Certhon Control System The Certhon Control System (CCS) is Certhon’s in-house developed platform for climate and energy management. The system was developed specifically for controlling climate cells and for controlling complex greenhouse energy systems. Already some 25 years ago, early in the 00’s, we concluded within Certhon that for our ideas on the optimal control of heat pumps, greenhouse cooling and heat and cold storage (CHP) it was necessary to develop our own control computer. This was followed a short time later by the control of climate cells. Today the CCS is running worldwide at many high-tech nurseries and R&D companies. Climate chambers Expert climate control designed to steer high-quality production processes within strictly regulated conditions, ensuring precision, efficiency, and superior product quality. Energy management A major sustainability drive through extensive automation. Smartly store excess heat or cold in underground buffers at the right times of the year for later use. Seamless integration We integrate the CCS with various systems from all major horticultural computer suppliers and provide the required energy in the most efficient way, including sensors and actuators. Unique benefits CCS controls all technical installations, from heat pumps to aquifers and from complete climate chambers to irrigation systems and is also suitable for all types of crops. But this smart computer brings even more advantages: Optimal control in climate cells Controlling climate in a climate cell is fundamentally different from controlling climate in a greenhouse or building. It is nothing less than controlling a high-quality production process under highly controlled conditions. And that requires specialized climate control. The CCS provides just that. It provides extremely precise control over every factor affecting crop growth: light, temperature, humidity, CO2, air recirculation and ventilation, watering, and more. Outstanding energy management Greenhouse horticulture faces the great challenge of becoming fossil-free in the coming decades. Heat pumps combined with heat and cold storage are part of the solution. By cleverly storing surplus heat or cold in underground buffers at the right times of the year and using it later, a major step towards sustainability can be taken. At Certhon, we have extensive experience in the design and realization of these techniques. The software in the CCS is a product of our many years of knowledge and experience and relieves users through extensive automation in the management of these advanced techniques. Seamless integration We are incredibly proud of all the functionalities of the CCS. However, the system cannot do everything—and that is a conscious choice. The CCS is explicitly not designed to control the climate in a greenhouse. Instead, we seamlessly integrate the CCS with systems from all well-known horticultural computer suppliers. In such cases, the horticultural computer communicates the greenhouse's energy demand to the CCS, which then ensures that the required energy is made available in the most efficient way. Flexible design The CCS is designed for flexibility. Because we have learned that no one climate cell or energy system is the same. Many climate cells are used for special research purposes. Each research requires different sensors, lamps or different techniques. The CCS is designed so that all those different techniques are easy to integrate and operate from the same control environment. Real-time insight and usage Large-scale data storage In the CCS, all settings and measurements are automatically logged every 15 seconds. The user does not have to do anything for this, and there is no data compression. All data from the start to now is always available. This data provides crucial insights into the functioning of installations and helps with quick troubleshooting. In addition, the combination of data from various space sensors makes it possible to measure crop photosynthesis and evaporation in real time and fully automatically. The algorithms developed by ourselves provide CCS users with valuable information about crop behavior under various conditions. Read more about the accurate measurements and insights into photosynthesis and evaporation in this knowledge base article. Easy operation and comprehensive control Intuitive user interface The CCS works with the user-friendly SanScada package, which can be installed on any computer. After logging in, you have insight into your cultivation and plants from anywhere. With the strategy editor, you easily set strategies for controllable parameters, whether you want to use standardized protocols or conduct experimental research. All changes are recorded, with explanations, and sensor data is easily visualized via graphs. A designated administrator creates user accounts with specific operating privileges so that not just anyone can change settings. In addition, SanScada reports any alarms and malfunctions, which can also be forwarded via professional alarms such as Octalarm, so that someone within your company receives immediate telephone notification. Continuous testing and optimization CCS is a complete package of hardware and software developed by Certhon. In-house experts from the Research & Development and Technical Automation departments continue to develop the CCS. In Certhon’s in-house research center, the Certhon Innovation Centre, the system is continuously further tested and optimized. The result is the most optimal system for the end user. Personal attention 24/7 service available Whether controlling climate cells or energy systems, the CCS controls mission-critical processes. Processes that absolutely must not go wrong. And so our service team is at your service 24/7. We are available day and night by phone and there is never a tape played for you. There is always a person available to listen to you. Depending on the nature of a problem, we will often first (if you give us permission) log into the CCS remotely. Then, if we can’t figure it out, we’ll simply visit you on site. So that the problems are solved as quickly as possible. We owe that to our standing. "It's the combination of smart technology, agronomy and the philosophy that only when you have all the expertise in house do you really achieve sustainable success. That's what makes us different and what we are proud of." John van der Sande Founder and CINO Certhon Projects The Certhon Control System has been used on many projects worldwide for many years. Here are some examples: Crop protection research at the highest level with our modular indoor farms Corteva Agroscience, Michigan, USA Learn more Next level in research activities Rijk Zwaan with modern growth chambers Rijk Zwaan, The Netherlands Learn more Intensive collaboration for ultimate energy-efficiency in the greenhouse Opti-flor, The Netherlands Learn more Interested? The Certhon Control System is indispensable for companies using climate cells and for growers who want to make their energy management truly future-proof. Discover how our system can revolutionize your business processes. Curious about the results we can achieve for you? Our international team would be happy to help you. We look forward to hearing from you: +31 174 225080. Jaap Weerheim Technical Consultant Dennis Zuijderwijk Technisch Manager Elektro