ERMESS GREEN, Renewable Energy, Efficiency and Sustainability Models in SMART Greenhouses
- Project status: Ongoing
- Call for proposals: Third call for simple projects
- Type: Simple project
- Selection date: 13.06.2025
- Activity start date: 01.09.2025
- Location: Savoie, Imperia
Greenhouse production is among the most energy-intensive agricultural activities, particularly due to the need for microclimate control. The ERMESS GREEN project promotes an integrated approach that combines climate management, efficient resource use, and on-site energy generation from renewable sources. Its goal is to make greenhouses more sustainable by optimizing energy consumption. The project aligns with the European regulatory framework for the energy transition and seeks to bridge the cultural gap surrounding the smart use of renewable energy in agriculture. Through technological integration, it will become possible to monitor and optimize consumption, supporting farmers in their decision-making.Two pilot installations, a digital demonstrator, and a white paper on best practices will facilitate the transfer of expertise to the ALCOTRA region, notably through site visits and energy audits in production facilities. Engagement with local communities, along with the involvement of schools and universities, will help train tomorrow’s technicians and farmers, fostering greater resilience and energy autonomy within the greenhouse production sector.
Activities, impacts and results:
Two prototypes of smart photovoltaic greenhouses for horticultural crops will be built, integrating advanced climate control, lighting, and irrigation technologies. Powered autonomously by renewable energy sources, these greenhouses will demonstrate the feasibility of an integrated, high-performance, high-quality model for horticultural and floricultural production. Their sustainability will be assessed by comparing real operating costs with those of a traditional greenhouse. The project aims to disseminate good practices that can be replicated in Italy and France, encouraging farms with outdated facilities to improve their competitiveness through energy audits. Meetings with experts, schools, and consultants will support the development of guidelines for energy-efficient crops, which will be compiled into a white paper. Finally, focus groups will help define the profile of the “next-generation” technician capable of ensuring sustainable greenhouse management within the framework of energy-smart cultivation.
Please find the information page of this project in italian here.
This project is carried out in partnership with:
– Istituto Regionale per la Floricoltura
– AGRESCO S.R.L
– Università di Genova
– Université Savoie Mont Blanc
