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http://dx.doi.org/10.6106/KJCEM.2022.23.4.057

Economic Analysis on the Automation System of the Cultivation Process in the Plant Factory  

Jung, Mincheol (Architectural Engineering Program, School of Architecture, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Kim, Handon (Architectural Engineering Program, School of Architecture, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Kim, Jimin (Architectural Engineering Program, School of Architecture, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Choi, Jeongmin (Sallytable Co., Ltd. Agricultural Corporation)
Jang, Hyounseung (Architectural Engineering Program, School of Architecture, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Jo, Soun (Architectural Engineering Program, School of Architecture, Seoul National University of Science and Technology)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Construction Engineering and Management / v.23, no.4, 2022 , pp. 57-64 More about this Journal
Abstract
A plant factory is a facility that creates an artificial environment in a controlled space and produces plants systematically through automated facilities. However, automation in the cultivation process is insufficient compared to the internal environment control technology in plant factories. This causes the problem of an increase in operating costs due to the input of a large number of workers. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate economic feasibility by comparing before and after introducing automation in the cultivation process of plant factories. The target plant factory to be analyzed was selected, and the break-even point analysis method was used by comparing the cost required compared to the operating period. As a result, the break-even point was analyzed to be 3.4 years when automation was introduced into six processes for plant cultivation. Therefore, it can be judged that the introduction of automation is excellent in terms of economic feasibility when the target plant factory has been operated for more than 3.4 years. This study is expected to be used as basic data to analyze the economic feasibility of introducing automation in domestic and foreign plant factories.
Keywords
Plant Factory; Automation; Cultivation Process; Economic Evaluation; BEP (Break-Even Point) Analysis;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 3  (Citation Analysis)
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