AbstractsGeography &GIS

The Micro Greenhouse Project consists of the development of a fully automated, modular and scalable urban greenhouse which focuses on the growth of different types of crops at home, at schools or universities and in restaurants or canteens. Different developments of the horticulture industry including urban farming, vertical farming, LED lighting, measurements at different layers and the new way of harvesting are used to develop the micro greenhouse concept. The controlled climate variables of the micro greenhouse includes energy, light, water, nutrients, EC value, relative humidity, temperature, ventilation and the support of the crops during growth. The different crops are divided in the categories summer vegetables, fruits, winter vegetables and herbs which all have their own optimal climate. Soil substrates based on peat and coconut are used as subsoil and Pokon, a commercially sold nutrient mix, is used as nutrients for the crops. The micro greenhouse concept consist of a fertigation system, an air circulation system and a lighting system which are all combined by means of a modular and scalable construction. The fertigation system takes care of the irrigation of the crops by means of water and nutrients, the air circulation system controls the climate of the crop growing area and the lighting system delivers the exact light recipe for the specific crops by means of LED lighting. Both the fertigation system, the air circulation system and the lighting system are tested in order to combine it with the construction and develop the final micro greenhouse prototype which is the focus of the project.