There is a future for climate-neutral greenhouse horticulture in the Netherlands

The nursery gardening sector in the Netherlands does indeed have a future . Technically , there are copious opportunities to purpose pain point such as labor and energy . This is the close of the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency ( PBL ) after analyzing the feasibility of clime - neutral operations across a chain of sector , including agriculture , gardening , and greenhouse horticulture .

The PBL is aware of the discourse about the hereafter of the sphere , but does not directly advocate for the sector ’s shoplifting . " recitation show that for many product , there are opportunities for competitive cultivation with glasshouse horticulture in the Netherlands . " In ecumenical , the researchers call for not ruling out any possibilities , even those that are ' controversial ' such as CO2 capture and store .

glasshouse gardening occupies a special place in the report . This is because the sector might become climate - electroneutral in the first place than 2050 . The sector ’s unique posture in the report diverge from other survey , such as the annual Climate and Energy Exploration , which tends to chunk the sphere together with agriculture and gardening under the ' Department of Agriculture ' recording label .

Area remains the sameThe PBL assume the area of nursery gardening in the Netherlands will remain or so the same . The possibility of competitive cultivation of many products in the Netherlands , according to the researcher , is due to many compete countries confront other chokepoint , such as limited entree to water and advance technology . Labor is much cheaper in several vie countries , and the labor intensiveness in greenhouse horticulture is very high . mechanization then offers the possibleness to remain militant , the paper states .

Space usageThe researchers do not believe in massively adopting crops that use less quad , such as vertical agriculture . " For now , the practical program possibilities seem modified . " Therefore , for the PBL , highly optimized conventional nursery shape the base for the next vision . However , various forms of energy saving and sustainability of the heat provision are potential .

Energy savingThe PBL underline the importance of energy saving with LED lighting , cover , and mayhap also spare insulating glass . However , there remains a pauperism for further vim saving through but lower usage . In the long terminal figure , no role is construe for CHP petrol engines . " Although it is potential to make these sustainable with renewable fuel such as biogas or hydrogen , these fuels are scarce . "

CO2The carry seed of heat for growers will be a ' mix of techniques ' such as geothermal energy , ( great - scale ) estrus networks on ( residual ) heat from various ( industrial ) source , electrification through heat pump with various technical shape ( especially with warmth - cold computer memory ) and possibly einsteinium - boiler , heel the PBL .

Furthermore , CO2 is all important . If growers no longer generate it themselves , it must fall from external sources . In this regard , enamour it from the line could have a good deal of voltage . A recently spread demo inwardness on this is afirst step . The PBL sees scenario in which CO2 remain in other sectors that nursery horticulture can make well use of at relatively limited costs .

Where CO2 emissions in many sector also drop sharply and there is no longer a surplus , Direct Air Capture , as investigated in the demonstration nerve centre , can be an option . However , the PBL point out that this is relate with high costs . allot to the researchers , it have horse sense to first aim to increase the CO2 utilization rate and shrink the current departure of 95 per centum in a glasshouse . " This can also give an extra rise to heat - cold depot compared to geothermal vigor , because it offers possibilities to cool down the nursery with less ventilation . "

No option excludedCalculating a total of more than thirty techno - economic trajectories towards a climate - indifferent Netherlands with a standardized economic structure as today , the PBL points out that delaying or govern out options beforehand almost or even altogether makes achieving climate disinterest in the Netherlands by 2050 unimaginable . It ’s not a matter of either - or , but of both - and . kick in the uncertain availability of muscularity source and technologies , all building block are utilitarian and necessary , including more controversial options such as the use of bio - establish materials , carbonic acid gas capture and storage ( CCS ) , and adjustment in Department of Agriculture and rural areas .

Source : PBL