About Resource innovation institute
Resource Innovation Institute: Optimizing Facilities for Efficiency and Productivity
Resource Innovation Institute (RII) is a non-profit organization that provides guidance and data to cultivators and their project partners to optimize facilities for efficiency and productivity. The institute was founded in 2016 with the aim of promoting resource efficiency in the cannabis industry. Since then, RII has become a trusted source of information for cultivators, utilities, governments, and other stakeholders.
The cannabis industry is growing rapidly, with more states legalizing its use for medical or recreational purposes. However, this growth comes with challenges such as energy consumption, water usage, waste management, and carbon emissions. Cultivators need to find ways to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining high-quality products.
RII's mission is to help cultivators achieve these goals by providing them with tools and resources that enable them to optimize their facilities' performance. The institute works closely with industry experts, researchers, policymakers, utilities companies, and other organizations to develop best practices that promote sustainability.
One of RII's flagship programs is the Cannabis PowerScore (CPS), which assesses the energy performance of indoor cannabis cultivation facilities across North America. CPS provides cultivators with a benchmarking tool that enables them to compare their facility's energy use against similar operations in their region or state.
CPS also identifies opportunities for improvement by analyzing data on lighting systems, HVAC systems (heating ventilation air conditioning), dehumidification systems (removing moisture from the air), CO2 supplementation systems (adding carbon dioxide into grow rooms), irrigation systems (watering plants), building envelope insulation levels among others.
Another program offered by RII is Resource Innovation Campus (RIC). This program aims at creating an innovation hub where stakeholders can collaborate on research projects aimed at improving resource efficiency in the cannabis industry. The campus will provide space for testing new technologies such as LED lighting fixtures or HVAC equipment designed specifically for indoor cannabis cultivation.
RII also offers training and education programs for cultivators, utilities, and other stakeholders. These programs cover topics such as energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, carbon footprint reduction among others. The institute has partnered with universities and colleges to develop courses that provide students with the skills needed to work in the cannabis industry.
RII's work has been recognized by various organizations such as the US Department of Energy (DOE), which awarded RII a grant to develop a tool that helps cultivators optimize their lighting systems. The institute has also received funding from private foundations such as the Energy Foundation and the Kendeda Fund.
In conclusion, Resource Innovation Institute is a non-profit organization that provides guidance and data for cultivators and their project partners to optimize facilities for efficiency and productivity. RII's mission is to promote resource efficiency in the cannabis industry by providing tools, resources, training programs aimed at reducing environmental impact while maintaining high-quality products. With its flagship program Cannabis PowerScore (CPS) which assesses energy performance of indoor cannabis cultivation facilities across North America; Resource Innovation Campus (RIC) creating an innovation hub where stakeholders can collaborate on research projects aimed at improving resource efficiency in the cannabis industry; Training & Education Programs covering topics such as energy efficiency, water conservation among others; RII is well-positioned to help cultivators achieve their sustainability goals while growing their businesses.