Presentation to the International Aquaponic Society

The International Aquaponics Conference:

Aquaponics and Global Food Security

” Controlled Environment Agriculture for Aquaponics”

Presented by

Dr. Gene Giacomelli Professor, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering

Director, Controlled Environmental Agriculture Program College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The University of Arizona giacomel@ag.arizona.edu

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Today is the 20th day of June….

What is the significance?

Longest sunlight period of the day during the year.

Sunlight is solar energy that plants convert to food energy for us to eat, drink water and breath oxygen

Of all that energy 1350 Watts per square meter

Only about 1% becomes plant biomass

Controlled Environment Agriculture for Aquaponics or for anything…..

Can make better use for all!

I want to speak about the following:

Benefits of controlling the environment Challenges to control the environment

There is no one perfect solution What to be concerned about – light, heating, cooling,

pests, nutrition, labor…

Just a thought…….

Just a thought…

Given effort/expense converting to aquaponic or hydroponic system, consider a climate controlled greenhouse,

get the greatest return from your investment

Because of Quality, Yields, Timing, less Seasonal, Safe, Secure, Predictable

Designing new GH [converting existing] climate controlled GH with heating, cooling, etc, is well-understood,

Complete it with confidence of experience & calculations

It does not have to be trial and error An investment made with expectations

that the aerial climate necessary for plants/crop will be achievable [or not]

Then this thought…

Aquaponics or hydroponics offers opportunity to control the root zone of crop

in ‘real time’ to the needs of the plant

For example, Can quickly change nutrition, or root zone temperature,

or maintain constant water status, unlike growing in soil [earth]

Difficult to produce organically in hydroponics But aquaponics growers have organic nutrients

Wastes? Resources? in adjacent aquaculture system for the hydroponic system

CEAC: to the extremes of Earth’s hot and frozen deserts…..and to the stars

Greenhouse Systems

Hydroponic Crops

Lunar Greenhouse Prototype (Sadler Machine Systems)

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences The University of Arizona

South Pole Food Growth Chamber

CEAC: to the extremes of Earth’s hot and frozen deserts…..and to the stars

Greenhouse Systems

Hydroponic Crops

Lunar Greenhouse Prototype (Sadler Machine Systems)

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences The University of Arizona

View of South Pole Food Growth Chamber via Web Camera

USA/NSF South Pole Station 65 – 100 lb harvest per week 250 ft2

A Leader in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Lunar Prototype greenhouse

Outreach/Teaching Module

Engineering innovative biological systems from collaborative & original research

Organic crop production Recirculating, closed loop hydroponics

Aquaponics Aquaculture + Hydroponics

Tilapia Fish + Lettuce

Dr. Jason Licamele, graduate research, 2009 Dr Kevin Fitzsimmons, collaborator

CEAC Aquaponic Educational System Dr. Jason Licamele, graduate research, 2009 Dr Kevin Fitzsimmons, collaborator

CEAC Aquaponic Educational System

Lettuce Butterhead variety Short turnover (5 weeks)

Cultivars (Rex, Tom Thumb)

Dr. Chito Sace, Univ of Manila at UA-CEAC, 2011 Dr Kevin Fitzsimmons, collaborator

CEAC Aquaponic Educational System

CEAC Environment Parameters of Concern

0102030405060

1/1 1/15 1/29 2/12 2/26 3/12 3/26 4/9

Mol

es/ M

2

Time

Daily Light (PAR), 2009

April

2009 Environmental Parameters Mean Daily PAR 19 moles/m2 Total PAR Exp.2 924 moles/m2 Mean Night Ta 17 oC Mean Day Ta 21 oC Daily Mean Ta 19 oC Daily Mean RH% 60 %

2009 Water Parameters

Mean Water Temperature 25 oC

pH 6.7

Dissolved Oxygen 5.9 mg/L

Electrical Conductivity 1.0 dS/cm

from Licamele, J, 2009 UA-CEAC

January

The Importance of the Previous Slide

To know how your systems, and crops are doing, You need to monitor them

Sensors Temperature Dissolved oxygen pH Electrical conductivity Light Relative Humidity others? Monitor/Controller (computer) ‘reads’ all sensors compares to desired values makes correction or contacts an operator records data, displays data, processes data

Presentation to the 12th Annual Arizona Greenhouse Design and

Crop Production Short Course

” Energy Systems and Conservation”

Presented by Dr. Gene Giacomelli

Professor, Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Director, Controlled Environmental Agriculture Program

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences The University of Arizona

Greenhouse Energy Conservative System

Requires change to or improvements in: Greenhouse construction Cladding materials Insulating techniques Innovative climate control equipment Management of physical and plant

physiological knowledge in operations

Heat Loss from Greenhouse

Heat loss from greenhouse (or) The size of your heater (Btu/hr) = energy = costs

Depends on: [4 things]

Minimum outside air temperature (Tout,min ) Total surface area of greenhouse (A) Insulation of greenhouse (overall heat transfer coefficient (U ) Minimum inside air setpoint temperature (Tin,min)

Q = U x A x (Tin,min - Tout,min)

Outside Air Temperatures (oF)

Handbook of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE

Heat Loss of Greenhouse

Find Warmer Site; Grow in Warmer Season

10 f

t

Total surface area of greenhouse Heat Loss of Greenhouse

Single Free Standing or Gutter Connected?

