AIoT-Based Fuzzy C-Means Control for Energy‑Efficient Greenhouse Microclimate Management

Abstract

The aim of modern greenhouses is to keep the optimal environmental conditions for plant growth, but this goal usually involves a high energy consumption, especially for temperature and humidity control. In this paper, an intelligent control strategy is presented based upon the Internet of Things (IoT) and a Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering-based control model. The model is designed for the regulation of the greenhouse microclimate with the observance of temperature and humidity requirements for melon plants, which will increase operational efficiency and reduce energy consumption. To evaluate the performance of the proposed model and to compare the results with traditional control strategies, a simulation environment was created. Both simulation and experimental outcomes indicate that the proposed FCM-based controller has decreased the fan operating time by 28.0% and the cooling system operating time by 33.1%, resulting in an estimated daily energy saving of 29.9% in comparison with the conventional ON/OFF control method while maintaining stable microclimate conditions in the greenhouse. The control system was deployed in a greenhouse with data acquisition, remote monitoring, and real-time control functions, improving energy management and equipment operation in small-scale and family-run greenhouses while supporting smart agriculture applications.