The development of Dutch greenhouse climate control systems and computers over the years
The greenhouse climate computers that we know today were developed as a result of technological advancements and consumer demand for out-of-season and non-native greenhouse products.
In the 1970s, the Netherlands faced a major energy crisis. To reduce energy usage in greenhouses, a new research collaboration was initiated, involving scientists from various disciplines in the country. Not only were physicists involved, but also plant physiologists, engineers, and horticulture specialists. This collaboration led to an increase in new insights and knowledge on greenhouse production.
Through interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary cooperation, the first greenhouse climate computers were developed and introduced by the Dutch. Before the introduction of digital climate control systems, the control of greenhouse systems was primarily handled by the grower.
At the beginning, managing the greenhouse growing environment was done by using thermostats to measure the temperature of the greenhouse environment. This was later replaced by analogue electronic controllers.
In the 60s, simple analogue climate control systems were used to control heat and ventilation. In the 70s, computer technologies were introduced in the greenhouses.
Microprocessors increased the flexibility because more complex control algorithms could be implemented and were cheaper to use to control multiple compartments compared to the analogue system. Also, from then, it started to become possible to register climate conditions in the greenhouse.
1974: The introduction of the first greenhouse climate control systems in the world
It was in 1974 that the first digital greenhouse climate control system in the world appeared on the Dutch market, making the lives of greenhouse growers easier ever since.
This system operated independently, overseeing any number of sections in the greenhouse. There was a central computer to which sensors and actuators (devices that are responsible for carrying out actions based on received signals), were connected.
This first greenhouse climate control system had a central host computer which was connected to local measurement and control processors. Calculations of the control algorithms were all performed together with data handling, graphics and greenhouse alarms on the host computer.
This greenhouse climate computer measured the sensor signals and activated the relays (control the flow of electrical current of a circuit) for the valves (part of flow control component) and ventilators in the greenhouse.
Thanks to the decreasing cost of microprocessors, significant advancements have occurred in both greenhouse hardware and software since the introduction of greenhouse climate computers.
With the automatic adaptation of control parameters to the actual greenhouse situation becoming possible, control algorithms have been continuously improved.
From simple PC’s in greenhouses to controlling growing conditions from smartphones
It could not be imagined now, but personal computers (PC) were rare some decades ago. In the late 70s, more greenhouses possessed and made use of PC’s.
This, together with the development of improved user interfaces of the greenhouse software, made transferring and analysing of (real time) greenhouse climate data by the growers possible.
Climate control systems have evolved to more complex systems, especially since more greenhouse equipment was introduced that needed to be automatically controlled as well in commercial greenhouses, depending on the indoor and outdoor conditions.
These equipments include: energy screens, ventilation, CO₂ enrichment, artificial lighting.
Nowadays, climate computers can be connected to the computer controlling nutrient solution and the management computer, for example.
Data from the climate computer can even be sent to growers’ mobile phones, resulting in the growers can control the greenhouse conditions anytime and anywhere. Even from a large distance or abroad.
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