The Applicability of the Solar Powered Aquaponics Mobile Unit at

Sharjah Campus for Sustainable Perspective of Food Security

HASSAN ABDULMOUTI1, WASIF MINHAS2, ZAKWAN SKAF1, RASHA ABOUSAMRA3,

AHANA FATIMA ALEX4

1Department of Mechanical Engineering,

Sharjah Men's College, Higher Colleges of Technology,

UAE

P. O. Box 7946, Sharjah,

UAE

Dubai,

the implemented aquaponics prototype within the mobile learning unit at the Sharjah Campus of the Higher

College of Technology by integrating fish and plant cultivation in a closed-loop system to prioritize water

conservation and eliminate reliance on soil, align with United Nations sustainable development goals and

promoting sustainable farming practices for robust food production in the UAE. The solar energy system was

employed for 6 photovoltaic modules for LED lights and 13 photovoltaic modules for the pumping system,

with a total installation area of 50 m2. It is found that the power requirements are comparatively lower than the

vertical setup, which requires 6 photovoltaic modules for the LED and 14 photovoltaic modules for the

pumping system. This paper assesses the functional parameters, including electricity consumption by solar

panels and water pump energy usage. Furthermore, investigates the impact of fish and plant interactions on

water quality and nitrification efficiency, addressing deficiencies in traditional farming and aquaculture.

Several hazards to food security, water resources,

and the environment have emerged and grown

leading to a high demand for technological

advances in the energy sector. This is also

supported by research showing the exponential

growth in power and energy research activities over

also estimated to grow to reach a maximum peak

between the years 2016-2040, [1], [2], [3], [4], [5].

Despite the worldwide spread of trends

supporting energy conservation, green energy

supply, and minimal environmental impact, the

production of energy that covers the world’s

demand remains a difficult challenge. The greatest

challenge remains to supply electricity from clean

sources including renewable energy that can lead to

energy sources are both costly and non-

environment friendly. Renewable energy sources

provide a competitive alternative to electricity

generation and among the various renewable

energy sources, solar energy tends to be unlimited

and accessible to cover human electrical

consumption which has paved the way for great

research interests, [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16].

As the world's population rises dramatically, so

does the need for all kinds of food. Meanwhile, the

farming (aquaculture), soilless gardening, and

nitrifying bacteria form a self-sustaining ecosystem

known as aquaponics, [17], [18]. Essentially it

grows protein and carbohydrates together in a

symbiotic relationship, drastically reducing the

amount of water needed for growing plants. The

waste is converted to nutrients for the plants and in

turn the plants help filter and clean the water, so it

is suitable for the fish. The plants and fish grow in

the same water, therefore there is also no need for

filtration. There is also a delicate balance between

water circulation, temperature, quantity, and types

of fish and plant species. Furthermore, an indoor

LED lighting system is designed for the plants.

Human civilization is at a precipice, our very

existence depends on finding innovative,

sustainable solutions that enable us, and future

generations, to fulfill our needs and wants without

compromising the natural environment. Food and

in particular agriculture are the most destructive

human activity and represent the highest cost to the

environment, [19].

For example, here in the UAE, over 90% of our

freshwater is used by the agriculture sector. A fully

sustainable aquaponics system is a solution, part of

a mix of strategies, to enhance farming and

agriculture productivity and mitigate the impact on

world, [20], especially in developing countries and

arid regions, [21], [22]. At its core aquaponics

combines the benefits of aquaculture and

hydroponics to significantly reduce resource

dependence and enhance yields. Using a process of

circulating and enriching water in a closed-loop

system, aquaponics reduces water usage by more

than 90%, [20], [21], [23]. Moreover, there are

further opportunities for resource reduction and

efficiency by combining innovations in vertical

UAE, an economy heavily dependent on imports,

all of these vital issues are echoed louder with the

need for self-reliance and a future-proof economy,

[25], [26], [27], [28]. Directly addressing a number

of the UN and UAE’s sustainable development

goals.

Aquaponics is a type of bio-integrated structure

that blends aquaculture and hydroponics to create a

mutually beneficial ecosystem for the growth of

aquatic life and plant life. Ammonia, which is

[29], designed a smart aquaponics setup including a

planted grow bed and a fish tank which were the

main components.

