ULTFARMS PARTNERS
Deltares is the coordinator of the UNITED project and contributes to activities in demonstration sites. Deltares is a not-for-profit, mission-driven Dutch knowledge institute for water, the subsurface and infrastructure. Using applied research, Deltares develops in-depth knowledge that is necessary and useful for decisions and ensures this knowledge is accessible to everyone to develop innovative solutions.With worldwide experience, Deltares’ experts combine knowledge with state-of-the-art numerical modelling techniques to provide insight into marine and coastal processes ranging from near-bed to global scale. Deltares’ work, simulation models, and data science applications are rooted in a clear understanding of how multi-faceted and complex water systems work. Analyses made by Deltares help public authorities make vital predictions concerning matters like river levels or the flow patterns, quality of groundwater and surface water, marine spatial planning, and societal needs.
The Forschungs- und Entwicklungszentrum Fachhochschule Kiel GmbH (FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel GmbH) is a research and technology organisation founded in 1995 as a gateway between industry and science. Based on the knowledge and competences of University of Applied Sciences Kiel the company has a wide range of project experience in the field of offshore projects. In 2005 the company has started a project from planning to commissioning of the offshore research platform FINO3 in the North Sea which is now operated by FuE-Zentrum.
The foundation of the platform follows the same characteristics as has been constructed for the offshore wind farm turbines in the area. The experiences from its operation and the results of the numerous scientific research projects (40 projects since 2009) carried out so far on and at the platform have helped the wind farm operators and wind turbine manufacturers in the planning, building, and future operation of offshore wind farms. As such FINO3 is well placed to also take up an offshore wind and aquaculture demonstration project and advise its development from pilot scale to possible commercial application. Concerning to this project FuE-Zentrum FH Kiel GmbH meanwhile has contracted several offshore projects with different topics.
Universiteit Gent enjoys national and international recognition for its fundamental and applied research in the field of marine/maritime sciences and technologies. Universiteit Gent, in a partnership with the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), are a founding member of the European Marine Biological Resource Center – EMBRC, a pan-European Research Infrastructure for marine biology and ecology research, whose activities include the development of new technologies enabling the growth of a sustainable Blue Economy.
Universiteit Gent aims for sustainable blue growth through a multidisciplinary approach to socially relevant themes in a collaborative and inclusive manner.
Four departments are participating in ULTFARMS:
• Faculty of Bioscience Engineering – Laboratory for Aquaculture and Artemia Reference Center
• Faculty of Engineering – Maritime Technology Division
• Faculty of Engineering – Coastal Engineering
• Faculty of Science – Department of Biology
In ULTFARMS, Universiteit Gent is leading the Belgian pilot, and coordinates the Work Package 3 on System design, Mariculture structures, Renewables and Sensors.
The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) is a world-class research institute with more than 250 scientists covering a wide range of discipline. Within RBINS, the Marine Ecology and Management team (MAREC0) has a wide expertise in marine environmental research. Linking research to policy and management support is a key asset of our work. We contribute to Environmental Impact Assessment, environmental status assessments and Marine Spatial Planning. The team is coordinating several monitoring programs assessing the environmental status of the marine environment and studying the environmental impact of human activities at sea. MARECO’s expertise serves international bodies like the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, the Oslo-Paris Convention and technical working group of the European Commission. Our team can make use of state-of-the-art research equipment, modern lab facilities and a research vessel and offers scientific services including an Artificial Hard Substrate Garden and assistance to species identifications.
Within UNITED, RBINS works on WP4 ‘Environmental gain of multi-use of marine space and infrastructure’, leads WP8 ‘Assessment and Validation’ and participates in several other Tasks offering its expertise in marine ecology, advisory services about environmental licensing and cumulative effect assessments and management to the UNITED project. RBINS also substantially contributes to the Belgian pilot demonstrator in WP7.
Wageningen Research is a non-profit privatised research organisation that is part of Wageningen University and Research. Four devisions are involved in the ULTFARMS project: Wageningen Marine Research, Wageningen Economic Research, Wageningen Food Safety Research and Wageningen Food and Biobased Research.
Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) contributes with knowledge, independent scientific research and advice to more sustainable and more careful management, use and protection of natural riches in marine, coastal and freshwater areas. One of the locations of WMR is situated in Yerseke, where 95% of the Dutch shellfish industry is based, including ships, processing plants, distribution centres and a special auction especially for bivalves. WMR has been involved in shellfish ecology and aquaculture research for more than 30 years. This includes monitoring the size of shellfish populations in coastal and estuarine waters, predicting seed production, monitoring algal blooms and quality of shellfish, predicting production based on the food availability, and providing advice to the shellfish industry. In this project WMR will specifically contribute with expertise on production and quality measurements, sensor technology monitoring biodiversity with a small ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) and Environmental Impact Assessment.
Wageningen Economic Research (WEcR) is the leading institute for social and economic research on agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, forestry and rural areas in the and an independent, strategic partner for government and companies. WEcR’s results offer a solid basis for policy and are accompanied by advice that is tailored to the client’s own situation. WEcR performs mostly applied, research, developing and using WEcRs unique data, models and knowledge offer insights and integral advice for policy and decision-making. WEcR has access to unique data, which it does not only supply but also interprets on the basis of a sound knowledge of the sector and the policy environment. The wide extent of stakeholder, consumer and market engagement and perception contributes to multisectoral and multidisplinairey skill sets and results. In this project WEcR will specifically contribute to the making of a framework for the holistic governance approach for the multi-use and food production, including the alignment to national and EU policy; the identification of and solutions to governance bottlenecks and gaps. WEcR also works on the market perspective, development of business models and the commercialisation of project results.
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is an innovative partner for safe and authentic food. WFSR is specialized in (forensic) measurements, performs top level research and develops methods to detect substances in food and feed. WFSR has a statutory task in the performance of monitoring and validation for the governmental organisations. In this project WFSR carries out the toxin and sanitary analysis.
Wageningen Food and Biobased Research (WFBR) is an applied research institute for sustainable innovations in healthy food, fresh food chains and biobased products. WFBR is one of the founding organisations behind the WUR wide Agro-food Robotics team, with over 40 researchers collaborating on various topics related to Computer Vision and Robotics. WFBR has in particular extensive experience with automating species detection and identification on digital images for biodiversity monitoring. In this project WFBR will specifically contribute with expertise on analysis of ROV images with Artificial Intelligence.
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.
DTU Aqua conducts research, provides advice, educates at university level and contributes to innovation in sustainable exploitation and management of aquatic resources. The Section for Coastal Ecology at DTU Aqua research within the coastal zone’s ecology from nutrient dynamics to fish as well as the coastal zone as a fishing ground and production area for low-trophic aquaculture. Our core research areas are aquaculture of low-trophic species, i.e. mussel species and seaweed, fishing and the effects of fishing and the collection of seaweed in the coastal zone, marine habitats, and their importance in the coastal zone for biodiversity and fish. The results of the research are largely translated into practice through advice to public management and industry. We have a strong national and international collaborative network of universities, research institutions and industry.
DTU Construct undertakes research, education, innovation, and scientific advice within building design and processes, building construction and safety, building energy and services, solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, materials technology, manufacturing engineering, engineering design and thermal energy systems. The Section for Fluid Mechanics is significantly involved in research related to Marine Infrastructure. This includes the analyses of wave and current interaction with fixed and floating structures. For instance, the design of porous scour measures around offshore wind farms, breaking wave loads on structures and the interaction with flexible structures as fish pens, mussel-lines and seaweed. The research has direct application to energy islands and multi-use of the ocean space. We have a strong national and international collaborative network of universities, research institutions and industry.
The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) promotes marine knowledge creation and excellence through sound interdisciplinary research about the ocean, seas, coast and tidal estuaries. We do this in close collaboration with other (marine) research groups, citizens, policy makers and industrial partners in Flanders, Belgium, and through international collaboration. VLIZ wants to create added value by initiating and conducting research in collaboration with academic and industrial partners. The provision of services to the marine research community, educators, the public at large, policymakers and the industry is a central focus. As a partner in various projects and networks, we promote the international image of Flemish marine research and international marine education.
