Signify and Wageningen University & Research continue collaboration in Innovation & Demonstration Center

Eindhoven, the Netherlands – Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, and Wageningen University & Research are extending their collaboration in the Innovation & Demonstration Center in Bleiswijk for the application of Philips GreenPower LED lighting in horticulture (IDC-LED). This will allow their research into energy- and cost-effective lighting strategies for horticultural crops to continue vigorously. Recent research confirms that dynamic grow lighting deserves more attention; with variable spectra and light intensities, you can optimize both the crop and energy management. There is a great need for that, partly due to the sharp rise in energy prices.

The IDC-LED has been located at the research site of Wageningen University & Research in Bleiswijk since 2013. From the outset, Signify has been providing the joint research facility with state-of-the-art Philips GreenPower LED installations and control software. The IDC-LED includes two greenhouses with twelve and fourteen cultivation tables, and a greenhouse with four compartments for high-wire cultivation. All the cultivation tables and compartments can be lit separately by LED modules that can be individually controlled for intensity and light spectrum (blue, white, red and far-red light).

Ground-breaking research

In the past ten years, groundbreaking research has been conducted on the effect of light recipes for horticulture. This has contributed to an accelerated switch from HPS installations to energy-efficient LED installations at horticultural companies that grow crops under artificial lighting. “It is not uncommon for the results to be applied one-on-one in practice,” says lead researcher Anja Dieleman of Wageningen University & Research. “For example, full LED light recipes have been developed for rose, cucumber, chrysanthemum and alstroemeria. Growers are achieving good results with the full LED installations at a much lower electricity consumption compared to HPS.”

Energy costs and dynamic lighting

A recent research project into the (new) opportunities posed by dynamic lighting also seems to hold great promise for practical application. Esther de Beer, Global Manager of the plant specialist team at Philips LED, explains: “Due to the increased energy costs, growers are seeking new ways to reduce lighting expenses. Therefore, installations are now being switched more frequently to avoid expensive lighting hours and make the most of relatively cheaper ones. This strategy is promising, but it had never been studied in detail before. Last year, a new project was initiated, funded by Kas als Energiebron (Greenhouse as Energy Source), and promising results have been seen from it.”

Minimal amount of light is sufficient

Anja Dieleman explains that in the IDC-LED experiment, young tomato plants were subjected to various lighting conditions, where the lamps were either dimmed or switched off for varying durations and to different extents. The growth of tomato plants under constant light intensity was compared with those that experienced intermittent light intensity, which was either switched on and off or dimmed every minute or every half an hour.

Switching on and off at full light intensity resulted in a lower chlorophyll content, less photosynthesis and lower plant weight. Strategies in which the light was not switched off, but dimmed every minute or half hour, yielded similar results to continuous full lighting. “Our conclusion is that a minimal amount of light is enough to keep the growth process going, and that tomato plants can then respond quickly to changes in light intensity. Temporary dimming is therefore clearly preferable to temporarily switching off light installations.”

Key role of dynamic light

Extensive publications about the research will follow later, but with this, both parties show that there is a good future for dynamic lighting. “As we learn more about the precise effects and ranges for specific crops, dynamic lighting will play a key role in energy management for greenhouse horticulture companies,” concludes De Beer. “The IDC-LED will continue to prove its value in the coming years.”

For further information, please contact:

Philips horticulture LED solutions by Signify

Daniela Damoiseaux – global marcom manager

Tel: +316 40578311

E-mail:Daniela.damoiseaux@signify.com

About Signify

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers and lighting for the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact connected lighting systems and data-enabled services, deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2021, we had sales of EUR 6.9 billion, approximately 37,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We achieved carbon neutrality in 2020, have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for six consecutive years and were named Industry Leader in 2017, 2018 and 2019. News from Signify is located at the Newsroom, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors can be found on the Investor Relations page.

New Zealand Contact:

Graeme Neale

Business Development Manager

Specification, Systems and LED Agriculture Solutions

Mobile + 64 21 2254526

Email   graeme.neale@signify.com

Level 3, 123 Carlton Gore Road,

Newmarket, Auckland  1023

Australian Contact:

Aart Slobbe

Account Manager Horticulture LED Solutions

+ 61 448 881 338

Email  aart.slobbe@signify.com  

Suite 022, 44 Lakeview Drive

Scoresby, VIC 3179, Australia

About Signify

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals and consumers and lighting for the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact connected lighting systems and data-enabled services, deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. With 2020 sales of EUR 6.5 billion, we have approximately 38,000 employees and are present in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light with smart lighting solutions that improve quality of life, and by working towards a sustainable future. We became a carbon-neutral company in 2020, since our stock market listing, we have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for four years in a row and were named Industry Leader in 2017, 2018 and 2019. News from Signify is located at the Newsroom, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors can be found on the Investor Relations page.

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