Voltiris : Power plant in an industrial greenhouse

AI Quick Summary

Greenhouse growers have significant energetic needs for growing vegetables. Today, they source their energy from non sustainable sources. Solar energy could cover partly their energetic needs, but growers cannot place solar panels onto their roofs, as it would cause shading. Voltiris develops PV modules that are compatible with crops growth.In this project, Voltiris wants to test for the first time its technology in an industrial greenhouse in Geneva to evaluate its technology in a relevant environment. Project idea description​Greenhouse growers have significant energy needs in order to grow vegetables. As they source primarily their energy from natural gas, their operations are not sustainable, expensive, and they depend highly on natural gas market fluctuations.Alternatively, they could use solar energy to partly cover their energy needs. However, it is not possible for greenhouse growers to place solar panels on top of their greenhouses, as shading would prevent the growth of their crops. Voltiris has developed innovative PV modules that filter sunlight: the light components needed by the crops are fully transmitted, while the rest is used to generate electricity.By generating clean energy locally, Voltiris offers three benefits to growers: (i) their operations become more sustainable, which is asked by their customers (i.e. Migros decreasing its scope 3 emissions), (ii) the become more resilient, as their business model becomes less dependent on the volatile price of gas, and (iii) they can save on cost, as Voltiris can offer a competitive cost of energy.By using the generated electricity in self consumption, and in addition to other technologies, such as heat pumps of e-boilers, Voltiris helps growers to decrease their gas consumption by as much as 70%. A single standard tomato grower can therefore cut his emissions by as much as 5'600 tons of CO2 yearly.In this proposed project, Voltiris would like to implement a first phase of a large pilot inside of an industrial greenhouse (6ha of tomatoes) for the first time. The project is a necessary step for the further development of Voltiris technology, as it will help Voltiris ensure the compatibility of its hardware with the industrial greenhouse operations, necessary for the customer adoption.​Current status and previous activitiesProof-of-concept of the energy yield (Voltiris, CSEM): In the frame of an Innosuisse financed project (Innocheque) in collaboration with the CSEM, Voltiris could prove that the module efficiency can be as high as 65% of that of a standard opaque PV module. At small scale (~0.03m2), an efficiency of 135 W/m2 has been demonstrated using a reflector made from a CSEM custom-made dichroic mirror.Agronomical study on tomato crop (Voltiris, Agroscope, HES-VS and with Innobooster Energy lab support): Since April 2022, Voltiris is leading an Innosuisse project with Agroscope and the HES-VS, both leading the agronomical study, and the energetic study respectively. The agronomical study on the growth of tomato crop below Voltiris modules has shown no detrimental impact of the modules on the crop's growth. Tomato crop is one of the most light-sensitive crop and finding agriphotovoltaic (APV) solution compatible with tomatoes is a challenge. In this study, four parcels were studied: two with solar modules above the crops, and two as reference samples. The main results are the following:No significant agronomical yield reduction below the PV modulesNo significant plant morphology change measured below the PV modules (plant height/plant total digital biomassUp to 15% plant perspiration decrease in sunnier months. As our modules protect the plants from the direct heat (near infrared used for energy harvesting), the plants suffer less in the hot month, hence decreasing their water use.On the energetic side, it was confirmed that Voltiris modules have an energetic yield that is proportional to the light transmission of the greenhouse. A peak power of 72 W/m2 has been measured in outdoor conditions.This yield lower that in the Proof-of-concept is explained on two grounds:Solar cells. The modules used in this trial present STC efficiencies of ~140 W/m2 while modern modules can easily reach 210 W/m2.Dichroic filter. Unlike the CSEM custom-made dichroic mirror, the dichroic mirror used to concentrate sunlight onto the PV cells in this study is a commercially available filter, which presents a ~25% improvement potentialLarger-scale pilot installation (Sana Giradin, Graubünden, CH) In this pilot installation in the Graubünden, 15 Voltiris modules have been installed in a greenhouse. The key learnings from the project were the following:Retrofit. The Sana Giardin installation is a first customer project. It is therefore the first full implementation (fixed fixation system) of a Voltiris system. We could demonstrate the possibility to install Voltiris modules in an old greenhouse (~50 years old), which is key in Voltiris market sizing (no need to focus only on new greenhouses, , 500 ha of greenhouses in CH are readily available).Energy yield as predicted. The greenhouse in the Graubünden has a low light transmission. However, it was demonstrated that the yields were in line with the expectations.To date, all Voltiris implementations have been done in either test greenhouses or non-commercial greenhouses, which are not the relevant environment for the technology, as (i) the light transmission of the industrial greenhouses is by far higher, and (ii) industrial growers will not adapt their processes to our hardware. It is therefore necessary to test our processes (design, installation, comissioning, monitoring) inside of an industrial greenhouse.Resources needed​- What are your planned work packages?- How can the Energy Lab help you?​We would like to implement a large scale pilot inside of an industrial greenhouse in Geneva. The implementation will follow a stage gate process, where we start with a first implementation of 48 Voltiris modules. We would need the support from the Energy Lab for this first phase.The planned work packages for the first phase are the following:WP1 project coordination:Task 1.0: Stakeholder meetings, cross-organizational alignments. The goal of this task is to ensure smooth operation between the different stakeholders. The task will last for the whole length of the project.Task 1.1: Infrastructure planning. Additional meetings concerning the planification of the installation, to ensure a low disruption of the operations in the greenhouse.WP2: Infrastructure definitionTask 2.0 Initial definition. Define the exact size/implementation site inside of the greenhouseTask 2.1 Pre-design. Prepare a project to present to the growerTask 2.2 Reviews. Iteration with the grower.Task 2.3 Final design. Prepare a clear project that is approved by the grower.Task 2.4 Order components. Source components for project realizationWP3: InstallationTask 3.0. Installation introduction. Teach staff how to install Voltiris modules.Task 3.1: System installationTask 3.2: Maintenance package: Perform the eventual maintenance needed.WP4. Energy output monitoringTask 4.0: Contextualization. Monitoring of the Energy consumption pattern of the greenhouse.Task 4.1: Definition. Monitoring platform definitionTask 4.2: Yield monitoring. Continuously monitoring energy productionTask 4.3: Carbon-free greenhouse. Solutions to use the generated electricity for carbon-neutral greenhouses (i.e. heat pumps, geothermal)The energy lab can help us in several aspect of this project:Network: We would like to share experience and data with the energy partners of the energyLab network and learn from themPartnership: We would love to have the involvement of some energy partners of the energyLab into this project, i.e. for the installation or for the commissioning.Financial support: The financial support of the energy lab could help greatly into the realization of the project, as it could for instance finance the hardware.Credibility: The support from the EnergyLab and the review by their specialist provides the project with more credibility.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Voltiris : Power plant in an industrial greenhouse
• Date: 2/25/2023 11:33:15 PM
• Administrators:
  • Jonas Roch

