Challenge
In a vertical farm in Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Growy cultivates lettuce, microgreens (sprouts), and herbs. They do this in an exceptionally sustainable way: maximizing production per square meter, avoiding pesticides, and using as little energy and water as possible. Nearly all activities are fully automated. Local, in-city production ensures buyers receive fresh produce all year round.
In 2024, Growy moved from a small location to their newly constructed facility. This next‑level vertical farm, designed entirely by Growy, offers 7,500 m² of net cultivation area. From a thermal management perspective, the challenge was to design and implement the most efficient system possible to manage cooling and heating throughout the farm.
Solution
As a pioneer in vertical farming, Growy initially decided to rent two Trane chillers temporarily. This gave them the flexibility to test their configuration and optimize the design over the first two years as they scaled toward maximum capacity.
In early 2026, Growy will transition to an all‑new setup featuring three Trane City RTSF chillers, secured through a ten‑year long-term rental. This approach allows Growy to spread investment costs while benefiting from comprehensive Trane service. After ten years, they will have the option to renew the chiller plant with the most energy‑efficient technology available at that time.
The three RTSF 100 chillers deliver one and a half times the capacity the vertical farm requires. This redundancy is essential to ensure that plant growth remains stable even if one chiller goes offline.
To dehumidify the air through condensation, Growy uses a 12°C cold‑water loop from the Trane chillers. The hot‑water side supplies a 30°C loop used to reheat the air to optimal growing temperatures. Remaining heat is discharged to an outdoor dry cooler. After passing through the dry cooler, the water reaches 25°C, which is used for LED cooling. Only after serving the LED loop does the water return to the chillers.
Cooled LED lamps not only operate more efficiently but also represent the largest heat source in the farm. By using water‑cooled LED fixtures, Growy can precisely regulate temperature within plant areas. Trane provides stable 25°C cooling for the LED systems, and Growy fine‑tunes conditions further as needed.
Results
Thanks to this unique system design and Growy’s close, long‑term partnership with Trane experts, the vertical farm operates with exceptional energy efficiency. The reliable temperature and humidity control support consistent, high‑quality crop yields throughout the year. By optimizing both cooling and heat recovery, Growy is able to lower operational costs while advancing its sustainability goals.
Learn more about Trane City RTSF chillers
