A new and innovative cropping system of horticultural and ornamental species on roofs or terraces of buildings, with CO2 capture and night lighting by O-LEDs
Researchers from the Technical University of Madrid and the University of Valladolid, have designed a system which lets urban crops to grow on roofs and terraces of buildings, 100% sustainable. Those urban orchards contribute to mitigate the CO2 which pollutes the environment of big cities. Moreover, during the winter, they could take advantage of the CO2 of flue gas heating boilers. These kinds of orchards have already been installed at the Agricultural Engineering School of the Technical University of Madrid.
The urban orchards will be covered by a greenhouse in order to avoid that contaminant particles (heavy metals) which come from urban contamination are deposited over the crops. Rainwater will be harvested and nutrients will be circulated.
During the winter, the CO2 of flue gas heating boilers is used in order to carry out the carbonic fertilization. During the rest of the year, porous materials are used to capture the CO2.
“Urban orchards are specially indicated to absorb the CO2 produced in the heating boilers of the buildings, during the gasoil combustion, natural gas or biomass in the winter time”
Environment
Health
Food production
“In order to achieve a healthy urban environment will be enough to landscape 10-20% of all roofs of the city”
“Beyond creating landscaped spaces in cities for private enjoyment, the trend is to create spaces that improve the urban environment ”
Solution Contact
Julián Briz Escribano
e: julian.briz@upm.es
UPM contact
Innovation, Commercialization and Entrepreneurship Area
Centre of Support for Technological Innovation – UPM
e: innovacion.tecnologica@upm.es