Abstract

Background:
Energy-intensive operations in agriculture, such as poultry farming, are key targets for reducing energy use. Integrating high-efficiency heating systems and renewable energy sources not only cuts GHG emissions and costs but also boosts the overall resilience and long-term sustainability of food production, an urgent priority in climate-vulnerable areas.

Aim:
This study investigates solar energy’s potential to meet the thermal requirements of poultry houses in Libya, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based heating.

Methods:
A detailed field survey was conducted among 14 poultry house owners to assess energy consumption patterns, followed by a simulation-based case study of a 20,000-bird facility in Sedi Alsayah, south of Tripoli. The thermal behavior of the poultry house was modeled using TRNSYS, incorporating local meteorological data and thermal comfort conditions specific to poultry.

Results:
It indicates an annual heating and cooling demand of 189.3 and 85.5 MWh, respectively, with ventilation accounting for nearly 25% of the annual heating and cooling demand. The integration of a solar thermal system with flat plate collectors achieved a solar fraction of 56.4%, which was further improved to 80.8% when combined with heat recovery from vented air. Additional energy-saving measures, including enhanced insulation, further reduced heating loads by up to 77%.

Conclusion:
Findings demonstrate that solar-assisted space heating, complemented by energy efficiency strategies, can significantly reduce the dependency on fossil fuels and the environmental impacts of poultry operations while ensuring optimal bird welfare and productivity.

Key words: Energy efficiency; Heat recovery; Poultry houses; Solar energy; TRNSYS simulation.