in food, traceability , GHG, smart agriculture, AI, IoT

Food choices impact both human and planetary health. The negative environmental impact of the food system, increasing food insecurity, and the prevalence of unhealthy diets are driving policymakers, researchers, companies, and consumers to demand sustainable solutions. In Romania, wine and the viticulture industry play a significant role in the economy and culture but face challenges in ensuring traceability and sustainable resource management. Wine traceability, from grape cultivation to the final product, is essential for maintaining high-quality standards, compliance with international regulations, and reducing waste.

This project proposes to study traceability in Romania’s wine sector, focusing on the value chains of grapes and wine. The quantities, quality, and potential for utilizing by-products generated during the production process (such as grape pomace or wine lees) will be analyzed. Innovative methods for extracting nutrients and valuable compounds from these by-products will be tested, with an emphasis on more energy-efficient and cost-effective techniques.

Furthermore, the safety and nutritional quality of grape-derived products will be assessed, considering traceability, bioavailability, and potential allergenicity. Prototypes based on these compounds will include diverse applications such as food products, cosmetics, or other sustainable uses, in collaboration with industrial partners.

Exploring consumer preferences, behaviors, and local regulations will help identify the drivers and barriers to adopting sustainable solutions. This effort will contribute to strengthening a sustainable wine industry in Romania, supporting the local economy, protecting the environment, and promoting healthy and responsible food practices.

BEIA has R&D expertise in Cloud and embedded M2M (Machine 2 Machine) telemonitoring applications, one of the R&D results consist in “IP-Wireless-Telemetry” experimental system: Remote Terminal Unit (RTU stand alone, GPS location, data acquisition and processing, command and control, GPRS/CDMA on-line data transmission with TCP/IP embedded); Field Interface Unit – communications server; client application (fleet management, data monitoring and command), human machine interface.

BEIA develops an agriculture monitoring platform for monitoring ecological parameters and environmental telemetry, having experience in sensor networks for real-time monitoring (including seismic activity, radioactivity, tsunamis, marine/maritime activities) and with telemetry systems for Irrigation Management (including sensors for measuring soil moisture, monitor water uptake and calculate evapotranspiration), Accurate Water Data (watersensors for hydrographical purposes, from precipitation to water level monitoring of lakes, rivers, wells) and Efficient Water Management (leak and burst detection, pressure, flow, level and well monitoring).

Also BEIA has experience with software for Energy Remote Management System and manages an ongoing project “TELE-GREEN / Telemonitoring System equipment, installations and facilities for the production of clean energy” co-financed by the European Regional Development