Sobre: a continuing education program to support energy savings in research greenhouses

Abstract

Supported by INRAE’s division for Social and Environmental Responsibility, the “Sobre” project enabled the design and testing of a training program aimed at strengthening the skills of engineers and technicians responsible for managing research greenhouses and growth chambers. By leveraging optimization strategies for setpoint management, the program aims to allow the trainees to reduce energy consumption, particularly for heating and lighting. Having proven its effectiveness, this pilot initiative could be scaled up and delivered in a decentralized, remote format, thereby benefiting all personnel involved in controlled-environment plant research facilities.