Key Takeaways
- Innovative Agricultural Pods: ComEd and EPRI have installed four agricultural pods (ag pods) in northern Illinois, combining technology and agriculture.
- Controlled Environment Agriculture: These ag pods are custom shipping containers with advanced technologies like LED lighting and high-efficiency HVAC systems for optimal plant growth.
- Community and Education Focus: Local organizations manage these pods, receiving training from ComEd and EPRI, enhancing community engagement and educational opportunities.
- Sustainable Food Production: The initiative aims to increase access to healthy, locally sourced food, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
- Data-Driven Insights: A monitoring and verification system is installed in each pod for real-time data collection, contributing to broader research on sustainable agriculture practices.
Transforming Agriculture through Technology
ComEd, in collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), is pioneering a project that merges sustainable agriculture with cutting-edge technology. This initiative involves installing four agricultural pods across northern Illinois. These ag pods are not ordinary farming spaces; they are controlled environment agriculture farms housed in customized shipping containers. Equipped with LED lighting, efficient HVAC systems, recirculating water pumps, and advanced sensors, these pods create a microclimate ideal for year-round crop cultivation.
Bridging Communities with Sustainable Farming
Each ag pod, fully operational since early December, is managed by local organizations, fostering community involvement and learning. ComEd and EPRI provide extensive training to these organizations, empowering them to become effective farm managers. The pods are located in strategic areas, including Chicago’s Bronzeville and Englewood neighborhoods, Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, and the North Lawndale area, each managed by local community-focused organizations.
The Power of Indoor Agriculture
Indoor agriculture, as showcased by these ag pods, is a rapidly growing industry in the United States. It offers innovative solutions for year-round crop production, especially in urban settings. This project not only addresses food accessibility challenges but also contributes to community energy, water, and sustainability goals.
Each ag pod has an embedded system, allowing farmers to remotely control environmental conditions like lighting, temperature, and watering. This level of control ensures the creation of an ideal setting for diverse produce to thrive. ComEd and EPRI have also installed custom monitoring and verification systems in each pod to continuously gather data on growing conditions, contributing valuable insights to the agricultural sector.
The ag pods provide more than just a source of fresh produce; they enrich the lives of community members. They offer unique educational and research opportunities, especially in universities like Northern Illinois University. Local organizations, such as the Young Men’s Educational Network in North Lawndale, see these pods as a tool for promoting health, well-being, and community development.
This initiative is part of EPRI’s national study, aimed at understanding indoor food production and CEA farm operation. The data collected will help address broader questions about energy use, sustainability, and societal benefits. The insights gained will be shared widely to inform best practices in sustainable agriculture.
About ComEd and EPRI
ComEd, a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation, powers over 4 million customers in northern Illinois. EPRI, founded in 1972, is a leading independent, non-profit energy research and development organization driving innovation for equitable access to electricity worldwide.
Through this innovative collaboration, ComEd and EPRI are transforming the landscape of agriculture in northern Illinois and setting a precedent for sustainable, community-driven food production systems globally.
Image provided by EPRI
