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As the world faces pressing challenges in food security and environmental sustainability, the need for innovative solutions has never been greater. Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) offers a promising avenue for sustainable food production, allowing us to grow crops year-round in precisely managed conditions. However, the energy demands of indoor farming can be substantial, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions and environmental strain.

Enter renewable energy – a game-changing approach to powering CEA systems while reducing their carbon footprint. There are a number of benefits to incorporating renewable energy sources into indoor growing, and several strategies to do so.

The Energy Conundrum in CEA

Controlled environmental agriculture encompasses a range of techniques, including hydroponics, aquaponics and vertical farming, that enable the cultivation of crops in optimized environments. While CEA systems offer advantages such as reduced water usage, increased crop yields and protection against extreme weather conditions, they are power-intensive operations. The energy required for lighting, temperature control, ventilation and irrigation can significantly increase operational costs and environmental impact. Solving this problem can be a daunting journey that many companies struggle to start. That’s where FTI can help with our Path to Smarter Energy™ (PTSE), which provides a step-by-step customized energy solution to meet your goals, no matter how small or how complex they may be.

The amount of automation and energy used is increasing across the different growing platforms and can vary greatly between a glass greenhouse or a sunless vertical building. We see many operations over the next 5-20 years going down this 4-step path to smarter energy where they will need to:

  1. Know where they are using energy and how much.
  2. Drive conservation in their facilities to remove waste and decrease energy usage per source.
  3. Start generating some of their own clean energy or purchase it from a provider.
  4. Work toward some degree of energy independence for key processes and equipment.

Harnessing Renewable Energy

One of the most readily available and abundant sources of renewable energy is the sun. Solar energy has the potential to power CEA facilities efficiently and sustainably. By installing solar panels on rooftops or adjacent land, indoor farms can tap into clean, renewable energy to meet a portion of their electricity needs. Photovoltaic (PV) systems convert sunlight into electricity, which can be used to power lighting systems, fans, pumps and climate control devices.

Depending on the geographic location of an indoor farm, wind power systems can also be viable options. Wind turbines harness the kinetic energy from moving air to produce electricity. Although these systems require careful planning and assessment, they can provide a consistent source of renewable energy, especially in regions with favorable conditions.

Energy Storage Solutions

Renewable energy sources are inherently intermittent, fluctuating based on weather conditions and time of day. To ensure a stable power supply for CEA operations, energy storage solutions such as batteries can play a crucial role. Excess energy generated during peak sunlight or windy periods can be stored and used when energy production is low. This approach ensures a consistent power supply to maintain optimal growing conditions.

Smart Energy Management

Incorporating renewable energy sources into CEA operations necessitates smart energy management systems. Advanced automation and monitoring technologies can optimize energy usage by adjusting lighting levels, temperature settings and irrigation schedules based on real-time data. This dynamic approach not only ensures the most efficient use of renewable energy but also contributes to precise crop growth and resource conservation.

Electric Heat Pumps and Thermal Storage

Electric heat pumps are devices that transfer heat from one location to another using a refrigeration cycle. In CEA, heat pumps can be used to efficiently manage temperature by extracting heat from the environment (cooling) or adding heat to the environment (heating). They operate with high efficiency and can provide both heating and cooling using the same system. Any excess heat can be captured via thermal storage tanks for later use. This stored thermal energy can be released when needed to maintain a steady temperature within the CEA facility. Thermal storage systems, such as insulated water tanks or phase-change materials, allow CEA operators to manage heat distribution more efficiently, reducing the need for constant operation of heating and cooling systems. This not only saves energy but also helps to stabilize temperature fluctuations.

Heat pumps and thermal storage systems can be integrated with renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. Excess energy generated during sunny or windy periods can be used to operate heat pumps or charge thermal storage systems, which can be used to regulate the CEA environment during periods of low energy production. This integration enhances the sustainability of CEA operations by reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Integrating renewable energy into indoor growing offers a multitude of benefits, both economically and environmentally. By reducing reliance on conventional energy sources, indoor farms can significantly cut down on operating costs over time. Moreover, the adoption of renewable energy and energy storage contributes to a reduced carbon footprint, making a positive impact on the global fight against climate change.

As the demand for sustainable food production continues to rise, CEA presents a promising solution. The elephant in the room is the high energy cost, but by harnessing the power of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, indoor farms can not only meet their energy needs but also operate in an environmentally friendly manner. The integration of renewable energy, along with smart energy management systems and energy storage solutions, can usher in a new era of efficient, eco-friendly indoor growing. As technology and innovation continue to advance, the marriage of renewable energy and CEA holds the key to a greener, more sustainable future for both agriculture and the planet.

At FTI, we would be happy to support your energy journey. Contact us today to set up an introductory call.