Aurel&Axel operate a hydroponic greenhouse in the middle of an industrial area in Bettembourg, Luxembourg. They use it to grow herbs, lettuces and edible flowers in a resource-efficient way. This type of agriculture enables plants to grow faster than with conventional planting. It is 50 per cent faster for lettuces and herbs. 'It really is much faster. Overall, we are between 33 and 50 per cent faster with the plants we grow here,' co-owner Axel Barreau told the newspaper Tageblatt.
The greenhouse uses the building heat of the IFSB to minimise energy consumption. This means that no additional energy is used to heat the system. The sunshade is opened and closed automatically depending on the internal temperature. In addition, they save around 80 to 90 per cent of water compared to traditional agriculture. 'The aim is to use as much rainwater as possible, but during certain periods this is not sufficient, so we have to use additional water from the municipal system,' explains Barreau. They need between 800 and 1,000 litres of water to fill the cycle of the hydroponic system. Nevertheless, urban farmers also have to take the seasons into account to some extent. 'But the main thing is to extend them.' This is how the possible cultivation time for sage is extended from two to four months.
For more information:
https://aureletaxel.com/