Cleverer business operations with BiedOptimaal
Dutch horticulturists are true pioneers when it comes to applying smart ways to deal with energy. Fifteen years ago, AgroEnergy recognised the potential in providing this specific group with products and services. The horticulturists affiliated with Lingezegen Energy are ambitious, manager Berno Schouten explains: "We will not rest before 100% sustainability has been achieved."
Buying and generating power yourself
Horticulturists in the Netherlands use and supply a lot of energy. As such, they saw the opportunities in buying and generating power themselves by using their CHPs early on, Berno explains. Next Garden, a greenhouse area between the Randstad and Ruhr urban regions, is a good example of this approach. Twelve horticulturists from Next Garden joined Lingezegen Energy to be able to do so collectively. "We use a total of seven CHPs. The horticulturists use part of the power generated here themselves, and the rest is supplied to other parties. By responding well to fluctuations in energy demand, they are able to ensure sustainable energy production and be their own energy source. Isn’t that incredible?"A flexible energy network
Horticulturists are like small-scale energy companies and thus contribute to creating a more flexible energy network. Berno: "Horticulturists buy and sell power in the so-called APX market. AgroEnergy’s clients do so by using the EnergyManager trade portal, and can also use the BiedOptimaal (‘bid optimally’) tool, which is software that predicts the optimal time for a horticulturist to sell their electricity, based on big data and weather forecasts."
Cleverer business operations
"One of the main advantages of this software is that it saves both time and money. It can even manage automated systems. The system looks at the need for heat and CO2 in a greenhouse in the coming days, historical heat consumption data, and the weather forecast in terms of wind, sunlight, and outdoor temperatures. On top of that, it assesses the daily rates for gas and electricity at power exchanges. Then, it presents users with the optimal APX bid for that day.What is special is that the APX bid is fully automated. We trust the system fully and no longer need to pay it any mind; everything is taken care of, so we are able to focus on our actual work instead."
AgroEnergy and Lingezegen Energy are a perfect match in terms of their enthusiasm for finding new innovative applications. This goes hand in hand with their mission to not rest until 100% sustainability has been achieved. Berno says the following about the objective: "We are currently managing a 95% efficiency rate, and want to be energy-neutral by 2025."
AgroEnergy and Lingezegen Energy are a perfect match in terms of their enthusiasm for finding new innovative applications. This goes hand in hand with their mission to not rest until 100% sustainability has been achieved. Berno says the following about the objective: "We are currently managing a 95% efficiency rate, and want to be energy-neutral by 2025."