A non-linear optimal greenhouse control problem with heating and ventilation

A simplified non-linear dynamic model of greenhouse crop growth with constraints on the state and the control signal is considered. The weather is assumed to be known. The optimization criterion is to minimize the heating and ventilation cost. In this paper a novel solution is presented for the case when both the heating cost and the ventilation cost are included in the criterion. Important properties of the optimal solutions are clarified. It is found that neighbouring maxima and minima of a particular function of the outside temperature, the solar radiation and the heat transfer coefficient decide whether heating or ventilation has to be applied. A numerical example is given.