Optimal Operation of EHP for Reducing Energy Consumption in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems

Jangho Hong; Naekyung Kim; Jabin Goo; Yongmok Kim; Sehjoon Dokko; Seng- Kyoun Jo; Younghoon Kwak; Sunhye Mun

doi:10.7836/kses.2026.46.1.015

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2026 Vol.46, Issue 1 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

Optimal Operation of EHP for Reducing Energy Consumption in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems 순환여과식 양식장의 에너지 사용량 저감을 위한 EHP의 최적 운영

28 February 2026. pp. 15-24

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Abstract

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) have high energy consumption because of the operation of various types of equipment. In particular, in facilities that cultivate warm-water species, boiler loads increase significantly during winter to maintain appropriate water temperatures under low outdoor air conditions. This load can be partially mitigated by heating indoor air through HVAC operations; however, reducing relative humidity increases water evaporation from tanks, and the inflow of replenished groundwater subsequently lowers water temperature, resulting in additional heating demand. Therefore, the energy consumption of aquaculture facilities must be comprehensively analyzed, accounting for both water temperature and indoor air conditions. This study investigates the application and operation of an electric heat pump (EHP) as an energy-saving strategy during winter in a recirculating aquaculture facility. For validation, measurements and verification were conducted by collecting field data on indoor air temperature and humidity, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, and electrical consumption. The calibrated model achieved an MBE accuracy level of –0.37% and a Cv(RMSE) of 11.9%. Based on this validated baseline model, an EHP system was integrated, and optimal operation strategies were derived based on indoor air temperature. This study demonstrated the potential to reduce energy consumption through HVAC applications in indoor aquaculture facilities, which are classified as energy-intensive buildings.

Keywords

Recirculating aquaculture systems

Building performance simulation

Electric heat pumps

Optimal control

Energy consumption

키워드

순환여과식 양식장

건물 성능 시뮬레이션

전기히트펌프

최적 제어

에너지 사용량

References

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Information

Publisher :Korean Solar Energy Society
Publisher(Ko) :한국태양에너지학회
Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
Journal Title(Ko) :한국태양에너지학회 논문집
Volume : 46
No :1
Pages :15-24
Received Date : 2025-11-01
Revised Date : 2025-12-31
Accepted Date : 2026-01-04
DOI :https://doi.org/10.7836/kses.2026.46.1.015

Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society ISSN:1598-6411(Print) 2508-3562(Online) 한국태양에너지학회 논문집

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