While there are some operational vertical farms, it appears the industry could go the way of other capital-eating startups. Some of the obstacles are obvious – energy use being top of the list.
Dan Anderson does some research into the origins of common shop tools, such as the ball peen hammer, open-end wrenches and creeper, and it produces interesting results.
“The funds awarded by the DOE will undoubtedly accelerate the innovations taking place at U.S. ethanol plants, opening new opportunities for low-cost, low-carbon energy,” says Growth Energy's Emily Skor.