New Horizons for Control and Energy Management of Closed Ecological Systems: Insights and Future Trends

Closed ecological systems (CESs) are complex systems mandatory for long-lasting crewed space missions to provide necessary consumables for sustaining human lives. The functioning of CESs depends on the availability of electrical power to operate several subsystems to regenerate air, produce food, and recycle water and waste. In the space environment, considering the limited power supply capacity and the dynamic nature of power requirements, an advanced control and energy management system (EMS) is required for coordinated electricity supply, demand, and reserve management. Further, meeting the strict operational needs of CESs, especially those related to life-sustaining constraints, should be guaranteed. This article provides new insights into the key requirements of control and EMSs of CESs and their future trends. In addition, the role of data-driven tools and digital twins (DTs) in the operation management of advanced CESs is discussed.