Hydroponic Growing System (PA Technology)

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Name of technology example: Type
Hydroponic Growing System ☐ Energy Efficiency
☐ Renewable Energy
Alternative Methodology
Description Hydroponics is a subset of hydroculture and is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions, in water, without soil. Terrestrial plants may be grown with their roots in the mineral nutrient solution only or in an inert medium, such as perlite, gravel, biochar, mineral wool, expanded clay pebbles or coconut husk.

Researchers discovered in the 18th century that plants absorb essential mineral nutrients as inorganic ions in water. In natural conditions, soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir but the soil itself is not essential to plant growth. When the mineral nutrients in the soil dissolve in water, plant roots are able to absorb them. When the required mineral nutrients are introduced into a plant's water supply artificially, soil is no longer required for the plant to thrive. Almost any terrestrial plant will grow with hydroponics. Hydroponics is also a standard technique in biology research and teaching. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponics)

Technology for the Application of
Solar ☐ Biomass ☐ Biofuel
☐ Biogas Wind ☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro ☐ Energy Efficiency
Other: Any electrical power or heat provided by renewables
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps
☐ Mechanization ☐ Efficiency of Operation ☐ Processing
☐ Transportation ☐ Controlled Atmosphere ☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting ☐ Preservation
Other: Alternative methodology
Primarily Relevant for the following Agricultural Value Chain Activities
☐ Grinding ☐ Hauling and conveying ☐ Sorting
☐ Seedbed Preparation ☐ Milling ☐ Tearing
☐ Planting ☐ Washing ☐ Mixing
☐ Pumping ☐ Heating ☐ Drying
Irrigation ☐ Cooling ☐ Animal feeding
Fertilizing ☐ Venting ☐ Animal health and Welfare
☐ Pest Management ☐ Lighting ☐ Packing and branding
☐ Cutting ☐ Sanitation
Other: Alternative methodology
Primarily Implemented in the following Commodity Groups
☐ Cereals ☐ Fruits and vegetables ☐ Nuts and berries
☐ Forage ☐ Dairy products ☐ Meat products
☐ Oil Seeds ☐ Roots and Tubers ☐ Eggs
☐ Pulses ☐ Fiber Crops ☐ Forestry
☐ Sugars ☐ Stimulants ☐ Spices
☐ Other: /
Region & Country of
Development
Region

☐ Africa
☐ South Asia
☐ East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia - Netherlands
☐ Latin America & The Caribbean
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of
Current Deployment
Worldwide

Africa
South Asia
East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia
Latin America & The Caribbean
Middle East & North Africa
North America
☐ N/A: /
Region & Country of
Potential Deployment
Worldwide

Africa
South Asia
East Asia & The Pacific
Europe & Central Asia
Latin America & The Caribbean
Middle East & North Africa
North America
☐ N/A: /
Manufacturers JB Hydroponics B.V., Netherlands

Formflex Horti Systems B.V., Netherlands

Meteor Systems B.V.

Economics High investment, but high yields possible;
Technology Development Level Well established worldwide use;
Required Maintenance Technical Level Medium: Technology can be maintained through its life cycle with uncommon tools and requires moderate training for maintenance;
Required Infrastructure for Deployment Medium: Technology development requires uncommon tools, mid-development level supporting technologies and moderately trained personnel;
Required Resources during manufacture Steel, plastics, energy;
Required Resources during operation Fertilizer, water, electricity and heat;
Deployment
Level
Worldwide use in highly professional greenhouses; Not yet very much deployed for small scale local use;
Deployment Capability and Potential The technology can be widely deployed but for small scale applications resources or material supply and distribution chains and also education are required;
Requirements for Deployment For small scale applications material supply and distribution chains and also education are required;
Relevance for Autonomy and Food Security Energy and Service independent: requires supporting technology;
Environment Impacts (emissions) Low: no direct emissions but indirect emissions; Drain-off hydroponic nutrient solutions;
Conformity with Bio- Cybernetic System Rules
Additional information / Comments No comments.
Internal Reference
Additional Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroponics

http://agrovision.co.in/hydroponics.shtml

http://www.formflex.nl/main.php?lang=en

http://www.irrigation.com/E%20Meteorsystems.htm

http://www.jbhydroponics.com/English/home_eng.htm