FarmQUBE

6d61d2b3-78b5-4de1-af97-167691af5097

Closed

Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£236,185

Feb. 1, 2013

May 31, 2013

FarmQUBE - Energy and food whatever the weather.
Imagine farming in the middle of a city, imagine also providing all your own energy from food waste in a compact anaerobic digestion system, imagine these are combined together to provide a closed loop for local energy and food generation, this is FarmQUBE. Our proposed system provides an integrated approach to local energy and food generation with each component linked together in a compact, standalone system.
The process starts with organic wastes, such as food wastes from local communities/producers, which are used to provide the feedstock for a micro anaerobic digestion system that produces heat, power, carbon dioxide and water from the combined heat and power system (CHP), nutrient rich water and solid digestate, this in turn provides feedstock for the farming system to grow algae, fish/shellfish and herb and salad crops, each using the byproducts from the other components.
FarmQUBE's efficient waste, water and energy closed loop system can be used by individuals, communities, and businesses to provide a solution for food waste disposal costs, onsite energy generation needs , and locally grown food.
The system is mobile, flexible and adaptable. Each unit comprises two standard 20 foot shipping containers and an integrated inflatable greenhouse made from ultra-lightweight, clear and thermally efficient FTPE film.
It can be scaled from one small, single FarmQUBE unit, to multiple units combined together, reducing capital cost, improving food production and choice, creating local jobs, while answering the strong and growing demand for locally-sourced natural whole foods produced year round, at the point of consumption.
The commercial potential is significant: through franchising; through international aid response; as part of urban and rural development. Each system is designed to be a standalone business.