The document describes an agent-based solution called SAS_EN for maintaining environment sustainability in hydroponics systems. SAS_EN uses a multi-agent system with different agent types like temperature control and nutrient control agents to autonomously monitor and regulate environmental factors. It aims to enable negotiations between agents to achieve sustainability. The system was evaluated against manual control and showed improved yield, lower labor costs, higher reliability and faster response times in maintaining optimal growing conditions.

1. Ruvindee Rupasinghe, Sanjaya Ratnayake, Anuruddha Ranatunga, Amila Sajayahan, Asoka S. Karunananda Faculty of Information Technology University of Moratuwa SAS_EN – A swarm of Agents for a sustainble Environnent

9. Our solution, SAS_EN

10. Decision Architecture Temperature control Agent Water control Agent Ontology Message Agent Nutrient control Agent Actuators Sensors Ec measure Water level measure P H measure Temperature measure Valves Fan Light Pumps

12. Uniqueness of the SAS_EN approach Traditional Automation Our approach Pre-programmed behavior Emergent behavior Reactive Proactive Not adaptive Adaptive Needs a PC No need for a PC Periodic adjustments Dynamic adjustments Depend on a pre-specified algorithm Depend on the interactions between Agents

13. Technical Overview

15. Evaluation Performance evaluation criteria Managed by the embedded solution Managed manually Yield Yield was high. Also there were only few perishable items. (1.5% yield was perishable ) Yield is average. There were many perishable foods. (2.5% yield was perishable ) Labour hours 2 labour hours per day 16 labour hours per day Money Initial cost, electricity cost Labour cost, Rework cost Reliability Reliable Reliable Response time Very High Average Usability Very High Average

17. Sanjaya Ruvindee Anuruddha Amila

18. SAS_EN in action

19. Faculty of Information Technology University of Moratuwa Sri Lanka