Hydroponic rack system factory with OpticlimateFarm: One of the standout features of indoor farming is the reduced reliance on soil and water. Revolutionary methods like hydroponics and aquaponics allow vertical farms to use 99% less arable land and up to 98% less water than traditional farming. Some of the most popular crops in warehouse farmlands include leafy greens, herbs and medicinal plants like cannabis. Efficient Use of Space – Conventional farming requires significant land space. Wholesale vegetable farms require at least 40 acres of fertile land on average. Bringing the process indoors allows for more efficient use of available space, maximizing food production per square foot. For instance, stacking crops vertically can accommodate up to 10 times as many plants as a regular horizontal farm with similar space dimensions. Read even more info at vertical farming systems.
One such method that is, quite literally, on the up, is vertical farming. With more and more industry players embracing this innovative growing method, citing it as a more sustainable, smarter way to address a looming global food shortage, it’s little surprise that the vertical farming market is projected to grow over the next decade. In 2021, the Global Vertical Farming Market amounted to around $3.5 billion, and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 25.3% from 2022 to 2030, reaching $25.7 billion by 2030.
This groundbreaking farming method saves considerable space and soil, and, as an extra perk, these vertical farms tend to pay higher wages than traditional farming setups, too. This goes hand-in-hand with rising consumer concern for employee working conditions, which are often unsafe and low-paying in agricultural sectors. Combined with extreme weather patterns and land disputes, the situation can lead to a very insecure industry. Further enhancing safety, the chance of acquiring foodborne illnesses is greatly reduced with vertical farming, cutting down on overall liability and the risk of damaged reputations and associated costs.
OptiClimatefarm lab team has been working on something even more unusual – saffron, aka the world’s most expensive spice. For years, the team has commercialized the growing of vertical leafy greens, herbs, tomatoes & peppers for global growers. 4 tons of saffron seed balls could be grown in only 100m2 OptiClimatefarm with Smart Climate + Artificial Light vertical grow rack technology to optimize planting density in a controlled environment indoors.
Additionally, some HVAC systems may be more energy-efficient than others. When considering energy consumption, some factors to consider are: Can you use waste heat? Can you use free cooling directly or indirectly, allowing you to use other sources and, in some cases, reduce energy consumption by up to 85%? Dehumidification requires energy, so it is important to determine the best technique for the specific situation to save energy. We examine the most favorable dehumidification method. This starts with the initial condition of the crop and the corresponding climate. Then we can focus on the best technology for the specific situation and choose what is best to apply. Energy can be saved by choosing cold recovery methods such as cross-flow heat exchangers, heat pipes, or run-around coils.
However, this innovative farming method requires precise control over environmental conditions to ensure optimal plant growth and productivity. One crucial aspect of vertical farming is the implementation of energy-efficient HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. These systems play a vital role in maintaining the ideal temperature, humidity, and air quality levels necessary for successful crop cultivation. In this article, we will explore the significance of energy-efficient HVAC systems and their benefits for vertical farming.
HVACD stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning,D stands for dehumidification. Every developer, designer and dreamer would do well to include climate management as a foremost systems consideration — in line with lighting, racking, irrigation and automation — during the conceptual and facility planning stage. Only then can vertical farming rise to its full potential. Growers can save energy and money by choosing a “premium efficiency”HVACD with dehumidification. Find even more information on opticlimatefarm.com.
OptiClimate Farm brings together technical experts from China, Japan, Korea, United States and Europe, and a professional team composed of marketing experts, growers and technology innovators. Our plant factory facilities and technology have been developed and patented in 2020, and the international company OPTICLIMATE FARM LIMITED was established. OptiClimate vertical farming companies have obtained the following certificates: OEM supplier series certificate, SGS certificate, Plant factory patent certificate, CE series certificate, DNA series certificate, ETL certificate, ISO90001 certificate, etc.
Vertical farming has gained immense popularity in recent years as a viable solution to tackle the challenges of traditional agriculture. By utilizing vertical space, these systems allow crops to be cultivated in stacked layers, reducing land usage and dependency on external factors such as weather conditions. With the advent of advanced lighting systems and hydroponic cultivation techniques, vertical farms can produce crops year-round, regardless of the seasonal limitations. Precise temperature regulation ensures accelerated plant growth, improved crop quality, and reduced crop cycle times.