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The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) is funding the SPROUT project with a budget of 5.6 million euros to transition greenhouse horticulture from fossil fuels to renewable energy. The project, led by Francesco Lombardi from TU Delft, aims to switch greenhouses from gas-powered combined heat-and-power (CHP) systems to Multi-Carrier Energy Hubs (MC-EHs) that integrate various renewable technologies such as geothermal and solar.

Current CHP systems contribute 11% of the national electricity supply but need to evolve to maintain grid flexibility and meet climate goals. SPROUT will demonstrate its approach at a greenhouse in Monster and develop tools for faster sector adoption, including a web app for designing customized energy hubs and business model blueprints. Key partners include Division Q, eFuelution, and researchers from Leiden University and Wageningen University & Research.