When space and water are in short supply,

aquaponics is often favored over conventional

farming. By sharing a common water source, plants,

and fish could thrive in a hospitable setting that

reduced water use significantly. On the other hand,

Due to high rates of urbanization, limited available

land, and low levels of domestic fish and vegetable

production, food security and sustainability are key

issues in many countries such as Singapore. Kyaw

and Ng, [30], aim to create a sophisticated

aquaponics system that can simultaneously support

fish farming and plant cultivation. The system used

some sensors, actuators, a microcontroller, and a

microprocessor to keep tabs on the aquarium's

Kyaw and Ng project aims to design and create a

smart aquaponics system with the potential to

combine fish farming with plant cultivation, [29],

[30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38],

[39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45].

[46], designed a project to train students to think

across disciplines while solving problems. As a

result, they developed a solar-powered aquaponics

setup controlled by an Arduino microprocessor.

The aquaponic greenhouse is an integrated system

and the hydroponic system. The fish tank and its

associated filtration and life support systems stand

in for the entire aquaculture infrastructure. Sand,

coal, and gravel can be utilized in a conventional

three-stage filtering system, or a vortex filter can be

employed to collect residue at the filter bowl's base.

Additionally, to reduce the negative effects of

energy production on the environment, aquaponic

greenhouse runs on green power. Students get the

opportunity to consolidate their learning across

that lead to understanding and clarifying the

parameters affecting performance. Hence, it

is recommended to establish this system to

investigate the effective utilization of

the applications, [21], [47], [48], [49], [50], [51],

[52], [53], [54], [55], [56], [57], [58].

Renewable energy sources are crucial for the

development and growth of economies and

civilizations. Solar is an alternative energy to

generate electricity. The motivation of this research

is to operate the system with solar energy. Solar

energy is available in great abundance in nature,

where we can generate electricity by using

photovoltaic solar panels (PV). In this project, the

PV technology will be used as an input to all LED

lights and pumping systems.

Located in the mobile learning unit at Sharjah

developing these types of cutting-edge solutions

will enable us to establish a fully SMART and

sustainable aquaponics system. A system that can

be scaled and commercialized to establish HCT as

an important hub for sustainability in the UAE and

the wider region. This type of SMART aquaponics

is especially beneficial to the UAE due to

significantly lower water usage and a smaller

physical and environmental footprint. This system

increases efficiency and scale potential to suit

and water management. Furthermore, this project

will be a great opportunity for establishing

sustainable practices at Sharjah Campuses and

HCT’s position as a pioneer in sustainable research.

This facility (project) is almost ready for general

visits. We explore to utilize this project as a facility

for further research. Alternatively, HCT faculty

may also incorporate this facility to add value to or

enhance their existing courses.

(MLU) at the Sharjah Campus currently parked at

SJM, close to E block (Mobile Bus Aquaponics

system). The aquaponics system is a system of

aquaculture in which the waste produced by farmed

fish or other aquatic animals supplies nutrients for

plants grown hydroponically, which in turn purifies

the water. Due to the automatic water recirculating

system, aquaponics does not require much

monitoring or measuring. Essentially it grows

protein and carbohydrates together in a symbiotic

relationship. Drastically reducing the amount of

water needed for growing plants, [20]. The waste is

converted to nutrients for the plants and in turn the

plants help filter and clean the water, so it is

suitable for the fish. The plants and fish grow in the

[62], [63], [64], [65], [66], [67], [68], [69], [70],

[71], [72], [73], [74], [75], [76], [77], [78], [79],

[80], [81], [82].

On the surface the system is simple, but some

sciences are involved in establishing a robust and

efficient aquaponic system. For example, the

conversion of fish waste (ammonia) into plant food

(nitrates) can be complicated. High concentrations

of Ammonia or Nitrates can be fatal for fish and

plants. The water must be pushed through several

and plant species. Furthermore, a large indoor

system reliant on LED lighting does require a

substantial amount of energy input. However, this

is somewhat balanced by the absence of artificial

fertilizers or pesticides. As stated earlier, the

challenge of energy input can also be addressed

using renewable energy. The issue of scale and

variety remains a major issue in the advancement

and acceptance of aquaponics as a major force in

sustainable development, [103], [104], [105], [106],

aquaponic systems, [121], [122], [123], [124],

[125], [126], [127], [128], [129], [130], [131],

[132], [133], [134]. Figure 1 illustrates the diagram

(layout) of the aquaponics system working

principle. The illustration below shows the current

configuration of the system in the mobile bus. It

should be noted that this configuration has been

changed and evolved many times and, in many

phases, as we are working and trying to develop

and improve the system and overcome many

challenges. The system shown in Figure 1 consists

of the following components: The main tank No.1

which is the fish tank with Tilapia fish as expressed

in Figure 2.

