{"links":{"self":"http://dataportal.arc.gov.au/NCGP/API/grants/DE260101422"},"data":{"type":"grant-details","id":"DE260101422","attributes":{"code":"DE260101422","administering-organisation":"Adelaide University","announcement-administering-organisation":"The University of Adelaide","scheme-name":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","grant-status":"Active","funding-commencement-year":2026,"years-funded":3,"project-start-date":"2026-01-01","anticipated-end-date":"2028-12-31","grant-summary":"Reaping Clean Power: Sustainable Energy Integration in Protected Cropping. This project aims to address the heavy dependence on fossil fuels in protected cropping systems by integrating low-carbon energy solutions that are tailored to Australia’s diverse climate zones. It expects to generate new knowledge in environmental and techno-economic assessment of renewable energy for high-tech glasshouses and vertical farms, advancing data-driven methods for reducing emissions and costs. Anticipated outcomes include a comprehensive framework for energy optimisation, improved resource efficiency, and guidelines for industry adoption. This will provide significant benefits, including strengthening food security, enhancing Australia’s leadership in sustainable agricultural practices, and transitioning to a net zero economy.","funding-current":529669.00,"funding-at-announcement":525524,"investigators-current":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Jing","familyName":"He","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-5973-2335 "}],"investigators-at-announcement":[{"title":"Dr","firstName":"Jing","familyName":"He","roleName":"Discovery Early Career Researcher Award","roleCode":"DECRA","isFellowship":true,"orcidIdentifier":"0000-0001-5973-2335 "}],"organisations-current":[{"organisationName":"Adelaide University","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"SA"}],"organisations-at-announcement":[{"organisationName":"The University of Adelaide","roleName":"Administering Organisation","state":"SA"}],"field-of-research":[{"isPrimary":true,"code":"3008","name":"Horticultural Production","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"300899","name":"Horticultural Production Not Elsewhere Classified","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"380105","name":"Environment and Resource Economics","type":"FOR20"},{"isPrimary":false,"code":"401102","name":"Environmentally Sustainable Engineering","type":"FOR20"}],"socio-economic-objective":[{"code":"170899","name":"Renewable Energy Not Elsewhere Classified","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"190301","name":"Climate Change Mitigation Strategies","type":"SEO20"},{"code":"260599","name":"Horticultural Crops Not Elsewhere Classified","type":"SEO20"}],"international-collaboration":["Canada","China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)"],"lief-register":[],"achievement-summary":null,"national-interest-test-statement":"Australia’s high-tech protected cropping systems, including glasshouses and plant factories, produce fresh food year-round but are highly energy-intensive relying heavily on fossil fuels. This increases costs for growers and contributes to carbon emissions, undermining Australia’s Net Zero 2050 commitments. \nThis research will develop sustainable, cost-effective strategies to integrate solar and bioenergy into protected cropping, reducing energy costs, cutting emissions, and enhancing food security. Project outputs are expected to benefit Australia’s transition to a net-zero economy while strengthening domestic food production and rural economies in the medium to long term (5 – 10 years). Lower energy costs will improve farm profitability, enhancing Australian horticulture’s competitiveness globally (valued at $2.75 billion, 2023-24). This aligns with the Australian Government’s ‘Future Made in Australia’ economic plan ($22.7 billion from 2024-25) and multiple National Reconstruction Fund priority areas on low emission technologies and value-added agriculture. \nThe research team will share the outcomes with Australian protected cropping industry through conferences, social media, public engagement workshops, and foster collaboration to support uptake. Industry’s use of our integrated energy scenarios in their sector will benefit Australian farmers, consumers, and the environment, positioning Australia as a global leader in climate-smart agriculture."}}}