Energy water food nexus

This chapter offers an overview of the energy-water-food nexus, their interlinkages, exploring these critical resources through controlled environment agriculture systems, mainly focusing on greenhouses. The energy-water-food nexus is introduced by examining the individual components and their interconnections, including trade-offs and innovations. A thorough analysis of controlled environment agriculture systems, with particular emphasis on greenhouses, encompasses discussions of their microclimates, control mechanisms, and the various technologies employed to maintain optimal growing conditions. Furthermore, the fundamental requirements of greenhouses and the potential technologies available to fulfill these needs and maintain an ideal microclimate inside the greenhouse are discussed. Various energy sources, conversion technologies, and their integration with greenhouse systems through an integrated system approach are examined. Moreover, economic analysis and feasibility aspects are discussed, including cost-benefit analyses, return on investment for various technologies, and the role of government incentives. Environmental impacts are assessed through life cycle and carbon footprint analyses, as well as water use efficiency comparisons. Finally, three detailed case studies demonstrating the application of integrated systems in food production are explored in detail.