Successful Aquawind prototype Launch After an Intense Development Process
On 02 June, after months of meticulous planning, rigorous development, and securing all necessary permits, the AquaWind project reached a key milestone with the successful launch of its Multi-Use prototype at ASTICAN shipyards facilities in the harbour of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. This marks the beginning of the final testing phase while awaiting a suitable maritime weather window for its offshore deployment at the Canary Islands Oceanic Platform (PLOCAN).
This innovative prototype integrates, an enhanced version of the W2Power floating dual-turbine wind platform, developed by Spanish company EnerOcean, with a platform integrated aquaculture cage of an innovative design customised by ASIICI/ULPGC team featuring novel mesh materials, advanced digitalisation for remote operation and readiness for a biological evaluation including a model fish species and a high-added-value new species to enhance aquaculture diversification.
W2Power is a proven floating wind technology which by its design is particularly well suited for multi-use. The prototype platform has been retrofitted to accommodate the aquaculture components. For the first time, this project conducts Multi-Use proof-of-concept trials combining marine energy production with live fish aquaculture in the Atlantic region.
“The prototype launch marks a foundational milestone in the AquaWind project. It demonstrates our readiness to move forward while ensuring that we take every technical and scientific measure before the offshore phase,” said Javier Fernandez, Engineering Director of Enerocean.
The project will demonstrate how the combined activities of wind energy production and fish farming can be remotely operated in the same maritime space, including with different fish species and how one activity influences the other. The goal is to advance towards the commercialisation of the Multi-Use solution.
Rigorous Testing Before Offshore Deployment
Before deployment at sea, the prototype underwent stringent testing at the port of Taliarte test site (Gran Canaria), belonging to the University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (ECOAQUA) from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain.
Over the past months, researchers from ACIISI/ECOAQUA at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have meticulously fine-tuned the remote operation systems of the AquaWind fish cage prototype. As part of this work, they conducted comparative evaluations of fish biological performance between the AquaWind system and conventional aquaculture cages at the Canexmar aquaculture farm site. These studies ensured optimal integration of the cage with the W2Power offshore renewable energy platform, while validating the system’s capacity to support healthy fish growth under controlled conditions.
“The land-based trials allowed us to validate the cage’s mechanical performance and digital systems, but more importantly, they provided critical insights into fish welfare and product quality,” said Javier Roo, Coordinator of AquaWind and Principal Investigator at ACIISI/ULPGC-Team.
“By monitoring the biological performance of the fish, we established baseline parameters for stress biomarkers and biochemical composition in scales and flesh. This is essential for conducting comparative studies once the multi-use solution is deployed offshore, ensuring that the AquaWind system meets the biological standards required for sustainable aquaculture.”
The testing phase, conducted in Gran Canaria’s Taliarte harbour, focused on rearing a commercial model species, Sparus aurata (Gilt head sea bream). For over 180 days, researchers monitored fish growth, biochemical indicators, and overall health within the AquaWind cage prototype, comparing results against conventional aquaculture cages.
This preparatory study was a crucial step in validating the AquaWind aquaculture innovation before moving forward with offshore demonstrations.
Implementation and Testing in Real Conditions
Following extensive design and development efforts, the successful launch of its multi-use prototype marked a key moment for the project. The aquaculture prototype implementation involved not only its physical construction but also the installation of monitoring, feeding, and detection systems to enable remote operation.
This solution will be next towed and installed at PLOCAN, where a critical real-world testing phase will take place. Over the testing period, which can be up to six months, researchers will assess fish growth, survival rates, and quality within the cage, alongside evaluating environmental impact and system durability in offshore conditions. The initial test focuses on Sparus aurata and will be followed by a preliminary test using Seriola dumerilii (greater amberjack), allowing for a comprehensive performance analysis.
Additionally, researchers will study biofouling control on both the fish cage and W2Power platform, a crucial factor for maintaining operational efficiency. Throughout this period, data collection and analysis will guide potential improvements to the prototype.
The director of engineering at Enerocean said “We are entering a decisive phase that will deliver real-world data on the interplay between aquaculture and offshore renewable energy. These findings will inform the next generation of integrated marine infrastructure.”
A Key Step for Sustainability and the Blue Economy
The AquaWind multi-use concept addresses one of the European Union’s major challenges: optimising the sustainable and efficient use of marine space. By integrating renewable energy with aquaculture in a single location, the project significantly reduces its carbon footprint, aligning with EU climate and energy objectives.
A Replicable Model for the Future
The launch of this multi-use prototype marks an essential step in reshaping marine space management in Europe and beyond. AquaWind not only tests the technical feasibility of multi-use infrastructures but also establishes a blueprint for future blue economy initiatives, fostering innovation, sustainability, and economic development.
This achievement showcases the potential for transitioning to a cleaner, more efficient energy model. With this deployment, AquaWind solidifies its position as a key reference for future developments in offshore multi-use solutions.
Future Expansion of the Project
Following the successful demonstration, the next phase of the AquaWind project will focus on transitioning from the current pilot stage to pre-commercial and commercial implementations. This will entail scaling up pilot systems within the Atlantic Basin, optimising digitalisation and advanced material applications, and conducting in-depth environmental and economic evaluations.
Further, developing a scalable business model, strengthening stakeholder engagement through localised benefits, and fostering supportive regulatory frameworks will be critical for the long-term success of AquaWind and multi-use maritime infrastructure in general. Circular economy principles, international partnerships, and the integration of sustainable practices will position the project as a global benchmark in multi-use offshore solutions.
“This is not the end but a beginning. AquaWind paves the way for broader applications in sustainable marine space management, setting the foundations for a scalable and replicable model across the Atlantic and other oceanic regions such Outermost Regions”, said Dr. Roo, the coordinator of the Aquawind Project.
AquaWind emerges as a flagship project for the Atlantic Basin, setting the stage for commercialising this integrated solution while significantly contributing to the EU’s sustainability and maritime spatial optimisation objectives.
In addition to the aforementioned entities ACIISI, ULPGC, EnerOcean, CANEXMAR and PLOCAN, the AquaWind project consortium also includes partners such as Consulta Europa, the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster, WAVEC and INNOSEA, who are actively collaborating in the development of this pioneering initiative that combines offshore renewable energy with aquaculture. The AquaWind project is co-funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101077600. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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