Hyper-scale seaweed farms of the future
By utilising offshore, three-dimensional high-yield cultivation techniques as opposed to conventional line-growing techniques, as well as automated seeding and harvesting, Canopy Blue’s hyper-scale seaweed farms of the future reduce labour intensity and massively increase scale.
Tech development, automation and integration
How does it work?
- On the surface, existing infrastructure is used as anchor points and repurposed for seaweed production. Mobile platforms are deployed for processing.
- From the air, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) monitor seaweed site surface.
- Under the surface, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) monitor biomass growth and light level, and utilise Eco Detection technology to measure nutrients.
Large offshore forests transform seaweed farming
How does it compare?
- On the surface, existing infrastructure is used as anchor points and repurposed for seaweed production. Mobile platforms are deployed for processing.
- From the air, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) monitor seaweed site surface.
- Under the surface, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) monitor biomass growth and light level, and utilise Eco Detection technology to measure nutrients.
| Parameter | Offshore seaweed platform | Conventional systems |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Modular, 3D | 1D |
| Yield | 500–700 wet tons per hectare per annum | Typically 50 tons per hectare per annum |
| Depth | Adjustable to optimise growth | Only shallow water |
| Exposure | Submerged growth protected from extreme weather events and passing vessels | Surface growth |
| Location | Offshore | Nearshore – limited to bays and sheltered waters |
| Mechanisation | Automated seeding and harvesting | Manual harvest |