Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture, together with chrysanthemum growers and Delphy, has conducted research into promising measures that can save considerably on electricity in terms of lighting and heating. According to them, growing climate-neutral chrysanthemums is technically possible. Whether it is also economically possible is not yet certain.
Save on heat consumption
Previous practical tests have already shown that with the right measures, the use of heat in chrysanthemum cultivation can be significantly reduced. In the recent study, the most relevant options for reducing the heat requirement were further investigated for their potential savings.
All these options together can ensure a gas consumption of less than 10 m3/m2 per year. The most important elements that ensure savings are: the application of an extra insulating greenhouse cover and a second screen, and dealing with climate settings differently. Disadvantages, however, are a greater risk of fungal diseases, and for some options, a lower investment space.
When there is a low electricity price and a high gas price, it is smart for the economy to use geothermal energy for chrysanthemum cultivation. The use of a heat pump in combination with special air handling units and heat storage in an aquifer is also an option. This would bring the possibility of a climate-neutral greenhouse closer.
Save on lighting
In addition to researching heat saving, possibilities for electricity saving in terms of lighting were also examined. Important measures here are the application of: AR coatings, diffuse glass, LED lighting and/or a highly reflective greenhouse construction.
However, these measures cost a lot of money. Measures with a smaller effect cost less money and can still reduce the electricity demand by 5 percent. This includes, for example, the application of ground reflection using styromull.
New cultivation concept
A project is currently being developed that demonstrates a new cultivation concept, in which the most promising measures are applied, but the quality of the crop is also paramount.
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