Campus Greenhouse Project Provides Local Food and Research on Veggie Production in Cold Climates Susan E. Powers, PhD, PE Daegan Gonyer Clarkson University Potsdam NY

Problem – Mass-Production of Veggies California farm density “ factory farm” approach Water not adequate Nutrient and pesticide pollution Freight routes Distribution networks

Vision for Year-round Sustainable Food in Cold Climates Controlled environment Continuous production Low land footprint Local production Technical Innovations – Aeroponic growth – LED lighting – Passive solar design w/ renewable energy inputs – Sensors and controls – Materials and energy recycling

Achieving this Vision 1.Laboratory Testing and Feasibility Assessment 2.Pilot scale facility – proof-of-concept 3.Business established 4.Larger Pilot – Quantifying yields and revenues 5.Full scale implementation 1 2

Efficient Lighting Systems Maximum day lighting LED supplemental lighting Only photosynthetically active wavelengths – Red and blue (+violet) Sensors and lighting control for suitable total lighting for each plant – 300 PPFD for lettuce – 650 PPFD for tomatoes

Resulting Pilot Greenhouse

Food Waste Digester 650 lb food/d 3 1,400-gallon digester reactors 20kW co-generation engine

Energy Cabin Wood pellet boiler (20 kW) Solar thermal supplemental hot water heating (2 kW) Integrated hot water storage and control system High net efficiency 85-92%

Integrated System Green- house Cheel Energy Cabin Anaerobic Digester Food waste Food Effluent/nutrients Plant wastes

Making it Happen Commitment: Clarkson University… – Supports students with innovative ideas – Provides opportunities for real- world engineering and business development and entrepreneurial experiences Research Capstone classes SPEED program Shipley Center for Entrepreneurship – Utilizes campus infrastructure as living-learning laboratory to promote sustainability education Funding: Student funding McNair Scholars program EPA P3 Phase 1 proposal funded ($10k) (2009) EPA P3 competition  Phase II proposal funded ($75k) Awards from several Business plan competitions Digester donated – Feed Resource recovery Energy Cabin donated – after used for research Incorporate new company Blue Sphere Industries, Ltd. Dominion Foundation grant to integrate system into classes

On-Going Work Greenhouse – Optimizing growth (lettuce) Nutrient solution Reduced temperature, lighting to save energy – Optimizing built system Mathematical model for heat vs. light energy needs Maximizing value of radiant energy gains – Assessment and redesign of aeroponic units Anaerobic Digester – Acquisition and transport of food/organic wastes – Energy input/output

Key Points New ideas for feeding our world’s population are critically needed. High-tech solutions can overcome agricultural constraints for local food production Enabling student ideas and educating through real-world projects is fun and rewarding as an educator

Thank you!