Plants grow in vertically stacked layers inside an urban building, could revolutionise agriculture by bringing food production right next to consumers. Imagine fresh vegetables grown mere metres away from your local supermarket—even in the harshest climates like deserts or cold, dark regions—thanks to fully controlled growing conditions.
However, scaling up vertical farming comes with challenges, especially due to its high energy demands. Researchers at Wageningen University & Research have discovered that smarter use of artificial light could be key to reducing costs and improving plant health, moving us closer to the dream of large-scale urban agriculture.
In a vertical farm, every aspect of the environment is carefully managed for optimal crop yield and quality—light, temperature, water, and nutrients. Yet this intensive control requires considerable energy, and often the settings remain constant, with lights and thermostats operating on fixed levels day in, day out. The research team found that this static approach is not always necessary.
“A more dynamic approach could drastically cut energy costs without compromising—and even enhancing—plant growth,” explains Leo Marcelis from Wageningen University & Research.
The idea centres around a variable ‘lighting plan’—tailoring light levels and types to what plants need at different stages of their growth. For example, plants need different light wavelengths, which we see as colours, for specific aspects of development. Instead of providing a consistent light supply, dynamic control adjusts the light to match the plant’s needs at any given moment, boosting both growth and quality.
Another benefit of this flexible approach is the ability to respond to energy market fluctuations. By increasing electricity use during off-peak times when rates are lower, vertical farms can further cut costs. This smarter environmental control means that vertical farming could soon become a viable alternative to conventional greenhouse farming.
The researchers have developed a computer model to optimise plant photosynthesis while minimising electricity costs, showing that varying light intensity throughout the day can save up to 12% in energy expenses. Their experiments on leafy vegetables like spinach revealed no negative effects from variable lighting—plants adapted just fine, growing healthily even with irregular light patterns.
This concept of dynamic control could also benefit traditional greenhouses, which increasingly rely on sustainable but unpredictable energy sources like solar and wind. Being able to adjust lighting and temperature based on fluctuating electricity availability could improve efficiency across the board.
Additionally, breeding new cultivars specifically for vertical farming could further enhance profitability. Unlike traditional cultivars, which are often optimised for traits like shelf life, these new varieties could focus on flavour and nutritional value—a shift that could lead to tastier, healthier produce for consumers.
The path to making vertical farming a mainstream part of food production still has obstacles to overcome. Many of the proposed solutions need more extensive testing, and farmers require advanced sensors and models for optimal environmental control. But with dynamic strategies for managing conditions, energy consumption can be reduced, costs can be cut, and the sustainability of vertical farms can be significantly improved.
“If we dynamically control environmental factors, we can reduce both energy use and costs, ultimately making vertical farming more sustainable and profitable,” Marcelis concludes.
