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Energy efficiency is not just low-hanging fruit; it is fruit on the ground. Stephen Chu, US Secretary of Energy

Generating Energy

Renewable energy has come into its own in recent years, with various government incentives like Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) encouraging uptake. In this section, we discuss the technologies solar PV, wind power, biomass, anaerobic digestion and heat pumps.

Some of the key issues greenhouses growers face with renewable energy at the moment are:

  • The integration of biomass boilers and the implications on their existing system
  • Heat stores
  • Flue gas emissions
  • CO2 recovery

  • Biomass

    The introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive — which pays a tariff for energy produced from renewable heat sources — has seen a great increase in the application of biomass boilers for horticulture. 

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  • CHP

    CHP stands for ‘Combined Heat and Power’ and describes a fuel-fired engine driving an electrical generator, with heat being recovered from the engine for space heating use. 

    Gas-fuelled engines are usually used in CHP, but other fuels, including renewable fuels, can also be used. The electricity generated by the CHP unit can be used on site or exported to the grid.

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  • Electricity Generation

    There are now a host of options to choose from if you want to generate your own electricity, including wind, solar and hydro.

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  • Geothermal Energy

    Geothermal installations use heat from deep underground, where temperatures start to climb because of heat from the earth’s core.

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  • Heat Pumps

    Heat pumps are another new technology which has started to emerge in Holland. They have an obvious role in heating but they need a hefty electricity supply and the correct heating infra structure to work effectively.

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