Within the Ultfarms project VLIZ is responsible for the stakeholder engagement strategy and the rollout of the stakeholder engagement for the Belgian pilot. VLIZ is also involved in the development of innovative semi-automated processing workflow for offshore aquaculture monitoring, with specific focus on acoustic techniques to measure the biomass on the dropper lines.
Nordic SeaFarm is one of Europe’s leading producers of sustainably grown seaweed on a mission to save our oceans and support a regenerative planet. Our seaweed is organic certified and a climate-friendly source of nutrition in food, feed and other segments. In addition, large-scale seaweed farms contribute to healthier oceans through their uptake of carbon dioxide, phosphorus and nitrogen. Nordic SeaFarm is a spin-off company from seaweed research at the University of Gothenburg and KTH Royal Institute of Technology with a strong focus on developing new applications of seaweed and cultivations techniques of more species.
The Kieler Meeresfarmis the leading producer of organic certified blue mussels and sugar kelp in the German Baltic Sea, utilising a long line surface aquaculture in the Kiel fjord. Starting as a DBU (Deutsch BundestiftingUmwelt)project in 2009, the farm has since established itself among the finest producers of regional, organic seafood in the local market. Furthermore various cooperations have been established with leading research institutes on national and EU level.
For more than 20 years now bbe Moldaenke GmbH has been one of the leading manufacturers of top-quality products in environmental technology. We develop and produce measuring instruments and software to assess and manage water quality. Our instruments are made for use in oceanography, limnology, drinking water monitoring, river dam monitoring, bathing water analysis, supervision of aqua culture systems and environmental assessment.
The two core areas of our expertise are firstly spectrofluorometers for chlorophyll analysis and, what is essential, the recording of algae classes and secondly real-time early warning systems, so-called toximeters. In this area, bbe Moldaenke is the international market leader.
We are a well-trained and highly motivated team of experts coming from all different professions such as environmental engineering, physics, biology, biochemistry or electrotechnology. All members of the team work closely together to profit from each other’s experience and expertise and to design the best possible products.
Additionally, the development of new techniques is often supported by co-operation with scientific institutions. Over the years, several research projects have successfully resulted in the development of new products. To keep up-to-date with the scientific community, the results are usually published in the relevant journals or presented at seminars and conferences.
About Jan De Nul Group
Jan De Nul Group is a modern and innovative company that solves complex challenges of today’s society. Our talented people develop sustainable solutions that contribute to the energy transition, securing the future of the next generation.
Our expertise lies in five main activities: offshore energy, dredging and maritime construction, civil construction, environmental activities and project development. We enable the production of offshore energy and maintain the depth of waterways. We build new ports and create extra land. We realise complex infrastructure works and erect any type of building. We tackle pollution in whatever form. From design and engineering to the execution and maintenance, we unburden our clients with overall solutions that combine one, several or even all activities. – www.jandenul.com
In ULTFARMS, Jan De Nul Group participates in the Belgian pilot for its marine contractor expertise and will look at upscaling possibilities for nature-inclusive design.
Blå Biomasse A/S was established in May 2016
“We work to secure the environment and biodiversity in inland Danish waters against oxygen depletion and other negative impacts from the accumulation of nutrients that are washed into the sea. We do this with nature as a partner.”
The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted develops, constructs, and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, renewable hydrogen and green fuels facilities, and bioenergy plants. Ørsted is recognised on the CDP Climate Change A List as a global leader on climate action and was the first energy company in the world to have its science-based net-zero emissions target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth promotes sustainable and innovative uses of marine resources. The network is a hub for projects, initiatives and activities at all levels.
SUBMARINER offers a cooperation platform to related actors and initiatives in the Baltic Sea Region with the aim to turn the Baltic Sea Region into a model region for sustainable blue bio-based innovations and smart combinations. The Submariner Network acts as an umbrella organisation and initiates partnerships and the project development; it brings together a unique variety of institutions representing national and regional authorities, research institutions, business associations and consulting companies from all Baltic Sea Region countries all involved in promoting combined and sustainable blue economy solutions.
