Project background
Vertical farms are energy-intensive, and small optimizations across lighting and airflow multiply across many racks. The client wanted a systematic way to identify and capture those savings.
Challenge
Balancing yield and energy cost, since simply reducing light intensity harms output. Mapping where lighting, HVAC, and fan energy were actually going, and designing controls that reduce waste without impacting the crop.
Approach & solution
We instrumented lighting and HVAC subsystems for detailed energy accounting, then used DLI targets rather than fixed photoperiods to drive dimmable fixtures. Airflow was re-balanced after CFD analysis of existing racks. Dashboards made the tradeoffs visible to operators.
Results & benefits
Energy per kilogram of produce dropped meaningfully across pilot racks, with no loss in yield and modest improvements in consistency. Operators gained visibility into which racks and stages drew the most energy.
