Small Scale Plant Factories with Artificial Lighting and Wind Energy Microgeneration: A Multiple Revenue Stream Approach

New, more innovative, better-focused and cost effective ways need to be developed in order to ascertain the sustainability of the global food system. This work introduced the research problem as if small scale urban Plant Factories with Automated Lighting (ssPFAL) are a viable investment option in order to promote food supply security in the ever expanding distributed energy generation environment. It is examined if and how wind energy microgeneration (small scale wind turbines) could grow hand-in-hand with small-scale hydroponic systems providing an alternative income stream for the wind business owners and at the same time increase urban based vegetables production. The small scale wind industry could be developed further within cities if they operate as unified systems with ssPFAL. Tomato, basil, and lettuce were examined and it was proven that the latter were much more profitable under all scenarios. Tomato’s Internal Rate of Return (IRR) was at all cases between 2.5 and 11.3%, while for basil and lettuce could even surpass 100%. The methodology governing the research process in order for an answer to be given to the research problem, will be presented in accordance to the energy, demand response, and energy demand in the rural and suburban environment.