BioShelterAn Introduction

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Definition

• A solar greenhouse managed as an indoor ecosystem

• Key features• Goal: Self-maintaining balance of energy production/consumption and waste

management• Passive solar heating• Thermal storage• Ventilation system• Subterranean heating and cooling system; “climate battery” (optional)

• Used for growing crops or creating a supplemental living space

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Can come in all sizes J2$

Kimball Union Academy

• $1.1M proposal to produce food and create a laboratory for the science curriculum at the school

• Hydroponics in a 3,500 sq ft geothermally heated greenhouse

• Tower gardens to produce:• Fruits & Vegetables (over 70 varieties)• Asian Herbs & Vegetables (over 30

varieties)• Fresh Herbs (over 60 varieties)• Fresh Flowers (over 30 varieties)• Ornamental Flowers (over 60 varieties

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Growing Dome

• Growing Spaces in Pagosa Springs, CO

• Kits for the home hobbist and professional growers

• Larger scale systems (up to 42’ diameter) for schools and commercial growing operations

• Designed as much to “…create a beautiful indoor space for nurturing relaxation” as to provide for growing food crops

• We’ll look at an 18’ diameter kit that currently retails for $8,950 plus shipping, taxes, site prep, and locally sourced items

• Some assembly required

• Videos

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Successful growing environment

Kale Cucumbers Flowers

Lettuce Cantaloupe House Plants

Spinach Strawberries Cacti

Carrots Grapes Lemon Tree

Radishes Tomatoes Fig Tree

Swiss Chard Tree Collards Lemon Balm

Herbs: rosemary, parsley, bay, thyme, basil, tarragon, oregano

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Bioshelter

• Constructed in the summer of 2013

• Three temperature sensitive vents

• 650 gallon water tank for thermal storage

• Raised beds around the interior perimeter of the greenhouse

• Subterranean heating and cooling system

• 5W Solar powered fan for air circulation

• 20W Solar powered water fountain to aerate the water tank

• Goldfish

• Vermiculture composting

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Questions

• Thermal Storage• Air exchange• Passive solar gain• Auxiliary heating• Effects of wind• Potential food production

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Food production

• Some current prices from Hannafords and Uncle Dean’s

• All organic items

• Fresh herbs $1.79 for approximately 20g

• Cucumbers $3.49 each

• Tomatoes $2.49/lb (Backyard Farms)

• Spinach $4.75 for 0.55 lb

• Chard $2.59/lb

• Kale $2.89/lb

• Mixed salad greens $4.94 for 0.55 lb

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Temperature ranges for food crops

• Cool season vegetablesd (lettuce, chard, kale, carrots)• Daytime: 50°F to 70°F• Daytime short-term temperature extremes: 35°F to 90°F• Nighttime: 45°F to 55° F• Germination: 40° to 75°F

• Warm season vegetables (beans, tomatoes, melons)• Daytime – 60°F to 85°F• Daytime short-term temperature extremes – 50°F to 95°F• Nighttime – 55°F to 65°F• Germination – 60°F to 85°F

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