The VertiCrop™ pilot was launched at Paignton Zoo Environmental Park on September 30, 2009 following the successful partnership between Valcent™ and the Zoo. The launch was an exciting event, attended by John Craven, OBE along with stakeholders, strategic partners and dignitaries from the local area in addition to some international potential clients.
Valcent™ and Zoo staff have continued to work closely together to ensure the best possible results from the installed VertiCrop™ - now in production for over 2,000 hours. Growth rates, yields, energy and water consumption are all closely monitored with great results being produced already. The zoo is expecting their third harvest since installation.
Chris Bradford, Managing Director of Valcent™ says: “We have developed a very close relationship with the zoo’s plant staff and hope to continue this with the nutritional experts to better understand the zoo’s requirements. This will help us in proving the technology for our clients around the world as we interpret the data from this pilot for the production of local food for urban populations.
We are currently running trials at our premises in Launceston to prove the latest technologies in VertiCrop™ turn-key packages in controlled environment buildings such as warehouses. The modular growing systems will then be able to be multiplied for any size of installation, from a small one such as at Paignton Zoo to many hectares as is being proposed in sustainable city projects”
For further information on the VertiCrop™ at Paignton Zoo including a live web cam