Hail netting - GreenTech Community

Hail Netting
Automatic Protection
system against hail
Amsterdam June 16 2016
Bert Strikkers MBA
Trend:
Covering crops
• Variability in weather conditions increase: More
extreme(KNMI weather trends)
• Need for crop protection to reduce risk of total loss
• Wish for influencing growth circumstances
• Many different degrees:
o
o
o
o
o
Vertical farming
Glass greenhouses
Plastic greenhouses
Plastic coverings
Static Wind / Shade Hail nets
21/06/2016
Technology
Transfer
Greenhouses
1. Inside
1. Open
windows
2. Humidity
3. Chemicals
4. Fans/heating
2. Dynamic/ Open
close
3. Labor intensive
Fruit/Tree growers
1. Outside
• Wind
• Rain
• Hail
• Snow
2. Static nets
3. Labor intensive
Blending 2 ideas together
A.R. Strikkers MBA
Requirements
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Automatic / Motor driven
Open & Close Nets in minutes
Remote control
Space for equipment movements
Wind & Weather Proof
Low Maintenance
Affordable
A.R. Strikkers MBA
Realization
• Innovation cluster was formed
o Alumat Zeeman  Screening Technology
o Static Hailnet specialists
o Grower
• 3 years of developments
• 2 projects realized
o Project 1 2500 square meter
o Project 2 5000 square meter (Randwijk the
Netherlands)
A.R. Strikkers MBA
Major Challenges
1) Power
• Electrical power on site
o No electricity or huge investment for open
field
o Solar Pannels + Battery technology
o Absolutely critical – Fail safe
o Warning if battery is low or not working
o Remote Control by SMS (more secure
than internet)
o Emergency Solution – Electric Tool
A.R. Strikkers MBA
A.R. Strikkers MBA
Major Challenges
2) Weather & Wind
• Use Existing Static Pole System
(Proven technology)
• Add the wire bed on top
• Very Precise ligning up of poles
(using Geo coordinates)
• Uses wind profiles of site
A.R. Strikkers MBA
A.R. Strikkers MBA
Major Challenges
3) Running conditions
• Wire bed is critical:
o Carrying the hail load without damaging the
trees/platns
o Carrier of the moving hail net
o Mechanical resistance (costs energy)
• Reduce friction
o Keep it simple
o Special parts designed and developed
• Minimize need for maintenance – prevent
blockage
• Quality of the installation is critical –
Alignment
A.R. Strikkers MBA
A.R. Strikkers MBA
Major Challenges
4) Maximize ROI
• Build on existing structure of static
system
• Simple Design (KIS) – Leaving
things out
• Design/use parts for good and
quick installation – Reduce labor
cost
• Minimize Maintenance cost to
minimize Totla cost of Ownership
A.R. Strikkers MBA
A.R. Strikkers MBA
The Result
• 5000 square meter running for 2 full seasons without
problems
• Open/Close 5000 sqm in 7 minutes with 3 solar
pannels and 1 battery and 1 motor
• Hail damange prevented
• Micro Climate under Net  influence growing
circumstances
• Cost between Euro 10-20 per sqm
A.R. Strikkers MBA
A.R. Strikkers MBA
A.R. Strikkers MBA
A.R. Strikkers MBA
A.R. Strikkers MBA
QUESTIONS &
THANK YOU
Amsterdam June 16 2016
Bert Strikkers MBA