Sustainable Energy, Water, and Nutrient Systems for Controlled Plant Environments

Special Bioresource Engineering seminar with Jonathan Maisonneuve, PhD, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Oakland University. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Indoor agriculture opens up many possibilities for greater plant yields to feed a growing population, greater food security in the face of climate uncertainty, and greater food freshness for local communities. These controlled plant environments typically require intensive amounts of energy for HVAC and lighting, fertilizer for plant nutrition, and water for irrigation. This presentation will introduce technologies and methods that support sustainable energy, water, and nutrient use for indoor farms operating in the context of local urban food hubs. Innovations include new systems for generating clean water and power by fertilizer osmosis, novel fertilizer-based liquid desiccants for dehumidification, and improved energy recovery ventilation processes.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Dr. Jonathan Maisonneuve is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University (Rochester, MI, USA). He obtained his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from Concordia University (Montreal, QC, Canada). Prior to that he obtained his MEng. degree in Building Engineering also from Concordia University, and his BSc degree in Environment from McGill University. His research interests are in the area of membrane processes for sustainable food, energy, and water systems.