Innovation par excellence: OptimaKas

In 2006 a 1.5 ha OptimaKas was completed at Nieuwe Dwarsweg, in Rilland.

The OptimaKas consists of a Sunenergiekas® glasshouse with a roof constructed from toughened glass and with a translucency of 97%. This high translucency is achieved by virtue of a special treatment of the glass. In addition, the Sunenergiekas® glasshouse is also equipped with Innowgrow's Gesloten Kas® (closed glasshouse) system.

This glasshouse is characterized by the absence of ventilation openings in the roof. Heat released by the sunlight entering the glasshouse is stored in aquifers for reuse in the winter months. Cold water stored during the winter can be used to cool the glasshouse in the summer. A sophisticated system comprised of heat pumps, aquifers, day tanks and co-generation plants is used to control the conditions in the glasshouse in an entirely natural manner.

Lans expects to be able to achieve energy savings of 30 percent using this approach - and not just in the closed glasshouse, but also at the adjacent 5.4 ha branch!

Moreover the yield from the OptimaKas glasshouse can be increased by some 15 percent as compared to a traditional glasshouse. In opting for this design Lans will be able to make an effective contribution to the further reduction of CO2 emissions.