Floating Solar Aquaculture Aerator with Secondary Renewable Energy Source

Problem Statement: The U.S. aquaculture pond industry remains an untapped market for floating solar- powered aeration systems (FSAS), despite the industry’s significant dependence on aeration to maintain adequate dissolved oxygen (DO) levels for fish survival, growth, and commercial production. The U.S. aquaculture pond industry currently relies on land-tied and fossil fuel-dependent aeration systems that incur high reoccurring operating costs for farmers. These grid-tied aerators also exclude off-grid farmers with remote ponds that could otherwise be utilized for aquaculture to generate additional revenue. Overall Objective: HFC’s project objective is to pioneer FSAS technology that is designed to meet the varied needs of the aquaculture pond industry and provide highly efficient, cost-effective aeration options for farmers. HFC’s FSAS will provide cheap, effective daytime aeration that will offset the need for industrial farmers to run their costly traditional systems nightly, thereby reducing farmers’ overall aeration operating costs. HFC’s product will also enable off-grid pond operators to stock or increase the stocking of their ponds to support fish sales and recreational fishing. Phase I Results: Phase I research consisted of research trials that tested potential components to inform the design of the individual aeration, power, and floatation subsystems. Initial prototypes were then fully fabricated and assembled for field trials in HFC’s 7-acre aquaculture pond as proof-of-concept. HFC also conducted extensive interviews and developed strategic relationships with manufacturers, aquaculture research centers, and professors and extension agents who will serve as important points of contact between HFC and the farming community. Phase II Work Plan: In Phase II, HFC will conduct additional R&D to optimize the product design and component selection and field test the device at renowned aquaculture facilities, including Auburn University’s E.W. Shell Fisheries Center and Kentucky State University’s Aquaculture Research Center, to create an industry-relevant and market-ready product. These facilities are also strategically located to serve as demonstration sites of the product to HFC’s main customer base and potential partners. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: HFC’s novel FSAS technology will introduce much- needed improvements in efficiency and sustainability to commercial pond aquaculture aeration, helping to improve farm profitability, lead the industry away from dependence on increasingly costly fossil fuels, and meet the U.S.’s increasing demand for sustainable, domestically-produced sources of protein. This will in turn help to improve the nation’s food security, nutrition, rural employment, and seafood balance of payments, and reduce the nation’s carbon footprint and impact on climate change.