Vertical Farming and CEA for Urban Agriculture
Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research
What it is
Vertical farming and controlled environment agriculture (CEA) for urban agriculture involve growing crops in vertically stacked layers or enclosed structures within urban environments. This approach utilizes technology to optimize plant growth and enable year-round food production with minimal land and water usage, addressing challenges of limited space and resource availability in cities.
Impact on climate action
Vertical Farming and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) for Urban Agriculture in the Low-Carbon Food sector revolutionize climate action by reducing food miles, water usage, and land footprint. By enabling year-round, locally sourced produce, this innovation minimizes transportation emissions and conserves resources, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient food system.
Underlying
Technology
- Vertical Farming Systems: Vertical farms utilize stacked layers of growing trays, towers, or other structures to maximize space utilization. These systems often incorporate hydroponics or aeroponics, where plants are grown without soil, using nutrient-rich water or mist.
- Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): CEA encompasses various technologies and techniques for controlling environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity, light, and CO2 levels, to optimize plant growth and maximize yields.
- LED Lighting: 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.
- Hydroponics and Aeroponics: These soilless growing techniques deliver nutrients directly to plant roots, reducing water usage and minimizing the risk of soil-borne diseases.
- Automation and Robotics: Automation and robotics can be used to automate tasks such as planting, harvesting, and monitoring crop health, improving efficiency and reducing labor costs in vertical farms.
TRL : 7-8
Prominent Innovation themes
- Modular and Scalable Vertical Farming Systems: Innovations in vertical farming system design are making them more modular and scalable, allowing for easier deployment and expansion in urban environments.
- Urban Rooftop and Indoor Farming: Vertical farms and CEA facilities are being integrated into rooftops, warehouses, and other urban spaces, utilizing underutilized areas for food production.
- Community-Based Urban Agriculture: Community gardens, rooftop farms, and other urban agriculture initiatives are promoting community engagement in food production and increasing access to fresh, local produce.
- Hydroponic and Aeroponic Advancements: Innovations in hydroponic and aeroponic systems are improving efficiency, reducing water usage, and optimizing nutrient delivery to plants.
- AI-Powered Crop Management: AI and machine learning algorithms can analyze data from sensors and cameras to monitor crop health, predict yields, and optimize growing conditions in urban farms.
Other Innovation Subthemes
- Efficient Resource Utilization
- Urban Rooftop Integration
- Modular Farming Solutions
- AI-Driven Crop Management
- Community Engagement Initiatives
- Decentralized Food Production
- Sustainable Agriculture Technologies
- Data-Driven Farming Systems
- Integration with Urban Infrastructure
- Crop Diversity Expansion
- Economic Viability Studies
- Environmental Impact Assessments
- Technological Advancements in Lighting
- Robotics and Automation Integration
- Nutrient Optimization Strategies
- Water Conservation Techniques
- Climate Control Innovations
Related Innovations
- Blockchain for Food Traceability and Transparency
- Cellular Agriculture
- Consumer Education and Behavior Change for Sustainable Food Systems
- Food Waste Bioconversion
- Local and Regional Food Systems
- Plant-Based and Cultured Meat Alternatives
- Precision Fermentation for Alternative Proteins
- Precision Fermentation for Food Production
- Sustainable Food Delivery and Logistics
- Sustainable Food Packaging
- Sustainable Seafood Production
Sample Global Startups and Companies
- AeroFarms:
- Technology Enhancement: AeroFarms specializes in vertical farming using aeroponic technology, where plants are grown without soil in a misty environment. They utilize a combination of LED lighting, nutrient misting, and precise environmental controls to optimize plant growth in vertically stacked trays.
- Uniqueness: AeroFarms stands out for its focus on sustainability and efficiency in urban agriculture. Their technology allows for year-round production in urban environments, using significantly less water and space compared to traditional farming methods. Additionally, their farms are located close to urban centers, reducing transportation costs and emissions.
- End-User Segments: AeroFarms primarily addresses the needs of urban populations and local food markets. Their produce, which includes leafy greens and herbs, caters to consumers looking for fresh, locally grown, and sustainably produced food options.
- Plenty:
- Technology Enhancement: Plenty specializes in vertical farming using hydroponic and aeroponic systems combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics. They optimize plant growth by controlling factors such as light spectrum, temperature, humidity, and nutrient delivery to maximize yield and flavor.
