Goal-oriented steering is a much-discussed method in the nitrogen debate. Instead of prescribing the means to achieve lower emissions, it sets maximum emissions as a target and allows the farmer to decide how to achieve it. It allows farmers to make full use of their craft.
Sensor systems that measure continuously give farmers instant insight into their emissions. They show whether certain adjustments and/or measures are having an effect. And they can make adjustments accordingly. So far, there are no affordable and reliable measurement systems to make that possible for the different types of barns. Especially for open barns, where the concentrations to be measured are lower, this is a challenge.
Goal oriented steering based on photonic chips
Based on the latest photonic* chip technology, from research centre imec, OnePlanet, with support from national growth fund PhotonDelta and province of Gelderland, is developing sensor systems to reliably measure low concentrations of nitrogen. This will bring goal-oriented steering a lot closer. Photonics is a proven measurement technique. Most reference equipment is also light-based (photonic), but too expensive and too large to deploy in every barn or on every farm. Through miniaturisation on chip, OnePlanet can make this technology affordable and scalable.
Eelko Brinkhoff, CEO PhotonDelta: “Photonic chip technology can contribute to making nitrogen and greenhouse gases measurable. From the PhotonDelta National Growth Fund Plan, we are working to accelerate photonic chip technology into new applications that contribute to societal challenges. I am proud to see this technology now in an application that can start making impact in the Netherlands and even beyond.”
More than just measuring nitrogen
An initial trial at De Marke (WUR’s experimental farm), has already shown the potential of the technology for measuring nitrogen (ammonia) and greenhouse gas (methane). Technically, it is possible to take measurements for most barn systems within now and two years, and at a later stage also at farm and area level. Besides measuring nitrogen and methane, other climate-relevant greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide and CO2, and even odorous substances and nitrate in water are also among the possibilities. This will soon allow farmers to perform multiple measurements with a single sensor system, view that measurement data directly, and link their emissions to their actions.
Remco Suer, program manager Environmental Sensing OnePlanet: “The first prototypes of imec’s photonic chip are promising. Reliable measurement of low concentrations of multiple gases simultaneously is within reach. To be deployed in time to realise nitrogen and climate goals, further development, validation and readiness for production must be deployed simultaneously. This requires guts and investment. Indeed, for individual tech/sensor companies, the investment risk is still too high.”
Gelderland province at the forefront
42% of nitrogen-sensitive nature in the Netherlands lies in Gelderland. It is therefore not surprising that this research was started in this province. Partly thanks to the support of the province of Gelderland, OnePlanet has been able to invest heavily in research into the application of these photonic sensors for the agricultural sector in recent years. Gelderland was the first province to invest in improved measurement systems to contribute to the solution to the nitrogen issue. Now it is important that there is also a national investment impetus for these measurement systems to accelerate goal-oriented steering.
According to Gelderland province deputies Helga Witjes and Harold Zoet, the technology is now almost ready to be applied to the nitrogen issue in the Netherlands. Harold Zoet: ‘This development shows that we in Gelderland are at the forefront of innovation. Unfortunately, the current national nitrogen plans still do not earmark much money for the next step in this sensor technology. We therefore hope that the Schoof Commission does actively pursue this. The longer we wait, the longer it will take before affordable goal-oriented steering is possible at farm and area level.’
Source: press release OnePlanet.
