HEAT RECOVERY IN GREENHOUSES
The use of CORE heat exchangers in Ammerlaan Construction greenhouses is bearing fruit
Dutch turnkey greenhouse builder Ammerlaan Construction (operating in the Netherlands since 1948 as “Maurice Kassenbouw”) is increasing the sustainability of its greenhouses with heat exchangers from CORE. A factor that not only increases crop yields, but also benefits the climate and the environment.
More sustainable greenhouses thanks to CORE heat exchangers
Higher yields and healthier crops: The benefits of glass greenhouses are obvious. Ammerlaan Construction’s desire to conserve resources found fertile ground at CORE. The specialist in heat recovery produces a component for ventilation systems that can significantly reduce the intensive use of resources: heat exchangers.
The Dutch company Ammerlaan Construction and CORE are working together to make the cultivation of plants, fruits, herbs and vegetables in greenhouses even more sustainable by using ventilation systems with heat recovery. Both companies are united by their focus on the issues of sustainability, resource conservation and environmental protection, that are so important to us all. Together, they are pursuing the “Sustainable Development Goals” of the United Nations, which have been defined for the sustainable use of resources and people.
What advantages greenhouses offer
Nowadays, with the changing climate greenhouses are becoming increasingly important in maintaining food production around the world and in difficult climatic zones. Glass greenhouses enable more sustainable food production as they allow the heat from the sun and water to be used particularly efficiently.
With the help of greenhouses, plants can thrive independently of conventional growing conditions and thus be harvested continuously and earlier. Harvesting fresh vegetables, fruits, herbs and all kinds of plants at any time of the year – with a high-tech glass greenhouse, market gardeners massively expand their options.
Harvests are more productive because plants are protected from too much heat, rain, and other weather conditions as well as from animals or other pests. In colder regions, heat-loving species and varieties that would not make it to harvest outdoors can also be grown in greenhouses. This means you can grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs almost anywhere, anytime, because the plants are provided with optimal growing conditions.
Optimal conditions through technical equipment
Greenhouses are typically equipped with a ventilation system, as well as lighting, heating, cooling, and irrigation systems. In this way, greenhouses provide an environment in which temperature, humidity and light incidence can be regulated in the best possible way. This technical support makes it possible to create an individual microclimate that is (almost) independent of the outside humidity, temperature, and water supply. This creates optimal conditions for growing a wide variety of fresh produce in the glass greenhouse.
Challenges for greenhouses today
To benefit from the advantages of glass greenhouses, the conditions inside the greenhouse must be perfect and controlled. The CO2 level inside the greenhouse should be kept high, as plants need carbon dioxide to grow and to produce sugar. However, the humidity cannot be too high. Without sufficient ventilation, the humidity in the greenhouse will rise to such an extent that the plants will develop diseases (e.g. fungus, mold) and will produce less yield.
Often the automatic window systems are opened for this purpose, but this also allows heat and CO2 to escape. Due to high energy prices and climate change, it is becoming increasingly important to save energy and thus conserve resources. That’s why companies like Ammerlaan Construction are always searching for sustainable solutions.
About Ammerlaan Construction
Ammerlaan Construction knows exactly how plants can produce large yields all year round and at the same time feel comfortable in their habitat. Since its foundation in 1948, the Dutch company has realized various projects for large-scale nurseries worldwide: from shading systems and climate control solutions to tailor-made greenhouse systems for large-scale cultivation. Ammerlaan Construction takes care of the planning and construction as well as the installation of the greenhouses with around 100 employees.
The company is active in its projects all over the world. In the USA, Canada, Asia and Europe in particular, Ammerlaan Construction provides services for the cultivation of vegetables (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, etc.), herbs, flowers (roses, etc.) and other plants (pot plants, etc.), cannabis for the medical sector and the breeding and grafting of plants.
The solution: Greenhouses with heat recovery and CORE heat exchangers
To meet the challenges of energy consumption and sustainability, Ammerlaan Construction has been one of the first suppliers to use ventilation systems with heat recovery in certain greenhouse systems since 2002. These include several innovative CORE heat exchangers. One hectare is covered by 10 ventilation units and each unit contains 32 heat exchangers.
The CORE heat exchangers inside the greenhouse ensure that excess moisture is released to the outside without losing heat and CO2. They reduce the use of fossil fuels and contribute to energy savings of 40 percent compared to traditional glass greenhouses without the innovative ventilation system.
Together with CORE Ammerlaan Construction thus has succeeded in creating an active growth climate, reducing CO2 emissions, improving working conditions for staff, and increasing production by 5 to 15 percent. This not only makes the greenhouses of Ammerlaan Construction more sustainable, but also the cultivation of plants, in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.