AgroTech is project manager for a new project called: New energy technologies and test centre for the Greenhouse industry.
The aim of this project is to develop profitable and sustainable solutions enabling the greenhouse industry to reduce energy consumption by 30 %.
The Virtual Greenhouse
The building of a virtual greenhouse is one of the project’s main activities. It will be a common objective platform to evaluate new initiatives. AgroTech collects and develops all the existing systems of calculations. In the virtual greenhouse it will be possible to calculate various aspects of energy, plant growth, planning and investment when using different technologies.
Testing technologies in practice
The virtual greenhouse is supplemented with setting up trials of new technologies in commercial greenhouses. A special focus will be turned on air conditioners and air conditioning, but also on better insulated “cover material”, such as curtains. The trials are used for testing and demonstration and will generate data for adjustment and validation of the models in the virtual greenhouse.
Other project activities
In addition the project evaluates and tests whether technologies from other industries can be used in horticulture. These technologies could be solar cells, polarizing materials or water-borne aluminium blinds, just to mention some possibilities.
Development Perspectives
Horticulture operates in a highly competitive market, where the pressure from foreign players is massive. Competitive advantages can be achieved by developing new energy efficient technologies. The virtual greenhouse will be a unique tool in the research and development process. Overall, gardeners, consultants, researchers and technology suppliers will benefit from the project results.
Facts about the project
The project is a subproject under Lean Energy Cluster funded by EU Regional Development Fund and Region of Southern Denmark. The project partners are:
- AgroTech
- AluCluster
- Drivadan
- Fionia Lighting
- Garditec
- Lean Energy Cluster
- Development Odense
- Viemose-Driboga
The project is a three-year project that began in October 2010.
Facts about Lean Energy Cluster
Lean Energy Cluster is a national business-driven cluster cooperation between companies, research units and universities in the field of ”Intelligent use of energy’.
The Cluster cooperation aims to invent new, innovative energy solutions that will create growth for Danish companies and make Denmark more energy efficient to the benefit of the climate and the environment.