Baltic Export, Estonia, Good for Business, Technology

Speaking to BNS, Helmes team leader Martin Leet refused to disclose the value of the project, but said that the work done over several years was not cheap.

In addition, Helmes has been developing software for electronic monitoring and planning of the production process for Jiffy during the past two years. "It was earlier done all on paper, but now the information system shows the whole production process, from machine hours and manhours, and fuel consumption, to land drainage and snow removal," Leet said.

Temperature monitoring is necessary because after reaching certain temperatures, peat moss becomes unsuitable for plant cultivation. Monitoring of temperature in peat heaps also allows to prevent self-ignition, according to Leet.

"Jiffy is a global manager of peat fields and developer of technology, which has chosen Estonia as their testing ground. The new technology shows the condition and temperature of different pits on the map and allows to respond in due time," Leet added.

"We are testing a device developed with the Dutch at the Keila peat field right now, which is planned to be taken into use also at the peat pits of Jiffy in Canada and Sweden next year," he said.

Development of the system continues, and at present Helmes is developing a smart peat extraction system which measures the weight and humidity of each grab load of peat extracted to allow better oversight and planning of volumes and logistics.