Energy efficient greenhouse cultivation in the North

Norrbotten's degree of self-sufficiency is decreasing and today only 25 percent of the food eaten in the region is locally produced, largely wild berries and game meat. Increasing local food production is important for several reasons. It is partly a way to increase the safety of the population so that they do not risk being left without food if the transport chain is broken for some reason. But it is also because local food production contributes to the ecosystem and species diversity.

In this project, Jenny Lindblom, researcher in geotechnical engineering, investigates innovative techniques for greenhouse cultivation in Norrbotten and Västerbotten. The work is done together with two students writing their degree projects in geotechnical engineering, and the research is done in close cooperation with local greenhouse entrepreneurs.

In Nikkala outside Haparanda, the project has collaborated with the company Norrskenstomat, a family business that grows lettuce and spices all year round and tomatoes during the summer. The researchers have carried out an energy analysis and proposed energy-saving measures that could increase the company's profitability in the long term. The report will be used as a basis for possible future investments for Norrskenstomat.

– It is noticeable that Luleå University of Technology has expertise in this complex area so we are very grateful that we have received this help. The cold winters are a challenge and especially now with the high energy prices, all energy savings are interesting to look at, says Mikael Albrecktsson, founder and owner of Norrskenstomat.

The hope is that the conclusions drawn from the energy analysis of Norrskenstomat's facility can also be used by other greenhouse entrepreneurs who want to invest wisely.

– We show that energy consumption can be reduced through smart measures and the right technology. In concrete terms, our calculations show that additional insulation of certain buildings, switching from airborne to waterborne heating and upgrading the lighting fixtures from HPS lamps to modern LED lamps with plant lighting could provide major savings," says Jenny Lindblom.

The project also examines the current greenhouse market. How does procurement work today, is it possible to get more locally produced food into, for example, schools and elderly care? And what alternative distribution methods exist for local producers?

Another area being explored is possible materials for hybrid greenhouses - greenhouses with attachable and detachable insulation that are insulated only in winter. This could be well suited to the northern climate where summer has many hours of sunshine while winter offers hardly any sunlight at all.

In this video, the owners of Norrskenstomat and researcher Jenny Lindblom tell us more about the project.