Aquaponic as a system of building integrated food production

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

This paper describes the planning parameters to integrate an aquaponic system into a plus-energy house in Austin/Texas. The idea behind this is to close material cycles in the sense of Cradle to Cradle® and to consider existing waste as resources. Therefore, it was examined whether condensation water generated in air conditioning systems (fan coils) can be used to produce food in an aquaponic system. Aquaponics is a technology that combines fish farming and crop cultivation in a circulatory system. In this project, a new aquaponics concept of the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) is used, which provides individual water circuits for fish and plants, to allow the optimal conditions for fish farming and plant cultivation. The system is placed in a greenhouse. Tilapia were selected as suitable fish. Tomatoes and other crops grow in a "medium based" bed of 3,5 m with a substrate of coconut fibre mats. Thus, about 75 kg offish and 50 kg of vegetables are produced per year directly at the consumer's place of residence and in a naturelike circulation system.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of 33rd PLEA International Conference
Subtitle of host publicationDesign to Thrive, PLEA 2017
EditorsLuisa Brotas, Sue Roaf, Fergus Nicol
PublisherNCEUB 2017 - Network for Comfort and Energy Use in Buildings
Pages5197-5204
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9780992895754
StatePublished - 2017
Event33rd International on Passive and Low Energy Architecture Conference: Design to Thrive, PLEA 2017 - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Duration: 2 Jul 20175 Jul 2017

Publication series

NameProceedings of 33rd PLEA International Conference: Design to Thrive, PLEA 2017
Volume3

Conference

Conference33rd International on Passive and Low Energy Architecture Conference: Design to Thrive, PLEA 2017
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityEdinburgh
Period2/07/175/07/17

Keywords

  • Aquaponic
  • Greenhouse
  • Sustainable building
  • Water reuse

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