Renewable energy solutions: enhancing marine life growth by optimizing sunlight penetration using fibre optic daylighting system

Mohd Farid, Sabrina and Mohd Yusof, Muhammad Khudhori and Azahan, Siti Nurul Fatihah and Shahril, Muhammad Ridzwan and Al, Amin and Zulkifli, Mohd Zamani (2025) Renewable energy solutions: enhancing marine life growth by optimizing sunlight penetration using fibre optic daylighting system. Jurnal Fizik Malaysia, 46 (1). pp. 10214-10228. ISSN 0128-0333 E-ISSN 2590-4191

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Abstract

The study of marine life depends heavily on man-made cultivations site such as coral reefs nursery and algaculture in tanks, where it involves extracting marine life from the sea, growing them in various controlled environment and then using it for research purposes. However, most of the sites rely on artificial light for lighting purposes to assist the growth of marine life. The purpose of this research is to investigate the potential of a Fibre Optic Daylighting System (FODS) as a sustainable lighting solution by using natural light and improving its penetration to this cultivations site, instead of artificial lights. An optical fibre system prototype has been developed for this experiment, comprising of a Fresnel lens for light capture, a single plastic optical fibre (POF) as the transmitter, and a side-emitting fibres as the diffuser. A pilot scale test has been conducted from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. The analysis considered hourly weather conditions to accurately represent the overall climatic conditions and determine the performance of the FODS for illumination. During fair weather, the transmitter fibre can transmit up to 53 lux in illuminance output. This study then analysed several parameters that impacted the FODS output for further optimization. Lastly, a post-improvement validation test was conducted to ensure the FODS suitability for underwater lighting. The optimized FODS resulted in a significantly improved illuminance output of up to 12350 lux which is equivalent to 229 µmol/m2/s. The illuminance output achieved is highly satisfactory, demonstrating the readiness of the FODS for future studies, including its deployment in underwater lighting tests and the analysis of its impact on marine life growth. This study significantly supports the idea of transmitting natural sunlight to be used as a renewable energy source for lighting purposes in marine life cultivation site. Using FODS instead of artificial light will not only be economical and great for the environment, it can also positively impact the growth of marine life itself as natural sunlight will always be the best lighting solutions for living organisms.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Fibre Optic Daylighting System (FODS), Marine Life Cultivations Site, Research Purposes, Underwater Lighting, Lumen.
Subjects:	Q Science > QC Physics
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Science Kulliyyah of Science > Department of Physics
Depositing User:	Dr M Z Zulkifli
Date Deposited:	21 Jul 2026 00:32
Last Update:	21 Jul 2026 00:32
Queue Number:	2026-07-Q4057
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129922

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