University Of British Columbia Concludes AeroPod Carbon Footprint Study
SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, April 22, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc. (OTCPink: GRSO) University of British Columbia 3rd year LFS 350 students have completed their study of the energy requirements of GRSO's planned indoor aeroponic Pure Roots Urban Farm in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Their final report wraps up the project and provides GRSO with some very valuable results that help them understand where they can improve and help even further their noble cause to have the lowest carbon footprint possible.
The students found that the carbon footprint of Blue Curled Scotch kale grown in GRSO's AeroPods was 7% lower than conventionally grown Chinese kale, a closely related crop. As part of their project they created a calculator to allow the energy draw and carbon footprint to be re-assessed as Pure Roots expands to different locations and continually refines its growing operations. "It is interesting to observe how aeroponic vertical farming in urban communities has dramatically less carbon footprint compared to conventional farming. I am optimistic that Pure Roots could continue this trend in all its future farms across Canada," said Andrew Suwardi, one of the students working on the project.
There were a couple notable areas where Pure Roots stood out compared with its conventional counterparts. Only 1.1% of Pure Roots' carbon footprint came from consumable inputs like fertilizer and grow media, while for the conventional crop more than 50% of its carbon footprint came from chemical fertilizers and associated runoff. The students also noted that the technology can be used to aid more self-reliant communities that do not rely on fresh produce through long distance transportation. Since outdoor growing is concentrated in a few geographical areas, produce traditionally travels in refrigerated trucks and through cold storage warehouses to get to the consumer, contributing 11 to 21% of the total carbon emissions of conventional produce farming. GRSO's AeroPods drastically reduce or cut out these contributing factors entirely, using 85% less fertilizer, having no runoff, and saving on fuel and refrigeration by growing produce where it will be eaten.
"While these results are very positive, the students' work also highlighted areas where we can improve to make AeroPod-based farming as sustainable as possible" said Lena Syrovy, VP of Agronomy at Pure Roots. "We were surprised to find that the students did not recommend investing in solar power, as it would currently only be able to meet less than 10% of the farm's daily energy needs. These findings give us a strong incentive to lower our energy consumption further and seek out alternative clean sources of energy to power our facilities wherever they are located," said Syrovy.
The students identified lighting as a high priority area where the largest gains could be made, comprising 67% of the total carbon footprint of AeroPod production. As a result of the project GRSO has already started working on design updates to further lower the energy budget for lighting. "I admire what the company is working towards and its continuous development to provide the best for environmentally-friendly, socially-equitable and economically-viable foods," said Suwardi.
Report Highlights: https://54464af5-fc50-4aca-a02a-26f800dbf666.filesusr.com/ugd/cbecf7_4549c24188a941bf8bd61fe2c48a7980.pdf
Full report coming soon on GRSOinvest.com.
Read more about Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Pure Roots Holding, Ltd., on our official website, as well as further information about the Company and its latest news releases at http://www.aerogrowmanufacturing.com, www.purerootsfarms.com, www.grsoinvest.com.
Chad Fischl
Chief Executive Officer and Director
PO Box 2869
Jackson, WY 83001
(360) 612-0180
This press release may include certain statements that are forward-looking in nature and that involve a number of uncertainties and risks. Such forward-looking statements are within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc., current expectations and projections regarding future events, which are based on currently available information. The forward-looking statements in this press release may also include statements relating to Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc.'s anticipated new developments, business prospects, financial performance, strategies and similar matters. Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc. disclaims any obligation to update any of its forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
SOURCE Grow Solutions Holdings, Inc.
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