Greenhouse Automation and Monitoring
Lama, Siddhartha (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023112932824
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023112932824
Tiivistelmä
The main objective of this project was to create an efficient, reliable, cost-effective, self-developed, and fully automated greenhouse in the context of Nepal and implement it in a real greenhouse. The specific focus was on assessing the suitability and advantages of such an automated system by comparing it with non-automated greenhouses in underdeveloped countries like Nepal.
To achieve this, an automated IoT system was developed, tested, and implemented in a greenhouse located in Nepal. The data collection process was conducted in a period of 28 days in both a conventional non-automated greenhouse and a fully automated greenhouse, side by side, equipped with a comprehensive data logging system. This comparative analysis between the automated and non-automated greenhouse, using the collected data and evaluating the overall final quality of the crops in the greenhouses, allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the advantages, disadvantages, challenges, and affordability associated with the automated greenhouse in comparison to the non-automated system.
The developed automated greenhouse system in Panauti, Nepal, significantly improved plant growth and fruit production by effectively regulating air temperature and soil moisture compared to the non-automated greenhouse. In the automated greenhouse, the soil temperature remained within the desired range as a by-product of maintaining the air temperature and soil moisture levels. It also maintained suitable light levels even on cloudy days without the need for additional lighting. Additionally, energy consumption was minimal, costing only NPR 165 per month, equivalent to 1.13 euros per month. This cost-effectiveness and the improved quality of the crops make the developed greenhouse automation system highly recommended even though vulnerability to power outages suggests a need for backup power solutions or policy interventions.
To achieve this, an automated IoT system was developed, tested, and implemented in a greenhouse located in Nepal. The data collection process was conducted in a period of 28 days in both a conventional non-automated greenhouse and a fully automated greenhouse, side by side, equipped with a comprehensive data logging system. This comparative analysis between the automated and non-automated greenhouse, using the collected data and evaluating the overall final quality of the crops in the greenhouses, allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the advantages, disadvantages, challenges, and affordability associated with the automated greenhouse in comparison to the non-automated system.
The developed automated greenhouse system in Panauti, Nepal, significantly improved plant growth and fruit production by effectively regulating air temperature and soil moisture compared to the non-automated greenhouse. In the automated greenhouse, the soil temperature remained within the desired range as a by-product of maintaining the air temperature and soil moisture levels. It also maintained suitable light levels even on cloudy days without the need for additional lighting. Additionally, energy consumption was minimal, costing only NPR 165 per month, equivalent to 1.13 euros per month. This cost-effectiveness and the improved quality of the crops make the developed greenhouse automation system highly recommended even though vulnerability to power outages suggests a need for backup power solutions or policy interventions.