September 29, 2017

Plenty Vertical Farming System Moves Farming Into The Heart Of The City!

Posted on September 29, 2017January 10, 2024 by Staff Writer

San Francisco-based Plenty Unlimited Inc.—an indoor vertical farming company—is taking bold action: The company is moving farms out of rural areas and bringing them into the heart of the city! But there’s more—it has flipped the farms’ orientation. In point of fact, Plenty Vertical Farming is doing it vertically to work around the problem of scarce arable land. Notably, Plenty vertical farming CEO Matt Barnard is out to change how society grows and eats fresh produce. Instead of growing crops in the field, he advocates for planting vertically to save space and eliminate the need to have large parcels of land before one can grow food. Such is an ideal scenario for people living in cities, where fresh produce needs to be transported from rural areas since ferrying produce from the mountains or rural regions adds to cost and can be delayed when weather conditions aren’t favorable.

With massive farms from Plenty vertical farming operating within the city, fresh produce can reach tables in a matter of hours rather than days. This case significantly lowers food costs and stabilizes food supply for years to come. The idea is bold and definitely long term.

Financial Backing for Plenty Vertical Farming

This bold idea from Plenty vertical farming has received generous backing from SoftBank—one of Japan’s largest telecommunication companies. Headed by mogul Masayoshi Son, the company bankrolled $200 million into Plenty vertical farming’s coffers so it can further its plans of creating vertical farms in around 500 cities worldwide. (Remarkably, this move has been hailed by many as the largest agriculture tech investment in history.)

Bloomberg reports that Barnard is already in talks with government officials from at least four continents as well as top honchos from Wal-Mart and Amazon. The first farm in the Bay Area is set to start making deliveries to San Francisco grocers by the end of the year.

Plenty vertical farming has received generous backing from SoftBank!

Details on the Plenty Vertical Farming System

Unlike traditional farms, Plenty vertical farming’s system uses 20-foot vertical poles where the plants shoot out horizontally. The poles are lined up next to one another with roughly 4 inches of space in between. These poles are surrounded with infrared cameras and sensors which enable the staff to monitor conditions periodically. There is a system in place which can adjust LED lights, air composition and humidity within the indoor farms.

There’s no need to use soil because water and nutrients are fed into the top of the poles, and gravity takes care of the rest. The excess heat from the light also rises naturally to vents in the ceiling. Barnard says that working with physics rather than against has allowed them to save a lot of money.

Bridging the Global Nutrition Gap

Barnard’s company believes that growing rooms or vertical farms—such as those from Plenty vertical farming —will be able to produce quality organic food at very cheap prices.

The idea of vertical farming isn’t exactly new, but where food is grown appears to be the biggest advantage for Plenty vertical farming. Rather than growing produce far away from where consumers are, it will strategically place these fruits and vegetables within a few minutes of customers and grocery stores.

As the current scenario stands, fruits and vegetables grown in California and Arizona often need to travel roughly 2,000 miles before they get to the store. The produce then sits a couple more days before it is picked up and eaten. This scenario leads to less-than-fresh fruits and vegetables —and significantly more waste in the end.

Plenty Vertical Farming and Beyond

Financial backing from SoftBank gives Plenty vertical farming the funds they need to expand across the nation. It also helps them establish a reputation as a company with a growth model that is to be reckoned with. Plenty’s enclosed system allows fresh organic produce to be produced almost anywhere—and that is a huge change that will have a bold impact on how we grow and consume food!

Invest in Memphis Meats: A Bold Move from Names like Gates & Branson!

Posted on September 29, 2017January 8, 2024 by Staff Writer

A faux meat alternative food startup has successfully raised funding—with both Bill Gates and Richard Branson making a major contribution. Memphis Meats has raised $17 million in Series A funding which increases their total funds raised to $22 million. The San Francisco-based company grows meat in tanks by feeding nutrients like oxygen and sugar to living animal cells—a bold action involving several upscale investors and unconventional yet safe scientific methods. The round of participants in funding was a mixed lot and included Richard Branson, Bill Gates, Cargill, KBW Ventures, Inevitable Ventures, Suzy Welch, Kyle Vogt, Kimbal Musk and many others. Besides venture capital firms, there were also some research institutions joining in the funding frenzy to invest in Memphis Meats. The lead investing group is DFJ.

A Bold Move to Invest in Memphis Meats

As a food company, the participation of Cargill is considered a bold move and a significant achievement for Memphis Meats. Cargill is a food company that is represented in over 70 countries with more than 150,000 employees. They produce and refine edible oils, grow seeds, and produce a wide range of agricultural needs including food and feeds. As a food company, Cargill is also concerned about the future of meat. By 2050, there will be 9 billion people on the planet, creating intense pressures in producing enough meat for such a large population that is safe for consumption.

Given concerns of consumers over the health of meat and the almost certain pressures on cost, Cargill is participating in the development of fake meat. Fake meat products can provide the needed protein to feed the demands of 9 billion people. There are now a handful of companies trying to develop fake meat—using different approaches.

