Sustainable Innovation in la Martinique: Biofouling Solutions for Clean Energy (SIMBIOSE)

SIMBIOSE was a three-year project funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), aimed at providing eco-friendly technological solutions to improve the performance of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) plants, that are able to provide renewable energy in tropical regions using the difference in temperature between warm and cold seawater.

Tangible results: Building on a previous project (MARLIN, funded by the ADEME in France), SIMBIOSE focused on two biofouling treatment solutions: electrochlorination and ozonation. The project has defined the optimal parameters for each treatment to ensure the lowest environmental impact of their use. A third, more innovative, solution has also been evaluated using biopolymers derived from marine bacteria, to be combined with both ozonation and electrochlorination to increase efficiency.

Application/relevance: The solutions developed within the project contribute to improve heat exchangers’ energy performance and ensure the profitability of renewable, self-sufficient energy sources for island communities.