Ekra Gartneri at Leinstrand outside Trondheim grows pot plants in greenhouses.
They have been working hard to reduce energy consumption - and thereby improve earnings.
In spring 2009, Ekra installed a 140kW air to water heat pump supplied by AF Energi & Miljøteknikk. Ekra was guaranteed a reduction of 300,000kWh (25% compared with 2007 energy consumption).
During installation of the heat pump, the heat and pump management was improved. A separate regulator controls the electric boiler together with the heat pump, which has eliminated heat waste. The use of heat during the summer months has been enormously reduced and the remaining requirement is covered by the heat pump.
The heat pump is monitored by energy consultants at AF Energi & Miljørådigver via the internet. A climate computer with net based log on has been installed so that we can follow operations in the greenhouses.
Environment and quality
Working with Ekra Gartneri, AF has also reduced light and increased underheat in the table during planting out of poinsettias. This has given great energy savings and improved the quality of the pot plants. More heat from below reduces the tendency to develop root fungus and reduces spraying.
Energy consumption 2010
Savings in this project were guaranteed to be a minimum of 0.3GWh (25% reduction) compared with 2007, when total energy consumption was 1.2GWh for light and heat. The system was new in 2004. Expectations for energy consumption in 2010 are now 650,000kWh (almost 50% reduction compared with 2007).
Benefits
- Reduced energy costs
- Less affected by energy prices
- Greater electric heating capacity
- Reduced environmental effects
- Opportunities for environmental profiling
- Motivation for owner and employees
