Thanks to energy-efficient measures and the transition to alternative fuels, the Ukrainian company specializing in greenhouse cultivation of vegetables was able to almost completely abandon natural gas.
These programs made it possible to save money, increase productivity and use combustion products, namely carbon dioxide, to feed plants, the State Agency for Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving reports on Facebook.
Viktor Bilko, deputy head of the State Energy Efficiency Agency, emphasized that, despite the war and energy challenges, energy-efficient projects enable businesses to function stably, reduce energy costs, and be competitive.
The report said that the company started implementing alternative solutions 15 years ago. During this time, it implemented the advanced technology "trigeneration", that is, the production of electric and thermal energy based on the principle of cogeneration. And also the rational use of CO2 from natural gas emissions for plant nutrition.
"For 15 years, step by step, we have been moving toward our goal of reducing dependence on gas. And today we have almost completely gotten rid of it. Over the past few years, despite any challenges, we have been successfully working thanks to alternative fuels," said company representative.
It is noted that the company also established:
- a cogeneration plant with a capacity of 6 MW based on gas piston engines, which generates electricity for lighting greenhouses, thermal energy for heating and carbon dioxide for feeding plants;
- electrode boiler, chip and straw boilers with automated bale feeding, which made it possible to replace heat energy from natural gas;
- equipment for harvesting biomass, which reduced logistics costs;
- LED lighting systems, which made it possible to reduce the cost of electricity for growing products and generate twice as much light, which significantly increased the yield.
The message explained that the payback of each of these measures reached 2-5 years.
Bilko emphasized that Ukrainian enterprises understand the investment attractiveness of energy-efficient projects. State Energy Efficiency, together with the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure, other authorities and market participants, is working on legislative initiatives to support energy-efficient and low-carbon transformation.
The department called on communities to adopt this successful experience and assured them of providing expert assistance.
As EcoPolitic reported earlier, founder of vertical farms in Dnipro Green Future Viktor Shuleshko said that thanks to his own invention of agricultural lighting, his farm became the most energy efficient in the world – 30% more efficient than other industry leaders.
