GREENOVA – an automated AEROponics system to grow full-size leafy greens in commercial greenhouses
Country of development/application:
Switzerland
Scope of innovation
☐ Office work
☒ Production / Service supply process
Sector-specific
☒ Yes / please, specify sector(s): Agriculture
☐ No (relevant for all sectors)
Description of the needs
GREENOVA is one step ahead of new cultivation technologies, allowing for producing vegetables in a sustainable way. It is based on AEROponics technology.
AEROponics is actually a modern evolution of HYDROponics. As the name suggests, in HYDROponics (and its variant AQUAponics), the roots are submerged in water. With AEROponics, the roots are left in the air and fed by spraying them with a water-rich solution.
Both methods offer advantages over traditional soil-based agriculture, including reduced water usage, fewer pests and diseases, and most of all being independent to climatic conditions to produce all year-long. However, there are some key differences between them that growers should consider when choosing an indoor growing method.
Description of the solution
GREENOVA is a concept turned to reality that is already working and that brings benefits to customers in several countries. By using GREENOVA system, growers can fast-track their road to profitability with higher quality crops, increased yield, lower operational costs, better control, and efficient use of resources. GREENOVA makes it possible to contribute to a planet-friendly food production and also run successful business.
AEROponics is an innovative growing technique that has roots in the air instead of planting the roots in soil (as traditional farming) or submerging them in water (as HYDROponics). The plant is nourished by being sprayed only with the water and nutrients that it needs, with no-icides. This soilless farming method has been recognized as one of the most resource-efficient methods to grow healthier and tastier crops.
How it works?
In any AEROponics system there is always a constant: above there is a light source that gives direct light to the crops, then a structure or support that holds them. Below you can see the beauty of the roots in the air, and underneath all, sprayers of water and nutrients.
There are many ways to do AEROponics, but they are all done in semi-closed or closed environments, also called Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).
GREENOVA is the name of the patented mobile AEROponics system designed by the Swiss company CleanGreens Solutions SA. It offers growers a highly automated solution for producing high-quality crops with minimal labor and intrants. It is cost-effective and sustainable.
GREENOVA addresses customers such as growers, processors, and distributors who want to produce locally grown, fresh, pesticide-free leafy greens. This unique single-flow industrial-sized mobile AEROponics solution grows leafy vegetables and aromatic and medicinal herbs. The mobile AEROponics equipment comprises an irrigation robot that sprays water and nutrients directly to the roots of the plants that are held by cultivation modules and a crop management software – GURU, to assist with the greenhouse manager’s tasks, ensure full traceability, manoeuvre crop modules for smooth execution and track data. Crops bloom using the precision spraying system that provides full oxygen availability with minimum microbiological risks.
GREENOVA allows growers to automate labor-intensive tasks, such as moving the crop modules. The system relies on a metal structure that carries the plants through the growth cycle, eliminating the need for manual labor. Automated systems control the amount of water and nutrients and the frequency of irrigation, ensuring optimal growing conditions and high-quality crops.
GURU App is designed with a holistic, cross-device mindset. Whether the user is in the office, in the Greenhouse or away, each approach provides specific features, based on what is relevant at the location where the app is used.
• GURU Office works on computers and focuses on planning. It is where managers can plan the day for the operators working with GREENOVA, as well as upcoming sowings and harvests. It lets the user easily see and manage all aspects of the system, such as resources and parameters, to ensure optimal growth and yield.
• GURU Greenhouse works on tablets, and focuses on running GREENOVA’s daily operations, through an intuitive interface that makes it easy to manage tasks and keep track of what needs to be done. Built-in reminders and real-time records ensure seamless coordination of operators’ activities. It assists in key tasks like sowing, harvesting, and production tracking.
• GURU Pocket (to be released soon) is designed to run on smartphones. Since GREENOVA runs 24/7/365, GURU Pocket will be for managers and operators to keep an eye on things when they are away.
7. Description of the effect
Numerous advantages characterize GREENOVA.
• Resources saving
AEROponics requires fewer resources than other growing methods: it uses less land, less nutrients, and less water. This results in a remarkable preservation of resources in favor of the planet, lower operating costs and better overall efficiency.
– Reduced water usage: while HYDROponics needs 25 to 50 liters of water to make 1 kg. of lettuce, AEROponics needs only 10 liters! It uses 96% less water than traditional farming. Producing 30 tonnes of lettuce in field production in 1 year requires up to 7’500 m3 of water vs. 300 m3 with GREENOVA = 96% less water.
– Reduced soil usage: producing 30 tonnes of lettuce in field production in 1 year requires 1 full hectare (10’000 m2) vs. 315 m2 with GREENOVA = 31 times less land.
• Water and soil preservation
GREENOVA does not use pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. It discharges zero waste water and doesn’t have effluents.
• Financial benefits
– Predictability & security of income for growers by farming all year-long in a controlled environment.
– Producing 12 months out of 12 on a regular basis allows the company to retain its employees and offer full-time jobs throughout the year. No need for seasonal worker management and all related work.
– Payback in 4 to 6 years depending on the crops grown and the markets where sold.
• Reducing risks
– Operation in closed environment means that plants are protected from pests, diseases, and other contaminants, ensuring that the crops are safe and healthy, using 0-icides.
– The automated system reduces the risk of human error and contamination, ensuring that crops receive the correct amount of water, nutrients and cultivation time.
• Independence from external conditions
– Harvesting can be done in any weather and also while standing, which greatly reduces the difficulty of the work compared to traditional harvesting, which is done at ground level.
– Production is clean, there is no soil from a storm or risk of soiling by wildlife.
• Easy-to-use technology
– Designed to be easy to use, it also features the development of a user-friendly interface that makes it simple for growers to monitor and manage their operations: GURU App. Developed and improved based on feedback from CleanGreens’ agronomists and customers, GURU App stems from the philosophy of improving efficiency by minimizing labor and managing tasks effectively.
– The system is equipped with sensors that monitor the movement, alerting growers to any issues that may arise.
– Greenhouse managers can also access real-time data on crop performance and adjust settings as needed to ensure optimal growth and yield, and much more.
Company/companies that developed/implemented/offer the innovation
CleanGreens is an award-winning Swiss agro-tech company that provides innovative farming solutions and sells mobile AEROponics automated systems to produce clean, fresh and pesticide-free leaf vegetables with 96% water efficiency.
CleanGreens Solutions SA
Headquarters: Chemin de Greybin 2, 1415 Molondin, Vaud, Switzerland
Phone: +41 21 545 9925
E-mail: info@cleangreens.ch
Contac form
Website: https://www.cleangreens-aeroponics.com/
9. Additional information
CleanGreens Solutions – The first #AEROponics system in large scale Greenhouses
CleanGreens Solutions
Downloads – a repository of information materials for download.