Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Sustainability in Horticulture with LED Flash Lighting Systems (FLASH-LED)

Strawberry is one of the most important small fruit crops in Nordic countries including Norway. The annual production volume of Norwegian strawberries was 7,052 metric tons in 2022, which can cover only about 30% of the market demand (Statistic Sentralbyrå). There is an increasing demand for locally produced fresh strawberries with minimal use of synthetic chemicals. Shifting high value crops from field to protected cultivation can ensure these consumer demands with minimal use of chemicals and quality losses caused by long transportation. Because of long winter period with short daylengths and lower level of irradiance, supplemental lighting is necessary for greenhouse production systems. The most advanced protected cultivation system “plant factories” completely rely on artificial lighting for crop production. However, artificial lighting adds extra energy costs due to high electricity prices. Therefore, strategic lighting improving energy use efficiency, and precise application in a crop-specific manner is important. In this project we will develop and test lighting systems with customizable light patterns to enhance photosynthetic performance using micro pulse illumination technology. The lighting system will be able to adjust the frequency and duty cycle to adapt to the light dependent and independent reaction in photosynthesis with reduced photoinhibition. Further, lighting recipe specific for developmental stages of crops (primarily strawberry) will be developed, making use of 3D crop-light models, which make efficient utilization of light energy, enhanced crop yield and improved post-harvest quality possible. The main findings of the project will be tested in a strawberry vertical farm for its potential application. The developed lighting system will also be tested with leading companies involved in microalgae production. Expected outcomes will contribute in knowledge building in precision lighting and high-tech precision vertical farming.

Horticultural lighting is a common practice for high value crops produced in protected cultivation systems in Northern Europe. However, artificial lighting adds extra energy costs due to high electricity prices. Therefore, strategic lighting improving energy use efficiency, and precise application in a crop-specific manner is important. In this project we will develop and test lighting systems with customizable light patterns to enhance photosynthetic performance using micro pulse illumination technology. The lighting system will be able to adjust the frequency and duty cycle to adapt to the light dependent and independent reaction in photosynthesis with reduced photoinhibition. Further, lighting recipe specific for developmental stages of crops (primarily strawberry) will be developed, making use of 3D crop-light models, which make efficient utilization of light energy, enhanced crop yield and improved post-harvest quality possible. The main findings of the project will be tested in a strawberry vertical farm for its potential application. The developed lighting system will also be tested with leading companies involved in microalgae production.