RWE has announced the winners of its inaugural “Co-Use Competition.” The initiative sought innovative solutions to enhance biodiversity and support the coexistence of offshore wind farms with other marine activities. Following a rigorous evaluation of 77 applications from 17 countries, UK-based SeaGrown and French company Cosma were declared winners.
Winners and Their Innovations
SeaGrown (United Kingdom):
Solution: Seaweed farming techniques promoting biodiversity and supporting climate action.
Highlights:
Focuses on cultivating native seaweed species like kelp to enhance biodiversity.
Provides ecological benefits such as carbon and nitrogen uptake and oxygen release.
Employs a modular design for safety and compatibility with other sea uses.
Aims to regenerate marine ecosystems while integrating sustainable aquaculture into offshore wind environments.
Cosma (France):
Solution: Advanced environmental monitoring through underwater drones and AI-driven analysis.
Highlights:
Utilizes autonomous drones for high-resolution seabed mapping.
Employs AI to classify marine habitats and monitor benthic ecosystems with unmatched accuracy.
Offers a scalable, time-efficient methodology for biodiversity assessment.
Enables informed decision-making for marine stakeholders by providing detailed insights into offshore ecosystems.
Funding and Collaboration
RWE will fund feasibility studies to further develop these innovations, with an aim to explore their deployment within its offshore wind farms. The winners will collaborate closely with RWE’s experts, operational teams, and project developers to integrate their solutions into active and planned wind projects.
“Sustainability and biodiversity enhancement are integral to our offshore wind projects. SeaGrown and Cosma’s innovations will not only support marine biodiversity but also offer new opportunities for local stakeholders,” Sven Utermohlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, said.
RWE’s Offshore Wind Expertise
RWE has over 20 years of experience in offshore wind development and operation. The company operates 19 offshore wind farms and is constructing four new projects, including:
Sofia Wind Farm (1.4 GW) – UK.
Thor Offshore Wind Farm (1.1 GW) – Denmark.
Nordseecluster (1.6 GW) – Germany.
OranjeWind (795 MW) – Netherlands (in partnership with TotalEnergies).
The Co-Use Competition underscores RWE’s commitment to combining innovation with sustainability in renewable energy. By integrating groundbreaking solutions into its offshore wind projects, RWE aims to contribute to marine biodiversity while advancing global renewable energy targets.