We design HVAC systems for indoor farms, allowing growers to manage plant responses, improve crop productivity, and increase profitability. Whether you're operating an existing indoor grow, designing a state-of-the-art vertical farm, planning a new greenhouse complex, or investigating all-of-the-above options, we can help.
Greenhouses, vertical farms, mushroom production facilities, indoor gardens, and other indoor plant production operations allow food to be grown anywhere in the world, in any climate, on rural lands and on-top city roofs. Indoor food production systems require careful planning and design, as well as a good grower to optimize plant growth, maximize profitability, and minimize environmental impact. To grow plants successfully indoors, a broad spectrum of technology is required, including climate control systems. HVAC (heating, ventilating, and cooling) systems are used to control the temperature, humidity, air distribution, and carbon dioxide levels inside the growing structure.
No matter what type of cultivation facility you use, having a better understanding of the crop-environment interactions and designing the HVAC system accordingly, will improve crop yields and quality, reduce losses to mold and moisture, use less energy and water, and minimize operation and maintenance costs.
No matter what type of cultivation facility you use, having a better understanding of the crop-environment interactions and designing the HVAC system accordingly, will improve crop yields and quality, reduce losses to mold and moisture, use less energy and water, and minimize operation and maintenance costs.
"11 Women to Watch"
It is an honor to be recognized as one of the "11 Women to Watch" in the latest issue of Marijuana Venture. I share this honor with a great cadre of fremale leaders and visionaries in the industry. The way forward in the cannabis industry is to be more inclusive and celebratory of female leaders than other industries tradtionally have been. So far, so good! Thank you again, Marijuana Venture, for the support and recognition. You can find the full article in their October issue.
Upcoming Speaking Engagements
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Recent Speaking Engagements
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Indoor Cannabis Cultivation: Energy Use Implications
Controlled environment agriculture has its share of energy supply and demand. Nadia Sabeh, PhD, PE, LEED AP, will explain these challenges and offer solutions to minimize and optimize energy use. Local case studies will demonstrate solutions, as well as payback time-frames, for indoor cannabis cultivation. When: Thursday, September 27, 2018, 8:30am-12:30pm PST Where: SMUD Customer Service Center - Rubicon Room, 6301 S Street, Sacramento, CA |
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The Cannabis Science Conference
Portland, Oregon - August 27-29, 2018 "HVAC Design and Operational Strategies for an Indoor Cannabis Farm" Dr. Sabeh will give a brief introduction of plant physiology and how the cannabis plant responds to the climate management of an indoor cannabis cultivation facility. She will also walk the audience through a case study that evaluates two different approaches to an HVAC design and compare the pros and cons to each, including capital costs, energy use, and risk management. For more information: www.cannabisscienceconference.com/ |
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Cannabis Cultivation Virtual Conference
Webinar - May 23, 2018, 12:00-4:00pm EST "Keys to Environmental Planning and Control" This presentation will discuss the critical roles that VPD, airflow, CO2, and other environmental parameters play in the dynamic indoor environment, and we will review the different systems and strategies you can use to manage them. A project case study will be presented to demonstrate the costs associated with different climate management (HVAC) alternatives, including first cost, operating cost, maintenance, and crop productivity. Other speakers include Dr. Allison Justice from OutCo, Dr. Hope Jones from C4 Labs, and David Frieman of VividGro. Click here to register. |
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Cannabis 2018 Cultivation Conference
Oakland, California - March 12-14, 2018 "Facility Design II: Greenhouses" Dr. Sabeh will join Rich Kwesell of Strawberry Fields in a discussion about greenhouse facility design. Topics will include a review of greenhouse systems, unique challenges faced by cannabis greenhouse growers (eg. odor control), and strategies for operating and maintaining the greenhouse to maximize product quality and consistency, while achieving low costs of production. For more information: http://www.cannabiscultivationconference.com/ |
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American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineering (ASHRAE)
Sacramento, California, February 7, 2018 "HVAC Design Considerations for Indoor Plant Cultivation Facilities" Dr. Sabeh will review different types of indoor plant cultivation facilities, including warehouse, greenhouse, and container farms and discuss the unique challenges for HVAC design of these facilites, including humidity control, odor control, energy and water use, and building codes and regulations. She will also update the group on the early developments of an HVAC standard to be co-developed by ASHRAE and ASABE. |
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Workshop: HVAC Fundamentals for Growing Indoors
Denver, Colorado - Friday, October 27, 2017 Dr. Sabeh will be leading an interactive workshop for those growers who want to gain a deeper understanding of the principles, processes, and equipment used to control the cultivation environment. In this workshop, growers will learn about different types of HVAC equipment; how to calculate basic cooling, heating, and humidity loads; what a psychrometric chart is and how to use it; and ultimately learn what plants need to grow consistently and predictably. You can find more information on the "Workshops" page. If you want to learn more, please feel free to Contact us. |
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Washington CannaBusiness Association: Fall Policy Conference
Seattle, Washington - October 11-12, 2017 "The Final Hurdle: Why Publicly Funded Research is Key to the Future of Cannabis" Dr. Sabeh will join a panel of distinguished experts to discuss research efforts and gaps in the cannabis industry. She will present topics related to cultivation and crop management. Her copanelists include Michael McDonnell from Washington State University and Jessica Tonani (CEO of Verda Bio), who will discuss research efforts related to community health and medicine. For more information: http://www.wacannabusiness.org/waca-2017-fall-policy-conference/ |
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CultX: Cannabis Cultivation Excellence
San Francisco, CA, August 1-2, 2017 Dr. Sabeh chaired this conference geared specifically toward the grower. She was featured on a panel to debate the merits of indoor, greenhouse, and field cultivation and held a lively, interactive 90-minute workshop about controlling the environment, with key concepts related to vapor pressure deficit, psychrometrics, air movement, and the complex interactions between plants and their environment. For more information: https://cultivationcannabis.iqpc.com/ |
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Covering Environments - CEAC Monthly Seminar
University of Arizona, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center Tucson, AZ, January 20, 2017 @ 4:15pm "Engineering the Indoor Crop Production Facility to Increase Productivity and Profitability" Dr. Sabeh will share her expeiriences in engineering for CEA, discuss the opportunities for optimizing the controlled environment, challenge us to think about efficiency and conservation, and take a look forward into the industry's future and technology trends. If you can't attend in person, that's okay. Register here to attend the webinar or watch it later. |
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Greenhouse Crop Production & Engineering Design Short Course
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, April 3-7, 2017 "Designing the Right HVAC System for Your Operations" Learn about HVAC systems used in greenhouses and vertical farms, what factors are important for sizing and selecting equipment, and how to reduce operating costs while also providing greater control and crop consistency. "Medicinal Crops: A Natural Approach to Medicine" In this presentation, Dr. Sabeh will discuss the specific challenges associated with indoor cannabis production, such as scaling up from the basement to the warehouse, controlling humidity 24/7, managing the heat output from HPS lamps, mitigating high electrical service demands, and decision making without horticultural science. Learn more about the U/A short course here. |