Development of a Data Integration Architecture for Modern Sustainable Farming Systems: A Greenhouse Test Case

[Virtual Presenter] Good morning everyone. Today I am going to present a project that I have been working on with the Automatic, Robotics and Mecatronic Group from the University of Almería. The project focuses on the development of a data integration architecture in an agro-industrial district, with a greenhouse test case. This architecture provides a framework to integrate heterogeneous data sources with different levels of complexity, from the upper-level strategic decisions to the lower-level transactional information. We believe that this architecture can lead to the development of modern sustainable farming systems which can have a positive impact on the environment and its surroundings. I am looking forward to sharing the results of this project with you..

[Audio] This presentation will continue with a description of the study plant where the proposed architecture is intended to be implemented. Located at the University of Almería, in Spain, the plant focuses on providing a modern and sustainable farming system, with a specially designed greenhouse test case. Furthermore, all details of the study plant, including the components and the key features of the architecture, will be discussed..

Motivation. SECTION 1.

[Audio] Rubén Gonzalez, from the University of Almería in Spain, is undertaking research on the development of a data integration architecture to create a modern, sustainable farming system, with a greenhouse test case. Almería is renowned for being the world leader in greenhouses, possessing 35,034 hectares of them, almost twice the size of Liechtenstein. Rubén's work focuses on utilizing data integration to make greenhouse farming more sustainable whilst continuing to address the global demand for fresh produce. He is conducting an analysis of data from a variety of sources, such as weather, in order to generate an efficient and reliable system that would aid farmers in using resources more efficiently while decreasing their environmental footprint..

[Audio] Agricultural production in Almería has a major effect on the province's economy. In only 35 thousand hectares, more than 3 million tons of vegetables and greens are harvested annually, bringing in approximately 1500 million euros for the farmers. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and other produce account for the majority of the production, with over 70% of it being exported to countries like Germany, France, Switzerland, and the UK. Economic growth of this kind is very important and Rubén Gonzalez's efforts to generate more sustainable solutions are paving the way for its success..

[Audio] Without greetings, without beginning with Today, and without thanks: Rubén Gonzalez presented the development of a data integration architecture to create a modern sustainable farming system, with a greenhouse test case, at the University of Almería, Spain. The architecture builds upon another arquitecture developed by the authors previously and tested with greenhouses from local farmers and the University of Almería research group. This platform, called Iveg, contains two decision support systems called Greenhouse Model as a Service (GMaaS) and the Climate Model of a Greenhouse. GMaaS forecasts indoor weather conditions 72 hours into the future, parametrized for each individual greenhouse and based on collected sensor data from the greenhouse such as temperature, humidity, and radiation. This data is supplemented with GPS positioning to connect to the nearest station outside the greenhouse. Output variables include temperature, humidity, and solar radiation, which enable users to make better decisions such as when to postpone or advance irrigation, or when to act on ventilation for high humidity. Previous results have been positive, and the architecture is set for further development..

[Audio] We are discussing a slide which centers on the second Decision Support System - the irrigation model. It collects information from the greenhouse's observed data, sensors inside the greenhouse, and a climate model to work out the irrigation requirement for the upcoming 72 hours. This advanced forecasting enables us to identify the optimal time for irrigation, the quantum of irrigation, and the exact amount of nitrogen needed for the plants, thereby conserving water and nitrogen if they are not necessary. The data sourced to build this model are the present and historical greenhouse sensor data, the 72-hour indoor weather forecasts, and the climate model..

[Audio] An image from the Iveg platform, an important part of Rubén's work, is presented in this slide. It provides a forecast of temperature, humidity and solar radiation within an experimental greenhouse. This highlights the possibility of forming a sustainable farming system through this level of precision. One can envision the ability to attain improved harvests based on decisions made through data..

