






Announcements
Vacancies
- VP Growing Operations
- Head Grower Strawberries, Australia
- Growing Manager for Hydroponic strawberry producer
- Farm Manager Costa Rica
- Regional Sales Manager Fresh Produce
- Head Grower Strawberries, Norway
- Export Trade Manager
- Business Developer - Northern Europe
- Orchard Sector Manager
- Grower
Using LED lighting to reduce energy costs by 50%
By making use of LED lighting in greenhouses, the energy consumption of tomato growers can be reduced by 50%, thinks Leo Marcelis, Professor of Horticulture and Product Physiology at Wageningen University. Eight doctoral candidates and three postdoctoral students will conduct research to make this possible. Technology Foundation STW and ten companies have agreed to fund the research, as was announced on November 18, 2014.
Switching from pressure sodium lights to LED lighting already saves 25 percent of energy consumption, probably even 30 percent in a few years’ time. Marcelis thinks another 30 percent might be saved on the electricity bill by placing LEDs more sensibly, by using different colours of light and giving them the right intensity and by using varieties that are better adapted to energy-efficient lighting. A total of 60 percent could thus be saved on electricity. Further savings can be made by clever use of LED light for controlling humidity in greenhouses. Because LEDs give off little heat themselves, the nursery will have to be heated. A net energy saving of 50 percent is realistic, Marcelis states.
Light and heat separated
Since LED lamps do not become hot, they can be placed between the tomato plants. By allowing the light to shine on the sides of the plants, much can be gained. What colour light can best be used in different phases, must be examined. Of great importance to the grower is that the plant uses the extra energy from the optimized photosynthesis to produce fruit, and not just additional leaf. One tomato variety will show a different light response than another, so that is looked at by researchers as well.
Humidity management in greenhouses changes
The humidity in greenhouses will change when using LED lighting. Using light colours affects stomata and may increase the resistance of plants to disease. Under sunny conditions, stomata are best opened to absorb CO2, which is then converted to growth of the plant. Open stomata, however, also means more evaporation and thus more humidity in the greenhouse - and a greater risk of fungal diseases.
Conversely, on cold dark days and during the night, energy can be saved by making sure the stomata are more closed. During these moments, much heating is spent to keep humidity stable. By reducing evaporation in these moments, energy can be saved.
Participants and financiers LED it be 50%
In the project, entitled LED it be 50%, Wageningen University is working with the universities in Utrecht, Leiden, Delft and Eindhoven. Wageningen University also includes several groups in this study: the chair groups Horticulture & Product Physiology, Farm Technology and Wageningen UR Plant Breeding. In addition, there is cooperation with growers organization LTO Glaskracht Netherlands, Philips, plant breeders Rijk Zwaan, Nunhems and Bejo, automation companies HortiMax and B-Mex, cultivation companies Van der Lugt Plantenkwekerij and Westlandse Plantenkwekerij and research institute Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture.
Source: WageningenUR
Switching from pressure sodium lights to LED lighting already saves 25 percent of energy consumption, probably even 30 percent in a few years’ time. Marcelis thinks another 30 percent might be saved on the electricity bill by placing LEDs more sensibly, by using different colours of light and giving them the right intensity and by using varieties that are better adapted to energy-efficient lighting. A total of 60 percent could thus be saved on electricity. Further savings can be made by clever use of LED light for controlling humidity in greenhouses. Because LEDs give off little heat themselves, the nursery will have to be heated. A net energy saving of 50 percent is realistic, Marcelis states.
Light and heat separated
Since LED lamps do not become hot, they can be placed between the tomato plants. By allowing the light to shine on the sides of the plants, much can be gained. What colour light can best be used in different phases, must be examined. Of great importance to the grower is that the plant uses the extra energy from the optimized photosynthesis to produce fruit, and not just additional leaf. One tomato variety will show a different light response than another, so that is looked at by researchers as well.
Humidity management in greenhouses changes
The humidity in greenhouses will change when using LED lighting. Using light colours affects stomata and may increase the resistance of plants to disease. Under sunny conditions, stomata are best opened to absorb CO2, which is then converted to growth of the plant. Open stomata, however, also means more evaporation and thus more humidity in the greenhouse - and a greater risk of fungal diseases.
Conversely, on cold dark days and during the night, energy can be saved by making sure the stomata are more closed. During these moments, much heating is spent to keep humidity stable. By reducing evaporation in these moments, energy can be saved.
Participants and financiers LED it be 50%
In the project, entitled LED it be 50%, Wageningen University is working with the universities in Utrecht, Leiden, Delft and Eindhoven. Wageningen University also includes several groups in this study: the chair groups Horticulture & Product Physiology, Farm Technology and Wageningen UR Plant Breeding. In addition, there is cooperation with growers organization LTO Glaskracht Netherlands, Philips, plant breeders Rijk Zwaan, Nunhems and Bejo, automation companies HortiMax and B-Mex, cultivation companies Van der Lugt Plantenkwekerij and Westlandse Plantenkwekerij and research institute Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture.
Source: WageningenUR
Publication date:
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-09-29 Indoor-grown leafy greens brand surpasses traditional field-grown brands
- 2023-09-29 US companies announce collaboration on expected greenhouse project
- 2023-09-29 “We are constantly trialing 200+ snacking vegetable varieties”
- 2023-09-29 Double inflated plastic solutions shown at Fruit Attraction
- 2023-09-29 US: U of I hopes a new greenhouse will be an incubator for bioenergy crops
- 2023-09-28 22-hectare greenhouse in Mongolia to be completed by the end of the year
- 2023-09-27 Providing a unique greenhouse experience and launch of new sweet pepper variety
- 2023-09-27 Foil greenhouse lets Belgian strawberry grower expand
- 2023-09-25 Greenhouse Cluster Development project is way in Georgia
- 2023-09-22 CAN: Horticultural center topped with roof informed by Fibonacci spirals
- 2023-09-21 Ukrainian farmers receive subsidies to develop the construction of gardens and greenhouses
- 2023-09-21 Greenhouse farming in the Mogilev region is switching to new technologies
- 2023-09-21 Far North grower forced to diversify crops due to strawberry shortage
- 2023-09-20 Lettuce industry Florida expands into new production systems
- 2023-09-20 Ukraine: Ivano-Frankivsk community are establishing a greenhouse farm
- 2023-09-20 Low- and mid-tech greenhouse constructions ready for assembly
- 2023-09-19 China: New glass greenhouse are under construction in Beijing
- 2023-09-18 Environmental association points out flaws in greenhouse expansion plan
- 2023-09-15 NL: Bejo's new plant nursery officially opened
- 2023-09-14 Philippines: Korean funded greenhouses set for turnover by November