Practical network: Smart and cost-effective storage

Storing potatoes takes energy. A lot of energy, and sometimes less. This depends, among other things, on the type of potatoes and the storage method.
After harvesting, the majority of the potatoes are stored on the arable farm. This storage requires approximately 1300 kWh of electricity per hectare, making it a very large energy consumer. Actual consumption depends on the type of potato, storage duration, installed power and the number of operating hours required. In addition to the electricity bill, the costs for the entrepreneur are also in storage loss (kilos), quality loss and of course the electricity. Every entrepreneur is convinced that he is doing well (perhaps optimally).

However, English research shows that there is sometimes a factor of 2.5 between the storage costs for entrepreneurs. There is currently no comparison material in the Netherlands. However, practice confirms the picture that there are very large differences in energy consumption per tonne of product, storage losses and quality losses between companies (Energy saving on the farm, Kamp e.a. 2009).

As a grower in the practical network, this makes it interesting to jointly explore the savings options and thus achieve actual savings. A maximum of 20% electricity consumption reduction can be achieved, 2-5% less storage loss, an improvement in quality and savings in greenhouse gas emissions (Carbon Footprint).

In addition, the discussion between entrepreneurs and chain parties is challenged, where both are challenged to take concrete steps for sustainable storage and thus contribute to limiting the Carbon Footprint (and thus climate change).


Goal
The project aims to provide participating growers with insight into the quality of their own storage, in terms of energy consumption, weight loss of the product and quality on delivery. The regional groups share the experiences and learn from each other. On balance, this leads to better storage performance.


Activities 
Per region (SUN, SW, Central, Peat Colonies), participants can register for a practice group consisting of 10-15 growers, grouped by “type” of potato. For example, it is possible to respond to specific quality requirements, eg French fries potatoes, with a strong focus on storage loss and baking quality (conversion into sugars) during storage. A start-up meeting will be held in July, during which you will receive further information about the project.
You will hear the best practices from fruit cultivation from Mathijs Montsma (Wageningen UR – FBR). Participants of the network receive an analysis of the personal situation, direct information about retention losses, quality and costs of retention at your company and recommendations, including Carbon Footprint. The energy bill can also be checked.
Previous projects show that 43% of the energy tax is incorrect and 50% of the gas bills are also incorrect. Energy tax can sometimes be reduced. Interesting to have checked!
All results of the analyzes are discussed on exchange evenings. The result is that costs are saved and the quality of your potatoes increases. New developments such as solar panels and smart grid are also discussed.