SeaForward

BIODIVERSITY

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK

42090 - HOLISTIC DESIGN OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS

Design project focused on increasing marine biodiversity, through the utilisation of wind turbines, thereby contributing to the mitigation of their impact on marine life and strengthening the ecosystem.

Developed by Group 6

Under the guidance of Josef Oehmen

In collaboration with Spring

DTU Aqua National Institute Of Aquatic Resources

INTRODUCTION

Climate change is a significant global problem that requires immediate attention. To combat this issue, there has been a push towards renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power.

Offshore wind turbines have become essential in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, they can have unintended consequences on marine ecosystems, that may undermine their significant contribution to the promotion of clean energy and the fight against climate change.

Sea Forward aims to develop a sustainable product that benefits marine life around offshore wind turbines, ensuring minimal impact on marine ecosystems while contributing to clean energy production and business development.

While turbines represent a major advance in the fight against climate change, the negative effects they have on marine life prevent their contribution from being fully appreciated and exploited. A new challenge is therefore emerging towards the mitigation of these impacts and probably the pursuit of multidisciplinary solutions with a broader focus on the integration of different disciplines.

For wind energy companies, this booklet introduces Sea Forward's proposal to address the following problems identified in the ocean around offshore wind turbines:

EXISTING SOLUTIONS

Reefs / Artificial Reefs / Ship wrecks

Advantages

- Ecological disruption because of plastics, petroleum and other harmful materials.

- May attract illegal fishing.

- Could destroy existing habitat if is not placed well.

Disadvantages

- Helps to enhance biodiversity. - Can be build in many different forms and materials.

- Creates new habitats for different species.

- It could help to brake energy waves.

Cages

Advantages

- Helps to enhance biodiversity.

- Can be build in many different forms and materials.

- Creates new habitats for different species.

- Creates a safe place for different species to survive.

Disadvantages

- Ecological disruption because of plastics, petroleum and other harmful materials.

- May attract illegal fishing.

- Could destroy existing habitat if is not placed well.-

Wind turbines / Offshore Wind Parks

Advantages

- Generates clean energy.

- Sustainable solution.

- Their location and functionality brings safety to species could habitat on its surroundings.

Disadvantages

- They are sometimes dangerous for some birds and ships.

- Can generate noise pollution.

- Maintenance and transportation are a huge problem.

WHAT IF ?

Reefs

Ship wrecks

Artificial Reefs

Fish Kindergarden Cages

Offshore Wind Farms Foundation

CONSIDERATIONS

Oxygen levels

Temperature

Level 1: 5 - 10(m)

Level 2: 10 - 15(m)

Level 3: 15(m) - below

Waves

30 Meters of sunlight

BIODIVERSITY ENHACEMENT SYSTEM

Cod Lobster Mollusc Squid Mackerel Haddock Herring Mussel Crab Plankton

DTU Aqua National Institute Of Aquatic Resources

DETAILS

Top Level

Cage size: 50x50x150cm

Mesh size: 5x5cm

Medium Level

Cage size: 50x50x150cm

Mesh size: 10x10cm

Bottom Level

Reefs 50x50x50cm

POTENTIAL BENEFITS

Integrating two of the existing solutions, cages and artificial reefs, is based on the main advantage of reducing costs compared to the construction of new structures. And in turn, on the promotion of a collaborative economy, where people work together and contribute to a common benefit. By using existing products, it will help to save money on materials, construction and logistical planning. This can help make the overall system more economically viable, which is especially important in today's search for and implementation of efficient and sustainable solutions.

While the main objective of the system is to increase biodiversity, the overall idea opens the door to the integration of two key industries for humanity at this time. Wind Energy and Aquaculture, so the system aims to be a sustainable and integrated system that seeks to make the most of ocean resources. On a complex system level, the benefits would be reflected in:

- Integration and empowerment of the two industries

- Sustainable use of marine resources and space

- New economic opportunities

- Overall cost reduction

The proposed system is closely aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It actively contributes to the achievement of five different SDGs, directly and indirectly three of them specifically related to the Biosphere level. By focusing on the bottom of the pyramid, the system is able to directly address key issues such as: Life Below Water and Climate Action, which are vital for the success of the following levels. Furthermore, the impact of the system goes beyond these immediate concerns, as it helps to create a positive and reactive chain that also contributes to the fulfilment of other SDGs like: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Affordable and Clean Energy and Life on Land. Ultimately, the system is a fundamental tool in the quest for a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Sea Forward system presents a holistic approach in terms of promoting viable and sustainable solutions in the fight against climate change. It focuses primarily on increasing biodiversity around offshore wind turbines in order to mitigate the negative effects of this industry on marine life, it is considered to be a part of an engineering system with a very important social scope as well.

For Sea Forward system, the attraction and conservation of two species are crucial to the fulfilment of its objectives.

COD FISH

Cod fish brings great benefits on a biodiversity, food chain and economic level.

- It supports a variety of marine life, such as eelgrass in Danish waters, which in turn is an important aquatic plant serving as a touchstone for many different species, including miso-species, which live in symbiosis with it.

- As a large predator, cod fish would eat the miso-predators playing a key role in maintaining a balanced food chain.

- Cod is a commercially valuable fish species and can therefore provide a sustainable source of seafood and a new market opportunity as well.

Having more lobsters in Danish waters represents both life cycle and economic benefits.

- Lobsters are a cold-water species and particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, such as warming and acidification of the oceans. Maintaining a healthy population would help in measuring the impact of the system in relation to mitigating negative effects on the water.

- From a market point of view, generating a sustainable production of lobsters would represent a large income, as they are sought after by trade.

LOBSTER

TESTING

This phase will consist on create a similar environment for different fish to evaluate how they manage with their new environment and if they use the system as it was intended. This phases will last a couple of months to be able to have proof of concept and evaluate possible changes.

The next two phases will be tested at the same time ,if possible to be able to determine how fast the system is working and what can we do to get ready when is possible to have the ideal conditions for fish to grow, this phases will last some months to be able to have results.

This last phases will be done depending on how willing the stakeholder to try the system as the solution can be implemented in any of the three. To study how the different species will interact with the new source of protection, home and environment, is necessary to wait more than a year, also to have proof of the results the testing needs to be accompanied with cameras to take weekly/monthly pictures of the improvements.

Phase 1: Fish tank

Phase 2-3: Small rivers / lakes - Harbor

Phase 4-5-6: Old wind turbines / Working Wind Turbine / New locations.

FURTHER DESIGN

Cage design approach

Round version Views

Modular

Di erent shapes

Stackable

Reef design approach

THE TEAM

The working team consists of seven Design and Innovation Master students, with different backgrounds, passionate about sustainability and innovation. By using a multidisciplinary approach combining design, engineering and marine biology, the team pursues creative solutions that promote marine biodiversity and contribute to a more sustainable future.

FILIP

Furbo Enevoldsen

S195765

Product Developer

Denmark

FELIPE

Chacón

S223298

Creative Director

Colombia

CAROLINA

Valderrama

S222643

Project Manager

Colombia

YASAMAN

Chalabi Hajkarim

S222507

System Analyst

Iran

TARA

Skov Rudkjøbing

S165144

Journalist

Denmark

HENDRIK

Stegers

S230258

Creative Director

Germany

HANNA

Juul-Andersen

S193993

Project Coordinator

Denmark

BIODIVERSITY