Best Practices

CEA Best Practices

As part of the CEA Accelerator Project, Resource Innovation Institute (RII) developed a series of best practice guidance documents to help CEA operators boost resource efficiency, reduce operating costs, and inform smarter design and operational decisions.

These guidelines build on RII’s established portfolio of peer-reviewed best practices and reflect input from national experts, growers, utilities, and researchers. 

Purpose of the Best Practice Guides

Each guide is designed to support decision-makers who are designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining efficient, high-performing CEA facilities. These resources help CEA stakeholders:

• Understand proven strategies for optimizing water and energy use in CEA environments
• Train staff and align teams around resource-efficient design and daily operations
• Develop or refine Standard Operating Procedures that support consistent, performance-based outcomes
• Plan infrastructure upgrades or new builds with data-driven insights and design considerations
• Inform utility programs and incentives with guidance that reflects industry consensus and field-validated practices

Contributors to the CEA Accelerator Best Practice Guides

Over 100 contributors from across the public and private sectors helped shape the insights and guidance presented in the CEA Accelerator Best Practice Guides. These participants represented a wide range of organizations, from growers, utilities, and engineering firms to researchers, manufacturers, and government agencies, ensuring the recommendations are grounded in field experience and technical rigor.

Sectors Represented:

• Growers and Producers – Vertical farms, greenhouses, and cultivation companies
• Design-Build & Engineering – Architecture, mechanical systems, energy modeling
• Utilities & Energy Consultants – Program implementers, utility advisors, energy service providers
• Technology Providers – Automation, robotics, lighting, HVAC, and environmental controls
• Academic & Research Institutions – Leading universities and national labs
• Government & Policy Organizations – Federal and state energy and agriculture agencies

These contributors engaged in expert working groups, reviewed early drafts, and provided essential feedback to ensure each guide addresses real-world challenges and opportunities for efficiency in controlled environment agriculture. Working group participants are listed in their respective best practice guide.

Published Guides from the CEA Accelerator

Developed in partnership with industry experts, these guides provide actionable strategies to improve the performance, efficiency, and decision-making of CEA operators and designers.

Explore More CEA Resources

Visit the Resource Innovation Institute website for additional reports, tools, and technical guidance to support resource-efficient agriculture.