Investing in the Future of Meats

With its move to invest in Memphis Meats, Cargill is betting that they will have a significant hold on the future faux meat market. Its subsidiary, Cargill Protein, offered a statement that the company is committed to growing its protein business, by investing in innovative technologies to create new proteins. The company’s aim remains to provide a complete basket of consumer goods for its customers.

Memphis Meats uses stem cells to develop meat products. The attempt replicates meat cells without the need for large feedlots or housing for the animals. The cells will be grown in a factory away from the farm. The meats will be grown in tanks with nutrients feeding the tanks in which the protein grows. Although they have not produced a commercial product, they have proven the concept and been able to produce tank-grown beef and chicken, and duck from stem cells.

In the long run, the factory and tank process of cell growth will only use 1 percent of the land and only 10 percent of the water required to grow conventional meat animals. In a world of scarce resources, these numbers could mean the difference between adequate supply at an affordable price or dwindling supply at exorbitant prices.

The capital raised by Memphis Meats will be used to further develop the product and scale up while also lowering the cost of production. The act of growing meats from cells is harder than producing them in farms and feedlots. Without a doubt, new techniques have to be developed to lower the cost of production, as well as streamline the growth process.

Looking at a World Full of Faux Meats

It is interesting to note that Impossible Foods is using a soy-based formula to create a plant-based protein which tastes like real meat. The product even has juices oozing out of the burger patties. One of the big-name investors into Impossible Foods is Bill Gates who—as mentioned earlier—has also chosen to invest in Memphis Meats.

While the significant increase in Memphis Meats funding is intended mainly for product development and scaling, the increased financial support also provides funds for needed staffing. The main challenge left in commercialization is production cost, which the company has already stated they will allocate funds to as well.

Clearly, with the funding interest in faux meats like Impossible Foods, and lab-grown meat like Memphis Meats, food consumption will change dramatically in the coming years. Investors are feeling their way forward to see which companies and technologies will have bold impacts in the market place.

Technology Solutions for Natural Disasters: The Key for a Fast Recovery

Posted on September 29, 2017July 31, 2024 by Staff Writer

When Hurricane Irma roared through the Caribbean and Florida, it caused a swath of devastation that devastated entire islands and impacted Florida from the southern tip to the northern border.

People can now access to Comcast’s internet through the hotspots. The good thing about the service is that it is open to everyone even for non-customers.

Irma was one of the largest hurricanes ever to hit the United States, and it made an incredible impact. At one point, more than 60% of businesses and homes lost electricity. Weeks later, officials are scrambling to repair the damage and restore power, sewers, roads, and water systems across the state.

According to Robert Gould, the Vice President and Chief Communications Officer for Florida Power and Light, “We understand what it means to be in the dark.” He also added, “We understand what it means to be hot and without air conditioning. We will be restoring power day and night.”

The effect of Hurricane Irma is a visible wake-up call for government and business to step up their game in the areas of weather and disaster recovery. Many companies have already developed services and technology solutions for natural disasters that would help people achieve fast recovery when calamity strikes.

The following services and technology solutions for natural disasters cater to resolving electricity problems, distribution of news, connection to the internet, and strengthened cell signals.

Smart Devices

Smart devices are in everything. There are smart devices, meters, and sensors throughout the electric grid and in many devices in homes and the workplace. They helped to limit the damage that Irma caused as the hurricane blew through the state. Smart devices can sense when there is a sudden change or something amiss. They can either shut current or other devices down or notify monitors of the problem. Without smart devices, damage to the Florida power grid would have been much worse.

Florida Power and Light installed smart devices like smart meters, sensors, and monitors on their electric grids. The action allowed them to check and detect issues. The devices are making it easier for restoration specialists and line workers to restore power and return Florida to normal.

Drones

Drones have already become a significant player when it comes to innovation. They have already been instrumental for entertainment and fun as well as different monitoring industries from agriculture to oil exploration.

After a calamity like a hurricane, drones can do a great deal to help restore order. They are being used for search and rescue, to monitor conditions in areas that can be hard to reach and to deliver emergency supplies like medicines. They have also been instrumental in inspecting power lines, roadways, bridges, and a lot more. The small flying vehicle can travel anywhere, making an assessment and search more efficient and more manageable.

The cell on Wheels, Cell on Wings

Cell service is essential, especially in natural disasters, when information is essential. But what if cell sites are damaged? Cell service providers and emergency services have created several options for providing cell service in hard-hit areas, even when towers are down or without power.

ICS Industries developed the Cell on Wheels, a portable base station that provides temporary cellular network signal for emergency events.

The Cell on Wheels has its own:

Mounting Pole
Outrigger
Generator Inlet
Air Conditioner
Will-Burt Mast
Trailer Hitch

The Cell on Light Trucks is like Cell on Wheels but in a larger vehicle. It provides needs that are much bigger than what the smaller van solution offers. And Cell on Wings is a drone that sends LTE signals.

