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CLIMATE Evaluation of energy efficient


Between 2005-2006, we published a series of articles that explained in detail the development of four, energy ef- ficient climate modules. The modules, developed at the time by Cpoint in conjunction with climate computer manufacturers, incorporated a number of new control features. Following the introduction and some demon- strations, the ball was in the court of the suppliers and the growers.


By Jan Gielen, Cpoint Manager / Specialist Climate & Energy jan.gielen@cpoint.nl


Six years have now gone by. This article aims to review the current status of the energy efficient modules. The challenging situation in the sector has evidently af- fected the investments being made by manufacturers in the further development of climate computers and the numbers of growers actually buying these climate modules. Despite this, things have certainly not stood still in the past years. Without exception, all of the six Dutch suppliers have incorporated certain points - or in some cases all of them - into their latest control systems. Some of the suppliers have also continued to develop the concepts. To obtain a clear picture of the experiences with the systems in practice, the following growers were inter- viewed in consultation with the suppliers. Nearly all of them were visited too: Theo Niessen, Maaseik Champ, with central duct (AEM climate computer). Leon van den Oord, Ammerzoden, with central duct (Dalsem climate computer). Wim van Nieuwenhoven, Ospel (Fancom climate computer). Gerard Thijssen, Sevenum (Gicom climate computer). Sjaak Willems, Kessel (Panbo climate computer). Geert Weijers, White Fields Wankum, single layer crop- ping system with bed cooling/heating (VBE climate computer).


Inlet air measurement with electronic temperature/RH (coated model).


Notably, all the companies have in common that they harvest manually. This could be due to the importance these companies attach to optimising the quality and shelf life of their produce. The experiences of the gro- wers with the energy efficient climate controls ranged from just three growing cycles up to almost seven years.


Purchasing reason During the interviews, we discussed what motivated the growers to purchase the energy efficient climate controls and their expectations. The majority of the gro- wers saw opportunities to optimise production, benefit from extra measurement features and the possibility to save energy. Being able to create a more stable climate, and therefore better quality mushrooms, was usually the main reason to purchase the modules. More speci- fically, aspects such as preventing bacterial blotch and better control of the flush to produce fine and medium grades were also stated. Subsidies (via growers’ as- sociation Funghi) or input from the suppliers also acted as an extra impulse.


Air pressure meter (in the corridor or outside).


Hardware required Depending on the number of climate modules purchased by the growers, the necessary hardware had to be added too. No hardware is required for the moisture deficit control and the oxygen-corrected maximum CO2 limit. If the growers wanted air pres- sure correction of the internal Mollier diagram and the derived values, they need an air pressure meter (see photo 1). In order to determine the moisture content of the inlet air, a temperature and RH measurement of the inlet air is required. And, certainly if the moisture content of the inlet air is used as the basis of control, then this is the most important measurement in the entire system! Continued developments have taken place regarding air inlet moisture content measure- ments, as the initial measurements turned out to be unreliable. There are presently two versions available: an electronic temperature/RH measurement (see photo 2) and a dry bulb and wet bulb sensor in the inlet duct, or at working height in the growing room (see photo 3). However, the electronic RH measuring system was


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