LEDs in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): what's new?
The era of simply "switching from HPS to LED" is officially over. In 2026, the competitive edge in Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) has shifted from basic energy savings to dynamic spectral orchestration. As energy markets fluctuate and crop-specific "light recipes" become the intellectual property of the world’s most successful farms, your lighting can no longer be a static fixture. It must be a responsive part of your facility's nervous system. This session explores the cutting-edge hardware and AI-driven control systems that are redefining the limits of PPE (Photosynthetic Photon Efficacy) and crop morphology.
Speakers
Dr. Céline Nicole is an Associate Professor in Horticulture Technologies with a multidisciplinary background spanning physics, plant sciences, chemistry, thermal sciences, sensors, modeling and data science. She also serves as Professor of Horticulture Technologies at HAS green academy. Her primary mission is to bridge the gap between industry-driven applied research and fundamental academic research. Through her dual role, she strengthens collaboration between both institutions and advances their expertise in high-tech horticulture across research and education.
Her research focuses on the application of technology—particularly LED lighting, climate and irrigation strategies, sensors, modeling and imaging—in greenhouse and indoor farming. She specializes in optimizing energy use for crop growth, quality, and nutritional value across a broad range of horticultural crops, including vegetables, fruits, floriculture, medicinal plants, and plant-based proteins.
Professionally, Dr. Nicole has served as Research Program Lead for a controlled-environment farming consortium in the Netherlands and acts as a key contact for public–private open innovation programs. She has extensive experience in generating intellectual property and translating research into industrial applications.