The Feasibility of Underground Greenhouses Construction as an Action to Reduce Climate Change Impacts

In this study, as an action to reduce energy consumption and mitigate climate change impacts, creating a safer greenhouse structure, reducing the cost of construction and better management of greenhouses, the use of underground greenhouses (below ground level) in the Arak city climate, has been evaluated. To perform this experiment, three greenhouse units were built in 0, 1.5 and 2.5 meters below the ground level. The results showed that the differences in the temperature, relative humidity and radiation intensity in all three greenhouses were significant, so that in the greenhouses below the ground level there is more temperature stability and more relative humidity, but the intensity of radiation is less. Furthermore, the results of comparing the crop yield in the two seasons showed that the yield difference between zero ground and 2.5 meters below the ground level greenhouses was significant, but with the zero ground and 1.5 meters below the ground level was not significant. The results showed 5 and 6.5 percent reduction in electricity and gas energy consumption in 1.5 meters below the ground greenhouses, respectively. Also, results indicated 13.3 and 14.5 percent reduction in electricity and gas energy consumption in 2.5 meters below the ground greenhouses, respectively. The results of this study showed that if the correct locating, design and implementation of underground greenhouses are done properly, they have several advantages that distinguish these greenhouses from conventional zero ground greenhouses and therefore is a good action for climate change adaptation.