The use of technology in agriculture is now taken for granted. Just as we have become accustomed to tractors and combine harvesters, we know greenhouses are now routinely lit, not only at night. What is not yet widely known, however, is the growing importance of regulating grow lighting - not only according to the needs of plants, but also according to the state of the energy system.

Renewable sources and their weakness

Photovoltaics has been developing rapidly in recent years, mainly thanks to subsidies, falling prices, and mass production. Similarly, the importance of wind and hydroelectric power plants is growing, although not so much in our country. Although these sources are emission-free, they have one significant disadvantage: their output depends on the weather and the time of day.

Even though we can predict sunshine and wind to some extent, energy production must always match consumption exactly. Any deviation must be compensated for because we cannot "add fuel to the fire" like we can with conventional power plants.

Wasting energy is not the best solution

Adjustable power plants or energy "waste generators" are needed to maintain grid stability. These devices simply "burn" excess energy. They are often large heating coils, which the public perceives as unnecessary waste.

Smart greenhouses as part of the solution

An alternative to energy dissipation can be large operations with flexible consumption, typically cold stores and, more recently, greenhouses. Thanks to IoT technologies, it is now possible to regulate the lighting in individual parts of a greenhouse so that plants receive the light they need while utilizing excess energy.

Algorithms instead of chance

From the outside, the lights in the greenhouse are turned on at random. In reality, it is a precisely controlled algorithm that respects the biorhythms of plants while responding to the needs of the network. Each section of the greenhouse can thus have a "day" or "night" depending on the current situation, similar to different places on Earth.

Modernization without replacing lamps

Since the grow lamps are still functional, replacing them with new ones would be uneconomical. Therefore, a technical modification of the existing luminaires will be chosen, enabling their individual remote control and brightness regulation. An innovative mesh network that efficiently transmits data throughout the greenhouse will ensure communication between thousands of lamps.

Control system as a digital ecosystem

A control system will be built on top of the technology, dividing the greenhouse into sectors according to the plants' growth stage. Each sector will be controlled independently, taking into account natural light conditions, plant needs, and the state of the network. The ratio of sectors in "day" and "night" will be the subject of calculations, measurements, and growers' experience.

Agreement with energy suppliers brings benefits

For the system to work, an explicit agreement with the energy regulator is necessary. The regulator determines when and how much energy the greenhouses can draw from the grid according to their needs. This service not only helps to integrate more renewable sources, but also reduces farmers' electricity costs. The savings can then be invested in further development or reducing production costs.

A connection that delivers real value

A connection of modern agriculture, innovative technology, and energy management that delivers real value for farmers and society: ecologically, economically, and technologically.

Tomáš Stránský, Hardware Engineer