Smart floating farms read more at here www.spinonews.com/index.php/item/1461-smart-floating-farms

With an increasing global population and a decreasing supply of arable land, providing sufficient food to meet demand is becoming increasingly more difficult.

The Barcelona-based design company's Smart Floating Farms (SFF) concept is designed to complement traditional farming. These solar-powered and modular floating farms make use of underutilized water bodies to promote long-term food security and resilience.

The designers estimate that SFF can produce an estimated 8,152 tones of vegetables and 1,703 tons of fish annually.

The Smart Floating Farms is designed as smart and fully automated systems that combine solar energy, hydroponics, and aquaculture.

The top level incorporates rainwater collectors for irrigation needs, photovoltaic panels for electricity and skylight openings to provide natural light for plants. It's also possible to integrate other renewable power technologies such as micro wind turbines or wave energy converter systems.

The shape of the rectangular SFF modules was inspired by the traditional grid configuration used in floating fish farms in Asia.

The second level features a greenhouse and hydroponic systems. The designers said, in order to be effective it does not require natural precipitation or fertile land. It presents people who are living in arid regions and others with a means to grow food for them and for profit.

Lastly, the ground level is designated for offshore aquaculture. According to the designers, this cage fishing method takes place in the open sea and eliminates the exposure to wind and waves.

This level also includes a hatchery where fish eggs are incubated and hatched, a nursery for growing fish, a slaughterhouse and a storage room to hold the fish before they are ready for the market.

SFF project director Javier F. Ponce, said, the Smart Floating Farms can help change some of the existing paradigms which have led us to the present situation and open new possibilities which can improve the quality of human life and the environment.

 

The designers said the farm is ideal for many large cities or densely populated areas with access to water.