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| Energy Label; how are you saving energy? | |
| Increasing energy prices have forced growers of ornamental plants to seek energy saving opportunities. A survey of European member associations of the AIPH (International Association of Horticultural Producers) reveals that average energy costs account for 25-30% of overall costs of greenhouse production in most Central and Northern European countries. The percentage is less for growers of bedding and balcony plants. In the last 5 years many growers have been introducing energy saving measures; almost 100% of the growers in Hungary and Sweden, 80% in Germany, 75% in the Netherlands, 65% in the UK and 40% in Begium. Growers in Hungary feel that they could do more since the Country is rich in geothermal energy but they lack the finacial resources to develop this energy source. Energy saving measures are many. They extend from improving old greenhouses to their replacement by modern energy efficient structures. Growers can switch to alternative sources of energy such as wood, biogas or geothernal energy. Cultivation methods provide further opportunities to save energy. Faster growing plant varieties can be used, crops can be grown at lower temperatures, winter production can be suspended or the heating period can be started later. Some growers prefer the opposite way, consuming more energy through heat and assimilation lighting to intensify production revenue per unit area. Some growers have become net energy producers and feed their excess to the national grid. Energy saving was behind the ‘Greenhouses as a source of energy’ program started in the Netherlands in 2002, supported by the Horticultural Board. The aim is to have newly erected greenhouses producing on an energy-neutral basis (output=input) by 2020. Investment covers research, consultancy and demonstration projects in energy saving. Included is the application of solar energy, bio-heating fuels, geothermal heat, energy saving plant varieties and improved use of light. The demonstration project ‘First gas-free greenhouse’ is evaluating how artificial air movements and a more stable greenhouse environment can effect a reduction in the crop cycle of orchids by up to 10%. In the program ‘League of greenhouse horticulture and the environment’ a reduction of CO2 emissions is being sought. An overview of the projects can be seen (in the Dutch language) on www.kennisonline.wur.nl/NR/rdonlyres/86588D44-A268-4B6C-97D3-283B561BCC9F/22662/BO03006.doc Other developments in the Netherlands include new greenhouse cladding and screens that permit a greater percentage of natural light to reach the plants of more energy efficient lighting. An overview is provided in the Dutch report ‘Optimum use of natural light in greenhouse production’ by a research consortium including the University of Wageningen. Dutch growers are also seeking methods to increase productivity per surface unit by investing in mobile production areas and transport systems. The ‘Mobisant’ project aims to improve the profitability of Cyclamen cultivation by increasing the yield through the use of a water system containing nutrients, independent of the soil. An energy saving of up to 30% per product unit should be possible. A futher 10% saving is made because soil sterilization is no longer necessary. E-mail: info@mobyflowers.nl, www.mobyflowers.nl It is likely that energy efficient plant cultivation will be promoted through the establishment of an ‘ENERGY LABEL’ stimulating growers to communicate the relative energy consumption utiized (probably per plant). In Germany growers are concentrating on more intensive production at higher densities. The standard multi-stem Poinsettia is no longer grown in a 12cm pot but in an 11 |
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