Indoor aeroponic pioneer AEssense LLC has announced the deployment and launch of cultivation operations of the world’s first vertical farm powered by a small modular reactor in Northwestern China.
“For the first time, by integrating AEssense’s broad spectrum aeroponic vertical farming platform with reliable, low-cost, clean energy from the SMR in Gansu, we have a viable and profitable food security solution that does not increase the world’s carbon footprint,” said AEssense President and CEO Robert Chen. “Broad spectrum vertical farms powered by SMRs can be deployed where they are needed. We have high expectations that this first deployment is a game changer in the fight to end global hunger.”
AEssense provided its single-layered AEtrium-4 and four-layer AEtrium-2.1 SmartFarm automated aeroponic grow systems to outfit this facility. Aeroponics delivers speedy growth with zero soil requirements and very low water usage. Upon commissioning, a wide variety of leafy greens were immediately started, including lettuce, ice plant, water spinach, amaranth and stevia.
AEssense’s broad spectrum platform can also be used to cultivate a wide variety of other crops, including fruiting plants and root vegetables to meet consumer demand.
The AEssenseGrows AEtrium System delivers sensor-driven automation to execute the inherent benefits of aeroponics. The company’s Guardian Grow Manager central management software monitors grow conditions 24/7 and, if needed, automatically adjusts key variables such as nutrients, irrigation, pH, temperature, or lighting to maintain optimal conditions year-round.