Research project
ProJoules participates as a project partner in the research project Model based optimization of light to save energy and reduce plant stress, which started in 2025 and will run until the end of 2027. The project is part of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) for Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability and is financed by the European Union.
Model based light optimization
Understanding light, energy and
plant stress in greenhouse cultivation
Light plays a central role in greenhouse cultivation, influencing plant growth, energy use and crop stability. While individual aspects of light management are well understood, growers still lack clear, integrated insight into how natural light, artificial lighting, coatings and climate interact at crop level over time. This research project addresses that challenge by focusing on data driven integration and model based decision support.
The project is carried out by three main executing partners:
- ProJoules is the project applicant and leads the development of crop modeling and data integration.
- Wageningen University and Research, Business Unit Glastuinbouw, contributes scientific knowledge and research methodology.
- Astengrow, a cucumber grower in Asten, provides the commercial greenhouse environment where all measurements and field trials take place.
Why this project is needed
Light management in greenhouse cultivation is supported by a wide range of technologies and measurements. However, in practice light, climate, coatings and crop response are still often managed as separate elements. This makes it difficult for growers to fully understand how these factors interact at crop level and how today’s decisions affect plant performance over time.
This project addresses that gap by focusing on integrated, model based decision support. Indoor and outdoor PAR light, climate data, coating performance and crop response are combined within a single modeling framework. Instead of only describing what has already happened in the greenhouse, the models are designed to anticipate future conditions.
By using mathematical and physical crop models, the project aims to predict changes in light availability and the risk of plant stress before these effects become visible in the crop. This enables more proactive and informed cultivation decisions, helping growers balance energy efficiency and crop health under changing conditions.
Collaboration
Alongside the three main executing partners, two additional organizations support the project.
- Gewascoöperatie Komkommer U.A., part of Glastuinbouw Nederland, supports research that addresses bottlenecks in cucumber cultivation and stimulates future oriented innovation
- Ignition Computing provides expertise in high tech software, modeling and performance computing and supports the development and optimization of the models
- Wireless Value supplies the sensors used in the project, enabling accurate and reliable data collection within the greenhouse environment.
The combination of scientific, technological and practical knowledge ensures that the project outcomes are robust and directly applicable in daily cultivation.
Knowledge sharing and sector involvement
A key objective of the project is to make the results accessible to the entire greenhouse sector. All findings will be shared through the networks of Glastuinbouw Nederland, Gewascoöperatie Komkommer U.A., Wageningen University and Research and ProJoules. Demonstration days, knowledge sessions and presentations will be organized to bring new insights into practice.
The project will continue until the end of 2027. Throughout this period, updates will be published on field measurements, model development and practical findings from the greenhouse in Asten. These updates allow growers, advisors and researchers to follow the progress of the study and understand how new knowledge can support more efficient light use, stronger crops and lower energy consumption.
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