The RE-Greenhouse pilot monitored by the CTIFL in Briec, Brittany (France) focuses on the implementation of renewable energy sources (RES) for heating commercial greenhouse. This pilot greenhouse uses energy produced by factories (incinerator) and will be involved as experimental and demonstrational site for various stakeholders.
CTIFL is a French applied research center on fruits and vegetables specialized in the management of greenhouse crops, energy efficiency and carbon footprint. It plays a major role in the Re-Greenhouse project by providing valuable insights and data from its pilot greenhouse with the support of Saveol (association of grower organizations). Moreover, the CTIFL institute implements a transnational measurement plan and contributes to the development of the greenhouse RES decision tool to help greenhouse holders in integrating RES into their operations.
Context of heated greenhouses in France
In France, heated greenhouses are mainly used to grow tomatoes and cucumbers that approximately represents 1,130 ha with an energy consumption around 340 kWh m² year-1. Natural gas is the main energy source used by 80% of the total surface area. Sustainable energy is provided by wood at 12% and by residual energy from factories at 6%. Heating remains the second largest cost (around 30% of total costs), after labor, because energy prices continually increase.
Characteristics of the CTIFL pilot site
The pilot site is a 70 000 m² commercial glasshouses located in Briec, in the Brittany region. The glasshouses, built in 2010 and 2013, are equipped with thermal screens and grow soilless charry and truss tomatoes.
Since 2010, the greenhouses have been heated by SIDEPAQ factory (incinerator) providing warm water between 48 and 55 °C. The warm water is distributed through pipe-rail system in the ground and a double tube located within crop.
The tomatoes are sold under the Saveol brand.
Objective of the pilot
This pilot will demonstrate the potential of energy provided by factories to grow crops in greenhouses. For French growers, it is crucial to discover the benefits and disadvantages of this solution for a scale deployment.
Factsheet
View the fact sheet on the CTIFL pilot:
Contact details:
- Ariane Grisey, CTIFL – ariane.grisey@ctifl.fr
- Eric Brajeul, CTIFL – eric.brajeul@ctifl.fr
- Landry Rossdeutsch, CTIFL – landry.rossdeutsch@ctifl.fr