Innovation can transform greenhouses from large scale energy consumers to energy suppliers. In 2003 the Horticultural Board and the Ministry of Agriculture, got together with the horticultural sector and launched the program they called "The greenhouse as a source of energy".

This is based on storing heat in summer for use during the winter months. This method even leaves heat to spare: 2.4 acres of greenhouse provides enough surplus energy to heat around 200 homes.

 

Greenhouse innovations

Work in various greenhouse innovations that utilize different sources of energy is ongoing. Tests are being carried out to discover how to achieve optimal benefits form solar energy, geothermal heat, light, bio-fuels, more sustainable electricity and (more) sustainable C02. Researchers are also working on new cultivation strategies and on the cultivation of low-energy varieties such as Freesia and Anemone.

Innovation and demonstration center

An international design competition has been organized as part of the greenhouse as a source of energy program to find innovative solutions for an energy supplying greenhouse. Three winners were selected in 2007 and were invited to construct a demo greenhouse at the Innovation and Demonstration Center. The construction of the first greenhouse – a solar heated greenhouse – is now complete. The greenhouse is highly energy efficient and is a variation on the semi-closed greenhouse. The Innovation and Demonstration Center is part of the greenhouse as a source of energy program. Small demo greenhouses are used to test and demonstrate the latest energy saving technologies in a bid to reduce reliance on gas and to restrict emissions of C02. Wageningen University has provided the plot for the erection of the center.

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