Soil energy in the form of Heat and Cold Storage (WKO) is already widely used in greenhouse horticulture in South Holland. Freely available heat and cold are stored underground via groundwater over the seasons. Greenport West Holland reports that a project will start in July to investigate the feasibility and application of pilots in greenhouse horticulture in South Holland.
The general preconditions for Medium Temperature Storage (MTO) in this are a maximum inflation temperature of 25 degrees and a heat/cold balance.
In recent years, much research has been done into the application of High Temperature Storage of more than 60°C (HTO). Under strict preconditions, HTO has been made possible through pilots. There is less experience with MTO up to around 50°C, while this form of soil energy actually offers potential for greenhouse horticulture.
MTO has the advantage that the potential energy buffer is at least twice as large compared to a WKO system of the same size. Moreover, it requires less energy for the heat pump. However, MTO requires additional monitoring, permit requirements, and smart technical and spatial design.
In cooperation with the Province of South Holland, the Haaglanden Environmental Service, municipalities, and entrepreneurs, a number of components will be integrally worked out in the project for this in 2023.
The structure and coherence of these components will create an overview for all stakeholders, laying the foundation for further knowledge sharing between authorities and entrepreneurs. It also estimates the potential impact MTO can make on the CO2 emissions of greenhouse horticulture in South Holland.
Source: Greenport West-Holland