HAZI Project: High Automation (of equipment to address climate change) & Zero Impact (on the environment, autonomous and sustainable solution)
HAZI means ‘to grow’ in Basque.
This solution is designed for vegetable growers using cold greenhouses. Currently, the majority of cold greenhouses in France, particularly tunnels and small-scale greenhouses, are not automated. This lack of automation is problematic given the ongoing effects of climate change (e.g., partial or total crop loss, destruction of greenhouses due to extreme weather events, reduced production yields, increased workload, and constant stress for growers).
The absence of automation is primarily due to the high costs involved or the inaccessibility of electrical networks (e.g., remoteness of agricultural sites). The proposed solution offers connected, autonomous, and automated climate management for these greenhouses, based on several innovative components:
• An autonomous electricity generation system (solar panel + battery) tailored to the greenhouse’s location. The system’s electrical capacity is calculated using meteorological data from the Photovoltaic Geographical Information System (PGVIS).
• Low-voltage BERRI gear motors, suitable for various types of vents (facades, sidewalls, ridge vents), ranging from 100Nm output torque to 500Nm and speeds of 5 to 10rpm, controlled by low-voltage power units.
• A connected climate management unit, EKI, which controls the vents and optional systems (shading, irrigation/misting, inflation, etc.) based on climatic parameters (temperature, wind, rain) and scenarios configurable by the grower.
• A long-range wireless communication system (up to 1km) between the control unit and the power units, enabling simple implementation without construction work.
• Remote control via smartphone (Android/iOS) for real-time interaction with the climate management unit.
This is a comprehensive, turnkey, and plug-and-play solution that allows all growers to benefit from greenhouse automation, regardless of location.
The benefits of automated climate control for greenhouses have been demonstrated in numerous studies. It supports adaptation to climate change, increases yields by 5 to 20%, and significantly improves working conditions for growers. The elimination of strenuous physical effort required to operate large vents facilitates access to the profession for a wider audience and reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which are particularly prevalent among women in the horticulture sector.
With automation and remote control, growers can work with greater peace of mind, reducing the constant stress caused by climate-related uncertainties.
This solution also applies to other uses:
• Mobile cabins and livestock buildings: Control of openings and closures for ventilation flaps, air vents, and lighting systems.
• Orchards: Systems for raising protective nets.
These applications offer the same benefits in terms of autonomy, remote control, and improved working conditions for users.