ACREE-MPC: advanced irrigation optimization app for water efficiency
ACREE-MPC integrates Model Predictive Control into the ACREE app to optimize irrigation under water allocation constraints. It leverages existing hardware and data, enhancing efficiency without costly upgrades, and is validated through Nebraska trials.
Overview
ACREE-MPC is an innovative extension to the ACREE agricultural app, designed to optimize irrigation efficiency under allocation constraints. By incorporating Model Predictive Control (MPC), it allows producers to maximize water use efficiency while adhering to seasonal limits. This solution offers a cost-effective alternative to hardware upgrades, leveraging existing equipment and data infrastructure to deliver substantial improvements in water productivity. ACREE-MPC's user-friendly interface ensures seamless adoption, making it an ideal choice for producers in regions like the Ogallala, where water allocations are a critical concern.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Model Predictive Control (MPC): Integrates real-time data from Mesonet observations and NWS forecasts to optimize irrigation schedules.
- Seasonal Planner: Uses a MILP-based approach to allocate water caps across growth stages based on yield sensitivities.
- Daily Optimization: Synthesizes various data inputs to provide precise irrigation recommendations, maintaining optimal soil moisture levels.
- Multi-platform Availability: Available on iOS and Android, facilitating broad accessibility.
Technology readiness level
ACREE-MPC is currently at Technology Readiness Level 6, having been validated in field trials across three Nebraska sites. Further validation will focus on comparing its performance against traditional ET scheduling methods to ensure a reduction in water usage with minimal impact on yield.
About University of Nebraska, Lincoln
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a comprehensive public research university and the flagship campus of the University of Nebraska system, combining land-grant reach with a collaborative, industry-engaged culture. A research and technology park adjacent to campus provides modern wet and dry labs, greenhouses, offices, and conferencing, enabling companies to co-locate with faculty and access shared equipment and pilot environments. A statewide extension network links university expertise with producers and communities, creating rapid pathways for field trials, demonstrations, and workforce pipelines. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from NSF, USDA, DOE, and NIH. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, agreements, and startup formation with industry-friendly terms.
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