The technology (Fig. 11.32 and 11.33 in Chap. 11 “German Case Study”) used
at that time was modified in terms of easy handling (deployment, maintenance,
harvesting), robustness and connectedness to the foundations of offshore wind
farms. Unfortunately, the longline and grid systems installed in harsh offshore
conditions were not robust enough as there was a considerable stress on support
material and algae during floatation mode (Lüning and Buchholz 1996; Buck
2004; Buck and Buchholz 2004a, b). As the idea of utilizing the foundations of
offshore wind generators for the fixation of aquaculture systems is intriguing, these
co-use concepts were the main driver to keep on working with seaweeds offshore
infrastructures (e.g., Buck 2002; Krause et al. 2003; Buck et al. 2004). As a
consequence, the ring construction was modified several times until it reached its
final design and resisted any kind of possible sea condition in the North Sea. This
offshore ring device is the first modern structure worldwide that enables mass
seaweed cultivation on an industrial scale in the world’s oceans. Another seaweed
project led by German scientists plans to integrate Saccharina latissima cultures
within a projected wind farm in Nantucket Sound (Massachusetts, USA) (Buck
et al. 2011).
Mytilid larval appearance and settlement of Mytilus post-larvae at offshore test
collectors, which were placed in the vicinity of offshore wind farms in the German
Bight, were suitable for spat collection as well as for grow-out (Buck 2017).
However, at some offshore test sites grow-out has to be economically calculated, as
settlement might not be sufficiently dense. Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and oysters
(Ostrea edulis) were successfully cultivated in and in the vicinity of the wind farms
Nordergründe (17 nautical miles off Bremerhaven) and Butendieck (ODAS, 14
nautical miles off the Island of Sylt), as well as in North-South and West-East
transects crossing all potential wind farms in the German Bight (Brenner et al.
2007; Buck 2007, 2017; Buck et al. 2006b). Health conditions with regard to
infestations of macro-parasites, fitness and growth performance for both species
were excellent (Pogoda et al. 2011, 2012, 2013; Brenner et al. 2007, 2012, 2014).
Various technical solutions to connect submerged infrastructures to a windmill
foundation or to deploy it centrally into a wind farm area were worked out (Buck
2007; Buck et al. 2006b, see also Chap. 11 “German Case Study”). To measure the
forces impinging on the entire backbone, wave and current load cells were integrated in the system and artificial test bodies were used (Fig. 2.2a–f). Economic
feasibilities studies were carried out as well as a protocol for a one-step mussel
cultivation method that doesn’t require any thinning procedure till reaching market
size (Buck et al. 2010).
36
B.H. Buck et al.
at that time was modified in terms of easy handling (deployment, maintenance,
harvesting), robustness and connectedness to the foundations of offshore wind
farms. Unfortunately, the longline and grid systems installed in harsh offshore
conditions were not robust enough as there was a considerable stress on support
material and algae during floatation mode (Lüning and Buchholz 1996; Buck
2004; Buck and Buchholz 2004a, b). As the idea of utilizing the foundations of
offshore wind generators for the fixation of aquaculture systems is intriguing, these
co-use concepts were the main driver to keep on working with seaweeds offshore
infrastructures (e.g., Buck 2002; Krause et al. 2003; Buck et al. 2004). As a
consequence, the ring construction was modified several times until it reached its
final design and resisted any kind of possible sea condition in the North Sea. This
offshore ring device is the first modern structure worldwide that enables mass
seaweed cultivation on an industrial scale in the world’s oceans. Another seaweed
project led by German scientists plans to integrate Saccharina latissima cultures
within a projected wind farm in Nantucket Sound (Massachusetts, USA) (Buck
et al. 2011).
Mytilid larval appearance and settlement of Mytilus post-larvae at offshore test
collectors, which were placed in the vicinity of offshore wind farms in the German
Bight, were suitable for spat collection as well as for grow-out (Buck 2017).
However, at some offshore test sites grow-out has to be economically calculated, as
settlement might not be sufficiently dense. Mussels (Mytilus edulis) and oysters
(Ostrea edulis) were successfully cultivated in and in the vicinity of the wind farms
Nordergründe (17 nautical miles off Bremerhaven) and Butendieck (ODAS, 14
nautical miles off the Island of Sylt), as well as in North-South and West-East
transects crossing all potential wind farms in the German Bight (Brenner et al.
2007; Buck 2007, 2017; Buck et al. 2006b). Health conditions with regard to
infestations of macro-parasites, fitness and growth performance for both species
were excellent (Pogoda et al. 2011, 2012, 2013; Brenner et al. 2007, 2012, 2014).
Various technical solutions to connect submerged infrastructures to a windmill
foundation or to deploy it centrally into a wind farm area were worked out (Buck
2007; Buck et al. 2006b, see also Chap. 11 “German Case Study”). To measure the
forces impinging on the entire backbone, wave and current load cells were integrated in the system and artificial test bodies were used (Fig. 2.2a–f). Economic
feasibilities studies were carried out as well as a protocol for a one-step mussel
cultivation method that doesn’t require any thinning procedure till reaching market
size (Buck et al. 2010).
36
B.H. Buck et al.