Planty
Indoor hydroponic with automated irrigation system and lighting in Psematismenos Smart Village
Description
Planty is an advanced hydroponic production system that uses an automated irrigation system and lighting techniques to support the growing of crops in a controlled environment.
Technology
The Planty system is an indoor hydroponic system that facilitates the cultivation of plants without soil involving the use of nutrient-rich water to feed the plants directly. The system, known as the “Nutrient film technique (NFT)”, is a hydroponic growing technique in which the roots of the plants are placed in a shallow stream of solution that contains all the elements required for maximum productivity. The NFT system has two main components: a grow tray (or channel) and a reservoir that holds the water and nutrients. The system is guided by sensors that monitor such environmental conditions as temperature, humidity and light levels, and feed the data to an AI system that analyses it in real-time allowing the necessary adjustments to growing conditions, thus optimizing plant growth and minimizing waste. The Planty system is designed to be energy-efficient, using LED lights to provide the plants with the light they need to grow while minimizing energy consumption.
Target
Planty is being implemented in a specially designed greenhouse measuring 10,000 sqm.
Business model
The initiative was funded under the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme as a project entitled “AeroFarm” for the development and testing of an advanced aeroponic system for growing leafy vegetables in urban environments.
Impact
Planty has potentially several important outcomes, including increased crop yields (the system can achieve up to 30% higher yields than traditional farming methods), reduced water usage (reducing water usage by up to 90% when compared to traditional farming methods), minimized waste (the system is designed to minimize waste by using precise nutrient delivery and real-time monitoring to optimize plant growth), and a high degree of energy efficiency (LED lights provide the plants with the light they need to grow while minimizing energy consumption).
Partners
Experts from Israel, for Planning – Designing – Implementing
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
