Turnkey Solutions for
Indoor Farming
With 50 years of experience in installation technology for modern greenhouse horticulture, C-Grow B.V. was established in 2015. C-Grow B.V. specializes in High-Tech City Farming, providing turnkey solutions for daylight-free cultivation. Our comprehensive approach ensures everything is perfectly coordinated to relieve you of the burden and achieve the best results together—from development and design to the construction of the desired system.
Even when the sun isn’t shining, we ensure that your cultivation thrives. We manage lighting, heating, and perfectly conditioned air for your daylight-free cultivation. C-Grow combines technology with nature to create optimal growing conditions—day and night, 365 days a year.
We understand that every plant is unique and requires a carefully tailored environment to thrive. For instance, growing cannabis has different needs compared to leafy greens. That’s why we offer customized climate solutions that cater to the specific requirements of your plants, regardless of the size of your operation. Whether you have a research facility or a production site, we have the technology and expertise to help you get the most out of your cultivation.
Looking for a turnkey solution for your daylight-free cultivation? We are here to assist you with your needs!
Lighting
In greenhouse cultivation, lighting is important, but in indoor farming, lighting is crucial. In greenhouses, the health of the crops is somewhat influenced by natural daylight, while in indoor farming, the crops are entirely dependent on artificial lighting.
We understand that the amount and type of light required by plants vary depending on the crop. We assist growers in determining the appropriate type of lamp, the desired amount of radiant heat, color settings, light intensity, day and night cycles, and more.
C-Grow collaborates with Philips and Priva to tailor the lighting to the specific crop and the desired outcomes. We use SON-T lamps, LED lighting, and hybrid systems. SON-T lamps provide orange-yellow light and heat, while LED lighting can produce a full spectrum of light, making it suitable for all growth stages of plants. Each system has its own advantages and disadvantages, and we are happy to advise on the best choice based on specific cultivation needs, costs, and other factors.
Not only is the color spectrum of the lighting adjusted to the specific crop, but light intensity also plays a crucial role. For example, lights can be dimmed for areas with younger plants and adjusted more sharply for plants further along in their development. Dynamic lighting can also mimic sunrise and sunset. Depending on the environment and the crop, it may be beneficial to adjust or even reverse the day and night cycle. C-Grow provides advice and can supply the best possible option.
Since lamps often produce heat in addition to light, it is important that the lighting is well-coordinated with heating, air treatment, and air circulation. All these factors can be precisely synchronized using the Priva climate computers that C-Grow employs.
Electrical / Climate Technology
The advantage of a climate cell compared to a greenhouse is that the temperature can remain constant year-round, unaffected by seasonal changes or differences between day and night. The optimal constant temperature depends on the specific crop being grown in the climate cell.
C-Grow provides customized solutions, always starting with the specific crop when determining the most suitable heating and cooling systems. We prioritize enabling growers to heat and cool as efficiently and sustainably as possible, while also seeking ways to minimize energy costs. C-Grow works with geothermal energy, biomass solutions, wood stoves, gas boilers, combined heat and power (CHP) systems, heat pumps, and electric boilers.
In a greenhouse, heat is typically distributed throughout the space using a piping system. In indoor farming, temperature control is managed through air treatment rather than pipes. The air is heated or cooled, which also affects the humidity in the climate cell. Generated heat can be stored in buffer tanks for later use when the temperature in the climate cell needs to be increased. C-Grow utilizes Priva climate computers to oversee the entire climate control system in the greenhouse, ensuring optimal heat storage and minimal heat loss. If the climate cell is already connected to another climate computer, C-Grow collaborates with the computer’s supplier to explore the possibilities.
Heat is interconnected with lighting, air treatment, water, and electrical systems. Just as lighting affects the temperature in a climate cell, temperature management influences water management within the climate cell.
Watertechnology
When we talk about water, we are also referring to the nutrients for the plants. C-Grow installs water management solutions tailored to the specific needs of your crop.
Water that is not absorbed by the plants does not go to waste; instead, it is collected through a closed system and made suitable for reuse. For solid and liquid fertilizers, we use AB tanks where the precise amount of nutrients can be added. Liquid fertilizers can be pumped to the AB tanks using automatic tank fillers or a Nutronic system.
The strength of C-Grow lies in the precision with which everything can be adjusted. Control measurements such as pH and EC checks are reliable, and our ‘baby units’ circulate small volumes of water. The plant responds quickly due to the short response times, allowing for rapid adjustments and optimizations. Excess water is captured, disinfected, and reused. Disinfection can be achieved through ozone, UV radiation, nano-filtering, or heating, depending on your preference and the crop. We ensure adequate oxygenation of the water by adding nano-bubbles of oxygen or by using ozone.
A flood and drain system can be installed in the climate cell, ensuring that plants receive the exact amount of water needed, delivering it directly to the roots. When the plants have absorbed enough water, it can be drained away. Whatever your climate cell needs, C-Grow has all the installations necessary to provide your plants with the precise amount of water and nutrients.
Air treatment
Air treatment, lighting, temperature, and water are all interconnected and depend on the growth stage of the crop. For example, if you provide the crop with more light, the plants will transpire more.
To prevent humidity from becoming too high, the climate cell needs to be cooled down. Excess water must be drained, and the air then needs to be reheated. These processes are interconnected and cannot be viewed in isolation.
Where greenhouses use windows to allow fresh air in, a climate cell operates as a closed system. Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure proper air circulation and implement the right air treatment techniques. This helps avoid stagnant air and ensures a uniform crop. For instance, if oxygen-rich air is consistently blown in from the same spot, plants on the opposite side may receive less oxygen and grow at a different rate. Proper air treatment can prevent this issue. Additionally, keeping the air moving and dehumidified significantly reduces the risk of mold.
Our service department has a range of measurement equipment to assess air capacities and movements, often providing new insights into air-related problems. Maintenance of the various systems is in capable hands with us.
The benefits of high-tech city farming
Growing without daylight has many highlights:
- Sustainability
You create your own closed ecosystem and minimize waste production. It is a sustainable way of farming, making optimal use of all resources. - Independence
You are not dependent on weather conditions or the day-night cycle. Have a dark and cold spring? With a greenhouse, it means harvesting two weeks later; with city farming, you don’t have that problem! - Just-in-time delivery
For delivering seeds or products, you are no longer dependent on the time of year. You can precisely determine when something is ready and prepare it for shipping at the agreed times. - Repeatability
Since you control all the factors yourself, you know exactly what to expect. Every plant is treated the same, creating reliable and homogeneous cultivation. - Autonomous farming
By managing all aspects of farming yourself and monitoring everything with a Priva climate computer, you can quickly detect and adjust, and even move towards automatic, data-driven farming. - Safety
The closed system ensures that insects and diseases have no chance. Your crops are safely indoors, in a climate you control.
Interested in a Cogas installation?
Complete Climate Control and Process Automation
We manage climate control and process automation from A to Z. Our service department is available for:
- Resolving malfunctions: We provide fast and effective solutions for any issues with your system.
- Annual updates: We keep your system up-to-date with regular updates.
- Installation inspections: We conduct the necessary inspections to ensure your installation meets all standards.
Rely on us for all aspects of support and maintenance to ensure your system functions optimally.
