ARK Knowledge Base
Reference Resources
Technical guides, research documents, and educational materials to support your controlled environment agriculture project.
Knowledge to Build With Confidence
ARK has assembled a library of technical documents, design guides, and third-party research to help growers, investors, and project developers evaluate and plan controlled environment agriculture systems.
These resources cover the full spectrum of ARK technologies — from passive heating and cooling to biogas CHP, aquaponics, and vertical grow bag systems. Download freely and share with your team.
Controlled Environment Buildings
Sprung Structures Energy Comparison Guide
Side-by-side energy consumption data comparing Sprung membrane structures to conventional steel and wood-frame buildings across Canadian climate zones.
CEB Design Principles Overview
An introduction to ARK's controlled environment building philosophy — insulation strategies, passive solar orientation, and integrated systems design.
Aquaponics
Aquaponics System Design Manual
Detailed guidance on fish-to-plant ratios, water chemistry, stocking densities, and nutrient cycling for integrated aquaponics production.
Food Conversion Ratio Comparison
Research data comparing protein yield per kilogram of feed across aquaculture species and conventional livestock — the case for tilapia and trout.
Biogas & CHP
Biogas Economics & Feasibility Framework
A financial modelling framework for evaluating biogas CHP projects — feedstock inputs, gas yield estimates, electricity revenue, and payback periods.
Combined Heat & Power Technical Primer
How CHP systems convert biogas into simultaneous electricity and thermal energy, with efficiency benchmarks and integration guidelines for greenhouse operations.
Passive Heating & Cooling
Earth Tube System Design Guide
Engineering parameters for sizing and installing earth tube systems — soil temperature profiles, tube diameter, airflow rates, and seasonal performance data.
Manitoba Passive Solar Greenhouse Study
A documented case study of passive solar greenhouse performance across Prairie winters — temperature stability, heating cost reduction, and crop outcomes.
Concentrated Solar
Enclosed Parabolic Trough Technology Overview
How ARK's enclosed trough design eliminates wind and soiling losses to achieve process heat competitive with natural gas — technical specifications and performance data.
Solar vs. Natural Gas Cost Comparison
Levelized cost analysis comparing concentrated solar thermal to natural gas boilers across Alberta energy price scenarios from 2024 to 2040.
Vertical Grow Bag Systems
Vertical Grow Bag System Specifications
Full product specifications for ARK's vertical grow bag towers — dimensions, plant capacity, irrigation requirements, and compatible crop varieties.
Dutch Greenhouse Productivity Benchmarks
Industry benchmark data from Dutch greenhouse operations — yield per square metre, labour efficiency, and energy intensity for high-wire and vertical systems.
Need a Document That Isn't Listed?
Our team can provide project-specific technical packages, feasibility study inputs, and custom design documentation. Reach out and tell us what you're working on.