Why switch to Priva and Cogas Climate Control?
“There were two main reasons for the change,” André Busigel explains. “Firstly, the components of our old system were outdated. If it was damaged by a lightning strike or a power surge, for example, we couldn’t be sure that spare parts would be readily available. Then if you have to invest in a new climate computer, the question arises as to which supplier and partner would be the best fit for our company. Secondly, I wanted to not only understand modern, energy-saving climate strategies like Next Generation Growing (NGG) in theory, but also apply them in practice in my greenhouse. I often came up against limitations with my old climate computer, and it required a lot of manual work on a daily basis.”
Choosing Priva and Cogas Climate Control
“I have known John Vermeulen of Cogas Climate Control as a reliable business partner for many years. The preparations with Cogas went extremely well, as did our collaboration with the technician Mark Bruijnen, whom I have also known for a long time,” says André. “The Priva Connext is renowned as a market leading control system for climate, water, and energy. The clear agreements we made beforehand gave us the confidence to take this step.”
Expectations and experiences during the transition
“It was nerve-wracking to replace the heart of our technical system in the fall,” André admits. “But my expectations were exceeded. The transition to Priva went smoothly, and I’m very happy with the support, training, and expertise from both Priva and Cogas Climate Control. For my day-to-day work I now use Priva Operator, which gives me secure access to my data anytime, anywhere. This program offers great flexibility and a clear overview.”
Working daily with Priva Operator
“I was able to start working with Priva Operator and Priva Office Direct immediately after they were installed,” says André. “Priva Operator is very user-friendly and encompasses all controls, measurements, and functions. What I particularly like is that I can create my own dashboards and views. I also spoke with Priva advisor Wilbert Lammers about the ventilation control, which now works much more efficiently than before. The service is excellent, and the new chat feature in Priva Operator is a valuable addition.”
Improvements in the crop
“The crop is doing really well,” says André. “But it’s still too early to say that it’s performing better than usual and that this is exclusively due to Priva. But the plants aren't doing any worse – and that’s a good sign.”
Saving on energy, water and fertilizers
“The weather varies every year, so I can’t provide exact figures after eight weeks of growing,” André explains. “But I’ve noticed that the operation of vents and mixing valves is much smoother and more accurate, for example. In Priva Operator, I can check what impact external conditions have on the calculations, draw conclusions, and make adjustments to the parameters with just a few corrections. That makes our work much more efficient.”
Conclusion: a step towards the future
The switch to Priva and Cogas Climate Control has proven to be the right decision for André Busigel. The modern technology of the Priva Connext 915, the ease of use of Priva Operator, and the extensive support provided by Priva and Cogas exceeded his expectations. His greenhouse is now optimally equipped for energy-efficient, future-proof production. “I’m looking forward to further leveraging the potential of this system,” André concludes.
Dennis de Wit looks back on this successful project with satisfaction. “We would like to thank André Busigel for his trust in Priva and view this project as an inspiring example for others,” he says.