30 ft

6 ft

30 ft

10 ft

6 ft

Surface Area = 6,010 ft2 x 6 = 36,060 ft2 ∼40% more surface area than gutter-connected greenhouse having the same floor area (below)

Floor Area = 3,000 ft2 x 6 = 18,000 ft2

Surface Area = 26,060 ft2 Floor Area = 3,000 ft2 x 6 = 18,000 ft2

Total surface area of greenhouse

Heat Loss of Greenhouse

Single Free Standing or Gutter Connected?

Insulation of greenhouse Heat Loss of Greenhouse

Glass or Single / Double Polyethylene Film?

Largest panes possible Safety: tempered glass

(Picture courtesy of C. Kubota)

Insulation of greenhouse Heat Loss of Greenhouse

Largest panes possible Safety: tempered glass

Glass or Single / Double Polyethylene Film?

Overall Heat Transfer Coefficients for Greenhouse Coverings and Some Materials

MATERIALS U (BTU hr-1 ft-2 F-1)

Single (double) glass 1.15 (0.7) Single (double) poly 1.15 (0.7) Double poly + thermal screen

0.3 – 0.5

Double layer polycarbonate 0.6 Double layer acrylic 0.6 ½” Plywood 0.7 8” Concrete block 0.5 2” Polystyrene board 0.1

Air-Inflated Double Polyethylene film

Pressure makes rigid; more strength Increased insulation Reduce light transmission Less surface condensation Useful life 3 – 4 years Diffuses the sunlight

Condensation between the layers – Use outside air to inflate the layer Infrared barrier – heat savings Anti-condensation surface Anti-Drip surface Ultraviolet light (UV) protection

Polyethylene film with IR additive

Reduces heat loss 10 - 30% (depends on situation)

Incremental Cost ~ $0.02 / sq. ft. Payback potentially one season Diffuses light

IR = infrared energy

Get IR barrier in your polyethylene film

Effect of thermal screen ( 30 - 45% heat savings)

0.0

0.4

0.8

1.2

1.6

2.0

Double poly PE Double PE +ThermalScreen

$ /

ft2

Greenhouse area

1.35 acres

Site Tucson, AZ

Heating set points

80 F (day), 62 (night)

Natural gas 1.43 $ / therm

Shade and Thermal Screens - Aluminized

100% 75% 65% 55% 15%

Real time climate monitoring

http://ag.arizona.edu/ceac/tomlive/GHmonitoring.html

Provides current & recent history of the climate

For an energy conservative greenhouse

Use energy curtains Design, install and use energy efficient

systems Reduce air leaks from greenhouse Regularly maintain your equipment Calibrate sensors Insulate greenhouse perimeter Double layer covering systems

Compare fuel prices and efficiencies, find cheaper/consistent fuel source

If possible use dual fuel systems Use computer control and take advantage of

real time monitoring Use right sensors, adequate amounts and at

the right locations Use mechanization for labor savings

For an energy conservative greenhouse

Use variable speed motors, pumps, fans Instruct your workers to check settings,

switch off unused equipment Make your investment decisions based on

future energy costs, don’t just save today Find ways to use alternative energy sources

For an energy conservative greenhouse

SOLAR BIOMASS GEOTHERMAL CHP…….……

consider: Greenhouse is a solar collector Choose low cost fuel Efficient energy conversion Conservation and insulation Crop production practices

I need to reduce energy costs!

Give me cheap solutions that are easy to do!

Insulate pipes, doors, ‘edges’… keep glazing maintained Create a ‘white-house’ of reflective materials Cover fan housings Adjust louvers and vent openings to seal properly Fans in good working order

Shut off unneeded greenhouse space Plant later or grow ‘cooler’ crops Accuracy of control sensor, proper location Service boilers / heaters Reduce boiler water temperature Adjust setpoints; use day / night values Read; contact the NGMA; Contact University Cooperative Extension

More inexpensive solutions !

Some long-term payback improvements

Thermal curtains Heat storage with CO2 capture from boiler Improved monitoring and control system Hot water replacing hot air heating systems Location of heating pipes Improve cooling system equipment

Is there any hope for improvement…….. Give me some perspective

Plastic Greenhouse Energy Conservation

Double-layered P.E. Covering

Multi-bay, Gutter-connected Greenhouses

Internal insulation screen/curtain

Concrete Floor Heating

Solar & Reject Heat Utilization

Mears, 1977

Annual Energy Cost per square foot

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

a b c d e f g h

Gal

lon

s o

f o

il eq

uiv

alen

t

Multiple Span/Single Glazing

Multiple Span/Double Film

MS/DF w/floor heat

MS/DF w/heat curtain MS/DF w/FH + HC

MS/DF w/FH + HC + power plant waste heat.

