A Plant Factory at 50°C

Hello everyone! I’m Shohei.
This column is written mainly based on my field experience.
After being on site for over 10 years, there are truly many things that happen. I’m writing about things I remember, as they come to mind.
Well, please read it casually, like “Oh, so that’s how other factories are.”

Plant Factory Sauna Plan

“Ahh, good work today everyone.”
After finishing system testing at the newly built plant factory, I headed home with a satisfied stretch. In my mind, I was thinking about my evening drink menu. Cold beer and fried chicken, the perfect combination.
That day, from morning until evening, I had been checking the operation of the new environmental control system. Air conditioning, lighting, nutrient solution supply… it was steady work to verify that everything was functioning properly.
“Great, now we’re all set for operations starting tomorrow!”
The tests were successfully completed, and I drove home with a relieved expression.
Upon arriving home, I opened my long-awaited beer, sank deep into the sofa. I turned on the TV, munched on fried chicken, and was enjoying a moment of happiness when…

“Hm? Wait a minute?”

Just as I gulped down my beer, a sudden uneasy feeling crossed my mind.
“Wait… the cultivation room lights… did I turn them off?”
Remote control in hand, I froze. I desperately tried to recall my actions when leaving.
“Let’s see… I tested the air conditioning… tested the nutrient solution… tested the lighting…”
I clearly remember testing the lighting, but I have no memory of turning it off afterward.
“Argh! This is going to bother me!”
I tossed aside my half-eaten fried chicken and hurriedly started my computer. Fortunately, this new system allowed remote access.

“I messed up…”

I was speechless when I saw the display on the remote monitoring system.
“Just as I thought… I left them on…”
The lighting status remained “ON.” I unconsciously smacked my forehead.
“Well, it’s just a bit more on the electricity bill, and tomorrow morning I can…”
Just as I was thinking that, a terrifying number caught my eye.

The Birth of a “Finnish Sauna”

“Temperature: 50.0°C”
I couldn’t believe my eyes. 50°C? This is sauna-level heat. And 50°C is the upper limit of the sensor. It could potentially be even hotter in reality.
“Whoa!”
I couldn’t help but shout.
“At this rate, the system will break down!”
I frantically clicked the mouse, turning OFF the lights, turning ON the air conditioning, and setting the temperature to minimum. Staring at the screen, I prayed for the numbers to drop.
“Go down… go down…”
I repeated like I was chanting a spell.

“The Thermometer Witnessed a Terrifying Countdown”

49°C… 48°C… 45°C…
The temperature began to slowly decrease.
Fortunately, this factory wasn’t yet in full operation. There were no crops being cultivated. If there had been crops, they would have undoubtedly been completely wiped out.
Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine. Imagine the scene the employees would witness when they arrived at work the next morning, oblivious to what happened.
“Good morning… huh? What’s that strange smell?”
A cultivation room filled with the aroma of steamed vegetables… just the thought makes me break out in a cold sweat.
Eventually, the temperature returned to normal levels, and a major disaster was averted.
The next morning, I arrived at work early and thoroughly checked the system, fortunately finding no abnormalities in the equipment.

“Typical Plant Factory Incidents”

These kinds of “careless mistakes” are actually quite common, aren’t they? Forgetting to turn off lights, mistakes in nutrient solution supply, errors in temperature settings…
They’re all “oops, I did it again” level mistakes, but with bad luck, the frightening result can be “total crop loss.”
It might be one of those “typical plant factory incidents,” but it’s definitely one I’d prefer not to experience. Even today, before leaving work, I always check my list and remember the “50°C Sauna Incident.”

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