Heliospectra AB said a Scandinavian microalgae farm has placed an order valued at about $170,000 with the company for a customized LED lighting system based on the LX60 series, to be used at the farm’s patented production facility in Norway. Heliospectra said the customer has developed a new technology solution producing high-quality products derived from microalgae for food, animal feed, and industrial products. A new project was initiated in Q1 of 2016 to upgrade their existing production system to present an industrial, scalable and commercial production system indoors. The addition of LED lighting in algae production is a way to improve the quality of light, as well as increase penetration of light into the water. “Aquatic organisms are often cultivated in open ponds,” said Heliospectra CEO Staffan Hillberg. “But the quantity of algae that can be harvested from these ponds becomes limited since they need light to grow, and sunlight rarely penetrates beyond the first few inches of the water. Not to mention the constant risk that the algae might be contaminated by other microorganisms grown outside. A fully automated system in a controlled environment helps increase production and reduce the risk of contamination.” Heliospectra AB specializes in intelligent lighting technology for plant research and greenhouse cultivation.