"Deploying an aeroponic system to grow willow cuttings for biomass production is massively reducing the crop cycles in comparison to deploying in open fields for producing cuttings. With this project we're able to produce higher quality propagation material, using less land and accelerating the survival rates when these are planted in the field for the main biomass production stage," says Katia Zacharaki, Founder of InnoPhyte Consulting and a key member of the TAEDA Tech Project.
Funded by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and led by the Centre for Environment and Sustainability at the University of Surrey, the UK government is looking at more sustainable ways of energy production, with biomass as one of the ways to achieve net zero. The Taeda Tech Project is a £4m collaborative demonstration initiative carried out by the University of Surrey aiming to advance short rotation coppice (SRC) cuttings using aeroponic technology.
Taeda Tech commercialization lead, Ade Ali says: "While research and development form the core of our endeavors, we are equally dedicated to fostering commercial viability. Innovations and processes developed will open up new crop possibilities for the agricultural and forestry sectors looking to support reforestation and rewilding and enhance breeding programs."
Bottleneck in the supply of biomass
"If propagation is the limiting factor, CEA farming allows to accelerate the growth cycle and quality of cutting or saplings," says Dr. Zoe M Harris, Taeda Tech Project lead. TAEDA Tech project is using soilless technology to cultivate short rotation coppice (SRC) willow faster, achieve a higher yield, on a smaller land footprint, and to a greater degree of quality compared to traditional agriculture. The ultimate goal is to support the UK in achieving its transition to bioenergy by rapidly increasing the supply of SRC willow.
Since willows can grow up to 3 meters tall, the project is using greenhouses and polytunnels for efficient space utilization. To obtain a 20 cm cutting, the trees will be cut into several pieces and transplanted outdoors as they don't need to root themselves fully into the ground as opposed to seedlings.
Dr. Lekan Jolayemi who is leading the greenhouse trials says "Propagating other forestry seedlings indoors makes sense as you can bypass the seasons and tweak parameters to obtain the exact quality and size of seedling you need,". Therefore, the current willow project is deploying greenhouses and polytunnels to be space-efficient.
Aeroponic propagation
Propagation at a nursery stage is normally done in soil, as Katia points out. Whereas, the current aeroponic technology allows the researchers to recycle water and analyze the differences between 'traditional' and alternative propagation methods like indoors. "Up until today, research is scarce on the nutritional needs of willow propagation indoors. Therefore, our role is to analyze the nutrients and leaves to put together individual pieces."
LettUs Grow has a key role to play in this project as they co-designed the most recent iteration of the technology we are using. This technology could support to cultivation of other large-sized crops, for commercial and research purposes.
Jack Farmer, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at LettUs Grow said: "Like food, the impact of energy production touches everything around us. Increasing the amount of renewable generation in the UK energy mix is vital to the sustainability of controlled environment agriculture. It feels very full circle for us and we're excited to be brought on as partners for a project that can have such wide-reaching impacts."
Vertical farming and forestry
Vertical farming can significantly improve willow survival rates by producing thicker stems, which are crucial for successful field planting. Katia explains, "Vertical farming has the potential to produce thicker stems for single leads, which significantly improves survival rates." Additionally, shorter growth cycles mean the willows reach planting specifications faster.
Although ROI is currently most evident in greenhouse settings, the team believes that "the real value will become clearer as vertical farming and aeroponics are adopted for other forestry species," suggesting future growth in industry-specific applications.
The project is funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (a UK government department) through their Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Program, which is a £36 million program and part of their larger £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio, The aim of which is to accelerate the commercialization of innovative clean energy technologies and processes through the 2020s and 2030s.
On the 12th of September 2024, the facility is open to visits from 9 AM to 3 PM GMT at the Surrey Sports Park at Richard Meyjes Road, Guildford, GU2 7AD, UK.
Click here to register for the event.
For more information:
Taeda Tech Project
https://taedatechnologies.com
LettUs Grow
[email protected]
lettusgrow.com