Modelling and control strategies for water production and regeneration in agriculture using sustainable desalination technologies and purification with microalgae, AQUACONTROL

This project aims to develop modeling and control methodologies to optimize the use of sustainable and alternative freshwater sources based on desalination technologies, as well as the advanced use of water through regeneration and reuse strategies involving microalgae reactors. It is undeniable that water scarcity has become a critical issue for human development, making it a central topic of study for various national and international agencies, programs, and organizations.

Among different water-consuming sectors, agriculture accounts for approximately 70% of total consumption. At the same time, intensive agriculture is a major source of pollution, contributing the highest levels of nutrients and organic matter to aquatic ecosystems, which hampers the preservation of natural resources and biodiversity. Therefore, AQUACONTROL focuses on integrating a wide range of scientific and technological techniques to provide an innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly solution for the sustainable generation and regeneration of water in intensive agriculture.

The technologies considered in this proposal are highly sophisticated and subject to continuous advancements in both technological fields. Additionally, both systems are significantly affected by continuous variations in their inputs, making them highly complex. To achieve the project’s objectives, the following modeling and control tasks are proposed:

1. Development of a modeling framework to obtain nonlinear models and estimators for water production and regeneration using desalination plants and microalgae-based reactors.

2. Development of a hierarchical control approach for efficient and sustainable water production and regeneration by integrating desalination plants and photobioreactors.

3. Implementation and validation of the developed modeling and control strategies in different experimental plants with clear industrial relevance.

This project can be seen as an extension and integration of previous research efforts focused on microalgae-based systems and those requiring heterogeneous resources derived from renewable sources, such as solar desalination technologies. Notably, eight previous national research projects (four on microalgae and four on renewable systems) were led by the research group behind this proposal. Consequently, the foundation of the current project lies in the extensive experience of the research team in addressing contemporary challenges in these fields.

Furthermore, the project has a strong international dimension, involving three foreign researchers from Sweden, Italy, and Portugal. Its thematic focus aligns with the strategic lines of the European Union and the National Research Plan, specifically within the challenges of «Clean air, clean water, healthy soil, and biodiversity.» Achieving the project’s objectives would represent a significant contribution with tangible impacts on water generation and regeneration in intensive agriculture settings. As a result, several companies and research centers, including EABA, Aqualia, Biorizon Biotech, CIESOL, Coexphal, and Elemental Water Makers, have expressed interest in this proposal.