Small Indoor Hydroponic System with Renewable Energy

There is a concern about the food crisis due to worldwide population increase and the future rise in food prices. The United Nations has predicted that the world population will increase to 1.5 times current levels by 2100. It is therefore preferable to realize local food production for local consumption. We are developing a small indoor vegetable hydroponic system for household use, which uses sustainable energies, such as solar, wind, and hydrogen power. We have developed a hybrid energy control system with a fuel cell and a lead acid battery. The developed control system optimally switches the energy flow using a DCDC converter depending on the energy situation. We have conducted experiments using a small hydroponic system to determine the environmental situation of the lettuce cultivation process. This paper will explain the developed hybrid energy control system and the results of the vegetable growth process.