Modelling the energetic performance of a pig stable

Agriculture and intensive farming are a large source of green house gas emissions. Since currently about 70% of its energy is coming from polluting fossil fuels, it is necessary to implement renewable technologies in stables, which is currently being investigated with the RES4LIVE project. Some of the possibilities are: photovoltaic and thermal solar panels, heat pumps, ventilation energy recovery, wind energy and manure energy recovery. To evaluate the extent to which these technologies can be used and combined, and to estimate the performance and cost, a thermal model is being developed. This numerical model (although not CFD) is currently focused on pig stables and takes different heat losses (through ventilation and through the building envelope) and heat gains (heating systems and heat generation by the animals) into account. The results are still preliminary, but the goal is to accurately determine the heating and cooling load of each zone in the stable. This will eventually allow to make a selection and sizing of the proper renewable technologies.