Kane is proud to announce the successful completion of a major plant upgrade for GrowUp Farms, a pioneering vertical farming company.
Kane is proud to announce the successful completion of the upgrade works for Grow Up Farms, a pioneering Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) company. The project involved the design and installation of additional plant and equipment to support the expansion of the company’s state-of-the-art Pepperness Farm facility in Kent.
Grow Up Farms is committed to revolutionising the food industry by creating sustainable, high-yield indoor farms. Their Pepperness Farm facility, built on a brownfield site, has the equivalent output, to a 1,000-acre traditional farm. Powered entirely by renewable energy and using the latest and most sophisticated control systems, the farm reduces energy consumption by 40%.
Kane played a pivotal role in ensuring the Pepperness Farm expansion could meet the stringent environmental and operational requirements of the facility. As the MEP specialist for the project, Kane was responsible for developing a comprehensive Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA) strategy which led to programme efficiency and factory environment quality.
The project scope encompassed the supply and installation of air source heat pumps, adiabatic coolers, and water-cooled chillers, accompanied by the prefabricated pipework, buffer vessels, and pump rigs. These systems maintain the precise temperature and humidity levels, crucial for optimal crop growth within the farm's controlled environment.
A significant challenge was maintaining the original growth cells' operation during the upgrade. The facility remained live throughout the project, necessitating the careful installation and commissioning of temporary plant and equipment. This complex phase demanded meticulous planning and execution to ensure uninterrupted crop growth while the new systems were integrated.
The scope of works included:
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Adiabatic coolers
- 2MW Water cooled chiller
- 2MW Absorption chiller
- CHW & LTHW buffer vessels
- Prefabricated CHW & LTHW pump rigs
- Prefabricated pipework up to 450
- Temporary prefabricated plant solutions
The successful delivery of M&E services for this vertical farming facility showcases the power of collaboration in complex projects. The intense design, coordination, prefabrication, and commissioning phases were streamlined by our client's exceptional flexibility and openness to innovation. Their willingness to adapt and work closely with us at every stage was crucial in overcoming the unique challenges, resulting in a cutting-edge, efficient system that pushes the boundaries of sustainable agriculture.
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Jonathan MooreHead of Design
