Sustainable, efficient, and future-proof — OK Plant has recently put a state-of-the-art heating and cooling system from Certhon into operation. Featuring a one-million-liter heat buffer tank, two powerful heat pumps, and an intelligent system for storing and reusing heat, the installation is a showcase of modern energy management in greenhouse horticulture.
Marcel Olsthoorn, Technical Manager at OK Plant, is enthusiastic: "This is a fantastic step forward! We're already seeing savings of one cubic meter of natural gas every month."
© Certhon
Utilizing residual heat instead of wasting it
Previously, excess heat was discharged via the cooling tower. Now, that surplus heat is smartly stored in the buffer tank and reused later — for example, at night. The heat pumps supply both heating and cooling, and thanks to the intelligent buffering system, no energy is wasted.
The cooling tower is still available as a backup, but it now only operates when the buffer is full and there's still a need for cooling.
More control and fewer malfunctions
The Certhon Control System was also completely upgraded. Thanks to this update, the OK Plant team now has full insight into all energy flows. "For us, the software package is a real game-changer," says Marcel. "The monitoring and clear overview give us greater control over the greenhouse climate. This means smoother operations, far fewer malfunctions, and more peace of mind. And the fact that the system can be accessed from anywhere really adds to our job satisfaction."
© Certhon
Step by step towards a more sustainable greenhouse
The motivation behind this step in energy management was clear: long-term operational reliability. "We wanted to safeguard the continuity of our installation. And if you're going to invest, you might as well go all in. The combination of a new control system, modern heat pumps, and a large heat buffer really makes the difference," says Marcel.
When asked what advice he would give to other growers, he says: "Think carefully about the technology available today. You don't have to do everything at once, but every step you take can bring significant improvements."
Reliable partnership
Certhon guided the project from design to completion. "Communication was excellent. The most important thing is that your supplier is accessible — and Certhon definitely is," says Marcel. "The system runs smoothly and delivers exactly what we need. This is ready for the future."
With this total solution, Certhon proves that energy management in the greenhouse can be both smarter and more sustainable — without compromising reliability. At OK Plant, energy flows are now perfectly controlled, maximizing the use of generated heat and minimizing waste.
For more information:
Certhon
ABC Westland 555
2685 DG Poeldijk
Tel: +31 174 22 50 80
[email protected]
www.certhon.com