Project Idea Description

Project idea description​

Greenhouse growers have significant energy needs in order to grow vegetables. As they source primarily their energy from natural gas, their operations are not sustainable, expensive, and they depend highly on natural gas market fluctuations.

Alternatively, they could use solar energy to partly cover their energy needs. However, it is not possible for greenhouse growers to place solar panels on top of their greenhouses, as shading would prevent the growth of their crops.

Voltiris has developed innovative PV modules that filter sunlight: the light components needed by the crops are fully transmitted, while the rest is used to generate electricity.

By generating clean energy locally, Voltiris offers three benefits to growers: (i) their operations become more sustainable, which is asked by their customers (i.e. Migros decreasing its scope 3 emissions), (ii) the become more resilient, as their business model becomes less dependent on the volatile price of gas, and (iii) they can save on cost, as Voltiris can offer a competitive cost of energy.

By using the generated electricity in self consumption, and in addition to other technologies, such as heat pumps of e-boilers, Voltiris helps growers to decrease their gas consumption by as much as 70%. A single standard tomato grower can therefore cut his emissions by as much as 5'600 tons of CO2 yearly.

In this proposed project, Voltiris would like to implement a first phase of a large pilot inside of an industrial greenhouse (6ha of tomatoes) for the first time. The project is a necessary step for the further development of Voltiris technology, as it will help Voltiris ensure the compatibility of its hardware with the industrial greenhouse operations, necessary for the customer adoption.

​

Current status and previous activities

• Proof-of-concept of the energy yield (Voltiris, CSEM): In the frame of an Innosuisse financed project (Innocheque) in collaboration with the CSEM, Voltiris could prove that the module efficiency can be as high as 65% of that of a standard opaque PV module. At small scale (~0.03m2), an efficiency of 135 W/m2 has been demonstrated using a reflector made from a CSEM custom-made dichroic mirror.

