A revolutionary new technology is on the horizon that has the potential to significantly impact farmers, climate sustainability, and soil health. Debye Ltd., a forward-thinking start-up, has partnered with Agri-Tech Centres to conduct trials on lightning-based fertiliser production and supply, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
The innovative system developed by Debye harnesses the nitrogen-fixing properties of lightning, replicating its ability to capture nitrogen in the form of nitrates when it strikes water. The result is a modular and containerised system that can be situated on farms or hubs, providing farmers with on-the-spot or local supply of nitrate-based fertiliser using only air, water, and electricity.
The project involves a feasibility R&D trial on lettuce crops in Agri-Tech Centre CHAP’s vertical farming facility at Stockbridge. Agri-EPI is providing project management and life-cycle analysis, measuring the product’s environmental and economical sustainability at each stage of its development.
The main objective of the project is to develop a one-kilowatt proof-of-concept prototype, determine its commercial viability, and compare crop yields and post-harvest properties for standard nitrogen fertiliser and fertiliser produced by Debye Ltd.’s machine. If successful, this could potentially lead to small-scale pilot projects on a farm setting within three years.
Funded by Innovate UK and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the project highlights the role of the Agri-Tech Centres in supporting start-ups throughout their journey, from securing funding to providing access to research facilities to address challenges in the agricultural industry, such as climate change and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Burak Karadag, Chief Technical Officer of Debye Ltd., emphasised the environmental benefits of the lightning-based technology. He highlighted how their technology could revolutionise the fertiliser industry, making it a near zero-emission process, locally and securely available, and with far better soil health outcomes.
Dr. Harry Langford, the Innovation Network Lead at CHAP, emphasized the importance of technological innovation in enhancing production and application efficiency of fertilisers and the value of the collaboration with Debye Ltd. in testing the feasibility of this exciting technology and providing evidence to support its adoption.
This pioneering technology offers hope for the agricultural industry as it addresses the pressing issues of environmental sustainability and food security. By replicating nature’s elegant solution of nitrogen fixation through lightning, this innovation could potentially transform the way fertilisers are produced and used, paving the way for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural future.
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