Next Generation Growing has already proven itself for quite a while, but now growers are having the necessary technical installations installed at an increasingly larger scale. Technokas is currently working at four leading growers on the integration of Next Generation Growing (NGG) into existing greenhouses or directly at the construction of new buildings. In recent years, several growers already preceded them, and also later this year and next year new projects with NGG are planned. "We can really speak of a breakthrough, especially because the results of production and energy aspects are clearly better."
According to Maurice Hartman, director and co-owner of Technokas, there is a strong growing awareness among top growers that NGG is taking them a big step forward. "With such a made-to-measure, powerful climate system, which has already proven itself in various crops, a grower creates a perfectly homogeneous growing climate. With this he can control the RH- line quite precisely, whereby he not only improves the quality of the crop but also saves a substantial amount of energy."
Growers from the very beginning
In recent years, Technokas has already implemented NGG at various customers. Growers at the beginning, who installed this innovative climate installation, are Gerbera nursery Holstein Flowers, tomato nursery Van den Belt, the chrysanthemum nurseries Arcadia and Van Uffelen Flowers, phalaenopsis nursery Ter Laak and pot plant nursery SV.CO. And that number is now growing steadily. In the first half of this year alone, Technokas will install NGG at another four nurseries. The existing nursery of Van der Drift Roses put the system into service in January, and NGG is currently being implemented in the OK Plant greenhouse that was completed last year. In addition, the new Daylight Greenhouse at Ter Laak and the new pot plant nursery of SV.CO in De Lier, both of which are under construction, will be equipped with NGG.
Dry, conditioned outside air
"In our system we use air handling units in the facades, from where we distribute dry conditioned outdoor air - heated and/or cooled – accurately in the cultivation department via air distribution hoses. This system appears to lead to very good results. Research by Wageningen University & Research at, among others, gerbera nursery of Holstein Flowers, has shown that the crop shows far fewer quality problems and that the energy consumption is lower."
Ventilate, cool and heat
"In January we designed and installed a completely new installation for the existing nursery of Van der Drift Roses. The grower now has air handling units (AHUs) at the end walls and insulated channels under the cultivation beds with which he can ventilate, cool air and heat. In week 23 we will also install a system for NGG in the new SV.CO nursery. The functioning of the AHUs at that new nursery is identical to the AHUs that we previously installed in the existing SV.CO nursery. And there is a reason for that ", says Maurice Hartman, "because SV.CO experiences its use as very positive. Due to the controllability of the climate, but also the energy saving and the advantages in cultivation, it was not a difficult choice to integrate NGG directly into the new building."