Brief
Østervang Sjælland is a Danish vegetable farm producing several varieties of cucumbers, tomatoes, aubergines and peppers. Growing vegetables in greenhouses in Denmark requires energy and heat – plenty of heat. Therefore, the heat exchange station at Østervang Sjælland can be compared with a medium-sized power plant. In 2015, Denmark’s largest solar heating system spanning 14,112m² was installed at the farm, contributing to a sustainable production by providing the necessary zero-carbon heat supply.
Technology
The flat plate collectors used for this large solar field can produce up to 60 MWh on a sunny day, but since the energy must be used early the next morning, it will be stored in the 4,800m³ storage tank that can accommodate up to 5 days’ full solar production.
When the control of temperature and humidity is properly managed, the use of chemical disease control can be reduced significantly, thereby making it possible to produce healthier and more environmentally friendly vegetables. The technique of controlling heat and moisture is used by most major players in the greenhouse industry, but usually, the heat comes from boiler plants based on coal or gas. Thanks to the alternative use of solar heat, the farm’s carbon emissions are significantly reduced, contributing to a more sustainable production process.
