What is Green Techology ?
Green technology , or green tech , is an all encompassing term for the type and use of technology that are considered environmentally friendly based on its production process or its supply chain, which as a result, reduces our carbon footprint. Green technology can either have lower negative impacts on the environment when compared to traditional resources like fossil fuels , or they actively reverse and reduce human activity to mitigate climate change.
They could vary from large-scale direct air capture plants to collect carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, to the use of alternative fuels for electric vehicles, to something as simple as a plant wall.
Vertical Farming
Reference
- https://earth.org/green-tech/
- https://www.edengreen.com/blog-collection/what-is-vertical-farming
- https://www.wur.nl/en/dossiers/file/vertical-farming.htm#:~:text=The%20cultivation%20of%20crops%20in,efficient%20and
%20fully%2Dcontrolled%20cultivation.
What is Vertical Farming ? Vertical Farming is an innovative agricultural practice that has the potential of solving the impending food crisis. Instead of growing our crops horizontally, produce is grown in stacked vertical layers. By doing so, crops require less or even no soil at all, and water efficiency is increased at the same time. Vertical farming can guarantee regular output of produce and boost crop yields based on its controlled environment including temperature, light, humidity, as well as artificial intelligence.
Advantage of Vertical Farming ? This green technology can easily be built into buildings, cities and even shipping containers. Vertical farming can also produce food closer to its consumers, reducing transportation costs and emissions.The world’s largest indoor farm is currently in the works in the Abu Dhabi desert, which is said to use 95% less water compared to conventional outdoor farming.
Disadvantage of Vertical Farming?
Despite this, vertical farming is still relatively new and unprofitable. Maintenance costs of automation and watering processes are sky high, and most farms are limited to leafy greens, salad leaves and herbs based on these costs.
Types of Vertical Farming ?
Hydroponic Vertical Farming
In hydroponic vertical farming, an aqueous solution comprised of all essential nutrients needed for optimal plant growth is supplied to plants. Examples of this type of vertical farming includes modified hydroponics systems, such as nutrient film technique (Ex. A-Frame and vertical grow towers), deep water culture (DWC), and aeroponics.
Aquaponic Vertical Farming
Conversely, in aquaponic vertical farming, fish production is integrated with plant production utilizing hydroponic system designs. However, instead of fertilizing plants with an aqueous solution comprised of all essential nutrients, plants are alternatively fertilized with nutrient-rich fish water that has been filtered, converted to nitrates, and supplemented for limiting nutrients deficient in aquaponic systems.
Growing Media Vertical Farms
Lastly, in growing-media vertical farms, plants are cultivated in a soilless media (Ex. rockwool, coir, perlite, etc.) and then supplied with a water-nutrient solution. Examples of this system type include modified ebb and flow, wick, and raised bed systems that have been stacked on top of one another or moved into vertically designed structures.