Amid rising environmental concerns, high-tech indoor farms present a paradox, offering water-efficient agriculture that heavily relies on energy from fossil fuels.
High-tech greenhouses and vertical farms provide controlled environments for crops, potentially mitigating the impacts of climate change on agriculture.
These systems use a significant amount of energy, mainly from burning fossil fuels, to create perfect growing conditions.
The industry is growing, with an increase in greenhouse space and a notable market presence in some regions, despite the energy concerns.
Key quote:
"It's a lot of the same technologies you'd see in a building for human comfort, but being put to use for plants. There’s extraordinary water efficiency in these facilities, but energy is really the Achilles’ heel."
— Jennifer Amann, senior fellow at the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy
Why this matters:
One of the standout benefits of high-tech indoor farming is its remarkable water use efficiency. However, the energy demands of high-tech indoor farms can be substantial. Farms powered by renewable energy sources, like solar or wind, can offer a more sustainable alternative, significantly reducing the operation's carbon footprint.
Apps and sensor-laden gadgets are helping farmers shift from the fields to indoor food-growing operations. But these innovations still don’t make it easy.
AppHarvest says it’s inventing an industry ‘from scratch,’ but it’s unclear how the upstart will balance its promise to rural people with a move toward automation.
It can be hard to get bees to do their vital work in indoor farms or greenhouses. Instead, the plants may need a little robotic assistance to reproduce.
