SBIR-STTR Award

Using Renewable Energy to Make Tilapia Production Financially Viable for Small Farms Investigator: Fox W.S. Institution: Arizona Green (Div. of Teach Sharp LLC) Elfrida AZ Making production of tilapia (and other warm-water fish) financially viable and sustainable on a small-farm scale depends on several factors. The number-one constraint is the need to maintain tropical water temperatures (70 to 100 F) for the fish. To address this need our research focuses on heating the water in individual fish tanks via a closed-loop heat-transfer system using renewable energy. Our target customers are small fish-farms in cooler climates that use indoor recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS).Phase I of this SBIR project focuses on set-up and implementation of the heat-transfer system within an already-operational indoor RAS stocked with tilapia. Goal 1 is to "Determine capability efficiency and limits for a heat transfer system in a RAS to maintain the fish water a to o acceptable temperatures (70-100 F 85 ideal)." This is addressed through eight technical questions related to temperatures within the fish tanks efficiency of the heat transfer system hot water storage capacity energy requirements and flow/pressure rates. Data will be obtained through electronic sensors that record water temperatures in individual fish tanks heat exchangers and hot-water storage tanks; ambient air-temperatures inside and outside the facility; water pressure and flow rates; and energy used to heat water. Descriptive and comparative statistics will inform further development and replication of the system. Goal 2 is to "Examine impacts of the heat-exchange process on the fish."Technical questions address fish reactions to the heating process and impacts related to growth rates breeding and spawning and social- behavioral. Systematic observational and quantitative data will provide insight for these. Anticipated Results and Potential Commercial Applications Phase II will emphasize continued work toward commercialization. Prototypes will be placed in4-6 different climatic regions of the United States with various types of renewable energy; these will be operated by trained but independent small farmers. Data from these prototype operations will be used to further refine the technical and educational processes. The goal is to expand commercialization by promoting the RAS tilapia-production systems that utilize the heat-transfer system powered by renewable energy developed in this research and educating small farmers throughout the country on adding tilapia production as a revenue stream using this system. By enabling small farmers to raise tilapia and other warm-water fish through their most cost- effective locally-available renewable energy source the innovations developed in this research will strongly support and improve the sustainability and profitability of fish production as a small-farm enterprise. These efforts can foster a variety of new agricultural enterprises increase availability of locally-grown foods and contribute to the well-being of rural communities.