Controlled-environment agriculture
2007 Impact statement- Albright, Louis Demont
abstract
The aim of this project is to make local, year-round production of fresh vegetables in greenhouses an economic reality in New York state. The major focus has been on the energy inputs to reduce electrical energy requirements.
submitted by
- Albright, Louis Demont | Professor
issue being addressed
As peak oil approaches and liquid fuel prices increase rapidly, imports of fresh vegetables from distant states and countries will become more problematic and local production will become more attractive. Local production will require energy-efficient greenhouses.
response
The primary output has been a U.S. patent for technology that can be used, by a computer, to control daily light integrals in a greenhouse while simultaneously supplementing carbon dioxide as economically as possible to significantly reduce the need for artificial lighting.
impact assessment
The work has led to two USDA SBIR-funded projects with a local enterprise that, we hope, will lead to commercial adoption of the technologies being developed.
academic priority area
- Environmental Sciences | CALS academic priority
- Land-Grant Mission | CALS academic priority
- New Life Sciences | CALS academic priority
has geographic focus
- Tompkins County | county
- New York State | state
funding source description
- Special Grants
- Hatch
- NYSERDA
key personnel
David S. de Villiers
mission focus
- research | project type
From CALS annual faculty reporting. Imported on August 5, 2008