The glasshouses at the R&D location of Rijk Zwaan in Fijnaart will very soon start extracting their energy from subterranean heat and cold sources. By using these ‘aquifers’, which are installed 80 metres belowground, the company will be saving about 500,000 m³ gas per year.

By means of heat pumps, the cold water from the cold sources can be used in summer to cool the glasshouses. Afterwards, the warmed-up water is stored in the heat sources and in winter it can then be used to heat the glasshouses. The cold water is subsequently stored again and so the annual cycle repeats itself.

Thanks to this sustainable solution, annual CO2 emissions will be 900 tons less. The sources are being drilled this month and it is expected that the aquifers will be ready for use in October of this year.