Sustainable Energy: Thermal Banking Greenhouse Design

Steven Schwen of Earthen Path Organic Farm (Lake City, Minnesota) has built an innovative greenhouse that allows him to extend his growing season while reducing energy costs. SARE's Farmer-Rancher Grants program provided critical assistance for Schwen in the beginning phases of his project.

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[theproducegarden]

awesome!!! i LOVE ur videos!

[cookingupastory]

@theproducegarden thank you!

[Annafin62]

We had some sort of solar greenhouse project in Finland, too. It was not this ambitious. Just a narrow area at the sunny side of the greenhouse filled with blackpainted barrels. In the evening the vents from that narrow space were opened to the green house. It also added to the growing season, but not much. Was it 2 weeks or a month? Sorry that I don´t remember exactly. It was 27 years ago.

[cookingupastory]

@Annafin62 Working with solar energy has been done for a long time, so not surprising you were doing something similar 27 years ago. It seems every little bit helps, especially when you're working in very cold climates.

[Hobgoblins]

This is fascinating! Thanks, CookingUpAStory, for continuing to spread knowledge (and hope)!

[cookingupastory]

thank you, @Hobgoblins There are a lot of good things going on out in the world, too. Lots to still be hopeful for - just hafta keep at it. =)

[rstevewarmorycom]

Water tanks painted black

is the most effective thermal mass you can possibly have for the cost.

Water has many times higher specific heat than any other construction

material, rock included. I'm just so sorry you had to do all that earth-

moving when it wasn't necessary at all. They should offer a course in

solar design in every community college, it would save people so much

money and effort.

[rstevewarmorycom]

I don't know why you did all the earth-moving and all the electrical

blowing when you should just use water for thermal mass. Just put

big tanks at the back, well-insulated rear and side walls, berm up N, E,

West walls, and then put an well insulated roof on it tilted at the winter

sun angle. You don't need all that glass, you don't for the heat, you

don't for the plants. Just catch the 9AM to 3PM sun and reflect it

all around using foil for the inmost walls.

[bryncomeaux]

TWO HALVES TOGETHER REINFORCE EACH OTHER BUT SEPARATED THEY ARE BROKE DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR WASTE OR WHERE TO GET ENERGY

[bryncomeaux]

WHAT ABOUT USING A HERAT PUMP TO COLLECT THE SOLAR GAIN THEN STORE HOT WATER IN AN INSULATED TANK AND RELEASE AT NIGHT. ALSO ONLY THE ROOTS NEED TO BE PROTECTED FROM FREEZING. MIGHT BEAT THE AMELIORATION TIME.

[CheapEnergyIdeas]

dude contradicts himself..says he grows tomatos and peppers started in February harvesting in May, but then says he has frost inside the greenhouse so in winter they grow salad greens????? Last time i checked Minnesota winters are in February??

[twodeadpoets]

Me speak no fizicks!

[rbfreeu]

I finally got it to play. (Those ads suck.) The video was worth a watch. I like his idea and will comment on it later in a new thread.

[rbfreeu]

I would like to view this video but the advertisements hang up my computer and steal my time. That's a waste because I am looking to employ some of this technology for a project in the near future. But, this advertisement shtick is obnoxious and I shall go elsewhere for information.

[asonetry]

Bless You and your family. Its a real testament to the human compassion and love system that you offer your research and project for free to other people on this beautiful planet. Thank you so much..........................