Energy Optimisation in Aquaponics—Integrating Renewable Source and Water as Energy Buffer for Sustainable Food Production

ABSTRACT Aquaponics, a symbiotic integration of aquaculture and hydroponics, has emerged as a promising solution for sustainable food production, offering efficient water and land utilisation. However, the high energy costs associated with maintaining optimal water conditions remain a critical facto...

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Main Authors: Abdul Aziz Channa, Kamran Munir, Mark Hansen, Muhammad Fahim Tariq
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Energy Science & Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.70038
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author Abdul Aziz Channa
Kamran Munir
Mark Hansen
Muhammad Fahim Tariq
author_facet Abdul Aziz Channa
Kamran Munir
Mark Hansen
Muhammad Fahim Tariq
author_sort Abdul Aziz Channa
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Aquaponics, a symbiotic integration of aquaculture and hydroponics, has emerged as a promising solution for sustainable food production, offering efficient water and land utilisation. However, the high energy costs associated with maintaining optimal water conditions remain a critical factor in ensuring its long‐term viability. While renewable energy sources like solar and wind power can offset the high energy costs, their intermittent nature limits their effectiveness. Batteries, often used as energy buffers during these intermittencies, but introduce additional costs and environmental concerns. This study presents a novel energy optimisation approach for aquaponic systems. We employed a dynamic control algorithm to intelligently adjust water temperature based on solar forecasts. By leveraging system water as a thermal energy buffer, the method reduces reliance on grid power during solar intermittencies, thereby enhancing renewable energy integration. Simulations reveal that this approach can achieve up to 26.9% annual reduction in energy consumption for aquaponic systems compared to conventional methods. This strategy not only decreases energy usage but also highlights the potential for aquaponics to evolve into a more sustainable and cost‐effective solution for food production.
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spelling doaj-art-becbeced97a944b99b9c9149128c4e9d2025-08-20T02:27:18ZengWileyEnergy Science & Engineering2050-05052025-04-011342098211110.1002/ese3.70038Energy Optimisation in Aquaponics—Integrating Renewable Source and Water as Energy Buffer for Sustainable Food ProductionAbdul Aziz Channa0Kamran Munir1Mark Hansen2Muhammad Fahim Tariq3Computer Science Research Centre (CSRC), School of Computing and Creative Technologies, College of Arts, Technology and Environment University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol UKComputer Science Research Centre (CSRC), School of Computing and Creative Technologies, College of Arts, Technology and Environment University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol UKComputer Science Research Centre (CSRC), School of Computing and Creative Technologies, College of Arts, Technology and Environment University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol UKSciFlair Ltd. Bristol UKABSTRACT Aquaponics, a symbiotic integration of aquaculture and hydroponics, has emerged as a promising solution for sustainable food production, offering efficient water and land utilisation. However, the high energy costs associated with maintaining optimal water conditions remain a critical factor in ensuring its long‐term viability. While renewable energy sources like solar and wind power can offset the high energy costs, their intermittent nature limits their effectiveness. Batteries, often used as energy buffers during these intermittencies, but introduce additional costs and environmental concerns. This study presents a novel energy optimisation approach for aquaponic systems. We employed a dynamic control algorithm to intelligently adjust water temperature based on solar forecasts. By leveraging system water as a thermal energy buffer, the method reduces reliance on grid power during solar intermittencies, thereby enhancing renewable energy integration. Simulations reveal that this approach can achieve up to 26.9% annual reduction in energy consumption for aquaponic systems compared to conventional methods. This strategy not only decreases energy usage but also highlights the potential for aquaponics to evolve into a more sustainable and cost‐effective solution for food production.https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.70038energy efficiencypower managementsolar energy
spellingShingle Abdul Aziz Channa
Kamran Munir
Mark Hansen
Muhammad Fahim Tariq
Energy Optimisation in Aquaponics—Integrating Renewable Source and Water as Energy Buffer for Sustainable Food Production
Energy Science & Engineering
energy efficiency
power management
solar energy
title Energy Optimisation in Aquaponics—Integrating Renewable Source and Water as Energy Buffer for Sustainable Food Production
title_full Energy Optimisation in Aquaponics—Integrating Renewable Source and Water as Energy Buffer for Sustainable Food Production
title_fullStr Energy Optimisation in Aquaponics—Integrating Renewable Source and Water as Energy Buffer for Sustainable Food Production
title_full_unstemmed Energy Optimisation in Aquaponics—Integrating Renewable Source and Water as Energy Buffer for Sustainable Food Production
title_short Energy Optimisation in Aquaponics—Integrating Renewable Source and Water as Energy Buffer for Sustainable Food Production
title_sort energy optimisation in aquaponics integrating renewable source and water as energy buffer for sustainable food production
topic energy efficiency
power management
solar energy
url https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.70038
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AT kamranmunir energyoptimisationinaquaponicsintegratingrenewablesourceandwaterasenergybufferforsustainablefoodproduction
AT markhansen energyoptimisationinaquaponicsintegratingrenewablesourceandwaterasenergybufferforsustainablefoodproduction
AT muhammadfahimtariq energyoptimisationinaquaponicsintegratingrenewablesourceandwaterasenergybufferforsustainablefoodproduction