An autumn cucumber crop in the Venlow Energy Greenhouse on the Innovation and Demo Centre (IDC) in Bleiswijk yielded 21 kg (53 cucumbers) with 3.2 m3 gas. This is a saving of some 70% per cent in comparison with conventional cultivation. The project is carried out in the context of the programme Greenhouse as Energy Source and is financed by the Product Board for Horticulture and the Ministry of EL & I (Economic Affairs, Agriculture & Innovation, formerly LNV).
The Venlow Energy Greenhouse on the IDC has replaced the FlowDeckGreenhouse. The greenhouse is now covered with a new type of isolation glass. The greenhouse cover consists of two layers of glass, with - from outside to inside – per side an AR-, NIR- AR- and an AR-coating on the basic glass. The glass is three millimetres thick and is hardened, which enables the use of extra large glass sizes (3.21 x 1.5 m). The better isolation and the large amount of light in the greenhouse result in energy savings without a negative effect on production.
An autumn cucumber crop was planted in this greenhouse on 5 August and the crop was removed on 15 November. This was a high-wire cultivation, without use of a minimum tube, and outdoor air suction via a Regain unit. Wageningen UR Greenhouse Horticulture measured crop development, greenhouse climate and energy use. The Venlow Energy Greenhouse is an initiative of Scheuten Glass, Maurice Kassenbouw, Boal systems and Climeco engineering.