Smart Green Wall

Summary

The climate is changing, and the need for adaptation is becoming increasingly urgent. Many regions are facing more and more problems such as heat accumulation, drought and heavy rainfall. Solutions for improving the microclimate, such as vertical gardens, which enable a significant reduction in temperature, noise, CO2, N2 and particulate matter, are already on the market. So far, these systems have been associated with high supply and maintenance costs, which often leads to a decision against their use, despite the undeniably positive effects.  To change this, a university and six SMEs from Germany and the Netherlands have joined forces in the ‘Smart Green Wall’ project to develop long-lasting products and services (TRL4->7/8) for the automated supply and remote maintenance of vertical gardens. The aim is to reduce operating costs through these innovations and to promote the widespread use of ‘green walls’ through autonomous operation.



In this project, smart stands for AI- and sensor-based management systems that enable autonomous plant care and monitoring and control through integrated systems. The management systems focus on the efficient use of energy and water. For example, all grey and rainwater is filtered, stored and used to irrigate vertical gardens in a closed system, which also helps to mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall events. The built-in solar panels and battery systems ensure the system’s energy independence. The implementation of 5G connectivity allows for high-speed just-in-time data transmission and opens up additional functionalities such as supporting traffic control, management and autonomous driving.  The adaptation of plant communities and optimisation of substrates for different uses and climate zones expands the range of applications for vertical gardens.