Single Span Single Glazing

9.9 L

1.1L

(For 5000 degree-day location)

Annual Energy Cost per square foot

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

a b c d e f g h

Gal

lon

s o

f o

il eq

uiv

alen

t

Single Span, Single Glazing

9.9 L

Single Span, Single Glazing

Annual Energy Cost per square foot

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

a b c d e f g h

Gal

lon

s o

f o

il eq

uiv

alen

t

Multiple Span/Single Glazing

Single Span Single Glazing

9.9 L

Multiple Span/Single Glazing

Annual Energy Cost per square foot

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

a b c d e f g h

Gal

lon

s o

f o

il e

qu

ival

ent

Multiple Span/Single Glazing

Multiple Span/Double Film

Single Span Single Glazing

9.9 L

Multiple Span/Double Film Glazing

Annual Energy Cost per square foot

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

a b c d e f g h

Gal

lon

s o

f o

il eq

uiv

alen

t

Multiple Span/Single Glazing

Multiple Span/Double Film

MS/DF w/floor heat

Single Span Single Glazing

9.9 L

MS/DF w/floor heat

Multiple span / Double film with Floor Heat

Annual Energy Cost per square foot

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

a b c d e f g h

Gal

lon

s o

f o

il eq

uiv

alen

t

Multiple Span/Single Glazing

Multiple Span/Double Film

MS/DF w/floor heat

MS/DF w/heat curtain

Single Span Single Glazing

9.9 L

MS/DF w/heat curtain

Multiple span / Double film with Heat Curtain/Screen

Annual Energy Cost per square foot

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

a b c d e f g h

Gal

lon

s o

f o

il eq

uiv

alen

t

Multiple Span/Single Glazing

Multiple Span/Double Film

MS/DF w/floor heat

MS/DF w/heat curtain MS/DF w/FH + HC

Single Span Single Glazing

9.9 L

MS/DF w/heat curtain & floor heat

Multiple span / Double film with Heat Curtain & Floor Heat

outside

attic

Inside at crops

Concrete floor

F. Ruiz, 1976

Annual Energy Cost per square foot

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

a b c d e f g h

Gal

lon

s o

f o

il eq

uiv

alen

t

Multiple Span/Single Glazing

Multiple Span/Double Film

MS/DF w/floor heat

MS/DF w/heat curtain MS/DF w/FH + HC

MS/DF w/FH + HC + power plant waste heat.

Single Span Single Glazing

9.9 L

MS/DF w/heat curtain & floor heat & ‘waste heat’

Power Plant Reject Heat Source

MS/DF w/heat curtain & floor heat & ‘waste heat’ PP&L / Bryfogles GH, 1980

Hot Water Plastic Film Solar Collector Rutgers University 1976

MS/DF w/heat curtain & floor heat & hot water solar

SOME Useful REFERENCES

Greenhouse Energy Cost Reduction Strategies, Michigan State Univ. http://www.hrt.msu.edu/Energy/Notebook/Energy_Sec3.htm

Energy Sources, Department of Energy http://www.energy.gov/energysources/index.htm Database for state incentives for Renewables and Efficiency http://www.dsireusa.org/ Surviving the Energy Crisis, OFA http://www.ofa.org/energy.aspx

Energy conservation for commercial greenhouses, NRAES-3 Natural Resource, Agriculture, and Engineering Service (NRAES)

Horticultural Engineering, Rutgers University http://aesop.rutgers.edu/~horteng/ Greenhouse Management Online, Department of Horticulture, University of Arkansas http://www.uark.edu/~mrevans/4703/index.html

The CEAC (Controlled Environment Agriculture Center) and The University of Arizona are dedicated to development of CE (Controlled Environment) technologies and worldwide applications, and for educating young people about the science and engineering of CE and hydroponic food support systems, and the other CE applications. We will implement an interactive outreach and educational program to promote the benefits of CE for food production for modern agriculture, as well as, the new technologies of CE for enhancing, restoring, and maintaining critical earth life systems and human quality of life scenarios. CE systems will be developed to help feed the world, while utilizing energy, labor and water resources effectively, and CE will become the platform for applications of new technologies using plant physiological processes [biomass fuels]; for space colonization life support [recycling all resources]; for remediation of air [carbon sequestration] and water [salts, heavy metals]; and for phytochemicals and plant-made pharmaceuticals [lycopene, vaccines].

For Further Information

Dr. Gene Giacomelli Director CEAC, giacomel@ag.arizona.edu +1 520 626 9566 Prof. Gene Giacomelli is a faculty member within the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at The University of Arizona, and Director of the Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. Giacomelli has gained international reputation through his pioneering work and expertise in the area of protected crops. Growing food on other planets is one of the collaborative international projects that he is leading, which is supported by the NASA Space Grant Consortium at the University of Arizona. The focus is efficient use of water, energy and other resources for implementation of a food and life support system for Moon/Mars. The results from this project will be applied to Earth protected agriculture food production systems."

For Further Information

Media contact: Michael Munday Michael F. Munday Editor & Managing Director Desert Rain Research & Communication P.O. Box 42707 Tucson, AZ 85733 mfmunday@desert-rain-research.com 520-991-9591 (cellular) 520-881-8064 (message)

For Further Information

See the video about CEAC 2011: “Beyond the Ordinary”

at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87ZPOyeU1dU