Why battery storage is increasingly the missing link in greenhouse horticulture
At Noorland Paprika in IJsselmuiden, Zeppelin Power and Oxin Growers are installing a 500 kW / 1,000 kWh battery system. This expands an existing energy system, consisting of a Cat CHP unit and solar panels, with energy storage.
Making the most of energy you generate yourself
According to David Kuipers, account manager Energy Solutions at Zeppelin Power, this project clearly shows how power supply in greenhouse horticulture is evolving: "Many companies already have solar panels and often also a CHP installation. With that, you can generate a lot yourself, but the challenge increasingly lies in making smart use of that energy. And it is precisely that smart approach, the ability to use green energy to the fullest, where our batteries help.”
More control over your own energy
On sunny days, solar panels regularly produce more electricity than is directly used. At the same time, business owners are increasingly facing limitations on the electricity grid.
"This is exactly where a battery can make a difference," Kuipers explains. "Instead of feeding excess solar energy back into the grid, you can temporarily store it for later use."
When solar generation decreases or energy consumption increases, the stored energy can be used again. This means more of the self-generated energy is actually utilized. The entire energy system becomes more self-sufficient as a result, by relying less on the grid.
"The real added value comes when all components communicate with each other. For that reason, the battery is integrated into our energy management system, which in this project is linked to the control box of AgroEnergy."
Collaboration between CHP, solar panels, and a battery
What makes this project such a great example is the combination of different energy sources within one system. Kuipers: "A battery does not replace a CHP or any solar panels. It is the combination that makes it interesting. Each energy source has its own role. By letting them work together intelligently, you get a flexible energy system that can respond better to changing conditions."
The battery, among other things, helps to absorb peaks and troughs in production and consumption. In addition, the system can ensure that the total power remains within the contractual import and export limits.
Smart energy management delivers maximum efficiency
A battery is, according to Kuipers, only one part of the solution. "The real added value comes when all components communicate with each other. That is why the battery is integrated into our energy management system, which in this project is linked to the control box of AgroEnergy."
Based on current data, the system continuously determines when energy is stored, used, or traded, for example on the aFRR market. This means the system is expected to pay back in approximately three years, with the SIG&F subsidy covering part of the investment. In addition, Zeppelin Power offers a service and maintenance package, including 24/7 monitoring of battery performance. Any faults or deviations are therefore identified early, so the system can continue to perform at its best.
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