The combustion of 1 cubic meter of biogas can release about 23,000 kilojoules of heat energy. This figure is crucial for calculating the amount of heat required to raise and maintain the temperature in various greenhouse sizes. For example, consider a greenhouse that measures 20 meters in length, 7 meters in width, and 1.5 meters in height, giving it a total volume of 210 cubic meters. It takes roughly 1 kJ of energy to raise the temperature of 1 cubic meter of air by 1°C. Therefore, to increase the temperature of the entire greenhouse by 10°C, you would need approximately 2,100 kJ of heat. Since 1 cubic meter of biogas provides 23,000 kJ, this means you would only need around 0.1 cubic meters of biogas to achieve the desired temperature rise—assuming no heat loss.
However, greenhouses typically have poor insulation, leading to rapid heat dissipation. To counter this, it's common to install one biogas stove or equivalent heating system for every 10 square meters of greenhouse space. These stoves are used strategically, especially during colder periods when temperature drops require quick heating. Additionally, lights are often left on continuously, not just for illumination but also to contribute a small amount of heat. While lighting may not be the primary heat source, it helps in maintaining a more stable environment. The combination of biogas stoves and lighting ensures that the greenhouse remains warm enough to support plant growth, even in cooler conditions.