Smart Energy

From sensor data to smart energy use.

Combine real-time plant and process data with energy prices and lighting control. RealTimeBox forms the independent data layer between sensors, LED nodes, dashboards and existing climate computers — enabling smarter control without replacing your current infrastructure.

Reduce electricity costs without compromising the crop’s light requirements.

One BoxOne NetworkOne Data Layer
Smart Energy architectuur met RealTimeBox
Why RealTimeBox

The same reliable foundation, tailored to this application.

The hardware can be configured to suit each customer. Sensors and devices remain vendor-independent and can easily be replaced or expanded later.

◆

Real-time light data

PAR/ePAR, dim level, status and energy information in one data stream.

◆

DLI & planning

Work with daily light integral, photoperiod and predefined limits.

◆

Energy price

Use day-ahead prices and fixed floor/ceiling rules to switch more intelligently and avoid peak costs.

◆

Runs in parallel

No need to replace Priva, Hoogendoorn or Ridder; RealTimeBox can run alongside them.

How it works

From measurement point to usable real-time data.

The data layer is central. That keeps the solution clear and allows it to operate next to existing systems.

Connect sensors and LED nodes

Connect the selected measurement points and check the signals.

Bring data together on one wireless network

Bring measurements together and check availability and quality.

Set up rules and dashboards

Agree on lighting limits, price rules and the dashboard.

Optimise for light, crop and energy

Evaluate results against the agreed crop and energy criteria.

Energy in the greenhouse

Control with real-time data instead of correcting afterwards.

Combine measurements, PAR/ePAR, DLI, lighting groups and energy prices in one overview. Compare scenarios, save energy and stay fully in control of the growing process.

From SensorBox to Smart Energy →
Smart Energy – energy price insights and intelligent lighting
What can Smart Energy deliver?

Better value from the same amount of grow light

Smart Energy moves lighting towards cheaper electricity hours whenever possible. The grower’s lighting strategy remains in control: the specified DLI, photoperiod and minimum and maximum light levels set the boundaries.

◆

Make use of cheaper hours

The system reads day-ahead electricity prices and, within the grower’s limits, boosts lighting when energy is cheaper.

◆

Protect the daily light integral

The system only eases lighting in expensive hours once that light has actually been delivered earlier. The specified DLI target remains the minimum.

◆

Set your own boundaries

Set a floor and ceiling to protect minimum light intensity and limit any additional lighting.

◆

More visibility, less manual work

Energy prices, daylight PAR data and delivered light come together on one platform, with transparent, rule-based scheduling.

around 10%

lower electricity cost per mole of light in an internal test week with volatile prices

Indicative internal Netvion validation result, not a guaranteed saving. Actual performance depends on electricity prices, available dimming flexibility, daylight, luminaires and the growing recipe. Customer results still require validation.

Smart Energy

How price-aware lighting works

1. Read energy prices

Hourly prices for the following day are retrieved from European day-ahead electricity markets.

2. Plan the lighting

Prices are compared and, where permitted, lighting is increased in cheaper hours and eased during expensive ones.

3. Earn before you spend

Only additional light that has already been delivered can be offset later. The DLI target remains the minimum.

4. Stay within the growing recipe

Photoperiod, daylight readings and configured dimming limits always apply. Scheduling options include, for example, ±10%, ±25% or ±40% shifts.

Example: lighting is shifted to cheaper hours while maintaining the same DLI. Savings are not fixed for every greenhouse.

RealTimeBox + Smart Energy

What does this mean in practice?

The aim is not simply to use less light. It is to deliver the crop’s required grow light at more economical times. This can reduce the cost per mole of light without deliberately under-lighting the crop. Growers may alternatively choose to put the financial benefit towards additional light, within their chosen ceiling.

Explore the potential for your greenhouse →

Open and auditable

The approach uses predictable rules, supports European day-ahead prices (ENTSO-E), optional grid signals and integrations including Modbus and REST. Actual integration and safety settings are agreed for each installation.

Partners

Our partners

Netvion and Seeed Studio are partners of RealTimeBox.

From idea to pilot

Start small. Scale up when it works.

We first look at the desired data, sensors, connectivity and output. Then we build a compact pilot that can scale later without new infrastructure.

Plan an introduction