Mass deployment of plant factories as a source of load flexibility in the grid under an energy-food nexus. A technoeconomics-based comparison. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xydis, George; Strasszer, David; Avgoustaki, Dafni Despoina; Nanaki, Evanthia
• Is Part Of: Sustainable energy technologies and assessments. Volume 47(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Energy-Food Nexus -- Plant factories -- Load flexibility -- Technoeconomics; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Energy development -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Electric power production -- Periodicals; Energy storage -- Periodicals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seta.2021.101431
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-1388

Abstract

Abstract: There is no clear solution for dealing with the severe consequences of rapid urbanization. Since it cannot be reverted as a phenomenon, the scientific community has decided to look for sustainable solutions within the urban environment. An Energy-Food Nexus could optimize the way cities interact with meeting energy and food demands in intense urban environments. This work proposed a decisive solution by introducing plant factories as a support to the grid and to the local leafy greens industry. The work studied how plant factories can act as a source of load flexibility via a wind energy project. Under various scenarios analysed for a specific case in Central Greece, it was revealed that possible investors in both wind energy and plant factories, in most of the cases, they will have a full repayment period of their investment in less than 8 years, while in some cases even as low as 4 years.