhaust, limiting direct exchange with the outside and facilitating a more stable environment.
Opticlima incorporates high-tech equipment designed to increase efficiency and phytosanitary safetyThe goal is not only to maintain the right temperature in very hot and dry climates, but also to prevent the appearance of pests and minimize the entry of spores, microorganisms and bacteria through filters and careful design of airflow.
One of the key features of this greenhouse model is that it is sized to long installations (over 120 meters), where a conventional climate control system would fall short or generate significant temperature differences between different areas. To solve this, Opticlima combines cooling, heating, recirculation, and positive pressure.
In terms of heating, the system can work with radiant pipes or hot air fansDepending on the project's needs, air distribution is achieved through strategically placed ducts that recirculate warm air from the top of the greenhouse to the growing area, reducing stratification and improving thermal efficiency.
Thanks to this forced recirculation approach, a considerable energy savingsThis is because it makes better use of accumulated heat and homogenizes the temperature throughout the facility. In large greenhouses, this makes a significant difference in plant comfort and energy costs.
Air management, ventilation and recirculation in smart greenhouses
One of the strengths of Opticlima and other smart greenhouses is the advanced airflow managementInstead of relying solely on opening windows, the system uses a semi-enclosed corridor, continuously running fans, and a positive pressure system that controls airflow into the growing volume.
The fans are always running, but their speed varies automatically depending on weather conditions. When there is excessive heat or humidity, they increase their speed; if the environment is within the desired ranges, they work at a lower power, reducing energy consumption but without ceasing to move the air.
This scheme allows for fresh air intake windows and a semi-enclosed hallway regulate the flow and direction of the air that enters the greenhouse. The positive pressure inside causes the air to tend to exit through controlled points, which helps prevent the entry of unwanted particles from the outside.
Furthermore, by using fewer conventional windows in the roof, the shading area is reduced and a greater contribution of natural light to the crops. The smaller number of structures and shading elements on the roof means more radiation useful for photosynthesis, something essential in high-value crops.
Air distribution ducts (for both hot and cold air or air enriched with CO₂) are placed with a arrangement adapted to the cropPlant height, planting density, required airflow, and operating pressure are all factors that contribute to a homogeneous air distribution throughout the greenhouse, preventing cold or hot spots and areas of excessive humidity.
In facilities located in very humid areas, the system can integrate dehumidifiers in the adjacent corridor. This introduces moisture into the growing area. air with lower humidity contentThis helps prevent fungal diseases and keeps the dew point under control, especially at night.
Cooling, heating and hot water usage
The cooling system in a smart greenhouse is key, especially in regions with harsh summers or in year-round production. In the case of Opticlima and similar systems, the The cooling system is designed for large areas.Combining cooling equipment and good air distribution to avoid marked temperature differences between fronts and sides.
When there is a high demand for cold air, it is possible to incorporate a Chiller/HVAC type chiller connected to the adjacent greenhouse corridor. From there, the cooled air is pumped through the ducts into the growing area, achieving a rapid and uniform temperature drop during the most critical times.
On the opposite side of thermal control, heating can be achieved with systems of centralized hot water, especially suitable for very cold climates or for situations where it is necessary to maintain a high and stable temperature for long periods.
In this type of installation, the water is heated in a boiler by propane or diesel gas burnersHowever, it is also possible to use biomass boilers to reduce the carbon footprint. Hot water is distributed throughout the greenhouse via a network of steel pipes placed under the crops or in strategic areas to maximize heat transfer.
The combustion gases generated in the boiler can be used in carbon enrichment processesProvided they are treated and dosed correctly, this allows for a dual benefit from the fuel: on the one hand, heat is generated, and on the other, CO₂ is supplied to the crop, stimulating photosynthesis and growth.
A standard hot water system for greenhouses typically includes a fuel tank, climate-controlled boiler room, burner equipment, booster pump, piping network, thermostat, expansion vessels, insulation and safety devicesThe water outlet temperatures can range around 60-80 ºC, depending on the design and thermal needs.
CO₂ injection and humidity control
La CO₂ injection It is another key component of smart climate control, especially in high-tech greenhouses. Increasing the concentration of CO₂ in the growing environment, within safe limits, boosts photosynthetic efficiency and promotes faster growth and higher yields.
In models like Opticlima, the CO₂ system is located in a corridor adjacent to the greenhouseFrom there, the gas is distributed through hoses that run throughout the crop volume, ensuring a homogeneous mixture and avoiding pockets with concentrations that are too high or too low.
The characteristics of this installation allow it to reach and maintain high levels of CO₂ in a controlled manner, which is especially interesting for high-value crops. The climate control system regulates the openings, ventilation, and gas injection to keep CO₂ levels within predefined targets.
