'Horticulture dares to think big in major energy challenge'
The energy market is under considerable pressure. Due to geopolitical tensions, the availability of gas and oil has decreased significantly, resulting in high prices. Moreover, entrepreneurs are increasingly being asked to do more when it comes to sustainable production. Not only does this offer opportunities for alternative energy sources, but growers are also being helped by various innovations to use energy more efficiently, such as the application of smart LED systems in the greenhouse and the use of a thermal battery.
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In recent years, numerous innovations have been developed to help growers reduce their energy consumption or adopt a different approach. For instance, Thermeleon was founded in 2020 based on a fundamentally different perspective on energy in the greenhouse. The sustainable Thermeleon Heat Battery transforms the greenhouse into an energy source. “While energy is often viewed as a problem, we see it differently: at Thermeleon, we view greenhouse energy not as a shortage, but as an abundance. Thanks to the greenhouse effect, a closed greenhouse in principle generates 3 to 5 times more heat than is actually needed over the course of the year. The challenge, therefore, lies not in production, but in timing: too warm during the day and too cold at night. That paradox – abundance yet shortages – formed the basis for Thermeleon,” says Director Jildou de Jong.
Storage of energy
With a strong technological foundation and collaboration with parties such as Wageningen University & Research, TNO, greenhouse builders, and the Dutch manufacturing industry, Thermeleon is developing a new energy system for greenhouses in which storage is central. “A greenhouse is essentially a huge solar collector. Due to the greenhouse effect, a surplus of heat is generated daily, even in winter. Yet that heat – along with CO₂ – is often lost through ventilation, while active heating is required again at night.”
Thermeleon developed the world's first passive thermal battery for high-tech greenhouses. Its operation is based on phase-change material (PCM): during the day, the material melts and absorbs heat, cooling the greenhouse. At night, it solidifies and releases heat, heating the greenhouse. What makes the solution unique is that its operation is completely passive. No pumps or electricity are used, and no maintenance is required. Additionally, the battery is integrated directly into the greenhouse, and the system is scalable and modular. The result: 15–30% energy savings and a payback period of 2 to 4 years. An important milestone in the development of Thermeleon was the collaboration with Koppert Cress and DivisionQ, De Jong indicates. “Thanks to their willingness to test at scale and participate intensively in the evaluation, the technology could be further developed at an accelerated pace. As a result, we now have a validated product.”
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