• Agronomical study on tomato crop (Voltiris, Agroscope, HES-VS and with Innobooster Energy lab support): Since April 2022, Voltiris is leading an Innosuisse project with Agroscope and the HES-VS, both leading the agronomical study, and the energetic study respectively. The agronomical study on the growth of tomato crop below Voltiris modules has shown no detrimental impact of the modules on the crop's growth. Tomato crop is one of the most light-sensitive crop and finding agriphotovoltaic (APV) solution compatible with tomatoes is a challenge. In this study, four parcels were studied: two with solar modules above the crops, and two as reference samples. The main results are the following:
• No significant agronomical yield reduction below the PV modules
• No significant plant morphology change measured below the PV modules (plant height/plant total digital biomass
• Up to 15% plant perspiration decrease in sunnier months. As our modules protect the plants from the direct heat (near infrared used for energy harvesting), the plants suffer less in the hot month, hence decreasing their water use.
• On the energetic side, it was confirmed that Voltiris modules have an energetic yield that is proportional to the light transmission of the greenhouse. A peak power of 72 W/m2 has been measured in outdoor conditions.This yield lower that in the Proof-of-concept is explained on two grounds:

1. Solar cells. The modules used in this trial present STC efficiencies of ~140 W/m2 while modern modules can easily reach 210 W/m2.
2. Dichroic filter. Unlike the CSEM custom-made dichroic mirror, the dichroic mirror used to concentrate sunlight onto the PV cells in this study is a commercially available filter, which presents a ~25% improvement potential

• Larger-scale pilot installation (Sana Giradin, Graubünden, CH) In this pilot installation in the Graubünden, 15 Voltiris modules have been installed in a greenhouse. The key learnings from the project were the following:

1. Retrofit. The Sana Giardin installation is a first customer project. It is therefore the first full implementation (fixed fixation system) of a Voltiris system. We could demonstrate the possibility to install Voltiris modules in an old greenhouse (~50 years old), which is key in Voltiris market sizing (no need to focus only on new greenhouses, , 500 ha of greenhouses in CH are readily available).
2. Energy yield as predicted. The greenhouse in the Graubünden has a low light transmission. However, it was demonstrated that the yields were in line with the expectations.

To date, all Voltiris implementations have been done in either test greenhouses or non-commercial greenhouses, which are not the relevant environment for the technology, as (i) the light transmission of the industrial greenhouses is by far higher, and (ii) industrial growers will not adapt their processes to our hardware. It is therefore necessary to test our processes (design, installation, comissioning, monitoring) inside of an industrial greenhouse.

Resources needed​

- What are your planned work packages?

- How can the Energy Lab help you?​

We would like to implement a large scale pilot inside of an industrial greenhouse in Geneva. The implementation will follow a stage gate process, where we start with a first implementation of 48 Voltiris modules. We would need the support from the Energy Lab for this first phase.

The planned work packages for the first phase are the following:

WP1 project coordination:

• Task 1.0: Stakeholder meetings, cross-organizational alignments. The goal of this task is to ensure smooth operation between the different stakeholders. The task will last for the whole length of the project.
• Task 1.1: Infrastructure planning. Additional meetings concerning the planification of the installation, to ensure a low disruption of the operations in the greenhouse.

WP2: Infrastructure definition

• Task 2.0 Initial definition. Define the exact size/implementation site inside of the greenhouse
• Task 2.1 Pre-design. Prepare a project to present to the grower
• Task 2.2 Reviews. Iteration with the grower.
• Task 2.3 Final design. Prepare a clear project that is approved by the grower.
• Task 2.4 Order components. Source components for project realization

WP3: Installation

• Task 3.0. Installation introduction. Teach staff how to install Voltiris modules.
• Task 3.1: System installation
• Task 3.2: Maintenance package: Perform the eventual maintenance needed.

WP4. Energy output monitoring

• Task 4.0: Contextualization. Monitoring of the Energy consumption pattern of the greenhouse.
• Task 4.1: Definition. Monitoring platform definition
• Task 4.2: Yield monitoring. Continuously monitoring energy production
• Task 4.3: Carbon-free greenhouse. Solutions to use the generated electricity for carbon-neutral greenhouses (i.e. heat pumps, geothermal)

The energy lab can help us in several aspect of this project:

• Network: We would like to share experience and data with the energy partners of the energyLab network and learn from them
• Partnership: We would love to have the involvement of some energy partners of the energyLab into this project, i.e. for the installation or for the commissioning.
• Financial support: The financial support of the energy lab could help greatly into the realization of the project, as it could for instance finance the hardware.
• Credibility: The support from the EnergyLab and the review by their specialist provides the project with more credibility.

Greenhouse growers have significant energetic needs for growing vegetables. Today, they source their energy from non sustainable sources. Solar energy could cover partly their energetic needs, but growers cannot place solar panels onto their roofs, as it would cause shading. Voltiris develops PV modules that are compatible with crops growth.

In this project, Voltiris wants to test for the first time its technology in an industrial greenhouse in Geneva to evaluate its technology in a relevant environment.