Digital Twin Technology for Aquaponics: Towards Optimizing Food Production with Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems

Aquaponics, or recirculating aquaculture production systems, harness the symbiotic relationship between plants and fish for food production. A large quantity of fish can be raised in a small volume of water by the effect of plants in removing toxic waste products excreted by fish; in turn the waste is broken down by microbial activity to obtain concentrated nutrients for intensive plant/crop growing. The concentration of nutrients generated is similar to hydroponic nutrient solutions. Water is conserved in the integrated process and may be reused. In this paper we consider an approach comprising self-contained aquaponics production units each of which is a closed system where the balance of fish stock and plants is monitored and controlled automatically. We provide empirical results of a simulation and a physical implementation. The design involves an online virtual production unit implemented with a simulation that is updated with data from the real system (a dynamic data driven application system). The virtual unit anticipates the performance of the real system and enabling what if analysis and optimization of the behavior of the whole system: for example to maximize production, minimize waste, conserve water and other resources, meet quality standards, and other production goals.