Low carbon marine eco engineering

该项目的目的是开发一种新型低碳人工珊瑚礁的商业化供应链，称为生态珊瑚礁，作为海洋基础设施的冲刷保护，同时提供生物多样性净收益。我们的目标是开发和证明海上大规模制造能力和大规模部署方法，以减少碳排放和增加海洋多样性。这是一个复杂和创新的领域，目前市场上的现有产品尚未实现。目前，市场上的人工鱼礁都是单独部署的，通过绞车将单个鱼礁吊到海底，既耗时又昂贵。因此，可以大规模部署的生态礁装置的商业化将构成一项重大创新，可能会促进海上风电场对人工珊瑚礁生态冲刷系统的吸收。通过大规模部署Eco Reef装置，降低了部署成本，从而使人工礁石生态冲刷保护成为风力发电场安装人员、运营商和承包商更可行的选择，作为实现海上风力发电场生物多样性净收益的一种手段。Eco Reefs利用Exo Engineering的创新方法，将废物和再生材料纳入我们的产品中，将采石和建筑行业的疏浚沉积物或废骨料转化为可行的，改善栖息地的产品。与传统混凝土相比，这种方法可以节省17%的碳。我们将与业界伙伴紧密合作，并与学术界合作，以确保稳健的商业化道路。

The aim of the project is to develop a commercialised supply chain of novel low carbon artificial reefs called Eco Reefs that act as scour protection for marine infrastructure, whilst delivery biodiversity net gain. We aim to develop and evidence mass manufacturing capabilities and mass deployment methods at sea with the aims to reduce carbon emissions and increase marine diversity. This is a complex and innovative area that has not yet been achieved by existing products on the market.Currently artificial reefs available on the market are deployed individually, in a time consuming and costly manor by winching single units down to the sea floor. Therefore, the commercialisation of Eco Reef units that can be deployed en-masse would constitute a significant innovation, potentially catalysing increased uptake of artificial reef eco scour systems for offshore windfarms. By mass deploying Eco Reef units, the cost of deployment is reduced, resulting in artificial reef eco scour protection becoming a more viable option for windfarm installers, operators, and contractors as a means to achieve biodiversity net gain in offshore wind farms.Eco Reefs utilise Exo Engineering's innovative method to incorporate waste and recycled materials into our products, turning dredged sediment or waste aggregate from the quarrying and construction sectors, into viable, habitat enhancing products. This approach results in a 17% carbon saving compared to conventional concrete.We will work closely work with industry partners and collaborate with academics to ensure a robust pathway to commercialisation.