Distal, the Department of Food Sciences and Technologies at the Italian University of Bologna, one of the largest centers in Europe in the field of agricultural research, has chosen the company C-LED to completely renew the lighting elements in its experimental greenhouses.
The greenhouse complex in Bologna, Italy
The old sodium lamps have been replaced by 430 Combo LEDs of 300 watts each. This should save 40% on electricity.
From left to right: Raffaello Montanari, Nevio Pelliconi, and Mirco Berti of C-LED
The inauguration took place on 29 September 2022 in Bologna, with the attendance of Giovanni Molari ( University Rector), Rosalba Lanciotti (Director of Distal), Serena Venturi (coordinator of the greenhouse complex), and numerous teachers and researchers. Present for C-LED were president Nevio Pelliconi and representatives Mirco Berti and Raffaello Montanari.
Some new lamps
"The lamps we have installed in the greenhouses stand out for their efficiency and low consumption, essential to Led technology. Moreover, they fully respond to the needs of the customer, in this case, the University of Bologna," explained Berti and Montanari.
Some new lamps in use
"To enable the best possible growth of crops, scientists look for the appropriate light intensity and wavelengths (spectrum)."
One of the experimental 'rooms'
Because of their technological characteristics, these Led fixtures are usually installed in greenhouses equipped with sensors that measure light intensity and temperature. The data obtained are communicated via gateways to a central control unit from which parameters are then sent to the individual Led units.
Rector Giovanni Molari
The parameters are set automatically based on the data collected by the sensors. Through a cloud, accessible from a PC or smartphone, it is possible to monitor and manage the entire system. The system meets the requirements of Transition Plan 4.0 and can also be considered among the "Systems for Quality Assurance and Sustainability."
The university's greenhouse complex, which covers some 2,000 square meters, is home to a wide variety of research activities in the areas of vegetable, fruit, and ornamental cultivation and parasite control.
From left to right: Rosalba Lanciotti, Maria Eva Giorgioni and Serena Venturi
"With these lights, we are betting on energy savings, efficiency, and quality of research. The investment had long been planned, but in these times of skyrocketing energy costs, it's obviously very useful now. The entire University of Bologna was spending about €15 million a year on electricity; now, we foresee the cost doubling. We expect to recoup the investment in C-LED's technology for our greenhouses within about three years," said Rector Molari.
C-LED, part of the Cefla group, specializes in the design and production of electronic applications and lighting solutions tailored to customers' needs. C-LED focuses mainly on companies operating in indoor cultivation and offers a complete range of Led products and advice.
For more information:
C-LED 
Via Gambellara, 34
40026 – Imola (BO) – Italy
+39 0542 654980
[email protected]
www.c-led.it