SAM-LAB (Smart Agro-Manufacturing Laboratory) is the first research laboratory devoted to precision agriculture, aimed at the experimentation of innovative methodologies and technologies for monitoring and control, and the improvement of energy efficiency related to agro-manufacturing processes in protected crops.

The project has been financed by Regione Liguria through PAR FAS 2007/2013 - Project 4, a three-year programme for Research and Innovation; contribution € 440,000.

The project partners are: Erde s.r.l.; University of Genoa - Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS); University of Genoa - Department of Mechanical, Energy, Management and Transportation Engineering (DIME); BDC s.r.l.; Agricultural Experimentation and Assistance Centre (CeRSAA).

The project, developed over two years, has achieved the following results:

1. to define simulation models for the optimized design and the choice of the most suitable technology for energy and economic savings of systems and structures;
2. to enable the experimentation and demonstration of technologies intended for the improvement of energy-efficient strategies for greenhouses and related simple manufacturing processes;
3. to integrate materials and systems for the sustainable production of horticulture and nursery gardening species;
4. to provide a framework of the marketing opportunities of enhanced agro-manufacturing models for specific crop/process/climate types;

The greenhouse, installed at Centro di Sperimentazione e Assistenza Agricola (Cersaa), is equipped with the following machinery and devices:

• low-enthalpy geothermal plant with vertical exchangers;
• high-performance geothermal heat pump for heating and cooling purpose;
• innovative envelope materials aimed at reducing the primary energy needs for heating and cooling and achieving greater transparency to incoming solar radiation while maintaining high opacity to outgoing thermal radiation;
• high-efficiency diode lamps (LED) with the function of stimulating biomass production and inhibiting specific phases of the growth and maturation of pathogens and parasites;
• Roof integrated semi-transparent photovoltaic modules;
• basal heating that exploits electricity (radiant panels) or hot water (pipes) through plants located within the cultivation benches;
• intelligent environmental management systems and low-cost sensors to monitor the physical properties of the soil and the environment.

 In particular, the systems installed inside the SAM LAB greenhouse laboratory will enable to:

• optimize air conditioning by relying on a single system based on geothermal exchangers connected to a heat pump for heating and cooling the greenhouse environment;
• exploit the hot air generated by a unit connected to the heat pump through fabric ducts placed under the benches;
• optimize rooting and flowering of the analyzed species through the exploitation of hot water or electric basal heating;
• verify the best artificial light conditions for the growth and flower induction of the species under investigation through specially designed LED lamps;
• use “remote” management to control a set of climatic parameters through specific software.

The "Libro Bianco" (White Book) has collected the results obtained, illustrating the research methods, the choice of the most effective technologies to achieve significant energy and economic savings in the greenhouse sector, and the results related to the performance monitoring of the laboratory facility.

The SAM-LAB Laboratory was inaugurated on 19 February 2016 at the headquarters of the Agricultural Experimentation and Assistance Centre - Albenga.