HypoWave+

Regional competitions over the resource water are not uncommon. Due to climate change, urbanization and pollution of water resources, these conflicts of use could intensify in the coming decades. Even in Germany that is rich in water, conflicts of use are becoming more frequent. This is why new concepts and processes for water reuse are needed. In the BMBF research project HypoWave, hydroponic plant production using water reuse was piloted for the first time between 2016 and 2020. In the HypoWave+ project, the research network in the Gifhorn region is supporting the large-scale implementation of a hydroponic system using water reuse. On a cultivation area of one hectare, approximately 600–700 tons of vegetables are to be produced annually.

The aim of the transdisciplinary research network is to establish a new form of regional vegetable production. Based on the results of the HypoWave research project, farmers in the Gifhorn region decided to establish a company that produces hydroponically grown vegetables. HypoWave+ accompanies this project scientifically and investigates open questions in the areas of water treatment, vegetable production, intelligent process control, quality management and institutional arrangements. The aim is to further develop the marketability of hydroponically produced vegetables by means of environmentally friendly water recycling with the aim of applying it at other locations as well. 

The Institute for Sanitary and Environmental Engineering is project coordinator. The main focus of its research in this project is on the composition and quality of the irrigation water, the operation of the pilot scale treatment plant and the coordination of the large-scale implementation. Part of its work is also the documentation and utilization of the results as well as technical support and advice - especially with regard to the composition and quality of the irrigation water produced - to the project partners in the areas of crop production and monitoring. The technical expertise of the institute will be part of the Regulatory Sandbox "Institutional Innovations".  The results achieved in the work package 'Irrigation Water' will contribute to the implementation of a successful quality management.