100,000 OPERATING HOURS AND NOT YET DONE
CHP plant of rose grower Van der Hulst powers on through
COMPLETE REVISION
FACTS &
FIGURES
150,000 HOURS
Mark van der Hulst is pleased to hear that. He feels that the engine is nowhere near the end of its life. “I want to keep that plant operating for as long as it is efficient and works well. But 150,000 is probably a good goal!”
EFFICIENTLY
Peter van Hoek, Account Manager Product Support EPG at Pon Power, says: “The whole Van der Hulst family look after their Cats well. Always ensuring timely maintenance, overhauls and updates is the very best way to keep an engine working efficiently. They’ve undoubtedly demonstrated that with their G3512A.”
MINIMISE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
In that process, Van der Hulst always considered returning power as a ‘by-catch’ of the heating and fertilisation process. The family tries to minimise its energy consumption for growing roses. Destroying heat to earn money for returning power is not an option.
From looking after the environment, it’s an easy step to looking after the CHP plant. After 70,000 operating hours, Van der Hulst’s plant underwent a complete overhaul, and several years later, an engine overhaul. The plant has now done 100,000 hours and the machine is still in great condition.
MARK VAN DER HULST
Director
Van der Hulst Rozenkwekerijen
“I think 150,000 operating hours is a good goal.”
FLUE GAS CLEANING
Mark van der Hulst explains: “We chose a G3512A with flue gas cleaning. The plant was installed in 2002. It heats the greenhouse perfectly. At first we had less need for heat than we do now, but since
2006, it’s been operating for around 6000 hours a year. We use the CO2 to fertilise the plants. In winter, we use the power for lighting and in summer, we return power to the grid.’
STILL WORKING WELL
Because the original Cat plant was still working so well and the service provided by Pon Power (then called Geveke) had always been good, father and son decided that they needed a Cat in the new company.
MARK VAN DER HULST
Director
Van der Hulst Rozenkwekerijen
“I’ll keep this plant for as long as it is efficient and works well.”
IN CONTROL OF HIS OWN PRODUCTION RESOURCES
The story of Van der Hulst and Caterpillar started in the early 1990s. Father Sjaak relocated his rose nursery to Limburg. To help him, the local utility company installed a Caterpillar CHP plant. Van der Hulst was happy with the engine, but ultimately wanted to be in control of his own production resources. In 1995, he therefore bought his own Caterpillar: the same machine, but this time it was his own. Six years later, his son Mark joined the company. To give the young Van der Hulst space, a new greenhouse was built where junior started growing exclusive rose varieties like the Colandro, Con Amore and Norma Jeane.
HULST
VAN DER
The Van der Hulst family from Meterik in Limburg not only knows how to grow exclusive roses, but also how to look after their equipment. In 2002, they had a Caterpillar CHP plant installed and in 2019, more than 100,000 operating hours later, the engine is still running in top condition and on its way to the next 100,000. Motorennieuws travelled south to check out the greenhouse.
COMPLETE REVISION
100,000 OPERATING HOURS AND NOT YET DONE
CHP plant of rose grower Van der Hulst powers on through
IN CONTROL OF HIS OWN PRODUCTION RESOURCES
The story of Van der Hulst and Caterpillar started in the early 1990s. Father Sjaak relocated his rose nursery to Limburg. To help him, the local utility company installed a Caterpillar CHP plant. Van der Hulst was happy with the engine, but ultimately wanted to be in control of his own production resources. In 1995, he therefore bought his own Caterpillar: the same machine, but this time it was his own. Six years later, his son Mark joined the company. To give the young Van der Hulst space, a new greenhouse was built where junior started growing exclusive rose varieties like the Colandro, Con Amore and Norma Jeane.
“I’ll keep this plant for as long as it is efficient and works well.”
Director
Van der Hulst Rozenkwekerijen
MARK VAN DER HULST
STILL WORKING WELL
Because the original Cat plant was still working so well and the service provided by Pon Power (then called Geveke) had always been good, father and son decided that they needed a Cat in the new company.
FLUE GAS CLEANING
Mark van der Hulst explains: “We chose a G3512A with flue gas cleaning. The plant was installed in 2002. It heats the greenhouse perfectly. At first we had less need for heat than we do now, but since 2006, it’s been operating for around 6000 hours a year. We use the CO2 to fertilise the plants. In winter, we use the power for lighting and in summer, we return power to the grid.’
“I think 150,000 operating hours is a good goal.”
Director
Van der Hulst Rozenkwekerijen
MARK VAN DER HULST
EFFICIENTLY
Peter van Hoek, Account Manager Product Support EPG at Pon Power, says: “The whole Van der Hulst family look after their Cats well. Always ensuring timely maintenance, overhauls and updates is the very best way to keep an engine working efficiently. They’ve undoubtedly demonstrated that with their G3512A.”
150,000 HOURS
Mark van der Hulst is pleased to hear that. He feels that the engine is nowhere near the end of its life. “I want to keep that plant operating for as long as it is efficient and works well. But 150,000 is probably a good goal!”
MINIMISE ENERGY CONSUMPTION
In that process, Van der Hulst always considered returning power as a ‘by-catch’ of the heating and fertilisation process. The family tries to minimise its energy consumption for growing roses. Destroying heat to earn money for returning power is not an option.
From looking after the environment, it’s an easy step to looking after the CHP plant. After 70,000 operating hours, Van der Hulst’s plant underwent a complete overhaul, and several years later, an engine overhaul. The plant has now done 100,000 hours and the machine is still in great condition.
FACTS & FIGURES
BUSINESS:
Van der Hulst Rozenkwekerijen, Meterik
OWNER:
Fam. Van der Hulst
PRODUCT:
Exclusive roses
CHP PLANT:
Cat G3512A
INTERESTING:
Plant has operated problem-free for over 100,000 hours
VAN DER
HULST
The Van der Hulst family from Meterik in Limburg not only knows how to grow exclusive roses, but also how to look after their equipment. In 2002, they had a Caterpillar CHP plant installed and in 2019, more than 100,000 operating hours later, the engine is still running in top condition and on its way to the next 100,000. Motorennieuws travelled south to check out the greenhouse.