Quantifying the Environmental and Energy Benefits of Food Growth in the Urban Environment

Abstract

The environment and energy consumption of indoor urban farms within the city’s infrastructure cannot at present be adequately simulated using typical building simulation models as they do not include the ability to simulate the potentially significant heat and mass transfer between plants and the internal air. On the other hand, tools developed for the simulation of climate-controlled green houses do not allow complex interactions with existing buildings and infrastructure. In this chapter, we present the development of an urban-integrated greenhouse model, with the ability to simulate the response of the indoor climate to crop growth. We validate the model against data from an urban farm 50 m underground. Applying an analysis of resource needs and availability through a numerical simulation model allows us to investigate mechanisms to optimise the environment and energy benefits of growing food within the city space.