"If this works in a 100-year-old building, there's no reason why it can't work on high streets"

In a quiet corner of Kirkcaldy, Scotland, a former 1890s-built stable has become the testing ground for a bold experiment: To prove that energy innovation and vertical farming can breathe new life into disused town center buildings. The team behind this initiative is PeachyKeen, a renewable energy company best known for converting human movement into electricity.

"We're using that knowledge to power urban farms and rethink how vacant town center buildings can be repurposed," says Andrew Bowie, Director at PeachyKeen. Their ambition is currently being realized through a proof-of-concept pilot project, part of a broader initiative known as the 5P Project. While the full vision touches on urban regeneration, sustainability, and community development, the pilot farm itself is where theory meets practice.

© PeachyKeen A unique tomato variety grown during PeachyKeen's testing phase (left) and salad crops grown inside the workshop, a converted stable (right).

A legacy in energy meets food production
The company has spent years developing bespoke energy systems that harness renewable and human-powered sources. From gym equipment that generates electricity to advanced applications of solar and wind technology, the company has positioned itself at the intersection of mechanical engineering and clean energy.

"Over the years, we've worked on creating energy solutions from human movement, solar, wind, and even water turbines," Andrew explains. "Our main focus has always been designing both the hardware and the systems that turn kinetic and environmental energy into usable power." Rather than starting with agriculture and looking for ways to power it sustainably, they approached it from the opposite direction.

© PeachyKeen23 solar panels power PeachyKeen's Kirkcaldy town center site.

Building an off-grid blueprint
Their answer is now taking shape inside their Kirkcaldy workshop - a former stable that has been retrofitted with a full suite of renewable energy sources, including solar panels, a small wind turbine, human-powered devices, and a water turbine that serves both educational and functional purposes. "The building is virtually off-grid," Andrew says. "We create our own electricity, collect rainwater, and use clean technologies like 3D printing to manufacture many of the components in-house."

One section of the building has been transformed into a hydroponic growing room. Although the farm is still small in scale, it has moved into a commercial testing phase, supplying a local outlet with fresh produce. "All the boxes have been ticked: we've got a growing system, an energy source, and a distribution pathway. It's now about proving that this can work long-term and at scale," he adds.

The farm runs as a closed-loop system. Rainwater is captured and filtered, sometimes passed through turbines for additional energy generation, and then used to irrigate the hydroponic crops. Excess energy from solar and wind is directed toward lighting and climate control. "We're designing for minimal waste and maximum efficiency," Andrew notes. "It's not just about producing food, it's about creating a replicable system where all parts work together naturally."

© PeachyKeen

A hands-on approach to technology
Unlike many tech-focused sustainability startups that rely on outside contractors, PeachyKeen takes a DIY approach to its systems integration. "We're quite used to doing bespoke work," Andrew explains. "We've got a small team, but we're adaptable. We design the electronics, we print the components, we build everything ourselves."

Their experience with custom energy systems has translated well into urban farming. For example, 3D printing allows them to rapidly prototype and iterate on irrigation components and grow tray supports. It also keeps costs down and helps them remain agile in a field that's still rapidly evolving. "The farm, in many respects, is just another application of our skillset," Andrew says. "It's a new layer, but it fits into what we already do, which is designing and implementing energy systems that support local infrastructure."

Data-driven development
To validate their work and ensure scalability, PeachyKeen has partnered with the James Hutton Institute and the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland to build what Andrew jokingly calls a "glorified spreadsheet" - a digital twin of the project. "The idea is to collect real-time data on how everything performs—energy input and output, water usage, crop yield—so that we can refine the system and show clear results to stakeholders," he says.

This is especially critical as PeachyKeen begins discussions with policymakers and urban planners about replicating the model in other town centers. Solid data will allow them to make the business case for retrofitting other unused properties across the UK.

© PeachyKeenIrrigation water powers an in-house turbine for electricity generation.

"A department store of sustainability"
While the pilot project focuses on hydroponics, it is just one component of PeachyKeen's larger ambition. "Joa Bell, our Customer Success Manager, came up with this great description," Andrew shares. "It's like a department store of sustainability. It starts with the rain and sunshine, gets turned into energy and water, and ends with a salad on your plate."

Each component—renewable energy generation, local food production, manufacturing, recycling, and education—is designed to function independently but also interdependently, creating a sustainable ecosystem under one roof. "If this works in a 100-year-old building, there's no reason why it can't work on high streets," Andrew adds.

© PeachyKeen Plants grown hydroponically using recyclable jute material.

A model for others to follow
Though still in its early stages, the pilot has already drawn interest from national associations and local government groups. It's also become a learning space—students, community groups, and visitors are being invited to see what's possible when sustainability is approached holistically.

"The exciting part is just beginning," Andrew says. "We're acting as the guinea pigs now, but in the long run, we want this to be a blueprint that others can use."