Novel Digital Twin technologies enable Multi-Use Offshore Wind Energy and Low Trophic Level Aquaculture

Wind farms along the North Sea coast are already generating significant amounts of renewable energy and the EU plans to install over 450 GW in the shallow shelf sea by 2050.  In the German Bight—part of the southern North Sea and one of SEADOTs’ three demonstration sites led by HEREON —the focus is on testing the co-use of offshore wind infrastructure and low-trophic aquaculture.  In a world of multiple crises, not only is energy highly in demand, but also sustainable food production are becoming more urgent. Aquaculture has long complemented fishing, but finding suitable locations for it on the heavily utilized coast is not easy. Whatif offshore areas, already occupied by wind turbines, could also host low-trophic aquaculture? Could we sustainably co-produce food and energy in the same location? The EU Mission Ocean lighthouse project SEADOTs is tackling exactly these questions!  To support sustainable ocean use, we are developing a virtual tool—a Digital Twin of the Ocean (DTO)—that integrates real data and scientific knowledge to simulate the sustainable co-production in the southern North Sea.

Our Digital Twin uses a wide array of data inputs including offshore infrastructure geodata, in-situ and remote sensing observations, model data from research and operational services. Moreover, in SEADOTs this digital twin is further enhanced by coupling to socio-economic models, creating an integrated platform to assess multi-use feasibility. High-resolution spatial and temporal inputs allow us to simulate aquaculture operations under variable marine conditions—including wind, waves, currents, and extreme events. A key feature of HEREON’s DT demonstrator is its ability to provide What-If Scenarios (WiSs). These enable users to explore different strategies for spatial layout, timing, or species selection—virtually testing operational options under realistic ocean conditions. This capability supports early-stage planning and informed decision-making.

Our DT is intended for intermediate users such as aquaculture or co-production managers, coastal users and governmental agencies responsible for regional ocean and coastal protection. Even before the special technology is ordered or the first mussel cutter leaves the port, the operation of an aquaculture farm will be virtually simulated and evaluated with the help of the virtual model.  By integrating transdisciplinary models, artificial intelligence, and advanced computational and visualization tools, the DTO enables WiS testing of aquaculture production cycles within wind farms. This supports co-use strategies that advance Blue Economy goals, protect marine biodiversity, and contribute to the EU Green Deal and UN Sustainable Development Goals.