Smart Farm for Hydroponic Cultivation Using Integrated Renewable Energy Systems

The study proposed a smart farm system using renewable energy to tackle global food shortages and declining agricultural populations. Unlike traditional smart farms relying on soil cultivation, this system employs hydroponics for better environmental management and faster crop growth. It integrates a wind generator, solar generator, and battery for energy and uses controllers for temperature, water level, humidity, and photosynthesis in a plastic tank. The temperature controller activates a heating coil to maintain water temperature, while the water-level controller manages nutrient levels and the humidity controller prevents moisture buildup. A lighting device supports photosynthesis in darkness, with sensor data accessible via short-range communication. Lettuce cultivation experiments showed consistent temperature, accurate water-level control (160 mm), effective humidity reduction, and timely LED operation. Energy experiments produced an average of 1060 Wh/day, with daily power consumption at 400 Wh, allowing 2.5 days of operation without extra power. Hydroponic cultivation improved temperature management and energy efficiency. A 40-day test with two lettuce groups-one with the system and one without-showed significantly higher growth rates for the system-applied group. The study confirms the effectiveness of renewable energy in operating a smart farm and provides insights for handling complex situations, including emergencies.