The project: The DPI has been undertaking a series of connectivity installations around our 20 major research stations to enhance our research capability and enable greater understanding of the potential of digital farming for producers. The DPI "Connected Research" Project has now rolled out LoRaWAN to 10 of our research station across DPI NSW. LoRaWAN enables research stations to collect data through sensors placed around each station and view it on an online dashboard.
Collected data is used in research activities, water management, animal welfare and providing insights for research stations and DPI. Alerts have also been setup to notify the right people when things like water tank levels are low or the temperature of a greenhouse is too high.
The outcome: The DPI now has 10 research stations using LoRaWAN. Over 2000 information information packets are gernerated per day, collected automatically and delivered in a easy to use dashboard.
The impact : Saves users time and brings better efficiency, control and monitoring to stations for water management, animal welfare, cropping, research etc. A feasible system with ongoing support and scalability.
Future plans for LoRaWAN are to identify more use cases that provide the most impact and value to research stations and DPI. For case use example see the Griffith Research Station Demonstration for winegrape production.