Energy News
FARM NEWS
Vertical farming holds promise for high yield and lower environmental cost
illustration only
Vertical farming holds promise for high yield and lower environmental cost
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) May 06, 2025

Vertical farming has the potential to significantly expand beyond growing leafy greens. A research team at TUMCREATE, a Singapore-based initiative led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM), explored vertical farming applications across six food categories: crops, algae, mushrooms, insects, fish, and cultivated meat. Their findings highlight vertical farming's substantial benefits for productivity and environmental sustainability, underscoring its critical role in ensuring future food security.

In situations where traditional agriculture struggles-such as after severe weather or in densely populated areas-vertical farming offers an effective alternative. "Vertical farming is a valuable addition here: Food can be grown close to consumers, independent of the weather and using space efficiently," said Dr. Vanesa Calvo-Baltanas, the study's lead author at TUMCREATE.

The researchers developed a quantitative model, integrating theoretical projections with experimental data, to evaluate yields and environmental impacts from controlled environment agriculture systems.

Conducted as part of the Proteins4Singapore project, the study examined a 10-layer vertical farming system's capacity to grow six food types. It found that such systems could increase protein yield per unit area up to 300 times for crops and more than 6,000 times for mushrooms and insects compared to conventional field farming. These efficiency gains also result in reduced land use and eliminate the need for pesticides and antibiotics.

The Proteins4Singapore initiative aims to support Singapore's "30-by-30" target, which aspires to produce 30 percent of the city-state's nutritional needs locally by 2030. The study confirms vertical farming's potential to support this strategy through resource-efficient methods.

"The potential of vertical farming is far from exhausted," noted Senthold Asseng, Professor of Digital Agriculture at TUM and a Lead Principal Investigator at TUMCREATE. The team suggests that vertical systems can be further optimized by integrating mushrooms and insects, which can process waste from crop cultivation into edible, nutritious products.

Because these organisms need minimal light, they also lower energy consumption, addressing one of vertical farming's major drawbacks: high electricity demand. This characteristic makes them both energy-efficient and nutrient-rich food sources.

Despite these advantages, vertical farming faces two key challenges: its energy requirements and societal acceptance of alternative foods like algae and insects. "Controlled environment agriculture can revolutionize food production.

However, technological advances, interdisciplinary research to tackle energy issues, policy incentives and public engagement are needed to realize its full potential," said Dr. Calvo-Baltanas. She added that the study serves as a foundational tool for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and scientists working toward sustainable food solutions.

Research Report:The future potential of controlled environment agriculture

Related Links
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Farming Today - Suppliers and Technology

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
FARM NEWS
Startup helps farmers grow plant-based feed and fertilizer using wastewater
Boston MA (SPX) May 06, 2025
Farmers today face a number of challenges, from supply chain stability to nutrient and waste management. But hanging over everything is the need to maintain profitability amid changing markets and increased uncertainty. Fyto, founded by former MIT staff member Jason Prapas, is offering a highly automated cultivation system to address several of farmers' biggest problems at once. At the heart of Fyto's system is Lemna, a genus of small aquatic plants otherwise known as duckweed. Most people h ... read more

FARM NEWS
Near Space Labs expands AI era geospatial imagery with 20 million Series B funding

How climate change turned Sao Paulo's drizzle into a storm

USSF declares WSF-M weather satellite operational with initial capability milestone

NASA Announces Call for New Computing Approaches to Earth Science

FARM NEWS
Children as young as five can navigate a 'tiny town'

Digging Gets Smarter with Trimble's Siteworks Upgrade for Excavators

Rx Networks launches TruePoint FOCUS to deliver real-time centimeter precision

Carbon Robotics debuts autonomous tractor system with live remote control capability

FARM NEWS
European satellite launches to track global forest biomass from space

Moment famed tree chopped down played to UK court

Spruce forests show shared electrical response to solar eclipse

Tracking Global Forest Health from Orbit with ESA Biomass Mission

FARM NEWS
Biogas Production from Alfalfa Enhanced by Fruit Waste and Microbes

Bacteria breathe electricity unlocking bioenergy and clean tech potential

Difficult energy transition looms without major EU investment in biomass

Turning wood waste into ultra strong material

FARM NEWS
Saharan dust clouds pose growing risk to solar power stability across Europe

China's Renewable Energy Shift Faces Sustainability Challenges

Laminated structure boosts interface stability in inverted perovskite solar cells

Saharan dust clouds cast uncertainty on Europe's solar power growth

FARM NEWS
Norway's Equinor slams 'unlawful' halt to US wind farm

US halts Equinor's huge New York offshore wind project

Chinese energy giant Goldwind posts annual growth as overseas drive deepens

Clean energy giant Goldwind leads China's global sector push

FARM NEWS
Trump loosens coal mining restrictions as part of efforts aimed at 'unleashing American energy'

New coal capacity hit 20-year low in 2024: report

Finland closes last coal-fired power plant

Indonesia industrial coal power plans undercut emissions pledge: report

FARM NEWS
Traditional culture, fancy dress meet at Hong Kong's raucous bun festival

9 dead, dozens hurt after boats capsize in China: state media

Bad weather postpones return of Chinese astronauts to Earth

New York ex-cop jailed for hounding US residents for China

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.