Case Study: Agrimix Flux Tower Connectivity

THE ISSUE

The Problem – How to get data from sensors?​

• A fleet of CO2 flux towers and IoT (Internet of Things) sensors capture the diversity of soils, climates, and management strategies. They are deployed for three to six months to provide in-fill data for soil carbon model calibration, validation, and verification.
• The Flux towers integrate information of carbon flows across a landscape – plants take up CO2 during the day and plants and soil emit CO2 at night. By putting all that information together using simulation models they can tell farmers how their practices will change soil carbon.
• With no cellular connectivity available onsite, the only feasible way of implementing sensor technology to monitor the progress of pastural practices was via a wireless network (WiFi). Developing a wireless network in a remote region has several cost & knowledge restraints.​

THE CHALLENGES

• More information is required to confirm the practices are having a positive impact on carbon sequestration. ​
• Client has a limited budget available to implement a solution. Installation was cost prohibitive, so the client opted for self-installation​.
• Being a 12hr drive from the Gold Coast and having no connectivity on site means we were limited in our ability to provide after sales support​.
• Onsite staff are not technology experts and will require guidance throughout the process (post and pre) to ensure it’s a smooth process​.
• Multiple vendors were involved so there were many stakeholders to address.
• Whenever self installation is used it inevitably requires extra man hours to get the project online and ensure the client is happy.
• Client had a 6 week window for delivery and did not have the budget to allow for professional install which put extra strain on the delivery​.