Incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into environmental management systems for indoor agriculture can reduce energy consumption by as much as 25 percent, according to a study by engineers at the Cornell University. This development will play an important role in meeting the world’s food challenges, as the world’s population will reach 9.7 billion by 2050. Focus on the use of artificial intelligence in agricultural factories . These large indoor farms rely on artificial lighting and climate control to optimize plant growth. However, they are often criticized for their strong will. Indoor farming methods like plant factories are less susceptible to climate change compared to traditional farming, but their sustainability is hindered by high energy consumption and the need for careful resource management. According to Fengqi You, co-director of the Cornell Institute for Digital Agriculture, current environmental control systems are insufficiently advanced to manage these complexities effectively. AI offers a promising solution by optimizing several variables, including lighting, carbon dioxide levels, moisture, and ventilation, to create a balanced and efficient environment for plant growth.
The study utilized advanced AI techniques, such as deep reinforcement learning and computational optimization, to analyze the energy consumption of lettuce grown in indoor facilities across diverse locations, including Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, Phoenix, Reykjavík, and Dubai. The results showed a significant decrease in energy consumption when implementing smart systems. For example, energy consumption decreased from 9.5 to 6.42 kWh per kilogram of wet weight in indoor agricultural environments, and from 10.5 to 7.26 kWh per kilogram in warmer climates such as in Dubai. One of the most important findings is that optimizing the wind based on the time of day can save energy. Low air during sunny periods and high air during dark periods create an energy-energy balance that optimizes carbon dioxide levels for photosynthesis and oxygen for respiration. . “It’s a lot like smart homes,” you say, emphasizing the potential of artificial intelligence to improve home farming and reduce its carbon footprint. This study shows that AI not only saves energy, but also strategically aligns environmental management technology and plant biology to maintain good growing conditions. This work was supported by several organizations, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the Science and Technology Research Council of Canada.