Blog
YES, 100% SEALED WITH 6 BENEFITS THAT HAVE CHANGED THE GAME
Jun 28, 2024
1. TRUE, CLOSED-SYSTEM WATER CYCLE
Our 100% enclosed environments dramatically lower water consumption in greenhouses. In areas where water availability is a significant issue, such as the Middle East and other drought-stricken areas like California, we can recapture both transpired and evaporated water within the greenhouse. This is revolutionary in dramatically changing the operational requirements for commercial greenhouses. This technology not only replicates a true water cycle, it is unprecedented in controlled-environment agriculture. We have built what others only dream of.
BW GLOBAL has developed a True Closed-System Water Cycle. With this break through, our structures allow for growing virtually anywhere in the world.
2. CONTROL HUMIDITY, RETAIN WATER VAPOUR
Often, pathogen problems begin when relative humidity levels excess 80%, which impacts crop health and yields. Most greenhouses try to avoid this issue by increasing temperature or relying on direct venting. These actions temporarily avert the problem.Our sealed, BW GLOBAL greenhouses directly control relative humidity levels in very finite increments through atmospheric water collection to optimize the growing conditions for each individual crop. All of this is achieved without losing precious water.
3. OUTSTANDING PEST EXCLUSION
With dramatic changes in the environment, pests are becoming a more serious threat to crops. Species, such as thrips or Asian citrus psyllids, are becoming more aggressive and unnervingly resistant to pesticides.The best way to deal with pest pressure is to physically exclude them from the growing environment. With no netting that can tear, or roof vents to penetrate, we remove any opportunity for pests to invade.
Many thrips are pests of commercial crops due to the damage caused by feeding on developing flowers or vegetables, causing discolouration, deformities, and reduced marketability of the crop.
4. RETAIN ENERGY, CONTROL COST
With no need to vent to the outside atmosphere, we can retain any of the heat (solar or direct) required. As economic and environmental considerations become more acute, we can lower heating or cooling costs by limiting direct or conductive heat gain or loss by thermally isolating the greenhouse’s structural elements from the outside environment. These operational cost savings can be upwards of the 40%-60% range, depending on the geographic location.“Why lose 21°C C air to a -40°C environment or have a 52°C environment hammer your plants?”
5. ULTIMATE BUSINESS AND CROP PROTECTION
Our greenhouse structures and coverings are the strongest in the world. We have designed our greenhouses to withstand the most extreme forces of nature. The integrity of the outer structure is key to preserving the controlled, growing environment.A simple breach of the covering (such as glass) compromises the entire business’ viability. A catastrophe like this results in disastrous consequences including:a severe compromise of the growing environment—loss of temperature and humidity control and infestation of pestspossible damage to internal systems such as shading and heatingloss of crops due to shock and loss of temperature controltime and costs associated with the rebuild or repairpotential insurance battles involving lawyers trying to secure a settlementand perhaps the most significant one: loss of your customer base while recovering from the breach
An example of the damage to a glass greenhouse structure that could be easily avoided.
6. COMPLETE CO2 RETENTION
The tight, sealed nature of our BW GLOBAL greenhouses provides the opportunity for growers to significantly push higher yields, since we can retain high CO2 levels. No venting means no loss of CO2. These higher, sustained internal CO2 levels—regardless of whether it is hot or cold outside—result in stronger plants, higher yields and better economic returns for those who choose to supplement ambient CO2 levels.
A comparison between a traditional vented system vs. a controlled closed system. In a traditional vented system (left) excess heat must be released, which allows for the loss of precious CO2. In a BW GLOBAL controlled closed system (right), we are able to control heat and maximize the amount of CO2 in the system to allow for better growing conditions.
