Different concepts with different combinations of functional units from the
TEAL sectors were developed in the project, among these, the so-called “Green &
Blue” concept which is specified below.
12.2.2 The Green & Blue Concept
The Green & Blue concept is focusing on the use of physical and biological
resources, intending to follow the strategies and actions of “Blue Growth
1
” as
defined by the European Commission for the development of aquaculture and
renewable energies in the EU. The Green & Blue concept integrates offshore
aquaculture and renewable energies.
Depending on platform location and local conditions and dynamics, the
renewable energy source to be harnessed might be wind, waves, solar or ocean
thermal energy (Quevedo et al. 2013). Accordingly, the renewable energy component of the concept may be represented by a wind farm, wave energy converters,
photovoltaic (PV) panels or an OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) plant.
The aquaculture component of the Green & Blue concept primarily includes fish
and algae aquaculture. Generally, the fish culture unit is planned in the form of
floating, submerged or drifting cages. Depending on the location, secondary cultures around the fish cages may be developed for bivalves and/or macroalgae.
Additionally, if the location’s depth allows such an activity, bottom cultures could
be established. The algae culture unit can include several components, e.g. production of biomass (microalgae and macroalgae), products with high market value,
and biofuel/gasification from macro and microalgae, and CO 2 fixation from flue
gases. Wastewater e.g. domestic wastes from a central platform can be used to
nourish algae, thereby combining algae biomass production with wastewater
treatment. The source for the flue gas may be emissions from the satellite or the
central platform or from on-shore emission sites as CO 2 -stripping at a biogas plant.
The aquaculture units (both fish and algae) take advantage of the facilities that
the platform offers, namely energy, protection, anchoring and logistics with regard
to installation, maintenance and operation. An example for a Green & Blue concept
integrating offshore fish and algae aquaculture and wind turbines is shown in
Fig. 12.3.
One Green & Blue case scenario, developed in TROPOS and designed to be
located in the Mediterranean Sea in deep water locations, is described in more detail
below.
1
“Blue Growth” refers to the European Commission’s long term strategy to support sustainable
growth in the marine and maritime sectors.
12 The EU-Project “TROPOS”
361
TEAL sectors were developed in the project, among these, the so-called “Green &
Blue” concept which is specified below.
12.2.2 The Green & Blue Concept
The Green & Blue concept is focusing on the use of physical and biological
resources, intending to follow the strategies and actions of “Blue Growth
1
” as
defined by the European Commission for the development of aquaculture and
renewable energies in the EU. The Green & Blue concept integrates offshore
aquaculture and renewable energies.
Depending on platform location and local conditions and dynamics, the
renewable energy source to be harnessed might be wind, waves, solar or ocean
thermal energy (Quevedo et al. 2013). Accordingly, the renewable energy component of the concept may be represented by a wind farm, wave energy converters,
photovoltaic (PV) panels or an OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) plant.
The aquaculture component of the Green & Blue concept primarily includes fish
and algae aquaculture. Generally, the fish culture unit is planned in the form of
floating, submerged or drifting cages. Depending on the location, secondary cultures around the fish cages may be developed for bivalves and/or macroalgae.
Additionally, if the location’s depth allows such an activity, bottom cultures could
be established. The algae culture unit can include several components, e.g. production of biomass (microalgae and macroalgae), products with high market value,
and biofuel/gasification from macro and microalgae, and CO 2 fixation from flue
gases. Wastewater e.g. domestic wastes from a central platform can be used to
nourish algae, thereby combining algae biomass production with wastewater
treatment. The source for the flue gas may be emissions from the satellite or the
central platform or from on-shore emission sites as CO 2 -stripping at a biogas plant.
The aquaculture units (both fish and algae) take advantage of the facilities that
the platform offers, namely energy, protection, anchoring and logistics with regard
to installation, maintenance and operation. An example for a Green & Blue concept
integrating offshore fish and algae aquaculture and wind turbines is shown in
Fig. 12.3.
One Green & Blue case scenario, developed in TROPOS and designed to be
located in the Mediterranean Sea in deep water locations, is described in more detail
below.
1
“Blue Growth” refers to the European Commission’s long term strategy to support sustainable
growth in the marine and maritime sectors.
12 The EU-Project “TROPOS”
361