BeeBeeOne is currently not a well-known name in the greenhouse horticulture sector, but the Dutch company, founded in 2019, is eager to change that quickly. This year, they expect to start a first pilot project at a greenhouse horticulture company. It involves an in-house developed modular energy concept that allows growers to store electricity, trade electricity, convert electricity into heat, and store cold.
Commercial Director Daan Hogewoning was present at a recent knowledge transfer event of Greenport Aalsmeer to present the concept to about thirty growers and other interested parties. In the canteen at the Duijnisveld pepper nursery in De Kwakel, he especially emphasized the desire to gather 'more input from the market'.
© Thijmen Tiersma | HortiDaily.com
Daan Hogewoning gave a presentation during the Greenport Aalsmeer Kennis Café
Converting electricity into heat
BeeBeeOne originates from asset manager Wilgenhaege. The company, based in Schiphol-Rijk, currently has a demo model of the system. It is an energy storage system with a capacity of 100KWh. BeeBeeOne focuses on a system that is scalable step by step.
The startup combines proven technologies with its own innovations. What is special is how the company can make high-temperature heat from electricity, explains Daan. "We can do that in one step from 20 to 120 degrees Celsius. Moreover, we can store the heat pressure-free at a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius."
Now, this is something that the commercial director and Johan Brink, who brings energy knowledge from the horticulture sector to BeeBeeOne from his previous job, think is not immediately useful in greenhouse horticulture. However, it is useful for, among other things, apartment complexes with block heating and (primary) heat networks.
© BeeBeeOneDaan Hogewoning and Johan Brink
Storing heat and converting it back into electricity
The techniques and processes used by BeeBeeOne are partly based on thermodynamic principles. The energy is stored in natural materials such as water, sand, and biodegradable substances. To retain the energy, a compressor converts electricity into heat, pressure, and density. After storage, it can quickly be converted back into electricity. Electric motors, pumps, and heat transfer systems manage the conversion and transport of energy to the right form and place.
The technique to go from 20 to 120 degrees Celsius in one step is patented. In the long term, the startup wants to handle much higher temperatures. Johan: "The higher the temperature, the higher the efficiency of the process in which we make electricity from heat."
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