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Smart Greenhouses

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Smart greenhouses are advanced greenhouses that utilize sensors, automation technologies, and data analytics to optimize growing conditions for plants. These greenhouses provide precise control over environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and CO2 levels, creating optimal conditions for plant growth and maximizing yields while minimizing resource consumption.

Impact on climate action

Smart Greenhouses under the main theme of Smart Farming revolutionize climate action by optimizing resource use, reducing emissions, and enhancing crop productivity. By utilizing sensors, automation, and data analytics, these innovations minimize water and energy consumption, mitigate environmental impact, and promote sustainable agriculture practices, contributing to climate resilience.

Underlying
Technology

  • Sensors and IoT Devices: Sensors monitor various environmental parameters, including temperature, humidity, light intensity, CO2 levels, and soil moisture. IoT devices, such as actuators and controllers, can be used to automate greenhouse operations based on sensor data.
  • Climate Control Systems: Smart greenhouses incorporate advanced climate control systems, such as heating, cooling, ventilation, and shading systems, to maintain optimal growing conditions for plants.
  • Data Analytics and AI: AI and machine learning algorithms analyze data from sensors and other sources to identify patterns, predict plant growth, and optimize greenhouse operations.
  • Precision Irrigation and Fertilization: Smart irrigation and fertilization systems deliver water and nutrients precisely when and where they are needed, reducing waste and improving resource use efficiency.
  • Lighting Systems: LED lighting systems provide efficient and customizable lighting for plant growth, allowing for precise control of light spectrum and intensity to meet the specific needs of different crops.

TRL : 7-8


Prominent Innovation themes

  • AI-Powered Climate Control: AI algorithms can analyze data from sensors and weather forecasts to predict and adjust greenhouse climate conditions in real-time, optimizing plant growth and reducing energy consumption.
  • Robotic Automation: Robots can be used to automate tasks such as planting, harvesting, and monitoring crop health, improving efficiency and reducing labor costs.
  • Vertical Farming Integration: Smart greenhouse technologies can be integrated with vertical farming systems to maximize space utilization and increase production capacity.
  • Hydroponics and Aeroponics: These soilless growing techniques can be used in smart greenhouses to reduce water usage and minimize the risk of soil-borne diseases.
  • Data-Driven Crop Management: Data analytics platforms provide growers with insights into crop health, growth patterns, and environmental conditions, enabling data-driven decision-making and optimization of growing practices.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Advanced Water Management Techniques
  • Real-Time Crop Monitoring Systems
  • Remote Operations Management Platforms
  • Precision Nutrient Delivery Systems
  • Adaptive Climate Control Strategies
  • Integrated Pest and Disease Management
  • Scalable Modular Greenhouse Designs
  • Innovative Resource Recycling Systems
  • Community-Engaged Greenhouse Initiatives
  • Biodiversity Preservation Measures
  • Carbon Footprint Reduction Initiatives
  • Stringent Quality Assurance Protocols

