Royal Philips, the global lighting supplier, has opened a 234-sm (2,519-sf) facility at the High-Tech Campus in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, which is conducting research with the goal of providing growers of fruits, vegetables, and herbs with LED light growing solutions. Other areas of research will focus on ways to grow more carbohydrate-rich crops, such as potatoes and wheat, indoors.
The facility, known as the Philips GrowWise City Farming research centre, uses connected LED systems that are customizable, allowing for the development of “growth recipes” tailored to each crop variety or a producer’s requirement, reports Inhabitat.
“Our aim is to develop the technology that makes it possible to grow tasty, healthy, and sustainable food virtually anywhere,” says Gus van der Feltz, Philips’ Global Director of City Farming. “The research we are undertaking will enable local food production on a global scale, reducing waste, limiting food miles, and using practically no land or water.”
Philips’ team has been able to change the shape, size, productivity and even oil content of many leafy greens and herbs. And because the plants can be stacked in layers, each with its own lighting system, sizable quantities of food can be grown in relatively small spaces.
The research center, one of the largest of its kind in the world, features four-layered mechanized planting racks in each of its eight climate rooms.
Philips’ team has been able to change the shape, size, productivity and even oil content of many leafy greens and herbs. And because the plants can be stacked in layers, each with its own lighting system, sizable quantities of food can be grown in relatively small spaces.
One of Philips’ partners churns out 900 pots of basil per year from one square meter of floor space. And with the cells being sealed and managed under strict hygienic protocol, the need for pesticides and chlorine washing can be significantly reduced, if not eliminated.
Philips, which has been active in horticultural lighting since 1936, has equipped several city farms, including GreenSense in Chicago. (Watch a short YouTube video to see what one of these farms looks like by clicking here.)
The company is hoping that its research facility will unleash lighting and technology innovations that, according to its press release, “will bring farm and fork within a few miles of each other,” and provide year-round growing solutions.
Royal Philips is launching this research center at a time when the world’s food supply is under increasing duress. The United Nations forecasts that by 2050, the world’s population will increase by 2.3 billion people, and that two-thirds of the total population will be living in cities.
In addition, 80% of the world’s arable land is already in use, a good part of which is struggling because of water shortages.
Related Stories
| Apr 16, 2012
University of Michigan study seeks to create efficient building design
The result, the researchers say, could be technologies capable of cutting the carbon footprint created by the huge power demands buildings place on the nation’s electrical grid.
| Apr 16, 2012
$80 million in export financing for solar project in India
The project, “Rajasthan Sun Technique Energy Private Limited,” is a subsidiary of Reliance Power and is being co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and FMO, the Dutch development bank.
| Apr 12, 2012
Solar PV carport, electrical charging stations unveiled in California
Project contractor Oltman Construction noted that the carport provides shaded area for 940 car stalls and generates 2 MW DC of electric power.
| Apr 6, 2012
Flat tower green building concept the un-skycraper
A team of French designers unveil the “Flat Tower” design, a second place winner in the 2011 eVolo skyscraper competition.
| Apr 5, 2012
5 tips for a successful door and window retrofit
An exclusive tip sheet to help the Building Team manage door and window retrofits successfully.
| Apr 4, 2012
San Antonio animal hospital earns LEED Platinum certification
Middleman Construction Company builds the city?s first commercial building to earn certification.
| Apr 3, 2012
Product Solutions
Two new PV systems; a lighter shelf; and fire alarm/emergency communication system.
| Apr 3, 2012
Educational facilities see long-term benefits of fiber cement cladding
Illumination Series panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price. The design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn. In an effort to achieve this design, RB+B Architects selected Nichiha USA to provide a durable yet modern, contemporary exterior finish.
| Apr 2, 2012
Gilbane honored for sustainability efforts in Indianapolis
Emmitt J. Bean Federal Center project team for their role in advancing sustainability in the city.
| Mar 29, 2012
Construction completed on Las Vegas’ newest performing arts center
The Smith Center will be the first major multi-purpose performance center in the U.S. to earn Silver LEED certification.