Reader Response Draft 2

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, 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 includes 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 considering the impacts of climate change contributed by the environment.

Customization of environment is one of the distinctive features and vital functions of HVAC systems (CultivaSystems, n.d.). HVAC systems is able to grow crops specific to their optimum environmental growth condition through customization.

HVAC systems play a vital role in countries such as Singapore due to limited space to meet food demands(Wijkvliet.N.V, 2022). This will lead to healthy crops and higher yields 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). As Singapore is a little red dot, the government and farmers have to embrace technology and innovations to improve its product quality and production efficiency. Singapore has adopted various technologies to increase local food production by making use of limited land spaces. One example of this is Singapore Housing and Development Board (HDB). HDB’s Green Towns programme was launched by Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to set the goal for Singapore’s sustainable future (Ng.WK, 2021). One of the approaches is to convert HDB rooftops into urban farms. This is an urban-metabolic farming modules that aims to create an eco-resilient farms-cape (Case et al, 2022). HVAC systems have been applied to farming techniques where environmental control is required. The use of artificial LED lighting has been proven and is successful in replacing the sun.

Another farming technique that Singapore has adopted is vertical farming incorporating HVAC systems (verticalfarmdaily, 2023). Vertical farming is a farming system in which crops are grown vertically in layers to save space and minimize the usage of energy and water for irrigation. Vertical farming saves space while increasing yields of crops per square foot of ground 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 higher 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 higher, leading 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 exceed a maximum capacity of 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 response and even predict the changes in the indoor agriculture environment.

In conclusion, HVAC systems in indoor agriculture can help to reduce the impact of climate change and 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 recur in the future (Singaporelife, 2023). HVAC systems is 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/

Case et al. (2022, Dec 16). Urban-Metabolic Farming Modules on Rooftops for. Retrieved from mdpi-res: https://mdpi-res.com/d_attachment/sustainability/sustainability-14-16885/article_deploy/sustainability-14-16885.pdf?version=1671172473

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

Ng.WK. (2021, Feb). 7 urban farm sites on HDB rooftops launched for public tender in Bukit Panjang, Woodlands, Sembawang. Retrieved from straitstimes.: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hdb-rooftops-to-get-more-urban-farms

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/