[Audio] Agroconnect plant is a facility at University of Almería, Spain that focuses on growing crops in a climate-controlled environment. It is used to design and develop contemporary sustainable farming systems. Notably, it features a greenhouse test case, where a proposed data integration architecture is being experimented and evaluated in a regulated and controlled environment. This architecture is designed to work with components and technologies that are readily obtainable, making it convenient to deploy in a variety of agricultural settings..

[Audio] AgroConnect facility is an astounding illustration of how present day innovation is improving the productivity and maintainability of the agrarian cycle. Its blend of sustainable power sources, for example, biomass and sun oriented thermal energy, with frameworks for catching and infusing CO2 can have an immense effect in sparing assets and diminishing waste. The AgroConnect experimental nursery and its related frameworks are a genuine case of how research and development can change nourishment generation..

[Audio] Today, Rubén Gonzalez is presenting a research project at the University of Almería that explores the development of an innovative data integration architecture to create a modern, sustainable farming system. His proposal includes a greenhouse test case and is set in the nearby region of La Cañada, Almería. In the heart of his research is the establishment of several key components. He is proposing desalination units, a fertigation system, and a sea water storage. This system is then powered by solar thermal collectors, as well as a photovoltaic field to provide more energy efficient, sustainable solutions. The research will also see a permeate storage and a brine storage to store and manage the water. Finally, a greenhouse of 1900 m2 will be situated next to the heating, cooling and co2 systems. Rubén Gonzalez’s research project is very promising and his findings could shape the future of sustainable farming..

[Audio] The proposed architecture for the development of a modern sustainable farming system, with a greenhouse test case, consists of three distinct components. The Data Integration Platform will collect and store data from various sources and use it for insights. The Machine Learning Platform will be employed to automate the management of the farming system. And the Intelligence Platform will generate recommendations and optimize the system for higher sustainability and productivity..

[Audio] The proposed architecture is composed of three layers: the edge layer, the fog layer, and the cloud layer. The edge layer handles physical systems in the greenhouse, such as solar thermal and PV fields, desalination units, heating systems, and electric measurements. The fog layer processes and analyzes data, optimizing it for later use with different ETL processes that extract data from the equipment in the edge layer and transform it into a standard data model, such as Fiware NGSI V2. Finally, the cloud layer manages visualization and provides a centralized platform for data management, allowing users to access the collected information..

[Audio] Rubén Gonzalez's work on the development of a data integration architecture to create a modern sustainable farming system, with a greenhouse test case, at the University of Almería, Spain, has been showcased in this presentation. It clearly demonstrates how technology can be used to improve efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. The results obtained indicate the potential of this model, providing useful data to support decisions concerning crop protection and the optimization of resources. In the future, this model has the potential to be used in other agricultural environments, and sensors or data sources may be added to provide even more relevant information for decision making..

[Audio] Rubén Gonzalez has developed an architecture which provides an efficient data integration tool for modern sustainable farming systems. This architecture enables us to view raw data, produce dynamic control panels for real-time surveillance and control, and integrate external services and climatic models. These capabilities enable us to easily access all the data of the Agroconnect plant and make use of real-time data without difficulty. Also, it is possible to expand the architecture to add new subsystems seamlessly. This highly efficient system, created by Rubén Gonzalez, is ideal for providing modern sustainable farming solutions..

[Audio] We are focused on creating a data integration architecture to modernize sustainable farming systems for the future of Agroconnect. The architecture will be tested in a greenhouse at the University of Almería. To ensure efficient data extraction, transformation, and loading, we will need to develop ETL processes for each AgroConnect subsystem. The current data model will need to be updated to accommodate the increasing volume of data and ensure scalability. We also plan to develop decision support systems and visualization systems, as well as test different control algorithms, in order to create a totally operative architecture in the Agroconnect plant..

[Audio] I hope we have all learned something about the development of a data integration architecture to create a modern sustainable farming system, with a greenhouse test case, at the University of Almería, Spain. If you have any questions, you can contact me at the email address rgm399@ual.es.Thank you for listening and for your attention throughout this presentation. Thank you again..