Introduction to Hydroponics and Controlled Environment Agriculture

Djavid Amidi-AbrahamLead Systems DesignAgritecture Consulting

Industrial Agriculture

Grocery store produce averages about 1,500 food miles.

Fresh produce loses 45% of its nutritional value by the time it makes it to the shelf.

Benefits of Indoor Farming

Economic

●Resilient supply chains●Year-round production independent of climate●Faster growth rates●Grown to chef’s specification●Local food is of higher value

Social

●Creates jobs locally.●Healthier food available to local communities.●Positive physical & mental health outcomes (biophilia)

Environmental

●Increased land, water, and nutrient use efficiency.●Reduced transportation & refrigeration energy use.●Potential for lower carbon footprint.●Reduced food waste.●Improves indoor air quality.

Technology

Controlled Environment Agriculture(CEA) Systems

CEA allows for…

● Production irrespective of climate conditions

● Less agricultural runoff

● Greater control over growing environment

● Higher land, water, and nutrient use efficiency

Advantages Disadvantages

Lower capex

Interior system flexibility

Free sunlight

Lower opex

Single layer production

High opex during winter months

Less labor efficient at small-medium scale

Advantages Disadvantages

High density production

Close control over growing environment

High labor use efficiency

Ultra-local production

High capex

High opex

High heat output

High humidity

Large carbon footprint

Vertical FarmGreenhouse

HydroponicsHydroponics is the practice of growing

plants without soil.

Hydroponics allows growers to…

● Grow anywhere

● Use water more efficiently

● Use less nutrient solution

● Grow more in a given space

● Produce more quickly

● Automate production systems

LEDsAdvantages Disadvantages

More EfficientProduce Less Heat

Spectrum Targeted LightingLow Profile

Long-LastingImproving all the time

High Upfront CapitalStill Hot

Energy IntensiveImproving all the time

Greenhouse Considerations

Advantages Disadvantages

Low upfront capital

Versatile grow system options

Versatile lighting options

Can take advantage of free sunlight

Can incorporate passive and active

cooling systems

Proven

Cogeneration/CHP

Requires a lot of space

Cooling and heating expense

Further from market(typically)

Laborious

Materials: $20-$30 sqftInstallation: $10-$15 sqft

All-in: $30-$45 sqft

Vertical Farm Considerations

Advantages Disadvantages

Large yield per unit footprint

Produce close to market

High lighting needs

High upfront cost

Lots of heat buildup

Short market history

Consumes a lot of power

Around $280/sqft for 4 level system

aerofarms.com

Value Proposition

Spectrum of Farms

Battery Park Sky VegetablesBrooklyn Grange Edenworks

Low Tech - Technology Gradient - High Tech

Community Soil-Based

Commercial Rooftop

Soil-Based

Commercial Rooftop

Hydroponic

Community Hybrid

Commercial Vertical

Farm

Harlem Grown

$150 - $250/sf$70 - $90/sf$30 - $60/sf$20 - $30/sf $25 - $50/sf

Urban Agriculture Impact Categories

Aesthetic Economic

Social Ecological

Brooklyn Grange

13

Gotham Greens Whole FoodsBrooklyn

14

AeroFarms

15

Case Studies: Commercial

Farm.One

@farmdotone http://farm.one/

Square Roots Urban Growers

@squarerootsgrows http://www.squarerootsgrow.com/

Edenworks

@EdenworksGrows http://edenworks.com/

Case Study: Spread Co.

http://www.spread.co.jp/en/

Aesthetic CEA

EdenworksProject Farmhouse, Union Square NYC

Tower Garden (Left)

Urban Cultivator (Right)

Aeroponic Pyramids,Microsoft Cafeteria

Farmshelf (Left)

Grove (Right)

Thank You

Other Examples

Edenworks

Coolfarm, PortugalAutomated VF

Smallhold, Brooklyn NYOn-site Mushrooms

Hospitals With CEA Systems

Edenworks

Mad River HospitalArcata, California

Henry Ford West Bloomfield HospitalWest Bloomfield, Michigan

● 450 square feet● Grows strawberries, lettuce mixes,

cucumber, basil, tomatoes and spinach for patients.

● 1,500 square feet● Grows leafy greens, microgreens, basil, and

tomatoes for patient meals and hospital use● Educational component and test kitchen● Supplies seasonal market