Wind-Protected Greenhouse Automation

Automatically Put the Greenhouse into Protection Mode When Wind Increases

Greenhouse roof vents, side windows and motorized ventilation systems may remain open under normal conditions for temperature and humidity management. Strong wind, however, can increase the risk of mechanical damage to open structures.

NetRelay can use wind sensor measurements as automation conditions. When wind speed exceeds the configured safety threshold, motorized windows, roof vents or closing systems can automatically be controlled and the greenhouse can enter a protection mode.

Automatic Protection Above 20 km/h

For example, when measured wind speed exceeds 20 km/h, the condition can trigger an automatic protection workflow.

NetRelay can activate the appropriate relay outputs to close greenhouse windows or roof ventilation systems before stronger wind creates additional risk.

Example Automation Rule

Condition: Wind speed > 20 km/h.

Action 1: Close open windows and ventilation systems.

Action 2: Temporarily block automatic opening commands.

Action 3: Switch the greenhouse to Protection Mode.

Action 4: Send a wind alarm to the central system and record the event.

Give Wind Protection Priority Over Temperature Control

Under normal conditions, roof vents may open when greenhouse temperature rises. If high wind is detected at the same time, however, the temperature-based opening command can be blocked.

For example, even when temperature exceeds 30°C, windows remain closed while wind is above the 20 km/h safety limit. Alternative ventilation such as fans can be activated instead.

A Real Greenhouse Scenario

When greenhouse temperature reaches 31°C, the system normally opens motorized roof vents. With wind at 12 km/h, ventilation continues normally.

If wind later increases to 22 km/h, the system detects that the 20 km/h threshold has been exceeded and activates the closing relay. Once the vents close, the greenhouse enters Protection Mode.

If internal temperature remains high, mechanical fans or other suitable ventilation equipment can operate instead of reopening the roof vents.

Do Not Reopen Immediately

A short drop below 20 km/h should not necessarily cause the greenhouse to return immediately to normal operation. Hysteresis and delay logic can prevent repeated opening and closing during unstable wind conditions.

For example, protection may activate above 20 km/h but normal operation may resume only after wind remains below 15 km/h for at least 10 minutes.

Stable Control with Hysteresis

Enter Protection Mode: Wind > 20 km/h.

Exit Protection Mode: Wind < 15 km/h for at least 10 minutes.

Control Motorized Roof Vents

Electric actuators, motor controllers or suitable contactor systems can be controlled through NetRelay relay outputs. Separate outputs can be assigned for opening and closing actions.

Limit switches can be connected to digital inputs so central software can verify whether the vent has actually reached its fully open or fully closed position.

Verify the Closing Operation

Sending a closing command does not guarantee that the mechanical system has actually closed. Professional installations can monitor closed-position feedback.

If the closed-position signal is not received within the configured period after a wind alarm, a second critical alert can be generated for motor failure, mechanical blockage or limit-switch problems.

Protect Multiple Greenhouse Zones

Large greenhouses can manage north, south, east and west ventilation zones independently. Wind direction information can also be incorporated so the side directly exposed to wind is closed first.

Storm Mode

• 0-15 km/h: Normal greenhouse automation
• 15-20 km/h: Pre-warning and controlled ventilation
• Above 20 km/h: Close roof and side ventilation and enter Protection Mode
• Higher critical threshold: Storm alarm and personnel notification

Alternative Ventilation During Protection Mode

Closing roof vents may cause greenhouse temperature to rise. Wind protection can therefore work together with temperature control, automatically using fans or mechanical ventilation while natural ventilation is unavailable.

Record Wind Protection Events

• Protection mode start time
• Protection mode end time
• Maximum measured wind speed
• Vent closing time
• Closed-position confirmation
• Total protection mode duration
• Ventilation operations cancelled due to wind
• Motor or limit-switch faults
• Daily and monthly high-wind events

Central Monitoring and Alerts

Wind speed, greenhouse protection status and motorized equipment position can be transferred to central software using MQTT or HTTP.

Critical events such as exceeding the wind threshold, entering protection mode or failing to close a vent can generate notifications.

Turn Wind Data into Physical Protection

A traditional wind sensor may only display current wind speed. With NetRelay, that measurement becomes part of the actual automation logic.

When wind exceeds 20 km/h, automatically close vulnerable greenhouse systems, block unsafe opening commands, activate alternative ventilation and move the greenhouse into protection mode.