V-FAST

Each new V-FAST vertical farm is designed to deliver high-quality, fresh food at a lower cost compared to traditional indoor farms using grid energy. The consortium's partners are exploring innovative projects that combine vertical farming with renewable energy generation and High-Density Hydro® energy storage. Together, we're setting the stage for a more sustainable and efficient future in food production! 💡  #VFAST #VerticalFarming #RenewableEnergy #SustainableFuture

🌍🌾 Imagine fresh salads and fruits grown right in Scotland's central belt, powered entirely by local renewable energy! The V-FAST consortium is working to make it a reality with their innovative combination of vertical farms and energy storage technologies. By stacking crops in soil-free, climate-controlled environments, these farms minimise water, fertiliser, and pesticide use, making them not just efficient but environmentally friendly too. 🍃 Get ready for a new era of sustainable food production in Scotland!  #VerticalFarms #Sustainability #ScotlandGrows #VFAST

A nice article from Vertical Farm Daily, summarising the AgriTech events from last week in the UK. The UK agritech sector was in the spotlight last week, with a lineup of impactful events showcasing Controlled Environment Agriculture ( #CEA) and biomass innovations. From the Farm Business Innovation Show in The NEC, Birmingham, where CEA drew strong interest as a farm diversification strategy, to the Biomass Connect 🌱  showcase at the University of Warwick, attendees explored new paths to sustainability, resilience, and net-zero. At the Farm Business Innovation Show, Mark Horler, founder of UK Urban AgriTech (UKUAT), noted a growing market for CEA among farmers looking to diversify, with scalable options ranging from high-tech containerised systems to simpler #hydroponic setups. UKUAT members and partners—like Farm Urban, the University of Glasgow, Biorenewables Development Centre, Wild & Flo and the V-FAST project —shared insights on how CEA can offer fresh revenue streams for farms. “Farmers were really interested in learning how CEA could fit into their business models,” Horler said, emphasising the sector’s potential to help farmers adapt to industry challenges. At the same time, Agri-TechE ’s Agri-Tech Week at University of Essex, university celebrated its 11th year, connecting researchers, innovators, and industry leaders through workshops, farm visits, and the REAP conference. Katia Kouloumprouka Zacharaki of UKUAT remarked on the impressive advancements in CEA, from software engineering to plant science, stressing the importance of aligning innovation with commercial goals to meet end-user needs. Rounding off the week, Biomass Connect 🌱  highlighted the potential of UK-produced biomass in driving net-zero goals. Dr Zoe M Harris  presented on the TAEDA Tech Project, a £4M Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) - funded initiative exploring sustainable willow propagation using aeroponics, led by the University of Surrey. This event marked another step forward in UK agriculture’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. #CEA #Biomass #AgriTech #Sustainability #NetZero #Innovation Rebekka Boekhout

It's an exciting time at RheEnergise! Take a look at the latest drone footage from our demonstration project in Devon where you can see the progress in Power House and Upper Reservoir construction. #energystorage #energytransition #netzero #pumpedhydro https://lnkd.in/eQA6C5Vf

🚜🌱 Exciting news for Scotland's future! The V-FAST is set to revolutionise local food production with Scotland’s first low carbon, energy-efficient vertical farms 🌿. We’re working to make these next-generation farms powered by 100% renewables, so that they can ultimately provide fresh, locally produced salads and fruits to over 60% of the population. 🍓🥗 Together, we’re helping to achieve the Scottish Government’s ambitions for more homegrown produce and a sustainable future. #VFAST #VerticalFarming #SustainableScotland #LocalProduceImage: generic photo

🚀 Introducing the V-FAST consortium, Vertical Farms and Storage Technologies! 🌱 A pioneering group of British companies coming together to revolutionise agriculture in Scotland. V-FAST is focused on developing cutting-edge vertical farms that use advanced, energy-efficient, soil-free growing techniques. By harnessing 100% locally produced renewable energy, these farms will produce fresh, sustainable food while reducing environmental impact. Stay tuned as we take bold steps towards a greener, more self-sufficient future in Scotland! 🌍  #VFAST #SustainableFarming #InnovationInAgriculture #FutureOfFood

We are at the #farmbusinessinnovation show at Birmingham NEC!!! Come and talk to us about our way to decarbonize vertical farming integrating it with renewable energy.

Are you attending the Farm Business Innovation Show at the NEC in Birmingham tomorrow or Thursday? Make sure to stop by and say hello! Our UKUAT team, featuring Mark Horler, Katia Kouloumprouka Zacharaki and Paul Myers, as well as colleagues from V-FAST, Farm Urban, Biorenewables Development Centre, Kilnsey Park Estate and University of Glasgow will be showcasing groundbreaking projects and insights at our shared stand. UKUAT brings together leaders in urban agriculture, vertical farming, and agri-innovation to drive sustainable solutions for the UK and beyond. Drop by to discover how we’re reimagining the future of food and agriculture! 🌍🌱 Learn more about what we do at ukuat.org. Can't wait to see you there! 🌱 #AgTech #Sustainability #Innovation #VerticalFarming #FoodSecurity #AgriInnovation #UKUAT #FarmBusinessInnovation2024

"In collaboration with the Scottish Government, the UK government has today (28 October) launched a consultation on proposed changes that will make the system for considering large energy projects in Scotland more efficient, while also ensuring that affected communities can have their say on proposals at the right time in the process... The consultation... will run for 4 weeks until 29 November." https://lnkd.in/euX6ukFp

We're excited to be exhibiting alongside Biorenewables Development Centre, University of Glasgow, and Farm Urban on the UK Urban AgriTech (UKUAT) stand at Farm Business Innovation next week. Come along to say hi and learn more about V-FAST!