Green Living Fence greens the grounds of a sustainable biomass plant in Bemmel
- Green Living Fence
- Location: Bemmel, Netherlands
| Location | Bemmel, the Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Project type | Greening the outdoor grounds of a biomass plant |
| Solution | Green Living Fence (Hedera helix ‘Woerner’) |
| Application | Screening and defining parking spaces, softening the appearance of an industrial site |
| Environmental impact | Cooling, particulate matter capture and CO₂ uptake on a hard-surfaced industrial site |
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How do you make a functional industrial site greener without sacrificing valuable space? At the Lingezegen Energy biomass plant in Bemmel, the solution was found by going vertical. Mobilane Green Living Fences instantly gave the site a greener appearance while also providing greater structure, privacy and clear definition of the parking spaces.
From a functional site to a green environment
On an industrial site, functionality naturally comes first. This was also the case around the Lingezegen Energy biomass plant in Bemmel. The plant produces renewable heat and electricity for the surrounding horticultural sector and also supplies CO₂ to local greenhouses. While sustainability already plays an important role in what happens inside the plant, there was also a desire to make this green ambition more visible outside. The grounds were perceived as stark and industrial, creating a need for more greenery. View of the Lingezegen Energy biomass plant in Bemmel with Green Living Fences surrounding the site. The dense foliage of the Green Living Fence provides privacy and screens parts of the industrial site from view. Functional and less visually appealing areas of the biomass plant are concealed, while the greenery also creates a natural boundary between different parts of the site.
Adding greenery without sacrificing valuable space
Grass was initially considered as a way of making the site greener. However, a vertical green solution proved better suited to the location. By choosing Green Living Fences, greenery could be added without taking up a large proportion of the available ground space. Where a lawn primarily adds greenery at ground level, a Green Living Fence makes use of vertical space. This offers several advantages at this location. The Green Living Fences create an attractive green appearance while also providing screening and reducing overlooking across the industrial site.One green solution with multiple functions
The Green Living Fences also fulfil a practical role in the layout of the site. Previously, the parking spaces were not clearly separated. By strategically positioning the Green Living Fences, a clear and natural division between the parking spaces was created. The greenery therefore performs several functions at once: it greens the surroundings, uses limited space efficiently, provides greater privacy and creates structure across the site. And the result is immediate. As the Green Living Fences are supplied fully grown, the green screening was in place from the moment of installation. The green landscaping around the site also makes the biomass plant’s sustainability ambitions visible outside the building. While Lingezegen Energy’s sustainable activities normally take place primarily within its installations, the Green Living Fence now extends this ambition into the immediate surroundings of the complex.
Hedera Green Living Fence contributes to cleaner air on industrial sites
The Green Living Fences can also contribute to local air quality. Cars and lorries use the site every day, releasing particulate matter into the surrounding environment. The dense foliage of the Green Living Fence with Hedera helix ‘Woerner’ provides a large leaf surface on which these small particles can be captured. Research conducted by Mobilane in collaboration with Atkins and Staffordshire University shows that the Green Living Fence with Hedera helix ‘Woerner’ can capture 40–60% of (ultra)fine particulate matter, depending on the location and conditions. The ivy was studied for its ability to capture particles ranging from PM10 to PM1.0. This makes the Green Living Fence much more than a green boundary at this location. While the greenery provides structure and privacy, it also helps capture particulate matter from the immediate surroundings. In addition, plants absorb CO₂ during photosynthesis and release oxygen. The same narrow strip of land therefore not only provides instant greenery but also contributes to a greener, more climate-resilient and healthier environment.Greenery as part of a sustainable industrial site
The choice of greenery fits well with the character of Lingezegen Energy. The biomass plant plays a role in making the horticultural sector in Bemmel more sustainable. The green landscaping around the plant now makes this sustainable character visible outside the building too. The result has met expectations, says Berno Schouten.
Green Living Fence at Lingezegen Energy demonstrates a cooling effect
Thermal images taken at the Lingezegen Energy biomass plant in Bemmel clearly demonstrate that the Green Living Fence not only contributes to a greener appearance but also provides a cooling effect. On a hot summer’s day, with an ambient temperature of 96.8°F, the surface temperature of the Green Living Fence was measured at 93.6°F, while the adjacent concrete paving reached 117.5°F. In the thermal images, the hard-surfaced area is clearly visible in red and pink, indicating a considerably higher surface temperature than the vegetated area. This represents a difference of 23.9°F. These measurements make the cooling effect of greenery tangible and demonstrate the role a solution such as the Green Living Fence can play in reducing heat stress on hard-surfaced industrial sites. For a functional location such as the Lingezegen Energy biomass plant, surrounded by concrete and buildings, this contributes to a more pleasant microclimate around the complex as well as to the wider ambition of creating more climate-resilient industrial sites. The project demonstrates how even functional, hard-surfaced industrial grounds can contribute to a greener and cooler environment.
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- Mobilane Green Living Fence: 93.6°F
- Concrete paving: 117.5°F
- Difference in surface temperature: 23.9°F
Frequently asked questions
A Green Living Fence is a pre-grown hedge system planted with Hedera helix (ivy). It is delivered fully grown, providing an instant green boundary without the years of growth a traditional hedge requires.
The Green Living Fence was installed along the perimeter of the Lingezegen Energy biomass plant in Bemmel, screening the industrial site from view.
Unlike grass, a Green Living Fence provides year-round screening and privacy thanks to its dense, evergreen Hedera helix foliage. It also delivers an instant, fully grown result rather than requiring years to establish.
Yes. The Green Living Fence is suitable for a wide range of business and industrial sites, including distribution centres, car parks and other locations where a fast, green boundary is needed.
