This research project aims to transfer knowledge on the use of renewable energy technology incorporated with the smart farm management to aquaculture farmers through innovative prototype transfer as well as establishing the example community which applies renewable energy technologies and smart farm management principles to reduce the cost of energy and hence increase the income. Based on our previous research experiences at School of Renewable Energy, Maejo University, we have been funded for three consecutive times from the National Research Office (NRCT) started from 2016-2018 under the project of Initiative of a green community of smart fish farming to reduce fossil fuel utilization: Case study at Tungyao community, Amphur Sansai, Chiang Mai province and in 2020 under the project of Encouragement of Green Community of Smart Fish Farming in Chiang Mai Province for Fossil Fuel Reducing. It can be demonstrated that our projects, where solar PV system was integrated into the aeration systems, can help minimizing the energy cost. The use of developed smart farm management systems, such as the environmental and the oxygen monitoring system, the fish farming application and the cloud sever of data managing system, were also played a major role in cost and energy management of fish farming. Various types of energy storage systems such as battery and solar-compressed air system have been investigated in more detail by our team in order to reduce the risk of power outages. Therefore, we have a strong confidence that existing knowledge and technology can be effectively transferred to farmers and communities where new community innovators arise to become a role model to others.
The concept of the research project consists of 2 steps: The first one is related to the installation of innovative technological prototypes where a prototype solar power generation system and smart farm management system will be constructed to match the participating areas. The second step is about the knowledge transfer. This step will emphasize on the creation of a model community prototype innovators and knowledge transfer to farmers in the community. The sustainability of the project will be the main priority where local innovators and users of the technology can transfer the knowledge to others but the research team, however, will act as mentors which will support the information for troubleshooting the system.