GreenOrbit

About the team

**Our team combines expertise in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Science, allowing us to tackle overlooked challenges like energy costs in sustainable farming. With a focus on technological innovation rather than biological manipulation, we bring a unique approach to renewable energy solutions. Our drive is to make sustainable agriculture more accessible by addressing key operational barriers, using our interdisciplinary knowledge to develop practical, cost-effective solutions for the indoor farming industry.**

Our vision

**Our long-term goal is to revolutionize energy sustainability in indoor farming, specifically in hydroponic systems, by providing an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional electricity sources. We aim to develop a scalable fungal Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) system that generates renewable electricity from organic waste, significantly reducing the energy costs that burden the indoor farming industry. By integrating our MFC technology into hydroponic towers, we hope to address the problem of high electricity costs, which is a major barrier to the widespread adoption of sustainable farming methods. Additionally, our system promotes the circular economy by turning waste into energy and capturing CO2 for algae production, thus contributing to a lower carbon footprint. In the long term, we aim to create a globally accessible, cost-effective solution for small and medium-sized farms, empowering them to adopt sustainable agriculture practices while reducing operational costs and environmental impact.**

Our solution

**Our solution is a fungal Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) system designed to generate renewable electricity for hydroponic systems using organic waste. The MFC works by harnessing the natural metabolic processes of fungi to break down waste material and produce electrical energy. This electricity is then boosted and multiplied using a two-step voltage booster circuit, allowing us to generate power levels suitable for running essential hydroponic components like LED grow lights, water pumps, and sensors. The opportunity lies in addressing the high energy costs that indoor farming faces, particularly in hydroponic systems, where electricity consumption is a significant operational expense. By providing a low-cost, sustainable energy source, our system can reduce farmers’ reliance on grid electricity and lower their environmental impact. What makes our idea unique is its ability to integrate waste recycling with energy production. In addition to producing electricity, the system captures CO2 released by the MFCs to support algae growth, creating a closed-loop system. This not only reduces costs but also promotes sustainable agriculture by turning waste into valuable resources. Our modular design allows scalability for small and medium farms, making it adaptable and accessible globally.**