Digital Controlled Environment Agriculture

Climate change, resource scarcity, pollution of water and soil, and rapid population growth are increasingly undermining the sustainability of traditional agriculture. At the same time, global urbanization is accelerating the demand for urban agriculture, where crop production is carried out within controlled facilities. In this context, controlled environment agriculture (CEA)—including precision greenhouses, plant factories, vertical farming, and indoor farming—has emerged as a vital solution. These practices are flourishing worldwide, particularly in high-income regions with limited water and arable land but relatively abundant electricity, where CEA is becoming the mainstream of modern agriculture.

This book synthesizes decades of teaching and research in CEA, encompassing both solar-based systems (precision greenhouses with climate control enabling year-round cultivation) and fully artificial-light plant factories. It is organized into ten chapters:

• Chapters 1–2 introduce the calculation of solar trajectories, energy balances, and the thermodynamic properties of moist air.
• Chapters 3–4 cover natural ventilation, the effects of insect screens, calculation of minimum ventilation requirements, the VETH diagram (integrating ventilation rate, evapotranspiration, temperature, and humidity), cost assessments of forced ventilation, and the application of meteorological data from different regions of Taiwan.
• Chapter 5 presents evaporative cooling methods, including wet curtains and misting systems.
• Chapter 6 simulates greenhouse heating systems.
• Chapters 7–8 examine crop evapotranspiration, water stress indicators, evaporation rates, and net photosynthesis within controlled environments.
• Chapters 9–10 discuss lighting control strategies for artificial-light plant factories, as well as the management of carbon dioxide, water, and energy balances. These principles also extend to greenhouse and livestock house engineering.

The software and computational models presented in this book were developed by the author, primarily in MATLAB, with some simpler calculations implemented in Excel. Source codes are provided to help readers grasp the underlying engineering principles and apply the calculation methods directly.

By bridging theory with practical tools, this book seeks to inspire readers—researchers, students, and practitioners alike—to engage with CEA. Ultimately, it aims to contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture, farmers, and rural communities in Taiwan and worldwide, while supporting global efforts to address environmental, food security, and resource challenges.