We are convinced that the synergies of energy sector coupling offer particular opportunities for the economic expansion of the blue bioeconomy. The aim of our project is to identify interfaces between aquaculture and the energy industry, specifically energy conversion and sector coupling, and to evaluate them together with other location factors. We also want to drive forward the development of the technical solutions required for implementation.
Although fish production in closed recirculation systems greatly reduces environmental pollution, the energy requirements and thus the operating costs of these facilities are very high. These high operating costs are a major reason why many aquaculture projects in Germany are considered unprofitable and are therefore not implemented. Coupling aquaculture with renewable energy plants and the associated synergies in the areas of electricity and heat, as well as the use of by-products from the production of hydrogen and its derivatives, can contribute significantly to increasing energy efficiency. This has the potential to make recirculation technology in aquaculture production competitive in Germany as well. The coupling of recirculation systems with energy conversion plants in which green hydrogen and/or its derivatives are produced also offers the possibility of producing rainbow trout, for example, with low CO2 emissions and other positive environmental effects than would be possible through the use of grid electricity from renewable energies alone. For example, integrated water utilization concepts can make a significant contribution to stabilizing agricultural production and groundwater protection in the region.
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About SektoRAS
The aim of the SektoRAS project – Development of sector coupling concepts for renewable energies and aquaculture systems – is to identify and evaluate energy and material interfaces between aquaculture and the energy industry, specifically hydrogen-based energy conversion. These interfaces are to be considered together with other location factors in order to obtain an evaluation tool for the optimal location selection of combined energy/aquaculture projects. In addition, the project aims to develop the necessary technical solutions. The use of synergies from energy sector coupling should enable economically viable and sustainable aquaculture concepts in the future.
By converting green electricity into green hydrogen and/or its derivatives, renewable energy can be stored and made available for use in various energy sectors. Based on such hydrogen-based energy projects, we are investigating how material and energy products from these energy conversion processes can be used as input and output media for the production of aquatic biomass. The primary focus is on the production of fish and invertebrates in aquaculture facilities. The aim of the project is also to develop methods for identifying suitable locations for meaningful combinations of aquaculture and energy production. In addition to expert interviews and experience from our own project development, relevant data from geographic information systems (GIS) is also evaluated and used for modeling.
The SektoRAS project aims to utilize interfaces between energy production and a closed-loop system for rainbow trout production at the Lübesse aquafarm.
In the future, freshwater fish will be produced in a closed-loop system at the Lübesse Aquafarm in a completely climate-neutral and resource-efficient manner. The Lübesse Aquafarm is to be built in the immediate vicinity of an energy conversion plant currently being planned in Lübesse (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania). The energy conversion plant will supply heat and oxygen for fish production. In addition, the aquafarm will be supplied with green electricity from a local wind farm, enabling climate-neutral fish production. An integrated water utilization concept also provides for the involvement of local agriculture. The plan is to rear around 1,000 tons of rainbow trout annually for predominantly regional marketing.
In the village of Lübesse, south of Schwerin (Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), wind and solar power plants produce green electricity, which is to be used to supply local businesses, residents, and the aquafarm. Regional value creation is further increased by hydrogen and methane production.
The Lübesse energy conversion plant will be built in the Lübesse industrial park starting in 2024 and will use wind power to produce hydrogen and, in a second step, liquefied natural gas (LNG), which can be used as a renewable fuel in the transportation sector. In addition to heat, which is supplied to local consumers via a local heating network, the conversion processes in the energy conversion plant also produce pure oxygen during electrolysis, which will be used for fish farming. The energy conversion plant enables wind power to be used regionally and also in other energy sectors.
SektoRAS extends beyond the boundaries of the project in Lübesse. In order to develop findings and procedures for identifying optimal locations that are as universally applicable as possible, data from other aquaculture projects is taken into account. This data can come from existing RAS facilities as well as those that are in the planning stage. The respective progress in planning is of secondary importance. Both early concept studies, in which optimal locations still need to be determined, and facilities already in operation are included in the evaluation.
Dirk Scheel
naturwind Schwerin GmbH
Tel. +49 (0)385 77883757
Naturwind stands for successful energy transition projects that protect the climate and secure our future. With around 55 employees, we have been developing renewable energy projects for more than 15 years, also taking care of interfaces for the storage of renewable electricity and its use in other sectors, such as synthetic fuels in the mobility sector or chemical raw materials for industry. The focus is on concepts that contribute to regional value creation.
