We’ve often referred to the importance of HVAC systems to every layer of the cultivator’s business. One of the complications with selecting the right designer or technology is that few cultivators are mechanical engineers. This really complicates the process of deciding which provider or technology is best for your facility. When it all sounds good, how do you make the right decision for your grow? The truth is, there are a number of technologies that can successfully manage the climate in an indoor facility. The trick is understanding the pros and cons of each and working with a mechanical design partner who can clearly articulate them to help you make an informed decision.
Brandy Keen; Co-Founder/Senior Technical Advisor, Surna
Brandy Keen has been designing and consulting for environmental systems in indoor agricultural facilities for over ten years. In 2006, Ms. Keen co-founded Hydro Innovations where she served as its Director of Operations. At Hydro Innovations, she developed a sophisticated knowledge of the controlled environment agriculture industry and established herself as an expert in the garden and indoor climate. Currently, Ms. Keen is the Co-Founder and Senior Technical Advisor for Surna, Inc., which acquired Hydro Innovations in 2014. Surna develops innovative technologies and products that monitor, control and address the energy and resource intensive nature of indoor cannabis cultivation. Surna also provides consulting and reporting services for climate control, odor control mitigation and biosecurity. Prior to Hydro Innovations, Ms. Keen’s career includes highly technical sales, entrepreneurship, and leadership in the semiconductor and construction industries.
A trusted resource for environmental design and management, Ms. Keen has had varying levels of involvement (from consulting to full scale design) with over 700 unique grow facility designs ranging from small cultivation operations to facilities in excess of 100,000 square feet.
Ms. Keen is often engaged as a speaker on climate control and energy efficiency by organizations such as NCIA, CWCBE and CannaCon andhas been interviewed by Bloomberg News, cited in numerous industry related publications and has responded to Reddit followers via an AMA session. Herbackground in environmental management in cannabis cultivation is unparalleled. Her unique experience lends an understanding of all perspectives in the cultivation facility, including the cultivator, the business owner, the investor, the regulating body, and the community. In her role at Surna, she is required to guide licensed PE’s in mechanical design of facilities, teach solutions to consumers who know little about the systems they are purchasing, design systems that meet local regulations and reduce energy consumption, and improve on standard and outdated practices. Ms. Keen’s expertise recently brought her to participate in the Cannabis Sustainability Work Group through the City of Denver, as it looks to provide best practices for sustainability (including energy efficiency) in the cannabis industry. Her coverage of a worldwide market has exposed her to every conceivable cultivation practice, giving her a wealth of experience shared by few.