“The first-ever independent study on energy efficiency in the cannabis industry”

For my senior engineering capstone project, I worked in a group of six engineering students on designing a radically more energy-efficient cannabis cultivation facility for MariMed, Inc, a cannabis operator headquartered in Massachusetts over the span of six months. Our final design has the potential to reduce energy consumption by more than 50 % by optimizing lighting and HVAC systems using a data-driven approach. The study results could support cultivators to adopt more scientific and sustainable cultivation practices, thus achieving more sustainable business by complying with the regulations for greener cannabis.

This project is a partnership with Dartmouth Irving Institue, Sustainable Cannabis Coalition (SCC), and supported by Culta, a Maryland-based Cannibus operator, and the Rocky Mountain Institute.

My part of the project…

Along with my team members, I visited MariMed’s facility in Massachusetts and Culta’s facility in Maryland to research existing approaches and identify possible improvements.

My specific role in this project includes researching novel technologies and existing literature, including recurring meetings and discussions with building engineering experts, as well as applying these results to our project with MariMed. I worked on data analysis and projected energy savings if such technology is implemented. I also participated in design verification using an energy modeler software to simulate the projected savings.

Our project results are featured on Dartmouth Engineering and Benzinga.com. Scroll down for a quick read!