First commercial demonstration of a seaweed Farm within an offshore wind farm- North Sea Farmers

North Sea Farm #1 initiated by North Sea Farmers with funding from Amazon’s Right Now Climate Fund, is a floating farm located in the open space between wind turbines where seaweed production can be tested and improved. In parallel, scientific research aims to validate the carbon sequestration potential of seaweed farms and measure biodiversity impacts.

In the North Sea, offshore seaweed cultivation has only be done in the form of research pilots. But to understand what makes a viable and scalable business model and what the impacts are on the environment, North Sea Farmers (NSF) is going to start a commercially operated seaweed farm including the onshore processing activities.

Project Objectives

1. Show that seaweed farming between offshore wind turbines is technically feasible

Demonstrate that in challenging conditions within an offshore wind farm (proximity to wind farm, distance to the coast, depth, wind, waves, current, environmental and safety) it is possible to operate a commercially viable seaweed farm. The project will develop a seaweed production systems that are safe, robust, efficient and have high yields. Engineered with the best design codes and using all of the experience within the North Sea Farmers network.

2. Demonstrate that the young European seaweed sector can organise itself

The European seaweed (cultivation) industry is still young. Nevertheless, it’s players are more than capable to setup functioning supply chains together with the traditional European players. This project is an unique opportunity for seaweed companies to develop and be part of a state-of-the-art supply chain which is crucial in the execution of a commercial sustainable value chain.

3. Confirm genuine interest from European markets in seaweed products

NSF#1 aims to show that it is possible to make products from locally and sustainably cultivated seaweeds. The harvested seaweed from NSF#1 will initially be used to make samples of food ingredients, packaging, clothing as well as ingredients for cosmetics (texturiser) and agriculture (biostimulant ingredient). With these proven concepts the seaweed sector can engage with the market.

4. Climate and environmental research objectives

More insights on how to tackle climate change by potentially sequestering and avoiding CO2 emissions. And gaining more insights on the possibilities to realize a net positive impact (NPI) on biodiversity.

5. Demonstrate the viability of co-use in offshore wind farms

If the ambition of the Ostend Declaration (development of a total capacity of 300 GW in wind farms in 2050 by nine countries with access to the North Sea) is realised, approximately 12% of the North Sea area will be occupied by wind farms. With respect to societal acceptance and perhaps even common sense It is clear that co-use of these areas is preferable. The NSF#1 aims to become the blueprint for how to implement co-use in wind farms successfully. This is not a plan, it has already started with the first offshore operations that provide valuable lessons learnt for future co-use initiatives

Join The CONSORTIUM!

Become a partner of the NSF#1 project consortium

 As a company:

• You will have first row seats in wind farm co-use and offshore seaweed production
• You will directly contribute to a more circular economy
  • Scale-up European seaweed industry
  • Validation of carbon sequestration
• You will obtain direct custom reporting
  • Feasibility seaweed biomass for applications relevant for your markets
  • Support on viable and state-of-the art co-use innovation solutions for wind farm tenders (if applicable)
• You will be involved in positive media exposure

In return we ask for a substantial financial or in-kind contribution

As a research project/ institute or university:

• You can perform research on the only operational co-use seaweed farm in a North Sea wind farm
• You will get direct access to the farm infrastructure and sensor/survey data
• You can place any sensor/survey equipment
• You can join any operational activity for your research goals
• You will be involved in positive media exposure

In return we ask for contributing (relevant) project resources to NSF#1 to support also others and share what you have learned with stakeholders

Current Consortium

For a successful realisation of this project (incl. research objectives), it is crucial to join forces. For that reason a consortium has been built that includes researchers Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PLM) and Deltares, carbon sequestrtion advisors Silvestrum Climate Associates, seaweed extract manufacturer Algaia, project developer Simply Blue Group, and marine contractors Van Oord and Doggerland Offshore.