Centralized optimization of resource routing in interconnected food production units with harvesting events*

Abstract

In this work we synthesize constrained control laws monolithically to maximize production for an interconnected food production control system. The system we consider consists of a set of several plant and larvae units interconnected through valves in a circular topology. We synthesize then a centralized MPC controller after formulating the problem in the form of a nonlinear mixed integer optimization program. Then we show that the overall production increases and the energy costs decrease when the production units are connected together compared to the case when they are decoupled. These results are shown in an illustrative example on an interconnection of two production units: one containing plants (lettuce) and another containing larvae insects (Hermetia illucens).