Alewijnse automates innovative energy platform for horticulture
Sharing energy with your neighbour can be a smart move. Five growers in the Noordoostpolder region of the Netherlands have recently started using an platform that allows them to exchange energy sustainably. With Alewijnse as their automation partner, this vision has quickly become a reality.
Helping each other makes the world more sustainable
Sharing energy without waste
No two growers are the same. For example, a rose grower uses energy at different times than an orchid grower. Sometimes there is surplus energy, while at other times there is more demand. Five growers from Luttelgeest, Pantropica, Bernhard, Voorn Lindeweg, Bredefleur and Voorn Bloemenweg have joined forces to form the Warmte Combinatie (Heat Combination) Luttelgeest (WCL). Together with consultancy firm Enconsol and Alewijnse, they have developed a solution to share energy efficiently without any heat loss.
Alewijnse: The automation partner
For the technical implementation, Enconsol brought in Alewijnse, an experienced system integrator, to design a complete automation system including the hardware and software engineering, installation, commissioning and panel construction. “Our expertise and flexibility make us an ideal partner for energy projects,” says Arjan Broeken, Project Manager at Alewijnse. “Since 2016, we’ve successfully completed numerous sustainable projects, including some in geothermal energy.”
How the system works
For the WCL project, Alewijnse created an advanced control system for the distribution and receipt of heat across the five horticultural businesses. At these locations, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) manages the operation of heat exchangers, pumps, valves and sensors, enabling both the receipt and supply of heat. The PLCs communicate with a central PLC, which is overseen by a SCADA system for capacity distribution and process monitoring. Arjan explains, “This innovative SCADA system allows the growers to flexibly allocate energy capacity among themselves and even bid on available capacity.”
A step forward in the energy transition
“Alewijnse is the perfect partner for innovative projects like this,” Arjan Broeken explains. “As the sole contractual partner, we can fully support the customer from consultancy and design through to system installation and commissioning. With projects like this, we’re building innovative energy solutions for the industry and making significant strides in the energy transition. We’re proud of this collaboration and look forward to a sustainable future.”
Collaboration is the key to success
Enconsol highlights the importance of working with reliable partners like Alewijnse: “Their technical expertise and integrated approach make all the difference. Together, we have taken a significant step toward a more sustainable energy system for the horticultural sector.”
