Energy Return on Investment for Aquaponics: Case Studies from Iceland and Spain

Reynir Smari Atlason (), Ragnar Ingi Danner (), Runar Unnthorsson (), Gudmundur Valur Oddsson (), Fernando Sustaeta () and Ragnheidur Thorarinsdottir ()
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Reynir Smari Atlason: University of Southern Denmark
Ragnar Ingi Danner: University of Iceland
Runar Unnthorsson: University of Iceland
Gudmundur Valur Oddsson: University of Iceland
Fernando Sustaeta: Breeded in Green Ltd.
Ragnheidur Thorarinsdottir: University of Iceland

Biophysical Economics and Resource Quality, 2017, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Abstract Energy use in food production is linked to environmental impact, as most agricultural practices are reliant on fossil fuels. It is therefore of importance to locate food production methods that are less energy intensive than current methods and are also less polluting. Energy return on investment (EROI) is the ratio between the energy used to construct and maintain a given energy production system, against the energy that is provided by the system. Aquaponic systems have environmental benefits over conventional aquaculture systems as the waste is used within the system as fertilizer for plants. In this paper, we analyse the operational performance of three aquaponic systems. Two systems were located in Iceland, and one in northern Spain. We also analyse the energy output with respect to edible protein contents. After 10 years of partially simulated operation, the EROI of the Hondarribia, Sudarvogur and Akur systems was 0.055:1, 0.016:1 and 0.106:1, respectively. Our results indicate that aquaponic operations benefit from operating within a greenhouse and that direct electricity consumption is the largest energy input in the aquaponics systems. The aquaponics systems studied returned one half to one tenth the EROI as compared to conventional fisheries or aquaculture.

Keywords: Life Cycle Assessment; Electricity Consumption; Aquaculture System; Recirculate Aquaculture System; Indirect Energy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1007/s41247-017-0020-5

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