Energy Conservation Strategies for Increased Sustainability and Energy Efficiency in Urban Farming

With a common goal to increase food production and security, urban farming is rapidly adopted in many cities worldwide. Urban farms take advantage of vertical farming techniques to improve space efficiency to produce crops. Some urban farms also utilize air-conditioning and controlled environments to grow delicate vegetables. However, using high-energy equipment, such as pumps, aerators, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, can reduce the return on investment for urban farms. This paper, therefore, reviews and discusses various energy-saving techniques in areas of water pump control, filtration, aeration, system design, ventilation, and Internet of Things to reduce energy consumption and enhance sustainability and energy efficiency in urban hydroponics, aquaculture, and aquaponics systems.