Alternative energy

Twelve of our growers* are connected to a geothermal source. From a layer in the ground at a depth of kilometres, hot water is pumped and led into the greenhouse. The cooled down water returns into the ground again. 

Two of our growers* use residual heat. Residual heat (also referred to as waste heat) is heat that is released by processes in industry, incinerating waste or from data centres. This is usefully deployed in the greenhouse. 

Five of our growers* use biomass. By burning wood, energy is released in the form of heat. We use that in the greenhouse. We filter the flue gases and the CO2 that is released can be used to have plants grow. 

The deployment of a compost heater is being developed. A compost heater is a pile of composting material that produces heat through the natural decomposition of organic material. The heat can be used to heat the greenhouse. The compost is good for the soil, which is important for organic cultivation. 

The use of aquathermal energy in greenhouse horticulture is being researched. Heat can be obtained from surface water, wastewater or drinking water through a heat exchanger. 

We can temporarily store the available heat that is not immediately needed. Short-term storage takes place in a large heat storage tank that basically every grower has. Longer term storage takes place in groundwater.

The use of nuclear energy in greenhouse horticulture is being researched. 

The use of hydrogen in greenhouse horticulture is being researched. It can be used as fuel for a cogeneration system to replace gas.

We use green energy from wind and solar energy as much as possible at our cultivation sites and our farming enterprises.