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Sustainability is an important issue in our society. With their new LED turf growth technology, Rhenac Sports LED is making its contribution to benefit both today's and tomorrow's generation.
It is probably only a matter of time before the use of LED turf growth technologies becomes mandatory. EU Regulation 2015/1428 paves the way for the phasing out of inefficient lighting technologies and stipulates that these old technologies must be replaced with new, more sustainable lighting methods. Rhenac's LED turf growth technology has been in use for several years. This summer, the German manufacturer of the intelligent turf care technology has now also delivered its first fully automated maintenance system for an entire pitch. "Their knowledge of the entire light spectrum and how they use that spectrum to deliver the right kind of light and light intensity to the turf at a specific time makes Rhenac LED turf growth technology truly unique," explains Arnoud Fiolet of RSI SPORTS, the exclusive distributor of Rhenac GreenTec technology. "The LED technology is the result of an eight-year study in which scientists from the Technical University of Munich first investigated the relationship between grass, light and grass growth factors, before Rhenac GreenTec technicians translated the results into LED grass growth technology."
The new CLS system is already in use at the VELTINS Arena in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
Image: Rhenac
Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are known for their high energy efficiency. They consume between 40 and 50 per cent less energy than conventional high-pressure sodium (HPS) lamps in operation. LED technology also requires no warm-up or cool-down period. Grass irradiated with LED technology is exposed to less stress because it does not generate the heat that is necessary for HPS technology, for example. Rhenac GreenTec LED technology goes one step further, benefiting from its knowledge of CLS.
CLS is the ability to produce the full range of existing light colours. Because CLS is a cold light source, infrared heat can be added automatically. This means that CLS never causes heat stress, while the energy used to generate light is always kept to the absolute minimum.
The LED technology ensures sustainable turf growth.
Image: Rhenac
Rhenac GreenTec LED grass growth technology meets the varying needs for light, light intensity or wavelength at all stages a grass plant goes through. "Germination, root development or length growth all have different light needs, which can easily be met by CLS technology," Arnoud Fiolet points out. The technology can produce the red colour needed for grass seed germination and biomass increase, while the ability to produce blue light increases the density of the sward. In addition, blue light promotes root growth and controls the length of the grass. It also reduces susceptibility to disease. Venues where sod or large panels from a nursery are installed benefit from the light's ability to stimulate the plant's chlorophyll content. This is usually affected by a phenomenon known as photoinhibition, where the various logistical processes and subsequent exposure or lack of light stress the grass. Rhenac GreenTec grass growth technology can therefore help speed up the recovery of the grass.
The new CLS system can produce any light colour.
Image: Rhenac
This summer, Rhenac GreenTec is adding R-BL-1750 technology to its portfolio. "This is cutting-edge technology when it comes to grass growth and maintenance and what is possible when you bring the latest technologies together. The R-BL-1750 is a fully automated system that can cover an entire field of play," Arnoud Fiolet points out. The VELTINS Arena, home of FC Schalke 04, is the first to be equipped with this technology. Two 80-metre-wide steel beams with cross sections span the pitch. The beams move across the pitch on a rail at a speed of over 12 m/min.
The system is equipped with sensors that record many different parameters, including heat demand, nutrient saturation, soil moisture and temperature, and the ambient climate. The condition of the turf and the environmental influences are recorded in a digital logbook.
After evaluating this data, the CLS control system can provide the lawn with individual light spectra, corresponding light intensity and infrared heat automatically or according to the greenkeeper's specifications. It is also possible to incorporate irrigation, heating, liquid fertilisation as well as UV-C lawn care technology into the beam. Once integrated into the technology, which monitors the condition of the pitch and controls the technology, it offers the greenkeeper great flexibility. It can be controlled on a targeted or zone-by-zone basis, as the different maintenance programmes can vary for length growth, leaf branching, root optimisation, turf drying, fungal disease prevention and more. The programmes are constantly being expanded in cooperation with the Technical University of Munich.
Different needs
The R-BL-1750 maintains and manages a stadium lawn precisely and fully automatically. "Its smart technology helps stadium managers reduce dependence on electricity or additives to supplement a turf or support its growth and regeneration. The high accuracy contributes significantly to improving the sustainability balance of maintaining a healthy and dense turf," summarises Arnoud Fiolet. The Rhenac GreenTec R-ML 30 and R-ML200 units benefit from the same technology. "These units cover a smaller part of the field. They are very practical when it comes to supporting and supplementing the turf in a small area of the pitch, such as the goal area or penalty area."
One thing the LED technology doesn't discriminate on is the difference between cold and warm season grasses. "The technology can be adapted for both types of grass and for a variety of climatic or geological conditions." This is demonstrated by the fact that Rhenac GreenTec LED grass growth technology is used by stadium managers in South America, Europe and especially in Scandinavia. "The cold temperatures and the long winter period place high demands on the technology used. The fact that the Rhenac GreenTec LED turf growth technology has been adopted here is living proof that it is effective and does the job," Fiolet concluded. His company, RSI SPORTS, is the exclusive distributor of this technology. They offer reliable, sustainable and innovative technologies for the construction and maintenance of high-quality sports infrastructures, regardless of local conditions. The Rhenac GreenTec LED turf growth technology fits perfectly into your portfolio and you have the expertise to advise or support any stadium project and help stadiums improve their sustainability value without compromising the quality of their natural grass or hybrid pitch. (Stadiaworld, 06.10.2021)
Website: Rhenac Sports LED
