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A digital field factory speeds up the construction of solar farms
CategoriesSustainable News

A digital field factory speeds up the construction of solar farms

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: As the global community seeks ways to scale solutions as part of the commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, experts agree that terawatts of renewable energy are needed. Scaling solar is the mission of California-based company Terabase Energy. With more than 50 terawatts of solar energy needed as quickly as possible in order to achieve world decarbonisation goals, the company recently introduced the world’s first automated field factory for solar farm production. 

Terabase works as the lead construction partner for utility-scale solar plant projects, providing everything from performance modelling and terrain mapping, to in-the-field manufacturing and grid-friendly plant management technologies. The new factories, called Terafab, use robotics-assisted construction, IoT-connected (Internet of Things) sites, and round-the-clock capability. 

By using a digital twin of the solar plant location, Terabase’s systems help developers make the most of limited resources. The Terabase platform can reduce the time engineers need to spend on site by up to 40 times, and its simulation ability helps plant managers track and predict voltage outputs for multiple years.  

The Terafab factories greatly reduce safety risks to human workers by eliminating the need for them to lift and carry heavy panels in harsh weather conditions. The automated aspect means that the construction of a plant can run continuously, thereby reducing the overall time and cost of development.  

Terabase opened its Terafab manufacturing facility – a “factory to make factories” – in Woodland, California earlier this year. The company also recently raised $25 million (around €22.3 million) to support its expansion, and has several commercial projects lined up later in the year that will use Terafab for their construction needs.  

Other innovations from Springwise’s archive that showcase developments in the photovoltaics field include a fully circular and open-source solar cell design and solar-powered cooling sheds for communities without access to steady refrigeration.

Written By: Keely Khoury

Reference

Building an inclusive network of sustainable, connected farms
CategoriesSustainable News

Building an inclusive network of sustainable, connected farms

By Zarkon Group,

Spotted: For farmers in Africa and the Middle East, reliance on an increasingly volatile climate is making it more and more difficult to achieve a stable, predictable income. And, according to The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, aridity in parts of the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region will increase in the next century, shrinking arable lands and disrupting agricultural patterns. This worrying trend inspired the foundation of Jodoor, a Rabat-based startup that designs, builds, and installs hi-tech connected greenhouses for farmers.

The company’s greenhouses are internet-of-things-enabled and can be used by farmers to produce 10 high-quality salad staples and herbs – from iceberg lettuce to basil. By producing leafy greens in a controlled environment, farmers are protected from the vagueries of climate and are able to produce crops year-round. The technology ensures consistent productivity and quality as well as a fixed price for farmers throughout the year. Moreover, the vegetables and herbs grown in the hi-tech greenhouses require no pesticides or herbicides.

The startup plans to use a franchise model to drive the implementation of its technology. Each greenhouse will be tailored to the exact local needs of each farmer, and by building a network of farmers, Jodoor is hoping to match local production to local demand.

Currently in the early stages of its development, Jodoor has nonetheless piqued the interest of several institutions including the Mohammad VI Polytechnic University (UM6P). At the end of 2021, the startup launched its first greenhouse on a 200-square-metre plot in Skhirat, a seaside town between Rabat and Casablanca. Its second greenhouse, which is intended to showcase the commercial potential of the technology, will be installed at UM6P.

Longer-term, the startup plans to hone its model in Morocco before expanding across the Middle East and North Africa. Many of Morocco’s neighbours share similar challenges when it comes to water scarcity and food sovereignty, making them prime candidates for Jodoor’s technology.

Other innovations spotted by Springwise that improve the prospects of small farmers include a startup that provides software and hands-on assistance for farmers in Nigeria and solar-powered irrigation pumps for farmers in East Africa.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

Reference