Norwegian Greenhouse Achieves 50% Energy Reduction with UniCloud Integration

A leading Norwegian cucumber cultivation facility has achieved remarkable energy efficiency gains through the strategic deployment of Unitronics automation technology. Working alongside TG Elektro & Automasjon AS, a specialist in electrical and automation engineering, the grower implemented a control solution centred on UniStream PLCs and the UniCloud IIoT platform.

Project Background

The Aase Gartneri facility operates a substantial 17,000 square metre greenhouse producing approximately 850 tonnes of cucumbers annually. Despite utilising eco-friendly energy sources, operational costs remained prohibitively high. The facility required both enhanced environmental control and transparent visibility into their dehumidification processes.

Technical Implementation

TG Elektro brought extensive experience with Unitronics systems to this project. The UniStream PLC now manages the SmartTekEnergi dehumidification units, energy metering systems, a 30-cubic-metre thermal storage tank, irrigation mixing and regulation, circulation pumps, and valve systems.

The client specifically required accessible online dashboards for system monitoring, secure remote access, and instant alarm notifications. UniStream's native integration with UniCloud enabled TG to rapidly develop intuitive dashboards using drag-and-drop functionality.

Cloud-Based Monitoring

The UniCloud platform delivers real-time visibility across all critical parameters: climate conditions, energy usage patterns, regeneration metrics, water extraction volumes, and historical trend analysis. This monitoring supports proactive maintenance scheduling and continuous process refinement.

Measured Outcomes

The integrated solution delivered outstanding results. Total energy consumption dropped by half, equating to savings beyond 1,000,000 kWh per annum and substantially improving the operation's financial performance.

Unitronics has been delivering PLC and HMI solutions to the global automation market since 1989.