Energy is one of the most costly aspects of greenhouse horticulture. Growers constantly have to deal with price fluctuations, uncertain weather conditions, and sustainability requirements. Priva ECO (Energy Cost Optimiser) is a solution based on Digital Twin technology and Machine Learning that allows growers to optimize greenhouse energy costs.
The Digital Twin, the core of Priva ECO, is a virtual copy of the greenhouse that maps all installations and energy sources. Nienke Veenendaal lists a whole range during an explanation to the press at GreenTech Amsterdam. "The pipes are replicated in detail, the boiler, lighting, the buffer, we also take into account how fast it cools down, and we also add weather conditions." The system also records data from the energy contracts that apply to the greenhouse, including fluctuating energy prices.
Technology from building automation
Priva ECO collects all data, taking into account the location and characteristics of the greenhouse, lighting strategy and energy consumption, as well as current weather conditions and forecasts. Energy scenarios are simulated, and optimal scenarios are forwarded to the Priva Connext climate computer, which executes them according to predefined climate and cultivation strategies.
The energy optimization system guarantees the most cost-efficient energy consumption throughout the day, which generates savings from day one. The idea to develop the system for horticulture arose after a customer request. "In October 2023, we quickly realized that we could offer more to growers than we already did," says Nienke. "We were already using the digital twin technology in building automation."
Pilot in Finland
Finnish grower Sigg-Plant is the first user, as a pilot company. Priva's Theo Rieswijk: "For the first two days, the grower still kept control himself. Growers can choose the proposed scenarios themselves. However, after two days of operation, the grower called to ask whether this function could also be switched on. From then on, Priva ECO also chooses the strategy itself." This was successful: "Based on the insights we have so far, we expect that Sigg-Plant will save 160,000 thousand euros on energy costs over the whole of 2024."
In the greenhouse at Sigg-Plant, which specializes in propagation of vegetable plants.
Making the most of the buffer
When energy prices are low, Priva ECO automatically uses energy from the cheapest source, such as from the electricity grid, gas grid, geothermal heat or residual heat, and stores this energy in a heat buffer. When energy prices are high, Priva ECO uses the previously stored energy from the buffer. Priva won't engage in purchasing on behalf of growers. Theo: "That's something for other parties."
A key benefit for Priva ECO users, is that in practice, the system proves to be able to look ahead better than growers do. Theo: For example, based on the data insights, the system makes room in the buffer. The grower has to get used to the fact that this sometimes happens in the morning, but it does prevent the buffer being full later on when you still want to put energy in it. Priva ECO prevents the grower from being checkmated and continuously calculates 24 hours ahead."
Diagram Priva ECO digital twin. Click to enlarge.
Not yet for CHP
Currently, Priva ECO can only be used for farms using variable energy sources and prices (e.g. a combination of gas boilers and e-boilers), like Sigg-Plant growing on 4.3 hectares."If growers are using CHPs that provide feed back to the electricity grid, it's still a lot more complex," says Nienke. "Nevertheless, we also see a lot of potential for Priva ECO with the CHPs in the Dutch market."
The same goes for grid operators. Theo acknowledges. "I would be happy to discuss Priva ECO with parties such as TenneT."
Heat production displayed in Priva ECO
Energy price prediction integrated into Priva ECO
For more information:
Priva
[email protected]
www.priva.com