Improvements in lighting efficiency would help, but since heat is generally
needed as well, reduced energy requirements for light would translate into
higher need for heating energy. I think the biggest opportunity for expanding
production lies in tapping "waste" heat (really it is wasted heat). That occurs
in electricity generation. AES Cayuga is one large generator of wasted heat
that could support a greenhouse complex producing winter vegetables.
Joel,
About 120 miles south of Ithaca, when they built the coal fired Montour
electirc generating plant in the 1970s near Washingtonville, PA, a local flower
growing operation built about 150,000 sq. ft. of greenouses next door to tap
the waste heat from the plant and expand their growing season to year-round.
I have not been past there in years but I hope they are still in operation.
George
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