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Agrivoltaics for controlled environment horticulture
The uptake of renewable electricity production in the UK controlled environment horticulture (CEH) industry has been lower than other sectors. In large part, this is because CEH set-ups in glasshouses do not have the large open spaces or unused roof areas needed for the popular generation options. Agrivoltaics has potential to change this dynamic. Simply,…
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Exploring energy innovation in the Netherlands
Via the GrowSave project, NFU Energy organised a 3-day Study Tour to the Netherlands in March for UK greenhouse growers. Our focus, of course, was energy – using it more efficiently, sustainably, cost-effectively and learning about new technology and innovation. The Dutch are among the top commercial horticulturalist in the world, with a particular talent…
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Installing small-scale wind turbines – what do you need to be aware of?
Landscape Wind power frequently contributes between 10% and 60% of the UK electricity power grid. Although the onshore currently installed capacity is comparable with offshore, the planned developments heavily favour offshore. This is predominantly due to difficulties with planning permissions and restrictions on the maximum onshore turbine height. Project Status[1] Generation Capacity (GW) Onshore Offshore…
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What does Scope 3 carbon reporting mean for Horticultural business?
Many retailers are applying pressure to their supply chain to complete some form of carbon reporting , with the goal to account for the supply chain emissions of the produce they sell. Unfortunately, this is often pursued without consistency in approach between retailers. Some retailers will recommend or even mandate the use of one of…
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Glasshouse heat recovery
Make the most of the heat in your glasshouse that may otherwise be considered “waste”. Read on to learn about the different areas in your glasshouse where you can recover heat to use more productively and ultimately improve your efficiencies. Refrigeration Many glasshouse sites include refrigeration, either as part of a chilled environment or in…
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Floating Solar
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) has been undergoing a quiet revolution in the last decade, transitioning from one of the more expensive renewable generations solutions to the least expensive, and enabling farmers and growers to benefit from it without the need for subsidy or incentive. Often categorised with Farming, Horticulture does not always have one of the…
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Low-GWP and High-Temperature Heat Pumps
Using hydrocarbons as refrigerants is not new. Propane, under the moniker R290, has been around for many years as an efficient thermal transfer medium. Likewise with Isobutane; R600a. The reason hydrocarbon refrigerants are not more widely used is due to their flammability and explosive risk. Nevertheless, hydrocarbons have excellent thermodynamic properties, meaning their prevalence is…
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Agrivoltaics
Energy from the sun is in abundance, so, being able to utilise more of that energy can significantly aid in the UKs net zero goal by 2050. Why is it useful? The current volatility on the electricity market has significantly increased the interest in installing Solar PV to provide stability against the uncertainty in costs.…
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Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
A detailed look at Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP), the three types of Biomass CHP boiler systems, the pros and cons of each, and the implications of Biomass CHP for CO2 enrichment.
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The basics of thermal storage for horticulture
Thermal storage is the means of storing thermal energy (heat or cooling) so it can be used sometime after it is generated. Find out why you should use thermal storage and what storage medium is best.
