Assessment of Shallow Geothermal Energy for Greenhouse Cooling in a Hot Arid Climate Using Measured Subsurface Temperatures

Greenhouse cooling in hot arid regions such as Qatar is challenged by high ambient temperatures and solar loads. This study evaluates shallow geothermal coupling as a heat rejection mechanism for greenhouse cooling using measured subsurface temperature data and numerical modeling. Underground measurements indicate thermally stable soil conditions at approximately 30 °C below a depth of about 7 m. These data are integrated into a COMSOL Multiphysics model of a mechanically cooled greenhouse operating under cooling-dominated conditions. For the modeled reference case, a peak sensible cooling load of approximately 14 kW is considered. Simulations show that geothermal coupling reduces the effective heat rejection temperature by approximately 15 °C compared to air-based rejection, thereby moderating peak cooling demand under extreme summer conditions.