E2Crop - Green FUTURE
ARC Research Hub for Intelligent Energy Efficiency in Future Protected Cropping
Advancing sustainable protected cropping with intelligent, renewable, and energy-efficient greenhouse solutions for the future of agriculture.
The ARC Research Hub for Intelligent Energy Efficiency in Future Protected Cropping (E2Crop Hub) is an Australian Research Council (ARC) supported major initiative which aims to pioneer solutions in renewable energy, plant quality enhancement, intelligent greenhouse monitoring and analysis to drive forward the vast potential of protected cropping.
The Hub is led by RMIT University and includes researchers from 3 other Australian universities
Working alongside 12 industry partners over a five-year research program, the Hub will focus on delivering advanced energy technologies for greenhouses, enabling them to be self-sustained, affordable, and powered by renewable energy, and new automated decision-making techniques for farmers
About Us
The E2Crop Hub is funded by the ARC under the Industrial Transformation Research Program. This five-year project is supported by $5 million in ARC funding, matched by $5 million in cash contributions from industry partners. Led by RMIT University, the Hub brings together 3 partner universities: Australian National University, Western Sydney University, and UNSW, and 12 industry and community partner organisations across materials, energy, photonics, advanced manufacturing, and protected cropping sectors. The total combined cash and in-kind commitment exceeds $25 million.
Led by RMIT Distinguished Professor Tianyi Ma, The E2crop Hub aims to pioneer solutions in renewable energy, plant quality enhancement, intelligent greenhouse monitoring and analysis to drive forward the vast potential of protected cropping.
hub Gallery
ARC E2Crop Hub works closely with industry, research, and government partners to translate advanced materials and sustainable technologies into real-world impact.
Below are highlights from our collaborative events, demonstrations, and showcases.
Collaborate with the best
Research within the E2Crop Hub is divided into three themes.
Renewable Energy
Theme 1
Theme I focuses on solving the large energy consumption challenge associated with controlling the microclimate in greenhouses, including lighting, temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. The aim is to develop intelligent, energy-efficient systems that can dynamically adjust these factors in response to real-time environmental changes.
Plant Optimisation
Theme 2
Theme II targets plant optimisation to amplify crop yield and nutrition within controlled environments. Focusing on tailoring nutrient and CO2 levels, alongside precise microclimate adjustments, this Theme promises to fine-tune the internal conditions of greenhouses to achieve unparalleled efficacy in crop cultivation.
Intelligent Cropping
Theme 3
Theme III converges AI, IoT, and big data to foster intelligent cropping, aiming for responsive and self-regulating greenhouse ecosystems. The focus is on real-time monitoring and predictive analytics for proactive management, streamlining greenhouse operations for optimal plant performance with minimal resource input.