As part of the global transition to renewable energy sources, marine energy should be considered, particularly for at-sea activities. Marine energy includes energy derived from waves, tides, currents, and salinity and temperature gradients. Energy from river currents may also be included, as it can be captured using similar methods. While marine energy is a developing industry, it holds unique potential to power activities in non-grid-connected marine or coastal environments. Marine energy is a reliable source of energy, and one that may exist when other renewable resources (like solar or wind) are less present, making it useful for providing either all or part of an aquaculture farm’s power needs.
There are several opportunities for the co-location of aquaculture and marine energy (Figure 1). Because marine energy technologies are unique, range in scale, and vary in ideal application, numerous possibilities exist to tailor a fit-for-purpose solution to an aquaculture operation’s location, needs, and size. This presentation will detail information from several research projects aimed at understanding the feasibility and opportunities for using marine energy in multiple aquaculture contexts. The first project assesses the potential for the co-location of offshore integrated multi-trophic aquaculture sites with wave energy electricity generation in Puerto Rico. It identifies potentially suitable locations for co-location from a technical perspective through spatial analyses and evaluates social feasibility through community engagement. The second project assesses the potential for tidal, ocean thermal, and wave energy to provide power for onshore hatchery, coastal grow-out, and net pen sites in Washington and Hawaii. This project includes assessing energy use at existing aquaculture facilities and identifying viable marine energy resources and appropriate technologies at each location.
The third project assesses the application of low-flow tidal energy for coastal or nearshore shellfish and kelp aquaculture. Marine energy resources near several shellfish farms were measured with micro-siting surveys and compared to power usage to identify co-location opportunities.
The research being conducted in these three projects shows promise to further the feasibility of co-locating marine energy and a range of aquaculture operations.