Distribution network operator Vattenfall IDNO has announced it has joined forces with Clock Farm in Maidstone, Kent, to power its 6.5-hectare greenhouse using renewable energy sourced from Europe's largest river source heat pump.
In a move which is estimated to save around 3,800 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year compared to gas heating, the new project will see Vattenfall provide, own, operate, and maintain the HV electrical infrastructure which will connect the farm to the river source heat pump, allowing the farm to slash its emissions while growing fruit outside of the UK growing season.The new system involves extracting water from the River Medway to pass through a heat exchanger before then being discharged straight back into the river, after removing a couple of degrees of heat from the water.
A second loop then transfers the heat to the plant room's six heat pumps to achieve a temperature of 45 degrees, which is then pumped through 50mm pipes above the soil, releasing heat into the greenhouses.
Heated water will also be stored in a giant tank as a backup, and to help avoid the consumption of electricity at times of peak demand when power is more expensive, the company said.
According to Vattenfall, the heat store can keep heat flowing to the greenhouses for two to eight hours, depending on outside temperatures and how much heat is needed.
Clock House Farm contracted independent connection provider Energy and System Technical (EAST), to supply and install the electrical infrastructure to power the heat pumps, working with Vattenfall for later adoption of the high voltage network.
The work involved EAST installing a new DNO substation as well as two new customer substations, two Wilson tier 2 200KVA transformers, and associated switchgear.
Stewart Dawson, managing director of Vattenfall Networks, said the project could prove significant for the wider agricultural sector. "The UK needs to electrify much of its food production to drive down greenhouse gas emissions," he said. "But it's not as complicated as people might think, and Vattenfall can provide the funding and electrical infrastructure to enable food producers to switch away from using fossil fuels.
"Stronger electricity networks are the thread which tie the whole net-zero plan together. Clock House Farm have seized the initiative and thanks to the innovative technology they're now using, people can enjoy fruit from Kent with reduced impact on the environment."
Oli Pascall, managing director of Clock House Farm, said: "By growing fruit out of season, the UK is able to ensure less reliance on imported soft fruit, increasing UK food security and ultimately this also helps to reduce the carbon footprint." BusinessGreen - link - Amber Rolt - link - more like this (heat pumps) - link - more Kentish brilliance - link - more like this (Kent) - link - more like this (Vattenfall) - link
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