The case

The background

The flower and bulbs growing business.

Tulips and bulbs can’t to grow in the same field for years at a time. They need to rotate with other crops, such as grain, potatoes and corn, due to the threat of fungus that could cause disease in the tulip bulbs. To combat this, many tulip farmers swap fields with their counterparts every year, so the colorful fields that attract tourists rotate as well.

Modern techniques have been introduced, such as growing the bulb and its flower on substrates rather than in the ground, which results in a much cleaner production process, with the roots of the bulbs only fed with water and nutrition. As a result, the famer does not have to dig-up the bulb from the heavy clay found in the prime tulip-growing areas of the Dutch coast of the North Sea.

In spring and early summer, the flowers are harvested and sold via the world’s largest auction for flowers in Aalsmeer. From there they travel all over the world, and visitors to The Netherlands are encouraged to visit Aalsmeer and its flower auction – right next to Schiphol airport!

After the flowers are taken from their bulbs, the bulbs are stored and form siblings, which will grow into new bulbs in time for the next season. Wit Flower Bulbs is often able to sell its bulbs before they are grown due to this precise and high-tech process. What’s more, it’s able to predict yield and quality, even before the bulb has created its siblings.

The challenges

The objectives

The system and its implementation

To overcome energy challenges, Wit approached local PV and energy storage integrator, ENDUSO, about a potential collaboration. Consequently, ENDUSO contacted Customized Energy Systems – CES (formerly known as ATEPS Nederland BV) and, following excellent co-operation, a system was configured to meet Wit’s specific needs.

Calculations showed that two systems, each with 1.1 MWh and 1 MW, would not only solve Wit’s energy shortage issues, but they would also generate income by trading energy at times of energy-surplus or energy shortages through the European Power Exchange (EPEX). ENDUSO and Wit formed a new separate business entity for those energy operations, with some of its proceeds going to the local community.

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The first system was ordered in late 2021 and delivered in April 2022. Installation was straightforward, as these systems were linked with easy grid connections, while communication is facilitated with a 4G connection; therefore, no complex security precautions were required. Alternative methods of energy consumption are done so under the ENDUSO umbrella, by switching loads on-and-off depending on availability and energy prices. This is achieved via a partnership with Grid Support Solutions, which created bespoke software for this installation.