Phase Change Catching heat to reduce CO2 output
Dutch horticulture presently emits 4.6 Megatons of CO2 per year. This has to be reduced to zero in 2040. Perhaps the principle of phase change can help in achieving this objective. Phase change is a very efficient way of heat storage. Like ice absorbing a lot of energy while melting and releasing the same amount of energy while freezing, without a substantial increase of volume and no raise of temperature. New sophisticated substances show the same effect as ice, with better performances. The idea is that these substances catch energy during the day by changing phase. In the night the material changes phase in the opposite direction for releasing the energy. This technique with promising results will be worked out this year.
By applying these new substances/fluids in double-walled plastic sheets , they can act as light interceptors and store energy. According to Thermeleon a screen against the full north wall of a 2 – 4 hectare glasshouse will achieve results equal to 12 m3 natural gas per m2 of glasshouse.
If you want more information on this topic; see Thermeleon
Hagelunie will also monitor the results and share them with you due course.