In TROPOS, the main focus was not only on finfish but also on microalgae
aquaculture.
Microalgae are not only of high interest in the food and feed sectors, but also for
the production of biofuel (Enzing et al. 2014). The market volume and value of
microalgae range over a broad scale from 1,000–5,000 €/t for high volume biofuels
to 10,000–35,000 €/t for high value food. The value of microalgae used for pharmaceuticals is even higher. In the aquaculture industry microalgae are important as
feed for early developmental stages of several species (larvae of molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, fish), with a worldwide annual production of approximately
10,000 t/year and a market value of about 30–250 €/kg. Approximately
1 / 5 of this
biomass is used for larval stages of fish and shellfish reared in hatcheries
(Muller-Feuga 2004). The most frequently used species are Chlorella, Tetraselmis,
Dunaliella, Isochrysis, Pavlova, Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum, Chaetoceros,
Skeletonema and Thalassiosira (Spolaore et al. 2006).
The greatest demand for microalgae lies in its potential to replace the current
sources of PUFA (PolyUnsaturated Fatty Acids; Omega 3/6 fatty acids). The
increasing public debate on the use of fishmeal for aquaculture puts microalgae in
the focus as substitute for fishmeal, and Omega-3 industries increasingly produce
concentrated EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) oils
for human consumption.
Microalgae (and macroalgae) are also considered as possible substitute for fossil
fuels. Despite a large body of research in the area of photosynthesis for carbon
sequestration, little work has been done to develop practical algae production
systems that do not ignore land availability limitations and can be installed at any
location for the production of fuels, food and animal feed. Offshore algae production could fill that gap and allow the energy and cost efficient high volume
conversion into biofuels.
12.2 The Conceptual Approach of TROPOS
12.2.1 General Platform Design
The key characteristics of the TROPOS platform concepts are (i) the floating design
which enables platform operation in deep waters, (ii) the multi-use concept which
supports the integration of different functions and services at one site and facilitates
synergies, e.g. by joint logistic, and (iii) the modular approach which allows for a
flexible combination of different types of modules adapted to requirements. In this
way, the TROPOS multi-use platform system is able to integrate a full range of
functions from the four TEAL sectors (Fig. 12.1) and can be perfectly adapted and
used in a much greater number of global geographical locations than a non-floating,
non-modular and/or a single-use platform design.
12 The EU-Project “TROPOS”
359
aquaculture.
Microalgae are not only of high interest in the food and feed sectors, but also for
the production of biofuel (Enzing et al. 2014). The market volume and value of
microalgae range over a broad scale from 1,000–5,000 €/t for high volume biofuels
to 10,000–35,000 €/t for high value food. The value of microalgae used for pharmaceuticals is even higher. In the aquaculture industry microalgae are important as
feed for early developmental stages of several species (larvae of molluscs, echinoderms, crustaceans, fish), with a worldwide annual production of approximately
10,000 t/year and a market value of about 30–250 €/kg. Approximately
1 / 5 of this
biomass is used for larval stages of fish and shellfish reared in hatcheries
(Muller-Feuga 2004). The most frequently used species are Chlorella, Tetraselmis,
Dunaliella, Isochrysis, Pavlova, Nannochloropsis, Phaeodactylum, Chaetoceros,
Skeletonema and Thalassiosira (Spolaore et al. 2006).
The greatest demand for microalgae lies in its potential to replace the current
sources of PUFA (PolyUnsaturated Fatty Acids; Omega 3/6 fatty acids). The
increasing public debate on the use of fishmeal for aquaculture puts microalgae in
the focus as substitute for fishmeal, and Omega-3 industries increasingly produce
concentrated EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) oils
for human consumption.
Microalgae (and macroalgae) are also considered as possible substitute for fossil
fuels. Despite a large body of research in the area of photosynthesis for carbon
sequestration, little work has been done to develop practical algae production
systems that do not ignore land availability limitations and can be installed at any
location for the production of fuels, food and animal feed. Offshore algae production could fill that gap and allow the energy and cost efficient high volume
conversion into biofuels.
12.2 The Conceptual Approach of TROPOS
12.2.1 General Platform Design
The key characteristics of the TROPOS platform concepts are (i) the floating design
which enables platform operation in deep waters, (ii) the multi-use concept which
supports the integration of different functions and services at one site and facilitates
synergies, e.g. by joint logistic, and (iii) the modular approach which allows for a
flexible combination of different types of modules adapted to requirements. In this
way, the TROPOS multi-use platform system is able to integrate a full range of
functions from the four TEAL sectors (Fig. 12.1) and can be perfectly adapted and
used in a much greater number of global geographical locations than a non-floating,
non-modular and/or a single-use platform design.
12 The EU-Project “TROPOS”
359