Parkwind is an independent green energy company that develops, finances and operates offshore wind farms. With more than a decade of experience and 771 MW under operational management in the Belgian North Sea, Parkwind is currently expanding internationally. With active projects at various stages of development, Parkwind is present in Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Greece, and Australia/New Zealand. Committed to making green energy available and affordable for everyone through its unique approach covering the entire value chain of offshore wind, Parkwind has established itself as a reliable and competitive partner to communities, governments and suppliers globally. Composed of over 140 professionals, Parkwind leads the offshore wind energy activities of its Belgian shareholder Virya, which is owned by the Colruyt Group and Korys. Learn more at: www.parkwind.eu
HIDROMOD is a high-tech consultancy SME (ISO 9001 certified), established in 1992, acting in the fields of computational modelling and data analytics. Along the last 30 years, HIDROMOD has participated in more than 550 projects, using state-of-the-art knowledge and technology, supported by highly skilled professionals, including several with Ph.D. and Ms.C. degrees with background on hydrodynamics, sediment transport, oceanography, meteorology, water resources, agriculture environment, and computer science.
In the core of its activity is the provision of consultancy services to support maritime and coastal activities, water resources management and environmental impacts assessment, and the provision of operational services, merging data and model forecasts, in different areas such as ports, urban water and wastewater, water resources management and irrigation. These services are supporting activities such as project, water pollution prevention and risk management, navigation safety, coastal infrastructures warning systems, river flows forecasting, water networks leakage detection, wastewater energy optimization and irrigation optimization.
To keep the recognized and required high standards, it maintains a relevant investment in innovation translated in the participation in R&D international projects from which the following are some representative examples: AQUASTRESS, INSEA, SCHEMA in FP6, LENVIS, MYWATER, FIGARO in FP7, ODYSSEA, HISEA, WATERSENSE in H2020 or ILIAD in Horizon.
The innovation is effectively translated in state-of-the-art tools such as the IWA awarded AQUASAFE platform. AQUASAFE enables to manage real time data and numerical models and provide user fitted information offering different flavours of AQUASAFE to different clients such as energy and water utilities (ex. EDP and AdTA in Portugal, Lyonnaise-des-Eaux in France, Clabsa in Spain, PAEW in Oman), Ports (ex. all the Portuguese main Ports, Port of Santos and Fortaleza in Brazil), State Administration (ex. APA, DGPM, DGRM and others from the Portuguese Government, Dirección General Maritima in Colombia, INTECMAR, CETMAR, AZTI and Meteogalicia in Spain), International institutions (International Maritime Organization, European Space Agency, European Commission), Universities and Consultancies.
University of Gothenburg – Tjärnö Marine Laboratory
The University of Gothenburg (GU) meets societal challenges with a wide range of knowledge. Strong research and appealing study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. We are environmentally certified and work actively for sustainable development. With new knowledge and new perspectives, we contribute to a better future.
At the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory the Department of Marine Sciences carries out research within marine sciences, mainly evolution, aquaculture as well as nature conservation and management.
Impact-9 is a marine structures technology start-up company. Our vision is to support the sustainable management of ocean zones to contribute to energy and food security in a way that restores and protects the broader ocean wilderness and its biodiversity. Impact-9 will deliver one key enabler of this vision: novel marine structures that are tailored to the biological, operational and economical demands of aquaculture. Impact-9 believes that there is “Strength in Flexibility”. We aim to be the world-leading experts in compliant marine structures for aquaculture applications. The culture of marine biomass must be within and in sympathy with the ocean, moving with the highly dynamic waves of the ocean water mass. Just as battery cell technology underpins sustainable mobility, Impact-9 believes that smart and flexible marine structural elements will underpin offshore food and biofuel production. This approach to structural engineering is very different to conventional offshore engineering and can create an entirely new approach to seafood and biomass production.
Our mission is to be a trusted partner to deliver the design know-how required to assure sustainable offshore aquaculture, as part of a rapidly expanding global offshore food and biomass production system. We will work with market regulators, farm system integrators and seafood production companies to ensure that the growth of this sector is delivered as a means to protect broader ocean zones from unsustainable practices and that our projects are delivered to the highest standards in terms of engineering integrity, reliable outcomes and a healthier competitive market for seafood production.
