What will a greenhouse look like in 2040? Which cultivation methods will be used, how will energy be stored and what will the greenhouse structure look like? Wageningen University & Research, BU Greenhouse Horticulture is investigating these questions on behalf of the innovation programme Kas als Energiebron. Researcher Ilias Tsafaras: "We are trying to predict the challenges for the future and at the same time look for solutions for them."
Kas als Energiebron (Greenhouse as an Energy Source) is a program that stimulates energy saving and the use of sustainable energy in greenhouse horticulture. It is a joint initiative of Greenhouse Horticulture Netherlands and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature. Kas als Energiebron asked WUR, Delphy, and Botany to create a concept design for a Dutch greenhouse in 2040.
Tsafaras: "To arrive at a design, we are organizing several workshop series. The first workshops were with scientists from different disciplines. We brainstormed with them about important themes. There was a lot of discussion about cultivation systems: how can robotization help with a labor-intensive crop like cucumber, for example? Does the crop drive to the robot? Or does the crop need to be adjusted? We will have workshops with companies in the coming months. These companies also have different areas of expertise."
Based on all the input, WUR, Delphy, and Botany will create a concept design for Greenhouse 2040. This design will be based on aspects such as: not using fossil fuels, fitting in with the changing climate, and no emissions. Furthermore, only techniques may be used in the greenhouse that will be commercially available in horticulture or another sector within the next few years: that was a condition of Kas als Energiebron.
Tsafaras: "There is a chance that we will create more designs for different greenhouses: one type for one cultivation system. It makes quite a difference whether you design a greenhouse for a crop that grows in the open ground or on a substrate. Or whether the crop is harvested several times a year, or just once. Or whether it is a lighted crop, or not."
For more information:
Wageningen University & Research
www.wur.nl