For the environmentally sustainable operation of offshore wind farms and the protection of biodiversity, continuous and sustainable monitoring of the marine environment is essential. This is precisely where the SeaMe project comes in, initiated and led by RWE. Together with leading research partners, the project aims to develop innovative technologies for holistic and minimally invasive ecosystem monitoring. Existing methods, which are often costly, invasive, and CO₂-intensive, are to be replaced by modern, sustainable approaches.
The consortium relies on advanced technologies such as autonomous underwater robots, remotely operated aerial drones, intelligent camera systems, environmental DNA analysis methods, as well as a comprehensive platform for analyzing and providing the collected data.
Within the project, the DFKI team is involved with the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) DeepLeng. The focus lies on further developing the system, which is equipped with a multimodal oceanographic sensor suite. This enables the precise measurement of key physical and biological parameters such as temperature, salinity, oxygen concentration, chlorophyll-a, and turbidity. These capabilities are complemented by artificial intelligence methods that ensure safe navigation as well as efficient and continuous data acquisition.
In addition, DFKI is developing an AI-based video monitoring system that enables the AUV to automatically detect fish. Based on machine learning and advanced image processing, the system continuously improves its detection capabilities, contributing to a more detailed understanding of marine fauna. The goal is to replace invasive monitoring methods such as bottom trawl fishing and to enable precise, continuous observation directly within natural habitats without disturbing them.
A key feature of SeaMe is the simultaneous and significantly more frequent collection of physical and biological data. This also includes often overlooked components of the ecosystem such as phytoplankton (microscopic algae) and zooplankton (e.g., krill), which play a crucial role in the marine food web. This holistic approach supports a better understanding of complex ecosystem interactions.
To meet the demanding conditions of offshore deployment, the DFKI robotic system is being specifically enhanced. This includes improvements in communication, advanced safety features such as emergency surfacing capabilities, and increased robustness against environmental influences. Intelligent navigation algorithms enable the AUV to operate autonomously, detect obstacles, and respond flexibly to unforeseen situations.
The developed technologies are first tested under controlled conditions before being deployed in real offshore environments. Over the course of the project, extensive trials are planned at the Kaskasi offshore wind farm in the North Sea. Located around 35 kilometers north of Helgoland, the site provides ideal conditions for testing innovative monitoring solutions.
The project, planned to run for three years and launched in summer 2024 (with DFKI joining in October 2024), brings together renowned partners from science and industry. In addition to DFKI, research partners include the Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity at the University of Oldenburg (HIFMB), the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), BioConsult SH, the Danish company DHI A/S, and the two startups Spoor AS (Norway) and Anemo Robotics (Denmark). Together, they are making an important contribution to the development of sustainable technologies for protecting marine ecosystems and advancing offshore wind energy.
Partners
Helmholtz-Institut für Funktionelle Marine Biodiversität an der Universität Oldenburg (HIFMB), Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung (AWI), BioConsult SH, DHI A/S, Spoor AS, Anemo Robotics
