Current Projects
UKUAT is an active partner on collaborative projects on both academic and more commercially focussed projects within CEA, agritech, and any adjacent sectors where mutual opportunities exist.
Image: Square Mile Farms
Taeda Tech Project
University of Surrey, UKUAT, NMC2, Rothamsted Research, Aberystwyth University, Forest Research, NIAB, Capital Agri, LettUs Grow
Led by the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey, this project will develop a rapid alternative cultivation system for dedicated bioenergy feedstocks. Specifically, it aims to demonstrate how growing crops without the use of soil (aeroponic technology) can be used for rapid feedstock production, and the energy and environmental opportunities and challenges of doing so. Based on previous research, the University of Surrey have found that growth of willow for bioenergy was faster in soilless conditions, with significantly more biomass produced in the same timeframe. This innovative technology has the potential to deliver bioenergy feedstocks over a smaller land footprint than current field-based cultivation.
V-FAST Consortium
UKUAT, Vertegrow, Light Science Technologies, RheEnergise, the James Hutton Institute, LettUs Grow, IGS, GrowPura, Sprung Structures Ltd
V-FAST is an inter-sector consortium formed to tackle vertical farming’s energy problem. Its membership comprises CEA growers, technology suppliers and plant scientists with a novel form of pumped hydro energy storage. With one funded feasibility study underway, V-FAST continues to look for other opportunities which bring energy and food infrastructure closer together for a more efficient and resilient future in both spheres.
International Partnership for a New Certificate for PRODUCE grown in CEA
GLOBALG.A.P., FarmTech Society, UKUAT, Cultinova, Fraunhofer, INTEGAR
A new open partnership to develop and implement a certification specifically for new “indoor” high tech systems with natural and artificial lights. The partnership is open to all industry stakeholders small and large to help advance a comprehensive new certificate for innovative production systems.