In an unusual move, Dutch horticulture consulting firm Vyverberg has bought a greenhouse. In the photo accompanying the announcement, we see Huib shaking hands with Frank van Kleef, the former tomato grower from whom Vyverberg takes over the greenhouse. While the consulting firm has spent most of its time involved in the construction of greenhouses, they are now growing their own tomatoes next to the Belgian border in Westdorpe, Netherlands. As Huib explains how this works and what the bigger plan behind this purchase is, it becomes clear that Vyverberg is, of course, not becoming a tomato grower.
The company specializing in horti energy solutions will set up a daylight-free growing space in the newly purchased greenhouse to demonstrate that it's possible to be an energy-neutral large-scale grower. This will be the job of the Vyverberg Indoor Growing branch.
© Vyverberg Indoor Growing
Rob Schilperoort, René van Ruijven, Huib Herbert (Vyverberg), and former tomato grower Frank van Kleef at the official transfer of the greenhouse.
The beginning of an idea
The seeds for the idea that would result in the greenhouse purchase can be traced back to 2014, when Vyverberg began compiling energy data in an Excel document. The data encompassed day and night temperatures, the relative humidity brought on by seasonal changes, as well as data on the light spectrum, both artificial and from the sun.
Vyverberg has been helping growers installing energy systems for many years, "However, growers want to know the ROI of such systems, and we realized Excel sheets were just not enough."
Energy-predictive software
That moment was three years ago, and it marked the moment when the decision was made to start writing energy-predictive software. The parameters listed above, together with historical weather data, have been combined by the consulting company from the Westland greenhouse area to create energy-predictive software that they have written themselves. A partner was asked to develop a specific light spectrum and, because they could not find the control software they were looking for in the market, they took the decision to write that control software themselves.
In 2022, Vyverberg started running the system in a climate chamber at its facilities. "This is where we achieved energy-neutral cultivation for the first time. Even if growers did it at half the level that we put in place, that would be a big gain for them."
According to Huib, the new Vyverberg Indoor Growing is also 'on the way to climate-neutral' cultivation. In the current cultivation practice, a number of steps still need to be taken, partly because gas is often still (too) affordable for growers to simply stop using it. "We are, so to speak, ahead of the game."
Energy costs
Now, as the name already gives away, Vyverberg Indoor Growing is not necessarily focused on horticulture that takes place inside a greenhouse, at least not initially. Yes, a greenhouse has been purchased to test on a large scale, but the company is also working on a daylight-free climate cell, with electricity generated via solar energy to supply the climate cell with energy.
The people to whom Huib had already outlined the plan often looked at him with scepticism, especially when it came to excluding 'free' sun from cultivation. He understands why: Vertical farming has had a hard time lately, too much has often been invested in reinventing the wheel, whilst energy has been a stumbling block for vertical farms when costs start to rise.
"In this concept, we have chosen to combine all existing techniques. For example, we are going to use pipe rails and systems like heat pumps." Existing technology is also being looked at to capture CO2 from the outside air, but that is not yet necessary for Vyverberg. "There is a connection for residual heat and CO2 from the Yara fertilizer factory." Even now, this method of cultivation is already energy-neutral.
© Vyverberg Indoor Growing
On this screen, you see the parameters from the ongoing cultivation. Click here for enlargement.
Tomato cultivation
No one knows better than the Westland based consultants that about 25-30% of a Dutch grower's costs are spent on energy. "Just like modern tomato companies, we will also use lighting and apply air handling systems to cool and heat. In modern cultivation, a changing climate also requires a different way of growing."
Huib wants to emphasize that there are certainly overlaps with current horticulture and the concept that Vyverberg is working on. "What we are working on is not going to replace greenhouses. We are focused on quality for markets that demand it, such as special strawberries in countries with a challenging climate, and on ensuring food security in regions where this is still difficult with existing systems."
Currently, a tomato crop is being grown in the 7000 square meter greenhouse. That cultivation will continue with the help of the already present workers and a newly hired grower, while at the same time working towards the rollout of the plan for the indoor cultivation concept. This plan has already been worked on quietly for a long time, with a construction plan ready. "Everything has been worked out to the smallest detail, although we will certainly make mistakes. Our ambition is to harvest the first tomatoes from the new daylight-free cultivation space this coming winter."
Combining techniques into a successful puzzle
Initially, the cultivation space involves 1500 square meters. There will be one large climate chamber, something that is already being used for other cultivation applications with Vyverberg customers, Huib emphasizes. "Everything we are now combining here has already been tested in practice with various entrepreneurs."
For growers in practice, the step Vyverberg Indoor Growing is now taking in Westdorpe is still too big for their own farms. "With this step, we are taking a risk for growers who also want to go this way of energy-neutral cultivation, but do not want to be the first to test it on their own farm."
With the concept, Vyverberg Indoor Growing, according to Huib, hits 10 SDGs, but ultimately the concept must also be financially viable.
For more information:
Vyerberg Indoor Growing
Oude Liermolenweg 2
2678 MN De Lier
+31 174 610 586
team@vyverberg.eu
www.vyverberg.eu