When operating a greenhouse, being able to generate off-grid electric power and heat for captive use is vital for plant growth as well as having the option of using the combustion by-products from the natural gas consumed; the exhaust gases are also used to promote plant growth.

Heating the greenhouses requires the largest energy consumption in plant nurseries especially during winter months. Concern may arise when preheating of irrigation water and the heating of retail shop areas, hence the benefit of a cogeneration unit (CHP). Electrical power is mainly used for lighting and compressed air, along with the operation of boilers, as well as for process control purposes. In the greenhouse facilities, the operating costs can be reduced through implementation of a combined heat and power system (CHP). Crops can grow year round with the aid of a CHP unit to due thermal & heat recovery, exhaust cooling circuits are fed through heat exchangers to transfer the waste heat from the engine to a hot water or steam circuit. The hot water is then collected and used for heating the greenhouses. The carbon monoxide can be removed with oxidation catalysts, Following these processes, exhaust gases emitted are so clean that they can be fed to the plant roots as fertilizer and boost the farmer’s profit.