- Uniqueness: Plenty distinguishes itself through its emphasis on flavor and nutrition. By carefully controlling growing conditions, they aim to produce fruits and vegetables that are not only abundant but also exceptionally flavorful and nutritious. Their farms are designed to be scalable and adaptable to various urban environments.
- End-User Segments: Plenty targets urban consumers and retailers looking for high-quality, locally grown produce. Their focus on flavor and nutrition appeals to health-conscious consumers and chefs seeking premium ingredients for their culinary creations.
- Infarm:
- Technology Enhancement: Infarm specializes in modular vertical farming systems that can be installed directly in grocery stores, restaurants, and other urban locations. Their hydroponic systems use IoT (Internet of Things) technology to monitor and control growing conditions remotely, ensuring optimal plant health and productivity.
- Uniqueness: Infarm stands out for its decentralized approach to urban farming, bringing fresh produce directly to consumers’ doorsteps. By installing mini-farms in urban spaces, they reduce the need for long-distance transportation and storage, resulting in fresher and more sustainable produce.
- End-User Segments: Infarm serves urban consumers, grocery retailers, and restaurants seeking locally sourced and sustainably grown produce. Their modular farming systems can be tailored to fit various space constraints, making them suitable for a wide range of urban environments, from small apartments to large commercial kitchens.
Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities
- Columbia University:
- Research Focus: Columbia University is actively involved in research on Vertical Farming and CEA, focusing on innovative cultivation methods, energy-efficient technologies, and sustainable practices to produce low-carbon food in urban environments.
- Uniqueness: Their research involves the development of vertical farming systems using hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics techniques to maximize yield per unit area while minimizing resource inputs such as water and nutrients. They also explore the integration of renewable energy sources, advanced lighting systems, and climate control strategies to optimize plant growth, nutritional quality, and environmental performance.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in urban agriculture, food security initiatives, and community development projects, enabling local production of fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs year-round. By pioneering Vertical Farming and CEA technologies, Columbia’s research contributes to reducing food miles, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting healthy and sustainable diets in urban populations.
- New York University (NYU):
- Research Focus: New York University (NYU) conducts innovative research on Vertical Farming and CEA, leveraging its expertise in urban planning, environmental science, and engineering to address the challenges of sustainable food production in densely populated cities.
- Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the design of modular and scalable vertical farming systems tailored to urban environments, including repurposed buildings, rooftops, and underground spaces. They also investigate the use of advanced sensors, automation technologies, and data analytics for real-time monitoring and optimization of crop growth parameters, resource utilization, and carbon footprint.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in urban agriculture initiatives, green infrastructure development, and urban resilience planning, providing locally grown, nutritious food to communities while enhancing urban biodiversity and ecosystem services. By advancing Vertical Farming and CEA solutions, NYU’s research contributes to building more sustainable and livable cities for future generations.
- Wageningen University & Research:
- Research Focus: Wageningen University & Research is a global leader in research on Vertical Farming and CEA, leveraging its expertise in horticulture, plant physiology, and environmental science to develop innovative approaches for sustainable urban food production.
- Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the optimization of growing conditions, nutrient formulations, and cultivation techniques for a wide range of crops in controlled environment settings, including vertical farms, greenhouses, and indoor facilities. They also explore the integration of circular economy principles, urban metabolism analysis, and life cycle assessment tools to minimize resource waste and environmental impact throughout the food production chain.
- End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in urban food systems, circular economy initiatives, and climate change mitigation strategies, enabling cities to produce fresh, locally sourced food year-round while reducing dependency on long-distance supply chains. By driving innovation in Vertical Farming and CEA technologies, Wageningen’s research supports the transition to more resilient, equitable, and sustainable food systems in urban areas.
Commercial Implementation
Vertical farms and CEA facilities are being implemented in various urban locations around the world, providing fresh and sustainably produced food to city dwellers. For example, AeroFarms operates a large-scale vertical farm in Newark, New Jersey, while Plenty has facilities in the United States and the Middle East. Additionally, several supermarkets and restaurants are incorporating smaller-scale vertical farming units to provide fresh and locally grown produce to their customers.
