Research project ENERGLIK - Low carbon and energy efficient innovations for more climate neutral greenhouse horticulture

Complete ENERGLIK 01/03/2023 → 28/02/2026

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Veerle Van linden

ILVO onderzoeker

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General introduction

Economically viable greenhouse horticulture can go hand in hand with a more climate-neutral greenhouse horticulture, according to figures and innovation pathways examined by the ENERGLIK research project. New insulating screens that significantly reduce energy consumption in a greenhouse lower the environmental impact by 31% and the carbon footprint by 36%, while maintaining crop yields. ENERGLIK developed four innovation pathways. The environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of these pathways were quantified, and a roadmap outlines how the technologies studied will contribute to effective climate-neutral greenhouse horticulture by 2050. The climate targets imposed on the sector call for a 44% reduction in energy consumption by 2030.
Steps had already been taken in terms of innovation and co-creation, notably in the preceding EXEKas and Glitch projects (carried out by 13 companies and knowledge centers from Flanders and Dutch Limburg, including ILVO). ENERGLIK focused on further reducing CO2 emissions and practical high-tech solutions such as the use of day and night screens in greenhouses.

Research approach

The tests and implementations were once again carried out in Flemish and Dutch greenhouses in the Flanders-Netherlands border region. ENERGLIK developed four innovation pathways: (1) the use of insulating screens, (2) a vapor heat pump, (3) flue gas CO2 storage and dosing, and (4) a mold sensor. This work thus built specifically on the project results of (1) the EXEkas project, in which the vapor heat pump and energy-balancing day screens were developed, and (2) GLITCH, where night and day screens were further developed and applied in the greenhouse, yielding a promising result of 65% energy savings. Within ENERGLIK, the transition to practical application was also made through demonstration trials at the test centers and a pilot company. The environmental sustainability and economic feasibility of the innovation pathways have been quantified, and a roadmap has been created describing how these techniques can contribute to achieving effective climate-neutral greenhouse horticulture by 2050.

Relevance/Valorization

Innovation initiatives in greenhouse horticulture are paying off. The impact of the insulating screens could be further reduced through active dehumidification, provided it is used in an energy-efficient manner. However, CO2 capture does not yet play a significant role in further sustainability efforts, but this should be reevaluated as energy demand continues to decline. Nevertheless, the promising results of the innovation projects demonstrate that climate-neutral and economically viable greenhouse horticulture is achievable in Flanders and the Netherlands.