Key Takeaways
- RVO is funding the SPROUT project with a total budget of €5.6 million.
- The project aims to help Dutch greenhouse horticulture transition away from fossil fuels.
- SPROUT focuses on maintaining and enhancing grid flexibility during the energy transition.
- The initiative will demonstrate Multi-Carrier Energy Hubs in a real greenhouse setting.
- TU Delft leads the consortium alongside industry and research partners.
RVO Supports Energy Transition in Greenhouse Horticulture
RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency) is funding a €5.6 million project called SPROUT, aimed at helping the greenhouse horticulture sector move away from fossil fuels while supporting the broader Dutch energy transition. The consortium project is led by Francesco Lombardi from TU Delft’s Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management (TPM).
The project addresses the challenge of decarbonizing greenhouse operations without undermining the stability of the national energy system, where greenhouses currently play a significant role.
Current Role of Greenhouses in the Energy System
Dependence on CHP and Grid Flexibility
Greenhouses in the Netherlands largely rely on combined heat-and-power (CHP) systems fueled by natural gas. These systems generate electricity, heat, and CO₂ for crop production and supply up to 11% of the country’s annual electricity to the national grid. CHP installations account for around 10% of the Netherlands’ flexible power capacity, making them important for balancing supply as solar and wind generation increase.
