" This light-emitting diode - lighting system will revolutionize the way we develop plants , " says Merih Tesfamicael , Quality & Environmental Manager at Gartneriet PKM . Recently , this Danish nursery upgraded their nursery field with 73,000 m² and installed a new LED - lighting system . All with the finish to grow plants more sustainably and efficiently . We interviewed Tesfamicael to larn more about this system and how it equip in the party ’s drive to reduce their carbon copy footprint .
CO2 reduction effortsAccording to Tesfamicael , the company has long been focusing on reduce their carbon footprint , highlighting that they managed to do so by 63 % between 2005 - 2023 . " Reducing our footprint , in many cases , aligns with price - carving and operating optimisation . We ’ve achieved this through continuous investments in energy - effective technologies , unattackable ownership and dedication from our employees , and a passage to greenish get-up-and-go source from our supplier . "
Nevertheless , he also notes the Covid-19 pandemic and the vigor crisis impeded progress . " These events bear upon the timeline for some projects , such as the implementation of C capture applied science for our central heating , which would have made the system carbon - neutral . regrettably , this project has been delayed . However , we saw a renewed sentience of motivation from our employees to adjust lighting and heat , two of our major costs — to ensure we minimized Department of Energy usage . This heightened focus mirrored a broader trend , as many of us also became more witting of vim consumption at home . "
Switch to LED technologyThis attention for concentrate energy pulmonary tuberculosis made PKM decided to change their lighting organization , swap from formal lamp to go lamps . Tesfamicael highlights that the prospect of energy and monetary value rescue combined with ongoing technical and regulatory developments motivated this move .
" We have been aware of LED technology for many class and have successfully used a hybrid lamp solution in some of our greenhouses . Over time , we ’ve check significant improvements in the applied science , which run us to revisit our plan and think a full changeover . The project aligned well with our key investment funds destination , especially in move towards a greener future tense . LED lighting make sense for us in terms of sustainability , as it reduces energy consumption ( by around 30 % ) and lower operating costs . This investment will help us remain competitive in the farseeing streak , securing jobs for our dedicated employees . Moreover , with EU ordinance making it harder to obtain conventional lamps by 2027 , the timing for this switch is idealistic . "
At PKM they also have high expectation for the way in which light-emitting diode systems benefit works production . antecedently , the company has conducted psychometric test in their facilities to see how LED - lighting impacts plant growth and quality . " Although these tests only provide a coup d’oeil of how plant may respond to head lighting , we foreknow that industrial plant grown under LED lighting will be shaggy-coated with more buds with same or less light as now . Another expectation is that the plants will be more thick , in particular during the darker and cold months . This could potentially lead to a foreshorten need for growth inhibitors .
However , one challenge we expect is that there may be periods of reduced uniformity in plant ontogeny as we fine - melody our product methods to adapt to LED light . We have spent years perfect the product of high - quality plants , carefully fine - tuning factors such as inflammation , heating , fertilization , land composing , and the use of chemical and biologic protective covering . With the introduction of light-emitting diode lighting , we will need to adjust and find the optimal proportion of these divisor — peculiarly alight and heating system . "
Work in progressCurrently , the ship’s company is in a process of examination and optimise the young LED systems in a part of their greenhouses . Tesfamicael emphasizes that this is an ongoing process , aver : " Once we are sure-footed in the take setup and have made the necessary adjustments to other factors , we plan to gradually transition to LED lighting across all of our production facility . However , this conversion will also need to be economically feasible for it to move forward . "
He also points out that at this stage , the permutation to light-emitting diode increases the costs of pant production . They expect that the marketplace and consumers will help to carry these costs . " We see a grow demand for more environmentally friendly plants , and we are attached to evolving alongside this change . As a result , we foresee that hoi polloi increasingly demand sustainable products and are willing to invest in Cartesian product that align with their values . We catch sustainability as a deal journey between us and our customers , and together , we must bear the cost of creating a greener future . We are take assailable and constructive discussion with our client about this . "
Moreover , they punctuate that they always see themselves as work in progress : " Exciting changes and challenge lie ahead , and we bet forward to navigate the future together . While we ’ve already made significant strides , such as reduce chemical usage , thin down on peat , and implementing LED lighting systems , and we know there is more to come . We will stay on to adapt to new technologies and look forward to embracing next change . "
For more info : Merih TesfamicaelGartneriet PKM A / STel . : +45 2710 7808.Email:[email protected]www.pkm.dk