In climates with high humidity, humidity management becomes as important as temperature or CO₂. Therefore, the greenhouse's adjacent walkway can be equipped with... dehumidifiers that extract some of the water vapor from the air before introducing it into the culture volume.
This strategy allows plants to be supplied with a drier and more homogeneous airThis reduces dew formation on leaves and fruit, which is crucial for decreasing the incidence of fungal and bacterial diseases. Furthermore, fine-tuning relative humidity helps regulate crop transpiration and the operation of the irrigation system.
Air conditioning for large farms: scalability and data
When working with large agricultural companies, smart climate control has to be highly scalableControlling a small test greenhouse is not the same as controlling a network of tens of hectares under cover with different crops and plant ages.
Advanced climate control systems for this type of business allow for management up to 50 independent climate zonesEach one has its own set of instructions, temperature curves, irrigation strategies, and CO₂ parameters. All of this is managed from a central interface, which makes it easy to have a global view of the farm.
Real-time response to external weather changes is crucial. The system adjusts ventilation, heating, shading, CO₂ injection, and irrigation in a matter of minutes, relying on advanced data analytics and in algorithms that learn from weather patterns and crop needs.
The possibility of remote configuration through platforms such as Green Net It adds an extra layer of convenience and security. The person in charge of the operation can receive alerts for any incident, review logs of what happened, and make quick decisions without needing to be physically present in the greenhouse.
This entire set of technologies makes it possible for large networks of greenhouses to maintain uniform and optimized conditions with a much more rational use of water, energy and fertilizers, which directly impacts the profitability and sustainability of the business.
Special applications: cultivation of medicinal cannabis
The Opticlima semi-enclosed model has also positioned itself as an ideal solution for the cultivation of Medicinal Cannabis, a sector where environmental control requirements are especially strict and any deviation can affect both the quality and safety of the final product.
Thanks to its complete equipment, this type of greenhouse offers a highly controlled environment, with air filtration systems that reduce the entry of spores, microorganisms and bacteria, and with an airflow design intended to minimize the presence of pathogens in the growing area.
The high-capacity cooling system, combined with heating based on tubes or fans and recirculation of hot air through ducts, allows maintaining very tight temperature curves, reducing the thermal differences between different parts of the greenhouse.
This results in a greater uniformity in plant development, improved stability of cannabinoid and terpene profiles, and a lower probability of problems arising from heat stress or excessive humidity.
The CO₂ injection system, located in the adjacent aisle and distributed via ducts, promotes vigorous growth and more efficient use of available radiation. When even more intensive cooling is required, a [missing information - likely a separate section or unit] can be integrated. chiller unit (Chiller/HVAC) which injects cold air homogeneously into the growing volume, something especially useful in areas with very warm climates.
Innovation, sustainability and data protection
Companies specializing in high-tech greenhouses, such as J. Huete Greenhouses Novedades Agrícolas SA maintains a clear commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the development of solutions that adapt to the specific ideas and needs of each client.
These manufacturers have a strong international projection and multidisciplinary teams working on new ways to improve energy efficiency, reduce the carbon footprint and facilitate the production of healthier and more resistant crops, always under a sustainable agriculture approach.
In this context, the Opticlima semi-enclosed greenhouse serves as example of a firm commitment to R&Dintegrating air conditioning, ventilation, recirculation, dehumidification and CO₂ injection systems into a solution designed to maximize performance with the least possible environmental impact.
At the same time, the use of digital platforms, connected sensors, and monitoring systems involves handling a significant amount of data, both technical and, sometimes, personal (for example, data from customers or users of online platforms). Therefore, companies like Novedades Agrícolas SA clearly communicate their Data protection policy and adjust their procedures to the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
In basic terms, these entities act as controllers of the data The personal data they receive is used to answer inquiries, provide services, and, only if the user expressly authorizes it, send commercial communications. The legal basis for processing the data is the data subject's consent, which can be revoked or modified at any time.
Access to personal information is usually limited to duly authorized personnel within the company, and users retain at all times their right to access, rectify, limit or delete their data, being able to exercise these rights through the contact channels that each entity makes available in its privacy policy.
Similarly, the use of cookies on these companies' websites serves to improve browsing experienceThese cookies remember user preferences and help us understand which sections are most interesting. Users can manage these cookies through their browser by accepting, rejecting, or configuring storage according to their preferences.
This entire set of measures guarantees that the development of the smart climate control in greenhouses It relies on advanced digital technologies without neglecting privacy, information security and compliance with current regulations, while promoting a more efficient, sustainable agriculture adapted to current challenges.
The evolution of smart greenhouses, with climate control systems capable of regulating temperature, humidity, ventilation, CO₂, hot water heating and advanced cooling, shows the extent to which technology can transforming agricultural production under covermaking it possible for farms of all sizes to improve their yields, reduce risks and move towards more environmentally responsible production models.
