Energy Modeling and Techno-Economic Feasibility Analysis of Greenhouses for Tomato Cultivation Utilizing the Waste Heat of Cryptocurrency Miners

Greenhouses extend growing seasons in upper latitudes to provide fresh, healthy food. Costs associated with carbon-emission-intensive natural gas heating, however, limit greenhouse applications and scaling. One approach reducing heating costs is electrification by using waste heat from cryptocurrency miners. To probe this potential, a new quasi-steady state thermal model developed simulate the interaction between environment, thereby estimating cooling demands of greenhouse. A mining system was experimentally evaluated for potential. Using these experimental values, applied three systems (1, 50, 408 miners) optimally sized greenhouses six locations Canada U.S.: Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, California, Texas, New York. comprehensive parametric study then used analyze effect various parameters (air exchange rate, planting area, lighting allowance factor, photoperiod) on optimal sizing greenhouses. found be economically profitable offset depending utility rates Bitcoin value wide range scenarios.