REPOWER – INSIGHTS FROM INDUSTRY REQ


‘Eco-tom’ – the red tomato with a green heart


T However rather than the usual route


omato growing pioneers Guy and Wright use enhanced photosynthesis through CO2


addition to their crop.


of burning natural gas, the family’s unique approach was to develop their own AD plant to provide biogas for their heat, power and carbon source, with electricity export bringing in vital revenue to re-invest in the business. They established the basis of the system


approximately 15 years ago when energy costs rocketed and many other producers were going under. The family built their own digesters, fed largely from “spoilt” tomatoes


Guy and Wright’s eco tomatoes provide enough energy for


both their own use and for export, says Edina’s Sarah Farr


and other green waste such as bananas and cereals, successfully collecting the gas and using all the heat from small gas turbines to drastically reduce their energy bill. This process also enabled them to apply for ROCs. With the existing engines now superseded


by much more efficient models, Guy and Wright considered an additional unit and finally opted for an MWM TCG 2016 V12 from Edina. This provides all the heat and electricity for the growing enterprise; the six glasshouses take up 3 ½ acres, and a high proportion of electricity is exported to the grid.


glasshouses at perfectly safe levels for humans and animals. This then aids the photosynthesis of the tomatoes, resulting in more plentiful flowers and fruits. Guy and Wright also report that the heat has had a beneficial effect in reducing fungal type diseases such as petritis. The levels of CO2


The gas is cleaned by the Codinox unit from Holland with a system of catalyst bricks which absorb harmful gases, leaving the resulting CO2


which is piped into the and heat are


controlled by computer which can operate vents and manage the system to perform at its optimum. Two types of tomato are grown, Piccolo just


Above: The Eco- tom is supplied as the main crop for supermarkets


for the farm gate (honesty box) and Encore, Guy and Wright’s “Eco-tom” which is supplied as the main crop for supermarkets. “Green” production is now possible 10 months of the year, the remaining two months being set aside for cleaning and re-planting. Bumble bees are used as pollinators in conjunction with a careful programme of non-pesticidal management to control threats to the crop. This fascinating enterprise is both lucrative and kind to the environment. Plans are underway for further storage and treatment of liquid waste to supplement the digestate used already as a land fertiliser locally.


REQ


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: +44(0) 161 432 8833 Email: info@edina.eu www.edina.eu


Right: ‘Green’ production is


possible 10 months of the year with the new Edina unit


www.r-e-a.net WINTER 2014 | RENEWABLE ENERGY QUARTERLY | REQ 27


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