Scotland: Vertical farm at James Hutton nears completion
The completion of the indoor farm will allow for a full-scale trial to deliver a commercially viable vertical growing environment through a collaboration with global automation business Omron.
The Dundee-based project will be delivered by IGS in collaboration with the James Hutton Institute and Omron to tackle the challenge of making vertical farming commercially viable through greatly reduced power and labour costs. In addition to this, it aims to establish a better understanding of the plant science and types of crops which can be grown best in an indoor farming environment.
Henry Aykroyd, CEO of IGS, explains the advantages of the technique: “Vertical farming allows us to provide the exact environmental conditions necessary for optimal plant growth. By adopting the principles of Total Controlled Environment Agriculture (TCEA), a system in which all aspects of the growing environment can be controlled, it is possible to eliminate variations in the growing environment, enabling the grower to produce consistent, high quality crops with minimal wastage, in any location, all year round.”
After forming collaborations with the James Hutton Institute to provide agricultural expertise, IGS approached Omron to consult on the automation side of the project. Automation is critical for the efficiency and productivity of the project at every level. Initially, it will control and monitor the stacking system, the LED lighting and the hydroponics systems. In the future, automation would control every feature in the facility, meaning the solution has to be as scalable and flexible as possible.
“A highly integrated automation strategy, patented energy reduction technology and the most advanced biological research available will be the three key pillars to success in this project,” says Aykroyd. “Partnering with two leading experts Omron and the James Hutton Institute to deliver this provides the very best opportunity for a new approach to vertical farming.”
Commenting on Omron’s involvement in this project Omron Field Sales Engineer Kassim Okera said: “Omron’s guiding principles drive us to be a pioneer in creating and supporting the development of inspired solutions for the future. I can’t think of a better example than this one, which uses the most advanced technology to solve a humanitarian need. Omron’s unique integrated product offering and Sysmac platform combined with extensive market experience, underpin the most innovative vertical farm in the UK which has the potential to be the first vertical farm in the world that is economically viable.”
Professor Colin Campbell, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute commented: “We are delighted to see how well the work on IGS’ indoors growth facility at our Dundee site is progressing.”
“This initiative combines our world-leading knowledge of plant science at the James Hutton Institute and IGS’ entrepreneurship to develop efficient ways of growing plants on a small footprint with low energy and water input.”
Intelligent Growth Solutions will be on hand to discuss the project at the Royal Highland Show (22-25 June 2017) in the James Hutton Institute marquee on Avenue Q.
An Omron Mobile Robot – LD Series Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle – will also be present at the Royal Highland Show to demonstrate how this technology and increased automation will bring vertical farming to commercial reality.
For more information:
Intelligent Growth Solutions
c/o The James Hutton Institute
Invergowrie
Dundee
DD2 5DA
T: 0131 202 1050
info@intelligentgrowthsolutions.com
www.intelligentgrowthsolutions.com