AI to boost power efficiency in indoor farming
A project in the UK is looking to improve the energy efficiency of indoor farming using spectral imaging and AI.
The Advanced Crop Dynamic Control (ACDC) project in the UK aims to develop highly energy-efficient and sustainable indoor farming systems through image-based analysis, AI and control software.
The project is led by LettUs Grow in Bristol in collaboration with Fotenix, Rothamsted Research, CHAP, and Vertically Urban with £757,151 in funding from the UK’s Novel Low Emission Food Production Systems competition.
This is part of developing what is now being called the Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA), where vertical farming with LED lighting in containers is a key technology.
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The project will use an integrated spectral imaging system coupled with an AI-based plant screening technology, designed by Fotenix, to measure crop physiological status.
“Farms use our cameras to detect pest and disease, so why not use this to follow recipe evolution across economy or premium recipes? This project will fast-track collaboration between key suppliers into an industry-ready package at such a pivotal time for energy and food security,” said Fotenix CEO, Charles Veys.
This data will inform illumination intensity, composition, and energy management initially for growing spinach in a container system, with a focus on integrating renewable energy sources. This is controlled by the Ostara software platform originally developed by LettUs Grow. By prioritising plant health, the project aims to devise greener production recipes using advanced responsive control methodologies.
“This project will unlock the efficient versatility of our Tunable luminaires by integrating seamlessly with the intelligent control features offered by Ostara and Fotenix. This synergy will result in substantial advancements in both energy efficiency and yield for an important crop,” said Dr. Phoebe Sutton, Plant Scientist at Vertically Urban.
“It’s exciting to see how Ostara can be used as the gateway linking AI to farming systems. Because Ostara seamlessly plugs into farming controls – interfacing with lighting, irrigation, fertigation and environment systems – when sensors detect plant stress, Ostara has the potential to utilise Fotenix’s AI data to dynamically adjust controls to align plant health with energy-usage,” said Adam Waterman, Chief Technical Officer of Ostara.
The core objective is to tackle the inefficiencies prevalent in TCEA by leveraging innovative technologies and methodologies to improve energy efficiency as energy is one of the largest operational costs. This covers lighting, irrigation, and nutrient supply, automating manual operations and enhancing food safety, consistency, quality, and shelf-life by dynamically adjusting the growth environment.
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Dr Harry Langford, Innovation Network Lead at CHAP said: “Systems-level integration of novel technologies capitalises on the UK’s strengths in TCEA and delivers turn-key solutions with global market appeal, so it is excellent to have been able to secure funding for this exciting project. As well as collaborating on development work, CHAP will conduct demonstration trials within our Vertical Farming Development Centre, to engage and exchange knowledge with the sector around the operational efficiencies achieved, and the potential to deliver on Net Zero.”
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