Hoogweg Paprika, based in Luttelgeest, the Netherlands, will soon be putting a new 33-hectare production facility into operation, which includes an energy area. Several suppliers are putting the finishing touches on it. "Building and installing for Hoogweg is like a military operation," says Marco de Bruijne, Operational Director of VB Climate. "Everything has to be right. This also applies to system components like CO2 dosing units."
The company comprises several large-scale sites with almost 200 hectares of modern greenhouses, all designed and equipped for efficient, sustainable cultivation and energy management. Marco de Bruijne, from installation partner VB Climate, says: "We are proud to have been able to take care of the installation work for eight years. During that period, we helped build more than 130 hectares of heated greenhouses for Hoogweg."
The latest expansion
It could just be that VB Climate will have to take action again soon. Although the current expansion will also be connected to the geothermal network of the large-scale nursery, the arrival of two CHPs has already been anticipated in the energy area. "The next expansion of another 20 hectares of greenhouse space has already been planned for this location," says De Bruijne, looking ahead.
Centralized control of CO2 units
For the CO2 supply, the company uses both pure CO2 and combustion gases that are cooled down before dosing (heat recovery). VB Climate has installed dosing units from Van Dijk Heating for the dosing of the growth-promoting gas at the new location. They are controlled by two dosing stations and one central switch panel. "Van Dijk is our permanent point of contact for CO2 dosing units," the Operational Director says. "They produce reliable components with a long service life. Moreover, there are good calculations behind it, which means that both we and our clients can be confident of good dimensioning. The centralized control from one panel is also nice for the big picture and ease of use."
Postponement is not an option
At the new location, the energy area occupies a central position between the current new 33-hectare greenhouse (phase 1) and the 20 hectares yet to be built (phase 2). After completion by the end of October 2024 and planting, phase 1 will be supplied with CO2 by a distribution station with six fans. The second distribution station with four fans across the engine room' will be put into operation after the completion of phase 2. "No date has been set for that yet, but at Hoogweg it can go quickly," says De Bruijne. "One thing is for sure: even then there will be a tight schedule. Postponement of delivery and planting dates is a no-go. We are well enough in tune with each other to live up to expectations every time, so I'm already looking forward to the second phase."
For more information:
Van Dijk heating
+31(0)30 656 38 44
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www.vandijkheating.com