CRAM Micro Grid Delivering Zero Emission Power

AGT Technologies, LLC is managed and owned by Terry Van Gelder, having a venerable tally of accomplishments. Career spanning 40 years of experience in the agriculture field, building construction and mechanical design. Work experience includes multi-crop production, dairy/beef operation, custom row crop harvesting, mechanical crop handling/storage systems, construction projects and designs of complex mechanical devices and power energy generator prototyping.

This specialized technical knowledge has led to the design of AGT Cleanroom Greenhouse and the zero emissions CRAM Micro-Grid Electric Generator.

Of noteworthy mention is the AGT Cleanroom Greenhouse received a coveted GOLD Edison Award under Energy and Sustainability.

From Antiquated Greenhouses to Modern Compliance

The premise for the design of the AGT Cleanroom Greenhouse and CRAM Micro-Grid generator is due to the financial failures found in the indoor fresh produce industry or CEA – Controlled Environment Agriculture.

The main reason for these failures are high labor and energy costs, with energy being the biggest unavoidable cost, labor can be reduced through robotics.

To eliminate labor, robotics are used, but these robotics require energy to operate pushing the utility bill even higher.

High priced capital also plays a part for new facilities, which is why venerable companies can stay in business, as they usually are not carrying the heavy debt load.

Examples of recent US indoor fresh produce failures.

Eden Green Technology to close in December - Produce Grower

US: Fifth Season files for Chapter 7, owes about $50 million in liabilities

Indoor farming company AppHarvest files for bankruptcy | Agriculture Dive

The current traditional greenhouses being used in the US indoor fresh produce industry are the most energy inefficient building systems in use.

This same traditional greenhouse is also used for plant bioscience research by universities and the USDA, but they are not cleanroom environments.

Greenhouse manufacturers claim their structures are high tech but in reality are antiquated 1960’s technology and fail miserably in compliance with Title-24 energy codes resulting in high energy bills.

Combined roof and wall insulation averages around R-4, the higher the number the more insulation value.

Many of these greenhouses are designed to open the roof panels for heat release and use retractable sunscreens for light diffusion.

Opening the roof exposes the fresh produce or bioscience research to airborne contaminates and sunscreens become unsanitary due to condensation.

The AGT Cleanroom Greenhouse design feature corrects all the problems associated with traditional greenhouses.

As an introduction, the AGT Cleanroom Greenhouse received a Gold Edison Award under Energy and Sustainability as proof of its credentials.

Regarding insulation, AGT posts an R-14 combined insulation value, has a closed mechanical environmental HVAC system and maintains a sterile air interior environment.

The sterile air environment reduces all chances of a contaminated product.

To eliminate condensation, the interior wall and ceiling panels are heated and shading is accomplished by electronic adjustable light diffusion glazing.

As for plant bioscience research, AGT provides a fully programmable environment in a cleanroom environment, a premium scientific attribute.

And last, the CRAM Micro-Grid generator provides zero emissions (no fuels) uninterrupted onsite power for the entire facility, eliminating the high monthly utility cost.