MJBiz Buyers Guide: Sustainability - 12

MJBizDaily Buyers Guide Sustainability
Extraction
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MJBizDaily points out that cultivators should steer away from measuring their water use using
an outdated gallons-per-plant metric, since that model doesn't account for variability in plant
size, density and cultivation period. Instead, a 2021 report on water use and sustainability in the
cultivation sector introduces three alternative benchmarks for measuring water use: productivity,
efficiency and demand:
* Productivity: Measures the amount of harvested flower
output (in grams) relative to the amount of water used
(in gallons).
* Efficiency: Measures how much water (in gallons) is
being used per unit (often square foot) of cultivation
space.
* Demand: Measures how much water (in gallons) is
being used throughout a determined period while
cannabis is growing (per month, year or harvest).
OFFSETTING ELECTRICITY USE
AT INDOOR FACILITIES
Rising energy costs and electric grids being pushed to the
brink of their capabilities have been serious concerns in
recent years.
Regional heat waves, for example, put increased
demand on local energy grids and are forcing cultivation
businesses to rethink how they power their facilities.
Unlike outdoor farmers, indoor and greenhouse cultivators must rely on high amounts of electricity
needed to power their complex lighting, irrigation and HVAC systems, putting more stress on
already-struggling regional power grids.
Sustainable strategies that result in less energy use at these facilities include:
* Opting for LED (light emitting diode) lights that use up to 90% less energy and have a potential
lifespan up to 25 times longer than traditional HID (high-intensity discharge) bulbs.
* Embracing solar energy in regions with an abundance of natural sunlight to offset reliance on
the power grid.
* Incorporating automation into irrigation and HVAC systems.
* Installing a variable frequency drive (VFD) to control irrigation pumps and fans, allowing the
motors to operate with greater efficiency.
* Running HVAC and lighting systems at night or in limited frequency, ideally during a time of the
day when there's less stress being placed on the local power grid.
* Working with energy-management experts familiar with the cannabis industry to conduct an
in-depth audit within the operation can be an effective first step in accurately determining a
facility's energy use and the practical changes required for greater sustainability.
" Whether you do a
true cost accounting
or even a life-cycle
analysis ... choosing
more environmentally
sustainable options may
also be better on the
bank book. "
- Av Singh,
cannabis consultant
12
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MJBiz Buyers Guide: Sustainability

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