Multi-Use offshore platforms demoNstrators for boostIng cost-effecTive and Eco-friendly proDuction in sustainable marine activities

Project Information

UNITED

Grant agreement ID: 862915

DOI

10.3030/862915

Project closed

EC signature date 12 September 2019

Start date 1 January 2020

End date 31 December 2023

Funded under

• SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy

Total cost

€ 11 373 761,13

EU contribution

€ 9 822 668,50

Coordinated by

STICHTING DELTARES
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - UNITED (Multi-Use offshore platforms demoNstrators for boostIng cost-effecTive and Eco-friendly proDuction in sustainable marine activities)

Reporting period: 2022-07-01 to 2023-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

UNITED implemented a multi-use concept in 5 pilots across the 3 EU Sea Basins to test the viability of combining multiple actions through co-use or co-location in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Greece. The project provided diverse solutions on how the development of co-locating various activities in the same marine space could be a viable approach (economically, socially, and environmentally). The project has produced reviews of the pilots designs, proposed and achieved TRL levels, legal consideration and bottlenecks, technical solutions to monitoring and practical implementation, and both realised and mitigated risks. Furthermore, the project has worked on the synchronization of multiple operation and maintenance systems as well as improvements in current design, safety, and infrastructure setups for multi-use extensions. For each of multi-use and co-location combinations, an economic assessment was compiled, as well as the business analysis. In conjunction with these efforts, profitability, risks, and economic sustainability of multi-use developments were investigated and compiled into reports for the different combination types and sectors. The specific achievements and developments of the pilots, alongside generalisation which have been fed into the Ocean Multi-Use Commercialization Roadmap can be found as cornerstone outputs of the project in Deliverables 1.4 and 1.5 respectively. Briefs on key challenges from the technical, legal, ad risks prospectives have also been developed. The project had several events which included open access training workshops to improve professional skills and competencies, as well as demonstrating the capacity for these multi-use combinations to provide societal, economic, and environmental benefits. This was done via a general assessment framework to understand the common pillars amongst all of the activities, scoping potential impacts, generating scenarios to be investigated, and analysing projected outcomes of the demonstration pilots; considering the scaling in the context of commercialisation plans.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The German pilot project was the first offshore multi-use cultivation initiative in Germany, focusing on algae and mussel cultivation near three wind farms. It obtained the first aquaculture-offshore-multi-use permission, marking a significant success. The project advanced technology that already had a TRL of 9 but faced the challenge of integrating these components into a cohesive system, reaching a TRL of 5 through extensive testing. It achieved a functional and robust mussel and algae cultivation system resilient to harsh offshore conditions. Cost reductions were validated through shared maintenance trips, highlighting the synergies of multiple sea uses. The project secured necessary permits and established connections with legal authorities, emphasizing compliance and communication. It reached a TRL of 7 for the multi-use system, promoting the concept of multi-use in low trophic aquaculture in the German North Sea region.
The Dutch pilot project in the North Sea explored innovative multi-use approaches combining offshore wind developments, floating solar energy production, and seaweed farming. Four key demonstration objectives highlighted the synergies between these activities. Data from seaweed and floating solar panels deployment validated potential benefits when integrated into operational sites. Seaweed cultivation systems progressed from TRL 4 to 6. The project tested the economic feasibility of floating solar panels within offshore wind farms and aimed to reduce technical risks and define legal frameworks. Integration of floating solar and seaweed aquaculture showcased technical and operational feasibility, including energy and communications connections, and explored impacts on aquaculture business cases.
The Belgian pilot aimed to restore native flat oyster reefs within offshore wind farms while cultivating flat oysters for consumption. It identified suitable areas for reef restoration while respecting trawling prohibitions and developed scour protection conducive to oyster reef formation. The project validated longline designs for flat oyster production in offshore conditions and implemented remote monitoring for oyster growth. Effective communication and scheduling improved installation efficiency and data collection. Synergies between oyster reef restoration, aquaculture, and wind energy production were presented in a number of exhibitions, deliverables, and publications. The project advanced from TRL 5 to 7, marking significant progress in sustainable offshore aquaculture, addressing biological constraints and technical solutions for oyster and seaweed farming.
The Danish pilot initiative aimed to explore the integration of tourism with Offshore Wind Farms (OWF) through shared sea space and coordinated activities. It focused on Middelgrunden Wind, a cooperative-owned OWF near Copenhagen, offering sightseeing tours and onshore facilities like information centers. The pilot advanced from TRL 6 to 9, showcasing improved technology, promoting safety practices, and demonstrating the profitability of multi-use solutions. It also investigated platforms around turbines for divers, fishers, and offshore restaurants. The project's outcomes include increased wind turbine tourism capacity and operators in Denmark.
Greek pilot project at KASTELORIZO AQUACULTURE SA near Patroklos islet integrated fish farming with tourism, producing 230 tons of Mediterranean fish annually. The region's underwater attractions, including a "stolen cars cemetery" and ancient artifacts, attracted scuba divers. The project, starting at TRL 5 and reaching 7, connected aquaculture and tourism through organized boat tours, creating a sustainable marine environment where both industries thrived.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The UNITED project’s overall ambition was one that aimed to enhance the utilization of ocean space, resources, and infrastructure. The goal was to minimize risks and maximize benefits, encompassing environmental restoration, socio-economic growth, and societal well-being. UNITED's output and acquired knowledge represented a significant leap forward in the endeavour to expand and implement Multi-Use and Co-Locations (MUCLs) on a pilot scale to validate designs and build a body of experience to support commercialisation and upscaling of such activities. The project enhanced the competitiveness of European businesses by introducing multiple pilot multi-use sites, enriching the portfolio of industrial actors and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the EU. Within its roadmap for future implementation, UNITED has outlined steps for upscaling and broader implementation, involving a diverse array of stakeholders. By introducing novel technologies, design solutions, and operational practices in Europe, the project not only paved the way for the exportation of these innovations but also generated a valuable first-mover advantage for the collaborators within the project whom have shared their knowledge base with research and industry. The transfer of technology and knowledge promised not only to bolster operational efficiency within the project's scope but also to catalyse advancements. The impact also aspired to contribute to critical aspects of global sustainability. This included enhancing food security, promoting sustainable spatial planning, ensuring energy efficiency, and safeguarding environmental integrity.

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