THE NETHERLANDS
adjusted in a large screen. There is also a central computer where all the data can be readout and the necessary adjustments can be set. The Panbo computer operates on around ten other farms worldwide. There are not currently any plans to roll out the system further. The advantage of the system is that it can be fully customised to the customer’s needs, but the downside is that only a few people are able provide support for it. According to Frans Steeghs, the plus point of the system is the evaporation-based control and the option to integrate the controls of the heating system and cooling system.
Cooling Picking manager Barbara is completely in charge of the picking and harvest planning.
Climate control computer Sjaak has a Panbo climate control computer that was developed by Frans Steegh, the founder of this system. Frans now works independently operating under the name IQClimate. His main focus is climate engineering projects, ranging from optimising individual components, a new design of a climate unit to optimising an entire mushroom farm. Frans’ office is on Sjaak’s farm and they spend many hours together fine-tuning the climate control. They share the same passion for this pursuit, and this has led to a good form of joint cooperation. Each growing room has a separate climate com- puter operated by a PLC system. All the data relevant to a growing room can be displayed and
Almost half of the power
consumption on the farm is
generated by 900 solar panels on the roofs.
A cooling system from York, which is now owned by Johnson Controls, has been installed at the farm. This has a cooling capacity of 520 kW and a power input of maximum 91 kW. This delivers a COP of 5.7. A special feature of the cooling system is that it is water-cooled. When there is a heat demand in the growing rooms, the water is first directed to the heating coils. When there is no heat demand or the tempera- ture needs to be reduced, the water flows through four kilometres of polyethylene hose which run through a gravel bed measuring 2000m2 filled with 50 tons of gravel. Here the water cools to around 80°C. If the water returns at a temperature above 30°C, ten sprayers sprinkle water over the gravel bed to cool the water. If the temperature does not decrease quickly enough, a second series of 10 sprayers activates. The nozzles are 50 cm above ground level and spray a fine mist. Some of this water evaporates. The evaporation process of water is
Mushrooms ready for transport. Organising part of their own sales to catering and retail outlets is positive for price formation and the percentage of quality I mushrooms.
34 MUSHROOM BUSINESS
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