The Blue Economy - CASE 26: Greenhouses Without Heating or Irrigation
This article introduces innovations to produce food year-round in greenhouses without irrigation or traditional heating as one of the 100 innovations that shape The Blue Economy, known as ZERIʼs philosophy in action. This article is part of a broad effort by the author and the designer of the Blue Economy to stimulate open-source entrepreneurship, competitiveness and employment. Researched, Written and Updated by Professor Gunter Pauli.
The Blue Economy Inspired Series
Revolutionizing Agriculture:
Seawater Greenhouses
for Sustainable Food and Water Security
Written by; Shelley Tsang, 2024.
Amid climate challenges, agriculture is evolving to minimize water use and optimize energy efficiency. Traditional greenhouses require heating, irrigation, and significant water resources, which are becoming harder to justify environmentally. In response, innovations in greenhouse design are reshaping sustainable agriculture. This article presents a solution that offers food production year-round without irrigation or heating, contributing to the Blue Economy’s vision of using natural resources efficiently.
Global Market Potential: The Rise of Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA)
Controlled Environmental Agriculture (CEA) has rapidly expanded over the past decade, with greenhouse farming evolving from a niche to a $100 billion industry. According to recent data, the global greenhouse market covers 630,000 hectares, primarily in Asia (443,000 hectares) and the Mediterranean (100,000 hectares). The Netherlands has emerged as a leader, with approximately 0.25% of its landmass dedicated to greenhouse farming, which generates €4.5 billion annually in exports.
Countries like Turkey and China are also prominent, with Turkey producing over 6 million tons of greenhouse-grown tomatoes and China innovating with soilless farming methods using locally available materials. Such expansion has turned CEA into a major component of global agriculture, capable of addressing food security issues worldwide.
Sustainable Innovation: Redesigning Greenhouses for Self-Sufficiency
As traditional agriculture faces challenges from climate change and resource scarcity, sustainable greenhouse designs are stepping up. Modern greenhouses have evolved into closed systems, allowing farmers to control temperature, humidity, and productivity without relying on pesticides. Advanced techniques like hydroponics, sand, rock wool, volcanic gravel, and foam from recycled glass have become key elements of the substrate, making greenhouse farming more sustainable and adaptable to diverse environmental conditions.
Water-Smart Agriculture: The Evolution of Closed-System Greenhouses
Water scarcity drives the demand for water-smart agriculture. Closed-system greenhouses use a controlled environment to reduce water dependency by up to 90% compared to conventional methods. As a result, these greenhouses reduce the need for irrigation, with plants drawing moisture from humidity within the greenhouse. Additionally, hydroponics has become popular, further limiting the use of soil and pesticides. This approach aligns with the need for sustainable farming practices that conserve water and protect soil health.
A Desert Oasis: The Seawater Greenhouse Solution
At the heart of water-smart greenhouse technology is the Seawater Greenhouse. British designer Charlie Paton conceptualized this system after observing the potential for cultivating crops in desert climates using seawater. By drawing in the desert air, cooling it with evaporated seawater, and creating humidity within the greenhouse, this model turns an arid environment into a fertile one.
Seawater is converted into fresh water through solar-powered evaporation, enabling crops to grow without external irrigation. This design not only cools the greenhouse environment but also provides fresh water to irrigate crops, significantly lowering the operational costs associated with traditional greenhouses.
Pilot Projects and Proof of Concept: From Idea to Impact
To validate his concept, Paton invested in pilot projects across various locations: Tenerife, Spain; Al-Aryam Island, UAE; and Oman in cooperation with Sultan Qaboos University. Each pilot demonstrated the Seawater Greenhouse's ability to convert desert land into productive farmland using only seawater and sunlight. By 2009, Seawater Greenhouse Ltd. gained private investor interest, and the model’s first commercial project in South Australia marked a significant milestone in scaling up this innovation.
Expanding Possibilities: New Innovations in Greenhouse Technology
The Seawater Greenhouse model is adaptable and can incorporate various innovations to enhance productivity. Adding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to monitor plant health, temperature, and humidity could help optimize water and nutrient delivery. Modular and portable designs may allow rapid deployment in diverse geographic locations. Integrating agrivoltaics—solar panels within the greenhouse—can generate electricity to power cooling and irrigation systems, making the greenhouse self-sufficient in energy.
Economic and Environmental Impact: Redefining Resource Efficiency
Seawater Greenhouses provide a cost-effective agricultural solution for coastal and desert regions by lowering operational costs and reducing environmental impact. Traditional greenhouses can be resource-intensive, consuming fresh water and pesticides, while seawater greenhouses conserve water and generate potable water as a by-product. This model is beneficial for regions reliant on desalination plants, as it offers a less energy-intensive alternative that produces both food and water sustainably. The reduction in pesticide use also mitigates harmful environmental impacts, promoting cleaner and healthier agricultural practices.
Social and Global Implications: A Path to Food and Water Security
Seawater Greenhouses have far-reaching social and environmental implications. The system can offer food and water security in areas vulnerable to climate change, supporting communities where arable land is limited. Additionally, these greenhouses can empower local entrepreneurs, create jobs, and build a sustainable model for agriculture that improves regional resilience to environmental challenges. As food and water security become pressing global concerns, Seawater Greenhouses provide a scalable solution that aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to hunger, clean water, and climate action.
The Future of Sustainable Farming: Mainstreaming the Seawater Greenhouse Model
With global food and water needs projected to increase, the Seawater Greenhouse model has the potential for widespread adoption. By emulating the natural hydrological cycle and utilizing solar energy, this model supports sustainable agriculture even in arid, inhospitable regions. The integration of this technology with contaminated water purification, combined with Curt Hallberg’s vortex technology from Watreco in Sweden, could create a fully self-sustaining agricultural system, driving societies toward resilience and abundance.
Conclusion: A Vision for Abundant, Sustainable Agriculture
The Seawater Greenhouse demonstrates how innovative, nature-based technologies can help meet global food and water needs sustainably. With pilot projects proving its effectiveness and potential for scale, this technology aligns with the principles of the Blue Economy, transforming resource scarcity into abundance. By harnessing natural cycles and sustainable resources, Seawater Greenhouses offer a path toward a future of agriculture that benefits both people and the planet, fostering resilience and sustainability in the face of climate and resource challenges.
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