The increasing global population and the challenges faced by the food production sector, including urbanization, reduction of arable land, and climatic extremes, necessitate innovative solutions for sustainable agriculture. This comprehensive review examines advancements in improving the energy performance of agricultural greenhouses, highlighting innovations in thermal and energy efficiency, particularly in heating and cooling systems. The methods include a systematic analysis of current technologies and their applications in optimizing greenhouse design and functionality. Key findings reveal significant progress in materials and techniques that enhance energy efficiency and operational sustainability. The review identifies gaps in the current knowledge, such as the need for more research on the economic viability of new materials and the development of predictive models for various climatic conditions. The conclusions emphasize the importance of integrating renewable energy technologies and advanced control systems to achieve energy-efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.

Appropriate measures have been taken to reduce energy requirements for cold chain applications. Thermal energy storage is an accepted method to reduce the need for electrical energy after harvesting fresh horticultural produce. The use of phase change materials (PCM) in postharvest storage, outside of a temperature-controlled environment, extends shelf life and keeps food at the ideal temperature. This review focuses on the various trials using PCM to improve cold chain effectiveness. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each type of storage using different PCM, as well as the likely and potentially promising applications of thermal energy storage in the cold chain.

The thermal performance and energy efficiency of buildings are critical factors in achieving sustainable energy systems as energy needs for heating and cooling are expected to represent more than 50% of global final energy consumption. This study analyzes conventional renewable energy systems for heating and cooling in buildings, focusing on strategies for developing net-zero-energy buildings. This review covers the integration of renewable energy, the use of intelligent energy management systems, and the optimization of thermal processes. It also compares various systems based on their advantages and limitations and analyzes emerging trends in the thermal management of buildings in different climate zones. The synthesis of recent literature highlights practical recommendations for achieving high thermal performance in buildings, including the importance of selecting appropriate energy systems based on local climatic conditions, optimizing system efficiency, and taking advantage of new materials and advanced technologies. This review aims to contribute to promoting sustainable construction practices with the integration of renewable energy sources and improving the energy efficiency of buildings.

The thermal performance and environmental impact of agricultural greenhouses (GH) connected to earth-to-air heat exchanger (EAHE) systems depend on the ambient temperature, soil temperature, EAHE system, and greenhouse specifications. The impact of an EAHE system on the temperature and humidity of a GH microclimate, as well as its effects on CO₂ emissions and heating energy consumption, are determined experimentally. Two scaled-down models of agricultural GHs (2 × 1.4 × 1.4 m³) were developed. Each GH was equipped with a heater. A spiral EAHE system was integrated into only one of the GHs. The temperature differences in the microclimate range from 3.5 °C to 7.5 °C, with the microclimates of GH + EAHE and GH being quite similar. In summary, the EAHE system helped to reduce the hourly energy consumption of the heating system by more than 40%. It also reduced emissions to the environment by more than 100 g (CO₂)/hour. The EAHE coefficient of performance (COP) for the cooling mode has a higher average value than that for the heating mode. The closed-loop performed better in cooling mode, while the open-loop performed better in heating mode. When the difference between the set temperature in the heater and the air outlet temperature of the EAHE system is smaller, the heater performs better in reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of the heater. The COP_heating range is between 0 and 3.4 and the COP_cooling range is between 0.5 and 7.3. The energy consumption ranges between 0 and 1.41 kWh and the CO₂ emissions are between 0 and 359.55 g. Thus, using EAHE in agricultural greenhouses improves thermal performance and reduces environmental impact, providing an overall benefit in terms of energy consumption and environmental sustainability.

The need for production of all kinds of crops in high quantities and over the entire year makes the agricultural sector one of the major energy consumers. The optimization of this consumption is essential to guarantee its sustainability. The implementation of greenhouses is a strategy that allows assurance of production needs and possesses large optimization potential for the process. This article studies different greenhouse structures by computational simulation using EnergyPlus and DesignBuilder. First, a comparison was performed between the computational results and the measured values from a greenhouse prototype at different operating conditions. Overall, the comparison shows that the computational tool can provide a reasonable prediction of the greenhouse thermal behavior, depending on the differences between the weather data modeled and observed. An outdoor air temperature difference of 16 °C can cause a difference of about 10 °C between the air temperature predicted and measured inside the greenhouse. Subsequently, a selected set of case studies was developed in order to quantify their influence on the thermal performance of the greenhouse, namely: the greenhouse configuration and orientation; the variation of indoor air renewal; changes to the characteristics of the roof; the effect of the thermal mass of the walls; and location of the greenhouse. The results show that a correct greenhouse orientation, together with a polyethylene double cover with a 13 mm air layer, a granite wall of 40 cm thickness on the north wall, and variable airflow rate, may lead to a reduction of the greenhouse energy consumption by 57%, if the greenhouse is located in Lisbon, or by 43%, if it is located in Ostersund, during the harshest months of the heating season.

Atmospheric water generation (AWG) is a technological innovation that facilitates the extraction of water from the atmosphere using various techniques. In response to mounting concerns regarding water scarcity in multiple regions globally, AWG has emerged as a promising solution for providing potable water in areas where conventional water sources are limited or contaminated. AWG systems can be implemented across diverse settings, ranging from individual households to large-scale industrial operations, and can be powered by renewable energy sources. Despite the inherent challenges associated with upscaling AWG technology to ensure its affordability and reliability, it possesses the potential to make a significant contribution towards meeting the water requirements of communities in both developed and developing nations. This study aimed to investigate the performance and limitations of a commercially available dehumidifier, namely, the Trotec TTK140S (Heinsberg, Germany), through experimental analysis. Additionally, the feasibility of integrating this dehumidifier with a photovoltaic energy source was explored. Initially, the dehumidifier’s water production and energy consumption were assessed under specific conditions. Subsequently, a comparison was conducted across three different locations (Lisbon, Pretoria, and Riyadh) to evaluate the dehumidifier’s operation and ascertain the photovoltaic module area necessary for it to function independently. This approach effectively addresses one of the main drawbacks of the technology, namely, its substantial energy consumption.