Sharing Space for Food and Energy

The OLAMUR (Offshore Low-trophic Aquaculture in Multi-Use scenario Realisation) project is a research initiative that will study the feasibility of farming kelp and sea mussels alongside offshore wind farms. Focusing on food and energy production, the project will work to advance the potential of using an ocean space to meet several demands.  

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“The most important thing is that, for the first time, we will be able to verify the “multi-use” of an ocean area,” explained Øivind Bergh, OLAMUR Project Manager and Principal Scientist from the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen. Bringing together 25 collaborative partners across Europe’s research and industrial communities, the IMR will serve as project lead.
 

Øivind Bergh, OLAMUR Project Manager. Photo: Ruth Imstøl  

Funding for the OLAMUR project – EUR 8.2 million over four years – is being provided by the EU’s Horizon Missions Lighthouse project. The project will focus on three key pilot sites – two existing offshore wind farms in Denmark and Germany and a fish farm producing rainbow trout in Estonia.

“The OLAMUR project is a prime example of the way we have to work to solve the big problems of our time at a European and global scale. It is not only an interdisciplinary, international scientific effort, but a lighthouse project which is set to provide specific, sustainable solutions for actual industries – today,” said Nils Gunnar Kvamstø, IMR CEO, during the official launch of the OLAMUR project.

Bergen-based benefits

According to Bergh, the IMR’s large capacity and infrastructure will accommodate many of the OLAMUR project’s needs.

“We were asked to coordinate the project because of our experience and capacity,” he explained. “In these instances, size matters. We are a big institute, and this is acknowledged by the EU”.

Another key factor that Bergh highlighted was the Bergen region’s tradition of marine research and collaborative ecosystem. 

“I must say that Bergen is by far the largest and most advanced marine hub in Norway. That’s likely the case for all of Europe. There are simply so many people involved in these activities and industries that I don’t think anyone on this side of the Atlantic can compete with us," summarised Bergh.

Industrial growth needs better use of space

The Norwegian Continental Shelf has been central to Norway’s ocean industries. Despite challenges stemming from decarbonisation and the green shift, many of these industries have managed to grow over the past decade. Similar growth has been seen in other European industries as well.

This continued growth, according to Bergh, has created a need for more efficient use of this ocean space. This need has been the catalyst for this project.

“We’re in a situation where some of these industries are growing massively,” explained Bergh. “It’s probable that this growth will continue, but it will need to utilise space much more efficiently. That’s what spatial marine planning is all about”.

According to Bergh, “OLAMUR addresses a key theme here – if you have two different industries in the same space, you reduce the overall pressure on the area”.

Better food and energy production

As Norway looks towards more renewable energy sources, offshore wind will be central to this overall transition. However, cultivating this emerging industry would require creating space for it within the Norwegian Continental Shelf, which already accommodates other key industries.

Citing industries that are currently active in this area, Bergh believes that a pragmatic approach would be needed to create space for the emerging offshore wind sector.

“We’re aware of the positive and negative impacts of wind farming on a number of industries,” he explained. “So, we’re simply trying to study how this will impact these overall ecosystems”.

At present, two key areas – Sørlige Nordsjø II and Utsira Nord – have been allocated for the emerging offshore wind sector. Bergh believes that the OLAMUR project would contribute significantly to the positive impact of offshore wind in European as well as Norwegian waters. 

"The multi-use of the ocean area would make both offshore wind and food production or biomass production as we call it, more attractive. Meaning not only would we use Norway’s wind resources for energy production, but we would also use solar energy and water nutrients to produce biomass (food), which is much more environmentally friendly," he explained.

Addressing bureaucratic barriers

While the concept of co-locating these structures would be beneficial, it is still a complex endeavour that has to consider a number of factors. Among them are the legal and regulatory elements related to this.

"To be clear, I wouldn’t call these bureaucratic obstacles, but we have to realise that legislation for these kinds of activities is premature," explained Bergh. "While most countries tend to work well together, legislation is often highly variable among, and sometimes within, countries".

The OLAMUR project hopes to contribute by addressing the "bureaucratic barriers related to co-location".

"We would need better legislation and environmental regulation when it comes to shore production of aquaculture and offshore wind farming," summarised Bergh.

Moving forward

With the IMR at the helm, the OLAMUR project aims to accomplish lofty goals. Not only can this potentially prevent industrial conflicts of interest, but it can also provide opportunities for knowledge sharing.

“We have been blessed with vast space along the coast and in our waters. But now that space is shrinking, metaphorically. We have a historic opportunity to be proactive in enabling co-existence in new offshore industries, as well as creating synergies,” said Kvamstø. 

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