Urban Deli Greenhouse Farm
You are viewing a modular vertical farm that is currently being used for disseminating being conducted by IVL, KTH, University of Bologna, and Autonomous University of Barcelona to research to improve the resource efficiency of vertical farming. In this system we showcase experiments being conducted at the different research sites to show the potential for employing growing media (i.e. different types of media used in place of soil) for hydroponic systems. These will be sourced from waste streams (e.g. urban residuals and other wastes).
Current System Configuration (Experiment 2)
Lighting
Crocus Sirius X.3
Photoperiod- 16 Hours/day
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Red and Far-Red Spectrum
Growing Media
Currently the system is using coconut coir (i.e. the shell, a by-product from coconut production). In the coming months this will be changed to assess residual materials from urban environments as potential growing media. Planned substrates include spent mushroom substrate, brewing spent grains, biochar blends, paper, etc. used either in full or mixed with other substrates to ensure adequate growing conditions.
Fertilizers
Currently the system is using conventional fertilizers supplied by Plagron (Solution A and B). In the future, this will be changed to study if residual streams can be used for replacing all (or some) of the fertilization requirements. This can include fertilizers from waste water treatment, biofertilizers from anaerobic digestion plants, bokashi fertilizer liquid from food waste, urine derived fertilizers (e.g. struvite and nitrogen rich fertilizers) etc.
Planted Crops you are viewing
Side 1 -Red Oak Leaf Lettuce
Side 2 - Red Oak Leaf Lettuce
About the Vertical Farming System
The vertical farming cabinet farm is a Vegger Flaxfarm 30. It is roughly 30 cm deep, and 130 cm wide. Each level contains 18 hydroponic pots for different crops. For more information about Vegger's vertical farming systems, please visit www.vegger.org
Current System Configuration (Experiment 2)
Lighting
Crocus Sirius X.3
Photoperiod- 16 Hours/day
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Red and Far-Red Spectrum
Growing Media
Currently the system is using coconut coir (i.e. the shell, a by-product from coconut production). In the coming months this will be changed to assess residual materials from urban environments as potential growing media. Planned substrates include spent mushroom substrate, brewing spent grains, biochar blends, paper, etc. used either in full or mixed with other substrates to ensure adequate growing conditions.
Fertilizers
Currently the system is using conventional fertilizers supplied by Plagron (Solution A and B). In the future, this will be changed to study if residual streams can be used for replacing all (or some) of the fertilization requirements. This can include fertilizers from waste water treatment, biofertilizers from anaerobic digestion plants, bokashi fertilizer liquid from food waste, urine derived fertilizers (e.g. struvite and nitrogen rich fertilizers) etc.
Planted Crops you are viewing
Side 1 -Red Oak Leaf Lettuce
Side 2 - Red Oak Leaf Lettuce
About the Vertical Farming System
The vertical farming cabinet farm is a Vegger Flaxfarm 30. It is roughly 30 cm deep, and 130 cm wide. Each level contains 18 hydroponic pots for different crops. For more information about Vegger's vertical farming systems, please visit www.vegger.org
First Harvest-Results to Experiment with Lighting Spectrum
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The first showcase experiment was to show the effects of lighting spectrum on plant growth. As shown on the picture (above left) the use of more red/far red lighting elongated the plants. However, on the other side of the greenhouse (above right) the use of more white/green lighting kept the plants compact. Exciting results!
Lighting
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Red and Far-Red Spectrum
Lighting
Side 1: Green and White Light Spectrum
Side 2: Red and Far-Red Spectrum
Mushroom Experiments
Within the greenhouse farm, you can also see a 'Shrooly' mushroom farm. Inside this system, we are showing different mushroom production methods and types of mushrooms (which will change every month or so depending on the time needed). The mushrooms are produced in the system utilizing waste streams to show how mushrooms can be produced using urban and agricultural waste.
Mushroom (Experiment 2)
Currently the Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are being grown in the system.
Substrate:
70% Spent Brewer's Grains (waste product from beer production)
30% Straw Pellets
Currently the Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are being grown in the system.
Substrate:
70% Spent Brewer's Grains (waste product from beer production)
30% Straw Pellets
First Experiment (Yellow Oyster on Straw Substrate)
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Follow the Experiments
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More Sensor Data to come.... |