Fig. 1: The aquaponics system diagram setup of the

mobile learning unit

the growth of nitrifying bacteria. Tank 3 is the first

grow bed, filled with clay hydro ball media, plants

in this grow bed also help with filtration. The clay

media also houses nitrifying bacteria which help

turn ammonia into nitrates. Plants in the tank also

help with filtration, as illustrated in Figure 3. Tank

No. 4 is a water storage tank, the plants piping

system No. 5 which is a net of piping systems with

holes distributed over the pipes to grow the plants

using the vertical farming principles, as

demonstrated in Figure 4. Tanks No. 6 and 7 are

plant's filtration tank is managed via a siphon

system. This tank contains a single hydroponic

substrate material (expanded clay pebbles) for

water filtration, on top of which some plants are

growing. The fourth water storage tank receives the

water after that. The water is then pumped by pump

number two to the plants' piping system number

five, and to the floating raft reg beds No. 6 and the

normal plants tank No. 7 sequentially then the

tank to the biofilter tank. Then the water drips to

the plant's filter tank (grow bed).

used. The number of panels needed for the smooth

functioning of the complete system was calculated

considering all the factors associated with the full

setup. The calculations of the solar system were

conducted for all lights, and pumps to design and

size the correct number of solar panels (PV),

batteries, and inverters which are required to

operate the system and are explained as follows:

So this system should be powered by at least 14

modules of 555 WP solar panels.

Battery capacity= (1300×3) ×3/(0.85×0.6×12) =

1911.76

For 100AH rated battrey= 1911.76/100 = 19.2

then we take 20 batteries.

the solar power inverter size should be about 4875

pumping system. Figure 9 illustrates the PV

Fig. 9: The (1134×2278 mm) PV specifications

used for the pumping system

Table 1. The (770×675 mm) Mono-Crystalline PV

panel specifications for LED Lights

food production technique worldwide. The

technique powered by solar energy would multifold

the advantages of the techniques while eliminating

students, and energy courses) and faculty members

involved helped and supported resolving some of

the issues and challenges this facility was facing.

The most important development for this project

was to operate the system by solar energy where 6

PV modules and 17 batteries are needed for all

LED lights (for plants and illumination) with a total

area of installation of PV is (2.5×1.5m) = 3.75 m2.

And 13 modules and 20 batteries are required for

the pumping system with an area of (9×5m) = 45

With the calculations done for the system at hand,

it is evident that the design can be extended for the

installation at various scales from as small as 1m2

indoor or as big as a large-scale pond structure. The

solar performance analysis of the system was

carried out including the cost saving and the carbon

emission reduction achieved using the designed

system. The analysis being vast was conducted as a

separate area of study and the major findings are

detailed here. The cost saving analysis shows

ammonia levels of the system were evaluated every

month and were estimated to be 6.4-7.2, 31.8-

34.70C and 1mg.L-1 respectively. The aquatic lives

were found to have a survival rate of 83% with a

utilization of the space and thereby energy

conservation will lead to uninterrupted supply to

the aquaponic system thereby helping in much-

improved results by maximum ecological

management.

5 Future Work and

elements. For example, pumps, tanks, and

waterbeds should be WIFI enabled so

sensors/switches can be controlled remotely. It

would also be great if the application could be

developed to manage the system. Also, further

improvements to the layout of the system and the

control of the water flow rate for the whole system

are required to optimize the system's performance.

Moreover, designing a renewable system for the air

conditioning system is essential in achieving

unit (MLU) at the Sharjah Campus. This

together in a closed-loop system. Essentially it

grows protein and carbohydrates together in a

symbiotic relationship. The main conclusions are

summarized as follows: This project will help to

establish HCT as a center of excellence for

sustainability. Furthermore, it will explore the

possibilities of establishing a program in

sustainable development or an international center

of sustainable research at HCT. Hence, aims to

promote and encourage sustainable agricultural

filtration. The waste is converted to nutrients for

the plants and in turn the plants help filter and clean

the water to be drinkable and it is suitable for the

fish. Solar energy (PV) was designed to operate the

system where 6 PV modules and 17 batteries are

needed for all LED lights (for plants and

illumination). And 14 modules and 20 batteries are

required for the pumping system. The area of

installation for PV for LED lights is 3.75 m2. The

area for the pumping system is 45 m2. The total

bridged the energy requirements of the aquaponic

system and hence helped in achieving a sustainable

ecological system using renewable energy. This

fruitful methodology motivates and enhances the

model design to build a larger-scale aquaponic

system in a broader spectrum starting within the

campus and spreading to the city.

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