build in the 1950s by Dutch immigrants in the region northwest of Auckland , Van Lier Nurseries has produce under the leading of Theo Van Lier and his house . Today , it operates from its Riverhead situation , with 1.5 hectares of nursery dedicated to cut flowers and 0.6 hectare for multiplication materials . As Joanne Hurley , COO of Van Lier Nurseries , explains , " We ’re a third - coevals fellowship business with a rich chronicle , and we aim to carry this legacy forrard by adjust to changing time while maintaining our commitment to quality . "
A diverse range of cropsThe nursery has built its reputation on tame premium cut peak , including roses , alstroemeria , dahlias , gypsophila , limonium , and tweedia . Roses , in exceptional , remain their trademark blossom . In 2016 , the business diversify into houseplant , addressing a growing demand for indoor verdure . " Houseplants became hugely popular during the COVID years , and while demand has moderated , they remain a favourite endowment item , " enounce Joanne .
Megan Blatchford , Propagation Manager and Marisa Van Lier , Owner and Operations Manager
The transition to renewable energyAccording to Joanne , hydroelectricity is the elementary rootage of renewable energy in NZ , providing 57 % of New Zealand ’s electrical energy pauperism . Other sources of sustainable energy to generate electrical energy are geothermal ( 18.5 % ) , wind ( 6 % , ) and solar ( 1 % ) . "
In 2021 , Van Lier Nurseries faced a crossroads when their gas supplier declined to renew their declaration . " We had six month to incur a viable choice , " recalls Joanne . Without a result , the business risked descale back process , expose their year - rhythm yield and jobs . After exploring options , the nursery adopted a CO₂ heat heart system , a move Joanne delineate as " a complex but necessary journey . "
" The CO₂ heat ticker , power by electricity , use airside evaporators to absorb muscularity from the air , amplifying and transferring it to water . This hot water is then distributed through existing piping to maintain optimum temperature in the glasshouses . The organisation also integrates a 450 m³ hot piss storage storage tank , acting as a thermal battery . By mesh during off - peak electricity hours , our nursery boil down cost and grid payload , " Joanne explains .
The results have been singular : a 61 % reduction in energy use and an 88 % drop in carbon emissions within a year . " We ’ve seen a pregnant positive impact , cutting our Department of Energy utilisation by 9,295 GJ and cut down emissions by 773 t . This ensures our surgical procedure are not just sustainable but also cost - effective , " says Joanne .
Joanne add that a CO2 heat pump would not be a good root to lower atomic number 6 emissions in a rural area where they are still heavily reliant on burning fogy fuel to sire electrical energy to power the hotness pump .
Airside evaporators
conform to on-going alteration and challengesVan Lier Nurseries continues to explore advanced technologies to increase efficiency . " We are currently assay a chopine that uses data from our high temperature ticker for Energy Department mathematical function and predictive adjustments based on weather condition " , Joanne adds . This applied science enables the glasshouse to avoid mellow - cost electrical energy periods without compromising productivity .
The heat pump ’s potential drop does not cease with heating . " It can provide cooccurring chilling for dehumidification , a functionality we plan to beg into soon , " Joanne notes .
The flower - propagation industry in New Zealand face increasing pressures , including rising parturiency and heating monetary value , contention from importation , and urban expansions impact farming land . Despite these challenges , Joanne is affirmative about the live on requirement for gelded peak . " Flowers are a universal expression of care , dear , and celebration . While the industriousness is shrinking , these moments ensure there will always be a securities industry , " she says .
The houseplant section also remains an sphere of interest . " While their popularity has tapered off since the pandemic , houseplant extend to be a warm category for us , " Joanne adds .
CO₂ heat pump
produce sustainablyVan Lier Nurseries was the first flower grower in New Zealand to take up recyclable paper sleeves for cut flowers and has installed reservoirs to insure water self - sufficiency . " Our transition to a broken - discharge heat pump organization is also a first of its kind in Australasia for a greenhouse . What we ’re doing here can serve as a manikin for other covered cropping business or industries that require physical process heat , " says Joanne .
" Our goal is to create a viable , long - live company that can be passed down for our next generations , " Joanne concludes .
For more info : Van Lier NurseriesJoanne Hurley , COO[email protected]www.vanlier.co.nz
© FloralDaily.com/Tinneke Hattingh
