Improving the resource and energy-efficiency of vertical farming: extending practical and theoretical research to implementation for a more sustainable vertical farming industry

In recent years, agriculture has seen dramatic innovations and development. Vertical farming, in particular, has seen a dramatic expansion in both application and investment. Nonetheless, due to its novelty, there are many challenges to address. Research has pointed to the need to improve resource efficiency for vertical farming.

In particular, energy consumption for lighting and climate control represents a bottleneck for both a system’s affordability and environmental performance.

However, research has also found that growing media can be a significant factor in the overall environmental performance.

The aim of this project is to develop, implement, and analyze the viability and sustainability of approaches for more resource-efficient production methods for vertical farms.

This is done by implementing solutions for lighting optimization and employing urban residual products as growing media to improve the overall environmental performance.

Thereafter, the study will assess the viability and sustainability of these solutions at commercial vertical farms in Sweden and disseminate knowledge to improve the resource and energy efficiency in the vertical farming industry.