Holland Scherming installs new assimilation screens at Rimato:
Low electricity prices make grower switch to year-round production
The previous screen, a normal energy screen, was 10 years old. It still might have been utilized, but a number of factors determined that it was the right time to apply a new screen system. Samax Energy Management performed a calculation, which resulted in the decision to switch to year-round cultivation with assimilation lights.
Optimal energy utilization
"We have a CHP that generates our own electricity," says Marcel van der Knaap, co-owner of Rimato. "The heat and CO2 released is well used, only the price that we get for the electricity which goes almost entirely into the public grid is so low that it is more interesting to use this spare energy within our own company. From October 1st our CHP will thus supply the electricity used for the lights. The excess heat generated by these lamps, we use for heating our other greenhouse where no illuminated cultivation takes place. So we make optimal use of the energy we have at our disposal."
In addition, the screen meets the insurance requirements regarding fire safety.
Facade cloth
Dutch growers that use lights, are required to ensure that there is no emission of light during the dark period, which runs from September 1st to May 1st. The screen system in a so called illuminated cultivation consists of horizontal and vertical installations. "In order to achieve a perfect sealing between these two systems, accurate work is a must. Because the greenhouse is full of tomatoes during the installation of the new screens, it may take some consideration as to how the screens can be mounted. That is why we are working from the outside of the greenhouse by removing a window pane here and there," said a representative from Holland Scherming.
For more information:
Holland Scherming
Honderdland 30
2676 LS Maasdijk
Tel: 0174-5161800174-516180
Fax: 0174-513622
www.hollandscherming.nl