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  1. Iron Ox:
    • Technology Enhancement: Iron Ox specializes in the development of autonomous, robotic-powered indoor farming systems. Their smart greenhouses utilize robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), and hydroponic growing techniques to automate the cultivation of various crops. They focus on optimizing resource usage, reducing labor costs, and increasing crop yield and quality.
    • Uniqueness: Iron Ox’s unique selling point lies in its integration of robotics and AI to create fully automated indoor farming solutions. By controlling factors such as lighting, temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery with precision, they can provide consistent, high-quality produce year-round, regardless of external environmental conditions.
    • End-User Segments: Iron Ox targets a broad range of end-users, including restaurants, grocery stores, food distribution centers, and urban communities. Their technology addresses the growing demand for locally sourced, sustainable food production and offers a solution for regions with limited arable land or adverse weather conditions.
  2. AppHarvest:
    • Technology Enhancement: AppHarvest specializes in high-tech greenhouse farming, leveraging advanced technologies such as hydroponics, LED lighting, and climate control systems to optimize crop growth. Their smart greenhouses are designed to maximize efficiency, reduce water usage, and minimize environmental impact while producing a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.
    • Uniqueness: AppHarvest distinguishes itself through its focus on large-scale, sustainable agriculture and its commitment to addressing food security and environmental challenges. By utilizing cutting-edge farming techniques and renewable energy sources, they can produce high yields of nutritious produce while minimizing the use of pesticides and reducing transportation-related carbon emissions.
    • End-User Segments: AppHarvest primarily targets retail chains, foodservice providers, and consumers looking for locally grown, sustainably produced fruits and vegetables. Their technology appeals to environmentally conscious consumers and businesses seeking to support sustainable agriculture practices and reduce their carbon footprint.
  3. Plenty:
    • Technology Enhancement: Plenty specializes in vertical indoor farming, using hydroponic systems, LED lighting, and data analytics to optimize plant growth and maximize crop yield. Their smart greenhouses are designed to produce a wide variety of fresh produce with minimal environmental impact, regardless of geographical location or climate conditions.
    • Uniqueness: Plenty’s unique selling point lies in its vertical farming approach, which allows them to grow crops in stacked layers, maximizing space utilization and reducing land and water requirements compared to traditional farming methods. Additionally, their use of data analytics enables continuous monitoring and optimization of growing conditions, resulting in consistently high-quality produce.
    • End-User Segments: Plenty targets a diverse range of end-users, including grocery retailers, restaurants, and urban communities. Their technology offers a sustainable solution for supplying fresh, locally grown produce to densely populated areas where access to traditional farmland is limited, helping to address food security and environmental sustainability challenges.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  1. Wageningen University & Research:
    • Research Focus: Wageningen University & Research is a global leader in Smart Greenhouse research, focusing on integrating advanced sensor technologies, data analytics, and automation systems to optimize crop cultivation, resource use efficiency, and environmental sustainability.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves developing intelligent greenhouse management systems, predictive modeling tools, and decision support systems to monitor plant growth parameters, detect diseases, and optimize climate control strategies in real-time. They also explore innovative greenhouse designs, energy-efficient technologies, and closed-loop production systems to minimize resource inputs and maximize crop yields.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in commercial horticulture, urban agriculture, and controlled environment agriculture. By implementing Smart Greenhouse technologies, Wageningen’s research enables growers to enhance crop quality, reduce production costs, and mitigate environmental impacts, contributing to food security and sustainable agriculture.
  2. Cornell University:
    • Research Focus: Cornell University conducts cutting-edge research on Smart Greenhouses, leveraging its expertise in plant science, engineering, and agricultural economics to develop innovative solutions for enhancing productivity, resilience, and profitability in controlled environment agriculture.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the integration of advanced imaging techniques, machine learning algorithms, and robotics for automated plant phenotyping, disease diagnosis, and yield prediction in greenhouse environments. They also investigate novel lighting systems, nutrient delivery methods, and crop management practices to optimize resource use efficiency and crop performance.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in specialty crop production, urban food systems, and vertical farming. By advancing Smart Greenhouse technologies, Cornell’s research addresses key challenges in sustainable agriculture, such as climate change adaptation, water scarcity, and food supply chain resilience.
  3. University of Arizona:
    • Research Focus: The University of Arizona is engaged in pioneering research on Smart Greenhouses, focusing on developing smart sensing, automation, and control technologies to improve crop productivity, water use efficiency, and pest management in arid and semi-arid regions.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves designing low-cost sensor networks, wireless communication systems, and IoT platforms for monitoring environmental conditions, detecting plant stress, and optimizing irrigation scheduling in greenhouse settings. They also explore the integration of renewable energy sources, rainwater harvesting systems, and desalination technologies to enhance resource sustainability and resilience in greenhouse operations.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in regional food production, agricultural education, and community-based farming initiatives. By implementing Smart Greenhouse solutions, the University of Arizona’s research supports local food systems, promotes agricultural innovation, and fosters economic development in water-constrained regions.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

Smart greenhouse technologies are being adopted by commercial growers around the world, particularly for high-value crops such as fruits, vegetables, and flowers. These technologies are helping growers improve yields, reduce costs, and enhance the quality and consistency of their produce.



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