Ridder Partners with RED Horticulture to Integrate Greenhouse Lighting and Energy Management Systems

Key Takeaways

• HLP links MyRED lighting software directly to Hortimax Pro climate computer
• Open‑standard protocol replaces custom integrations, boosting scalability
• Automated calculations give growers real‑time LED energy data
• Energy use from LEDs feeds directly into climate management system
• Supports optimal CHP operation by aligning lighting with market energy prices

Pulse Analysis

Controlled‑environment agriculture has long wrestled with fragmented systems that silo lighting, climate, and energy data. Growers typically rely on manual spreadsheets to reconcile LED power draw with climate set points, a process prone to error and inefficiency. The Ridder‑RED partnership tackles this pain point by deploying the Horticultural Lighting Protocol (HLP), an open‑source framework that standardizes communication between lighting controllers and climate computers. By adopting HLP, both companies sidestep costly custom APIs, offering a plug‑and‑play solution that can be replicated across diverse greenhouse setups.

The practical benefits of the integration are immediate. MyRED’s dynamic spectrum and intensity controls now feed directly into Hortimax Pro, allowing the climate computer to factor LED consumption into its energy‑balancing algorithms. This real‑time visibility eliminates the need for manual data entry, reduces the risk of over‑lighting, and enables precise adjustments based on market electricity prices or CHP availability. Growers can therefore optimize lighting schedules for both crop quality and cost efficiency, turning what was once a separate utility expense into a managed variable within the broader production plan.

Beyond individual operations, the partnership signals a broader shift toward interoperable ag‑tech ecosystems. An open standard like HLP encourages other vendors to develop compatible modules, fostering a marketplace where best‑in‑class solutions can be combined without bespoke engineering. This scalability not only accelerates innovation but also supports sustainability goals by lowering energy waste and simplifying the adoption of renewable or on‑site generation assets. As greenhouse operators seek to meet tighter carbon targets, such integrated platforms will become essential tools for competitive, low‑carbon food production.