Smart Greenhouse Project Connects University Students with Industry Experience
Students at the University of Melbourne, in collaboration with CAS Energy, have developed a smart greenhouse and living lab concept that addresses real‑world challenges in food security, sustainability and climate resilience. The concept was developed as part of the University of Melbourne’s Students Consulting on University Translation (SCOUT) initiative by a multidisciplinary team of students from architecture, science, engineering, IT and business across the first semester of 2026.
The greenhouse concept incorporates controlled environment agriculture (CEA), renewable energy generation, and circular water management, while also supporting ongoing learning, research, teaching, experimentation and industry engagement through its design as a living lab.
“I utilized digital modeling and rendering software to develop architectural concepts and the project narrative to be presented to potential future partners. Working with the SCOUT team, I established a scope and brief outlining our goals for creating a ‘living lab’ that will be further advanced by future students on the team,” says Angus Harvey, a Master of Architecture student.
“Through SCOUT, I contributed to the Smart Greenhouse’s digital intelligence layer, combining digital twin, data architecture, and dashboard design. The experience showed how AI and multidisciplinary collaboration can turn sustainability ideas into scalable, real-world solutions,” says Akanksha Kadam, a Master of Information Technology (Artificial Intelligence) student.
Through the project, students designed and connected key systems and created and implemented digital tools and data systems to track real-time performance and make decisions about crop growth, water use, and energy efficiency. They also explored how the project could be viable in the real world, identifying Greater Shepparton as a strong location for future development.
Building on this work, a new SCOUT team will continue the project in the second half of 2026, focusing on technical validation, stakeholder engagement, and pathways toward pilot deployment, providing further opportunities for students to contribute to impactful, real‑world innovation.
To learn more about the smart greenhouse project and SCOUT, including how interested organizations can explore opportunities through the SCOUT initiative, read the full story on the University of Melbourne website.
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