The Use of Wind Energy to Reduce Energy Consumption of  Shrimp Farm Aerators: A Case Study of Thailand

Supakit  Worasinchai; Pimpa  Limthongkul; Kiatkong  Suwannakij; Wanita  Powsakul

Authors

Supakit Worasinchai Renewable Energy Laboratory, Materials for Energy Research Unit, National Metal and Materials Technology Center, 114 Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani
Pimpa Limthongkul Electrochemical Materials and System Laboratory, Materials for Energy Research Unit, National Metal and Materials Technology Center, 114 Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani
Kiatkong Suwannakij Electrochemical Materials and System Laboratory, Materials for Energy Research Unit, National Metal and Materials Technology Center, 114 Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani
Wanita Powsakul Electrochemical Materials and System Laboratory, Materials for Energy Research Unit, National Metal and Materials Technology Center, 114 Thailand Science Park, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani

Keywords:

Wind turbine, American windmill, shrimp farm, energy consumption, payback period

Abstract

The level of the dissolved oxygen in the grow-out water is one of the most important parameters that govern the quality of shrimp production. The generation of dissolved oxygen in intensive farms relies heavily on mechanical aerators which consume a large amount of energy. Reduction of this energy consumption could be beneficial for farm owners as it reduces the operational cost of the farm.
This article presents a study of using wind power to reduce the operational cost of the paddle-wheel aerators. A hybrid system, which combines the wind power source to the motor-based electric system was designed and evaluated under Thai wind conditions. The study showed that the investment has a long payback period of around 18 years and this is mainly because of the high energy cost of the wind turbine. Results also showed that reduction of this cost and the improvement of the wind turbine performance can be implemented in parallel to improve the cost-effectiveness of the system. Therefore, the use of wind power to supply power to the aerator system will not be cost-effective until the energy cost of the wind turbine has been improved.

References

Boyd, C. E. (1998). Pond water aeration system, Aquacultural Engineering, 18, 9-40.

Burton, T., Sharpe, D., Jenkins, D., & Bossany, N. (2001). Wind energy handbook. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons.

Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency. (2001). Wind resource assessment of Thailand, Department of Energy. N.P.: n.p.

Kim, Y., Wang, M., Kinyua, M., Cools, C., Zhang, Q., & Ergas, S. J. (2015). Alternative energy sources for Florida aquaculture systems, Final report. Florida: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida.

Lazur, A. (2007). Growout pond and water quality management. JIFSAN (Joint Institute for Safety and applied Nutrition) Good Aquacultural Practices Program, University of Maryland.

Metropolitan Electricity Authority. (2015). “Electricity rate”. Retrieved from http://www.mea.or.th/profile/index.php?tid=3&mid=111&pid=109

Paneetatyasai, S. (2011). Shrimp Industries in Thailand, Thai Shrimp association. Retrieved from http://www.thaishrimp.org

Peterson, E. L., & Walker, M. B. (2002). Effect of speed on Taiwanese paddle wheel aeration, Aquacultural Engineering, 26, 129-147.

Tunsutapanich, S., Mungkung, R., & Gheewala, S. H. (2006). Energy performance evaluation of aerators for shrimp farming. In The 2nd Joint International Conference on Sustainable Energy and Environment (SEE2006), 21-23 November 2006 (The Joint Graduate School of Energy Environment (JGSEE)) Bangkok, Thailand: E-070.

USA Economic Development Co., LTD. (2015). Personal communication. N.P.: n.p.