June 2026 marked an important milestone for the RE-Greenhouse project. During GreenTech Amsterdam, project partners, consultants, technology suppliers and greenhouse professionals gathered for a series of events centred on the transition towards renewable energy in greenhouse horticulture. The highlight was the official launch of the RE-Greenhouse Beta Tool, a free online platform that helps greenhouse operators assess suitable renewable energy options for their specific situation.
FTS Business Welcome lunch - GreenTech Amsterdam
On 10 June, the FarmTech Society (FTS) hosted a
dedicated Welcome Business Lunch at GreenTech Amsterdam, bringing RE-Greenhouse
partners and invited guests together as a welcoming venue ahead of the
afternoon panel session. As the lunch provided an ideal networking opportunity
and a platform for partner introductions; it provided a solid start into the
transnational visit for the project stakeholders.Rick Schneiders presented SIGA — a new open-architecture climate control system designed for next-generation greenhouse management including any type of renewable energy management and accurate calibrated metrics for energy usage in greenhouses.
Partner presentations
The lunch programme opened with a warm welcome to RE-Greenhouse partners by Francis Claeys from Inagro, followed by an elevator pitch introduction from independent consultant Marco Joseph on behalf of FarmTech Society. Three FarmTech Society members took the floor with focused presentations:
Siemens |
Rick Schneiders presented SIGA — a new
open-architecture climate control system designed for next-generation
greenhouse management including any type of renewable energy management and
accurate calibrated metrics for energy usage in greenhouses.
|
Mann+Hummel | Marcel Werle introduced the company's high-efficiency irrigation and biosecurity solutions, helping growers stabilise water quality through industrial-grade filtration. Mann+Hummel's modular approach covers water analysis, fresh-water stabilisation, and water reuse — with concrete use cases in hydroponics, source-water mixing, and turnkey installations. |
Agrovoltaics OET | Sofia Michailidou presented solutions for integrating solar PV panels, that are applied as nanofilm onto soft surfaces and are biodegradable. This innovative new technology not only covers the shading of the crops during high intensity solar radiation but also provides renewable energy directly into greenhouse operations — a topic at the heart of the RE-Greenhouse ambition. |
RE-Greenhouse Partner Panel - Crops/ VF stage
Panel Focus & Strategy
The panel was carefully moderated to position the RE-Greenhouse Tool as a complementary first step in feasibility analysis — not a replacement for consultant expertise. Panelists Robert Bergenhenegouwen (Greenport West Holland), Ariane Grisey (CTIFL, France), and Karsten Wilhelm (Umwelt-Campus Birkenfeld, Germany) discussed two intersecting themes:
- Attracting greenhouse consultants by demonstrating how the tool can help them identify new project opportunities and serve clients more effectively.
- Future-proofing the supply chain through low-carbon footprint products, in the context of growing consumer expecations and incoming carbon neutrality legislation.
The panel was moderated by Eva Helen, the managing director of FTS and introduced by a representative from Inagro with individual presentations, structured discussion questions, and an audience Q&A. Triggered by the discussion, panelists agreed that energy represents approximately 70% of the climate impact in greenhouse production — but that water, fertilizer, and other inputs must also be addressed in any comprehensive decarbonization strategy. However, the tool introduction will make a significant difference in the adoption potential of a transition strategy towards a departure from fossil fuels. 
Tool demonstrations at the CEA Lounge
