The growing energy demand and the need to optimize land use have driven the search for innovative solutions. Renewable energy systems, including aquavoltaics, are emerging as a promising option for the aquaculture industry.
Researchers from King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok (Thailand) have developed a framework based on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to determine the optimal size and potential of aquavoltaic systems on shrimp farms. This approach considers crucial factors such as the location, size, and characteristics of the ponds, as well as climatic patterns and the energy needs of aerators used in shrimp farming.
The Potential of Aquavoltaics
Aquavoltaics, which combine solar photovoltaic energy generation with aquaculture, are emerging as a promising solution. Aquavoltaic systems offer multiple benefits:
- Optimal land use: Combining food production with clean energy generation in the same space.
- Reduction of water evaporation: Solar panels can help decrease water loss in ponds.
- Improved water quality: Some studies suggest that conditions created by solar panels can benefit aquatic life.
- Income diversification: Aquaculture producers can earn additional income from electricity sales.
A New Approach to Aquavoltaic Systems Evaluation
Despite the growing interest in aquavoltaic systems, existing research has limitations. Many studies have focused on the technical potential of these systems without delving into economic and practical aspects.
The study published in the journal Energy Reports has taken a step forward by developing a GIS-based framework to assess the economic viability of aquavoltaic systems on shrimp farms. This approach considers key factors such as:
- Optimal system size: Determining the ideal solar installation capacity for each pond.
- System configuration: Analyzing different options, including grid-connected systems, with energy storage, or standalone systems.
- Impact on aquaculture production: Evaluating the effects of solar panels on water quality and shrimp growth.
- Economic viability: Calculating the net present value (NPV) to determine the investment’s profitability.
Optimizing Solar Energy Production in Shrimp Ponds
Using geographic data from shrimp ponds and meteorological information, the researchers modeled solar photovoltaic energy generation. At the same time, they analyzed the energy needs of aerators, essential equipment in aquaculture, to create accurate load profiles.
The goal was twofold: to identify the optimal size of the aquavoltaic system considering different configurations (grid-connected, battery storage, or standalone) and to quantify the potential of these systems with different levels of pond coverage (10%, 20%, and 30%).
Promising Results
The results obtained in shrimp farming regions of Thailand are encouraging. The most viable configuration was found to be grid-connected, with installed photovoltaic capacities ranging from 2.78 kWp to 144 kWp. Although only 2.6% of the pond area was used for solar panels, the economic benefits were notable, with NPVs ranging from -$12,728 to $2,627 per pond.
Increasing solar panel coverage to 30% multiplied the installed capacity to 1.32 MWp, and the NPV reached $2.31 million, significantly contributing to the district’s agricultural electricity consumption.
Additionally, the proposed framework improved NPVs by up to 4.41% compared to previous studies that did not consider spatial data and aerator requirements. This demonstrates the importance of careful planning and integrating geographic information to maximize the benefits of aquavoltaic systems.
Benefits for the Shrimp Industry
Implementing aquavoltaic systems on shrimp farms offers multiple advantages:
- Optimizing land use: Efficient use of aquatic space.
- Clean energy generation: Contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
- Improving local economy: Generating additional income for aquaculturists.
- Sustainable development: Balancing food and energy production.
The framework developed in this study provides a valuable tool for planning and implementing aquavoltaic projects efficiently and profitably.
Conclusion
The study’s results show that aquavoltaic systems can be economically attractive for shrimp producers, generating additional income and contributing to the sector’s sustainability. The GIS framework used proved superior to previous studies by considering spatial data and aerator requirements, improving NPV by up to 4.41%.
The main findings of the study are:
- The most profitable configuration: Grid-connected systems were found to be the most economical option, requiring only a small percentage of the pond area to install solar panels.
- Energy storage is not always necessary: Adding batteries to grid-connected systems did not significantly improve economic results due to high associated costs.
- Size matters: Covering a higher percentage of the pond with solar panels significantly increases energy production and economic benefits.
- A more precise approach: The model used in the study offers a more accurate evaluation than traditional methods by considering factors such as aerator energy consumption and specific location characteristics.
However, the study also highlights some areas for future research:
- Impact on aquaculture production: Further study is needed to understand how solar panels affect water quality and shrimp growth.
- Scalability: The model could be expanded to evaluate the potential of aquavoltaic systems at national or international levels.
- Species diversity: The benefits and challenges of implementing aquavoltaic systems with different types of aquaculture should be investigated.
In summary, this study provides a solid foundation for developing aquavoltaics as a sustainable and profitable option for the shrimp industry and adds evidence to integration projects that are being implemented. However, more research is needed to fully understand the impacts of this technology.
Contact
Chaowanan Jamroen
Division of Instrumentation and Automation Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok
Rayong Campus, Rayong 21120, Thailand.
Email: chaowanan.j@eat.kmutnb.ac.th
Reference (open access)
Jamroen, C., & Suttikul, T. (2024). A geographic information system-assisted techno-economic assessment framework for aquavoltaic systems in shrimp farming. Energy Reports, 12, 881-891. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2024.06.059
