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Smart energy management in simulated RAS cuts electricity use, carbon emissions

Responsible Seafood Advocate

Study finds smarter energy management could cut electricity use by nearly 18 percent and CO₂ emissions by 32 percent in simulated recirculating aquaculture systems

recirculating aquaculture system
Study finds smarter energy management could cut electricity use by nearly 18 percent and CO₂ emissions by 32 percent in simulated recirculating aquaculture systems.

Researchers have developed an energy management system that could help recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) reduce electricity use and carbon emissions while maintaining water conditions needed for fish health.

The study, published in Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, combines renewable energy, battery storage and grid electricity with a species-specific model that estimates dissolved oxygen levels. The system adjusts aerator operation based on fish needs and available energy rather than relying on continuous operation or fixed schedules.

Using experimental data from Malabar grouper, researchers developed a dissolved oxygen model that accounts for fish size and feeding. Next, they incorporated the model into an energy management system that coordinates aeration with on-site solar and wind generation, battery storage and grid power.

In year-long simulations, the system reduced electricity use by 17.8 percent and electricity-related carbon dioxide emissions by 31.9 percent compared with continuous aeration. The simulations also showed dissolved oxygen remained above the prescribed safety margin, while optimized aerator control helped maintain safe oxygen levels during simulated power outages.

“Our results show that aerators in aquaculture facilities should not be treated simply as fixed electricity loads,” said Akito Nakadomari, Assistant Professor of Saitama University and the corresponding author of the study. “From a power and energy systems perspective, the key is to understand how the process behind electricity demand determines when and how equipment can be operated. By incorporating those process dynamics and operating requirements into energy management, we can identify and use flexibility that remains hidden. In this study, dissolved oxygen provided the link between aerator operation and safe fish-rearing conditions, enabling aeration to be coordinated with renewable generation, battery storage, and the grid.”

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The researchers said the findings suggest flexibility in RAS operations can be improved not only by adding equipment such as batteries but also by better understanding the biological processes that drive energy demand.

“System flexibility can be enhanced not only by adding batteries or other hardware, but also by understanding the processes that shape electricity demand,” Nakadomari said. “This study used dissolved oxygen to demonstrate the concept, but RAS operation is governed by multiple interacting process states and operating requirements. By incorporating those interactions into energy management, we aim to identify additional flexibility without compromising safe and reliable production. The same principle could also be extended to other essential facilities governed by safety, quality or service requirements.”

The researchers said future work will evaluate the framework in larger RAS facilities, additional aquaculture species and different operating conditions. They also plan to incorporate additional water-quality factors and biological requirements to provide a more comprehensive approach to managing energy use in land-based aquaculture.

Read the full study.

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