| Ref.No: | 92010500 |
| Start date: | 12.11.2025 |
| End date: | 31.08.2030 |
| Approval date: | 12.11.2025 |
| Department: | NAVAL ARCHITECTURE & MARINE ENGINEERING |
| Sector: | MARINE STRUCTURES |
| Financier: | QUEEN MARY UNIVERSITY OF LONDON(LLOYD'S REGISTRY FOUNDATION) |
| Budget: | 272.696,28 € |
| Public key: | 9ΝΡΩ46ΨΖΣ4-ΤΝΔ |
| Scientific Responsible: | Prof. CHATZIGEORGIOU |
| Email: | list_rector@lists.ntua.gr |
| Description: | OFFSHORE AQUACULTURE IS RAPIDLY EXPANDING TO MEET GLOBAL FOOD DEMAND. HOWEVER, OPEN-SEA FACILITIES FACE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FROM BIOFOULING AND HARSH WAVE CONDITIONS, WHICH INCREASE MAINTENANCE COSTS AND STRUCTURAL RISKS. THESE OPERATIONS CAN ALSO HARM MARINE ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH WASTE DISPERSAL. INTEGRATING WAVE ENERGY CONVERTERS (WECS) OFFERS RENEWABLE ENERGY BUT REQUIRES FURTHER SAFETY ANALYSIS. IN DEVELOPING ECONOMIES, A LACK OF TRAINING FOR FISHERMEN TRANSITIONING TO AQUACULTURE HEIGHTENS OPERATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS. THIS FIVE-YEAR PROJECT AIMS TO ENHANCE SYSTEM RELIABILITY, SAFETY, AND SUSTAINABILITY THROUGH FOUR OBJECTIVES: OPTIMIZE DESIGNS TO REDUCE STRUCTURAL FAILURES AND BIOFOULING. INTEGRATE WECS AND MINIMIZE BIOCHEMICAL POLLUTION. VALIDATE DESIGNS WITH SIMULATIONS, LAB TESTS, AND FIELD TRIALS. DEVELOP TRAINING PROGRAMMES FOR STUDENTS AND PRACTITIONERS. THE OUTCOME WILL BE SAFER, SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE THAT SUPPORTS FOOD SECURITY AND MARINE ECOLOGY. |
