Netherlands Greenhouses set a standard in energy efficiency
G-86EM combined heat and power and CO2 solution addresses ever challenging customer needs
The Opportunity:
The Netherlands is world leader in agricultural innovation and world’s second largest exporter of agricultural products despite its size and weather conditions.
This has only been possible using new technology and knowledge that has allowed them to obtain twice as much food using half as many resources.
Above a 50% of their surface is used for agriculture and 80% of their cultivated land is under greenhouse glass, with interior light and “climate control” where crops can grow no matter the weather or light condition outside.
Gas engines are a perfect fit to support the growth of the crops in greenhouse glass, they can provide the electrical power for the artificial lights, heat for hot water and CO2 to enrich the atmosphere.
Two greenhouse owners in Baarlo (J en P Crienen B.V.) and Kessel (C. Jacobs B.V.) both very close to the German border, were to replace their gas engines as they had reached their technical end of life. Two options were on the table, continue with known technology or take the massive jump forward and go for best in class.
Our local solutions partner Dordtech has provided the engineering of the plant based on their wide experience in greenhouse application and on Guascor Energy engines, with the highest quality standards to achieve the most optimal results.
The Solution:
As entrepreneurs, taking the lead in their business and willing to be the best in their industries, they decided to go for the recently released, Guascor Energy’s best in class G-86EM gen sets.
Natural gas fired, 2MWe, 45,7% electrical efficiency, best in class in the market, above 90% global efficiency, in combination with exceptional control of their exhaust gas cleaning system, making this set the solution for their business, especially for cucumbers, one of the pickiest crops in terms of CO2 purity and demand for light and heat.
Best in class efficiency of the Guascor Energy engines, coupled with improved service and support capabilities of Dordtech (SEE’s distributor for Netherland and experts in green house application), were key factors in the decision to install Guascor Energy gen sets.
Benefits
After the necessary tuning period for a newly released engine, the gensets have been performing to expectations, saving more than 15% on gas consumption com-pared to the old situation, even with the extreme conditions of energy demand. Also having less heat per kW(e) enables them to make longer runs per day and thereby produce more CO2 on the moments the crops need it. The owners are very happy to have the best technology in the hearts of their greenhouses, especially with today’s energy price developments.
