Sustainable Energy For Horticulture
Nigel Moore
Senior Renewable Energy Technologist, Greenmount Campus, CAFRE
Energy is a major expense for horticultural businesses. Can cost savings be made while also reducing harmful CO2 emissions at the same time?
A Sustainable Energy Unit made up of a 320kW biomass boiler integrated with ten 2.5m2 solar thermal panels is currently being commissioned at the Horticulture Development Centre (HDC) at Greenmount Campus.
Solar energy will be used to pre-heat water before the main biomass boiler. During the summer months, as very little heating is used, the solar element of the unit will provide sufficient heat for the needs of the glasshouse complex. In the winter, the biomass boiler will shoulder the majority of the energy provision.
The anticipated payback for the Sustainable Energy Unit is 7-10 years depending on the price of oil with additional savings of approximately 200 tonnes of CO2 each year.
The Sustainable Energy Unit can be viewed during the ‘Green Challenge’ Conference on 5 February 2009 at Greenmount Campus, CAFRE. This conference, jointly organised with the Horticultural Trade Association (HTA), focuses on sustainable issues in horticulture. It will target not only businesses in commercial horticulture (fruit, mushrooms, vegetables and ornamental crops) but also garden centres and local authorities. Those attending will be able to explore the latest sustainable solutions which could benefit their businesses now and in the future.
For further information on the conference, please contact Kieran Lavelle, Senior Horticulture Development Adviser, Greenmount Campus, CAFRE.
Telephone: Office 02837515651 mobile: 07990575893
Mr Cathal Ellis, Horticulture Technologist at the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE), Greenmount Campus discusses the operation of the Sustainable Energy Unit with Foundation Degree Horticulture Students.
