Reader Response Draft 1

The article “Review of energy efficiency in controlled environment agriculture” (Engler.N & Krarti.M, 2021) described controlled environmental agriculture (CEA) applications and its relationship with HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. HVAC system is the technology used in indoor farming to control the environment for growing crops. This system has played an important part in meeting the demand for food production in urban farming. In addition, HVAC systems emphasize on focusing energy efficiency to address challenges posed by global warming in agriculture (AGRIVI, n.d.). The features of HVAC systems include thermostats and controllers, sensors, energy efficiency, and lighting integration that work together to create a sustainable environment for growing crops. Furthermore, the main function is to develop optimal environmental conditions for cultivation which include temperature control, ventilation and humidity control. Hence, HVAC systems used in urban farming plays a crucial role in ensuring food safety and quality produce without being affected by the climate. By using HVAC systems in urban agriculture to meet the food demand while factoring in the impacts of climate change. 

Customization is one of the keys to both the distinctive feature and pivotal function of HVAC systems (CultivaSystems, n.d.). HVAC systems are capable of meeting specific requirements for each individual crop, making HVAC systems highly adaptable to various environments and needs. This capacity to customize sets HVAC systems distinct and makes them versatile solutions for climate control in diverse settings.

HVAC systems play a crucial role when space is limited and it allows countries like Singapore to grow its own food despite the limited space (Wijkvliet.N.V, 2022). This will lead to healthy crops and high yield which is part of the goal of Singapore's “30 by 30”. By 2030, the goal is to produce 30% of the nation’s nutritional needs locally by transforming Singapore’s agri-food industry into one of the most highly productive, innovative, and sustainable (Singaporelife, 2023). Since Singapore is a little red dot, the government and farmers have embraced technology and innovation to improve product quality and efficiency. Singapore has adopted various technologies to increase local food production by making use of limited land space. One of the farming techniques that Singapore has employed is vertical farming incorporated with HVAC systems (verticalfarmdaily, 2023). Vertical farming is a farming approach in which crops are cultivated vertically stacked layers in order to save space and use minimal energy and water for irrigation. Vertical farming conserves space and results in a higher crop yield per square foot of land used (Bowery, 2023). According to Edwin Snabel, HVAC and Indoor Farming expert at Bosman Van Zaal, "HVAC is very important in vertical farming because it can control and optimize the growing environment of the plants. Resulting in healthy plants and high yields (verticalfarmdaily, 2023).

However, HVAC systems used in indoor farming are hard to maintain as compared to traditional settings. Due to all year-round operations, the equipment wear and tear would be high which will lead to an eventual shortening of its life span. One of the HVAC systems for indoor agriculture that are very good at temperature control is Energy-efficient. In addition, most HVAC equipment is designed with the assumption that it will not need to function at maximum capacity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (Sabeh.N, 2022).  Another reason why HVAC systems are hard to manage for indoor agriculture is because the primary occupant is plants. Plants require a suitable environment to grow in indoor agriculture such as humidity and temperature. Additionally, each of the plants has its own needs and plants interact with interactive building systems. Therefore, HVAC systems must be able to monitor respond, and even predict the changes in the indoor agriculture environment.

In conclusion, HVAC systems in indoor agriculture can help to solve not only climate change but also the population's food demands faced by the world. With regard to Singapore's “30 by 30” goals, the country does not need to rely on imported food and can ensure the food shortage that we faced during COVID-19 period will not happen again in the future  (Singaporelife, 2023). HVAC systems are a good equipment to choose for indoor agriculture that is used to incorporate other farming techniques including vertical farming.

 

References

AGRIVI. (n.d.). Overcoming Weather Limitations with Greenhouse Farming. Retrieved from Agrivi: https://www.agrivi.com/blog/overcoming-weather-limitations-with-greenhouse-farming/

Bowery. (2023, Feb 02). Vertical Farming: Why Growing Up Can Make a Difference. Retrieved from Bowery: https://bowery.co/vertical-farming/

CultivaSystems. (n.d.). Indoor Agriculture HVAC. Retrieved from Cultiva Systems: https://cultivasystems.com/indoor-agriculture-hvac/

Engler.N & Krarti.M. (2021, May). Review of energy effciency in controlled environment agriculture. Retrieved from sciencedirect: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032121000812

Sabeh.N. (2022, Jun 22). Why Is HVAC so Hard for Indoor Farms? Retrieved from greenhousegrower: https://www.greenhousegrower.com/production/why-is-hvac-so-hard-for-indoor-farms/

SingaporeFoodAgency. (2022, Nov 11). SFA. Retrieved from Food For Thought: https://www.sfa.gov.sg/food-for-thought/article/detail/a-sustainable-food-system-for-singapore-and-beyond

Singaporelife. (2023, Mar 06). GuideMeSingapore.Hawksford. Retrieved from guidemesingapore: https://www.guidemesingapore.com/in-the-news/2023/singapores-agritech-sector

verticalfarmdaily. (2023, Apr 14). HVAC importance in vertical farming. Retrieved from verticalfarmdaily: https://www.verticalfarmdaily.com/article/9520856/hvac-importance-in-vertical-farming/

Wijkvliet.N.V. (2022, Nov 11). sustainableurbandelta. Retrieved from sustainableurbandelta: https://sustainableurbandelta.com/singapore-30-by-30-food-system/