Xfinity WiFi Hotspots

Comcast is the biggest cable television and broadcasting company in the world by revenue. The company has made extensive efforts to make its system robust in the face of natural disasters.

The company developed a service called Xfinity WiFi Hotspots. People can now access to Comcast’s internet through the hotspots. The good thing about the service is that it is open to everyone even for non-customers.

Websites, Applications, and Social Media

Websites provide instantaneous and continuously updated news. MiamiHerald.com is a popular 24/7 media website that offers real-time information. During Irma, the site provided real-time information and storm tracking, as well as information about available evacuation shelters.

Different mobile applications have also come to the rescue like Hurricane App, Headspace, WhatsApp, Firechat, Snap Map, Nextdoor, tracker.gasbuddy.com, Zello, NOAA Radar US, Waze, and Weather Underground. These apps are just some of the most useful tools for tracking weather events and natural disasters.

The presence of Facebook and Twitter will always be felt no matter what. Throughout the storm, both outlets proved to be reliable information outlets. No wonder that people continue to rely on social media to get news and to communicate.

These technology solutions for natural disasters may have had their most significant real-world test in the face of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. They provided real-time information both in the warning stage and during the storm. Plus, they have been instrumental in restoring power, repairing the damage, and helping people to learn where to find emergency services, FEMA services, and assistance. And of course, these technology solutions for natural disasters are a critical part of the cleanup effort.

GE Wind Farms in Australia And The Overall Bold Impact of Wind Power

Posted on September 29, 2017August 5, 2024 by Staff Writer

Wind power—a mode of renewable energy production—is fast becoming commonplace in Australia. The country increased installed capacity by about 35 percent over a 5-year period. In 2016, there were 4,327 megawatts of installed capacity in the country. As of mid-year of 2017, another 12,328 MW of proposed capacity was in the works. (Thus, it’s no wonder that the idea of having GE wind farms in Australia is not surprising news.)

Notably, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency reported that wind energy is the fastest-growing among the renewable sources of energy in the country. Wind power accounts for more than 5 percent of the country’s total electricity demand and 30.8 percent of their total renewable energy supply. By the end of last year, there were a total of 79 wind farms in Australia with turbines of 1.5 to 3 MW capacities. Plus, an additional 16 projects were lined up for either operation or construction this year.

GE Wind Farms in Australia

The country’s wind energy will be getting a big boost from General Electric (GE). GE has been powering Australia since 1902 when the company installed an electric motor that opened the Pyrmont Bridge over Darling Harbour in Sydney. Australia is the second-largest region where GE operates. Now, the idea of having GE wind farms in Australia is not a far-off dream, so to speak.

Without a doubt, Australia expects to further improve its renewable energy sources with the $8 billion worth of projects currently under construction and slated for completion this year. The company continues to use advanced technologies to provide the land down-under with a reliable and sustainable supply of power. Currently, GE is optimizing the company’s wind power technology and expands the company’s clean energy business as evidenced by its acquisitions of LM Wind Power and Alstom SA.

On the specifics of the GE wind farms in Australia: GE is scheduled to supply and install 123 turbines at a 453 MW wind farm 155 miles northwest of Brisbane in Queensland. The Coopers Gap Wind Farm, a partnership between GE and Powering Australia Renewable Fund, is scheduled for completion in 2019. It will constitute 10 percent of the country’s total wind power capacity. And it is expected to be Australia’s biggest wind farm. This fact will make a bold impact in how the region’s power is generated and could tip the scales in favor of wider wind energy use in the coming years.

Wind Power — Australia Versus China

The wind farm in Australia will be capable of generating electricity that will be enough to power 260,000 homes and cut the country’s CO2 emissions by as much as 1.18 million tons per year. That reduction in CO2 emission is equivalent to the combined emissions of 250,000 passenger vehicles.

Currently, Australia is increasing its installed wind power capacity, which stood as of last year at 4,327 MW capacity. Australia, however, is still very far behind China when it comes to wind power capacity. China has many solar farms that produce a combined 168,690 MW. The United States, with the second-highest wind power capacity in the world, generates 82,183 MW of wind power.

Wind as the Next Best Alternative

Wind power captures the atmosphere’s natural wind and converts it into mechanical energy, which produces electricity. Wind results from differences in atmospheric pressure. Air moves from higher-pressure areas to lower pressure areas, resulting in winds. The wind is also created, except on the equator, by the rotation of the Earth on its axis.

Wind turbines—such as those from the anticipated GE wind farms in Australia —harness the wind’s force into a rotational force that is used for propelling an electric generator that creates electricity. Wind farms consist of several wind turbines whose individual outputs are combined through a central connection point to the electricity grid. Wind energy projects exist throughout the world, both onshore and offshore.

Australia’s wind farms are having a bold impact on their energy future. They are taking advantage of the vast open spaces and steady winds which the country has in abundance. Undoubtedly, the sector is growing and may become a leading energy source in the future.

Day: September 29, 2017

Plenty Vertical Farming System Moves Farming Into The Heart Of The City!

Financial Backing for Plenty Vertical Farming