Bantry Marine Research Station Ltd (BMRS) was established in 2005. The main activities at the station can be organised into research and production activities. The main production activities are in the hatchery production of marine finfish and seaweed and the cultivation of macroalgae at sea (2 marine licensed sites – 6 and 16 hectares). The main research efforts and subsequent international projects are in; micro- and macroalgal cultivation and Integrated Multi Trophic Aquaculture (MABFUEL, NETALGAE, BIFF, ACCIPHOT, IDREEM, ECOFISH, SEAFOOD-AGE, Agrefine, Farm4More, EATFISH, ULTFARMS), and the extraction and quantification of bioactive compounds and bioplastics (SEABIOPLAS, IMPRESS, SEACHEM), research to improve products and services such as zero waste and traceability (ORION, LABELFISH, SEATRACES, BIOTECMAR), forecasting and monitoring (ASIMUTH, OSS2015, SAFI, AtlantOS, C-TEP, PRIMROSE, Co-Clime, Nanoculture), and diet trials for future sustainable animal feeds (ODIN, AquaTech4Feed).
Ocean Rainforest is a pioneering blue growth company located in the Faroe Islands and in California, USA. We offer a collection of seaweed products, mostly for feed, food and cosmetic producers, as well as take part in research projects with a number of different partners.
Our inbuilt focus on research and innovation enables us to develop world-class cultivation methods – making us Europe’s leading seaweed cultivator and a pioneer in our industry.
Our team shares the same values of passion, teamwork and pioneering, and through a diverse set of skills and years of combined experience, we continue to explore the potential of this versatile sea plant to meet growing market demand.
Our purpose is to improve people’s wellbeing and to make a unique contribution to our blue planet. We do this by applying science, innovation and expertise, to grow premium quality seaweed for our target customer segments.
Hortimare is the reliable, sustainable and long term oriented supplier of high quality starting material for the Seaweed industry Globally. We supply seaweed seedlings for Direct Seeding, Seed for Twine and seeded lines (twine) to enable seaweed farmers to harvest good yields. We advise, support and collaborate closely with seaweed farmers in order for them to expand and scale up to essential volumes to make seaweed a competitive alternative for land-based products. Together with professional partners throughout the process chain, from global research institutes on one end to the industry on the other end, we collaborate closely to build up a successful seaweed industry.
Technological Corporation of Andalusia (CTA) is a strategic partner for innovation. It helps businesses, universities, public authorities and other bodies to successfully achieve their R&D objectives and valorise the results.
Founded in 2005, with the aid of the Andalusian Regional Government, it is a private foundation which works to promote innovation and comprises 168 member companies.
The OOS Group has developed a Semi-submersible Mussel Farm (SMF) to grow mussels in the North Sea.
Mussels are traditionally grown in sheltered waters such as the Oosterschelde and the Waddenzee. However, due to a lack of nutrition in these waters, the production of mussels has declined enormously. Farming mussels in nutrition-filled seas can be a solution to maintain production.
In collaboration with the shellfish sector and mussel farmers, OOS SMF has developed the Semi-submersible Mussel Farm, suitable for growing mussels based on hanging culture at open seas.
By applying submersible technology, the breeding and harvesting location at open seas will be protected against waves and storms. A suitable location in deeper waters can be used for the largescale cultivation of mussels.
The design philosophy of the SMF is based on the floater/column design of the vessels OOS Serooskerke/Walcheren, enabling the SMF to be submersed in harsh environments at sea.
With this development, OOS SMF contributes to the maintenance and expansion of the shellfish sector, allowing multiple mussel farmers to use the SMF simultaneously with technical and logistical support from OOS.
DNV is the independent expert in risk management and assurance, operating in more than 100 countries. Through its broad experience and deep expertise DNV advances safety and sustainable performance, sets industry benchmarks, and inspires and invents solutions. Whether assessing a new ship design, optimizing the performance of a wind farm, analysing sensor data from a gas pipeline or certifying a food company’s supply chain, DNV enables its customers and their stakeholders to make critical decisions with confidence. Driven by its purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, DNV helps tackle the challenges and global transformations facing its customers and the world today and is a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful and forward-thinking companies.
In the energy industry, DNV provides assurance to the entire energy value chain through its advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services. As the world’s leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, the assurance provider helps industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. DNV is committed to realising the goals of the Paris Agreement, and supports customers to transition faster to a deeply decarbonised energy system.
