Pinus adapt

The objective of this project was to improve efficiency in the management of horticultural production in greenhouses, integrating meteorological variables both in the production area and in the demand areas. Short- (3-day) and medium-term (60-day) weather forecasting models anticipate internal and external greenhouse conditions, as well as climatic conditions in the destination markets, allowing production to be adjusted to the expected demand. For example, if a heat wave is expected in an importing country, the irrigation or ventilation of the greenhouse can be managed to maximize production and take advantage of the increased demand, thus optimizing profit.

The activities included the development of 60-day theoretical prediction models for variables such as maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation and wind, with daily resolution; and 3-day models for the same variables plus humidity, with hourly resolution. Automatic correction mechanisms based on historical and real-time observations were applied, especially to estimate conditions inside the greenhouse, based on complex nonlinear statistical relationships between the external environment and the internal microclimate.

Location: Spain. Contractor: ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through the Innterconecta program of the CDTI (Center for Industrial Technological Development), Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.
Period of execution: 2013-2014.
Other members of the consortium: Hispatec, Verdtech, Tinamica.