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Using a pioneering genetic method, researchers from DHI are working with Sund &amp; Bælt, the state-owned Danish infrastructure company, on mapping marine life along the southern coast of Lolland, near the construction site of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel to Germany. The aim is to apply the findings to establish new insights into the marine environment's ability to adapt to changes due to human activities.
Researchers are currently navigating the waters close to the coast at Rødbyhavn to collect water samples. These samples harbour genetic traces, known as eDNA, from numerous species and are now being analysed.
While the method for analysing DNA traces in seawater is still evolving, it has enormous potential. It promises to offer a better understanding of marine life just metres below the surface along the shores.
Ole Brodnicke, marine biologist at DHI and expert in the hunt for life beneath the ocean's surface, says, ‘The advantage of the eDNA method is that from a single cup of seawater, we can accurately identify the species inhabiting the area. These could range from birds and fish to crustaceans and molluscs, including species that are elusive and rarely observed. Moreover, we don't require a full team of marine biologists or ornithologists to identify the species.’
 
He relies on an open, international research database containing DNA profiles of the majority of known marine species. However, precision is paramount during both sample collection and the subsequent analysis of the DNA mix extracted from the samples.
‘The method of sample collection is crucial. We can't simply gather water from the surface, as it contains DNA traces from seagulls and various other species that may not necessarily reflect life deeper down. We collect samples closer to the seabed, yielding precise local results’, states Ole Brodnicke.

Using a pioneering genetic method, researchers from DHI are working with Sund & Bælt, the state-owned Danish infrastructure company, on mapping marine life along the southern coast of Lolland, near the construction site of the Fehmarnbelt tunnel to Germany. 

Water is rapidly becoming an increasingly critical resource. Climate change, increasing populations and growing urbanisation and deforestation are all putting pressure on the globe’s water resources.
 
Nations and intragovernmental organisations are constantly looking for ways to protect critical bodies of water, not least inland water bodies. And to do so, you need to continuously monitor their dynamics. But how can you most effectively track the dynamics of Earth’s surface water?  
 
The challenge of monitoring large bodies of water 
 
Inland water bodies include lakes, rivers and reservoirs and they provide water for domestic usage and agriculture and may also be sources for hydropower and recreation. But in most countries, governments only measure water resources with level measurements in major reservoirs and along a few river flow stations. These only represent a small portion of the overall water resources and there is consequently a large knowledge gap.
 
What if you could simply watch water from space? 
 
WorldWater is a pioneering project applying comprehensive satellite image analyses and tools to offer more accurate and detailed monitoring of surface water dynamics than has been previously possible. WorldWater is sponsored by ESA, the European Space Agency, and partners in the project are DHI, Gisat, Geoville, Danish Technical University and GRID-Arendal.  
  
What have been the outcomes of the WorldWater project so far? 
 
Recent outcomes of the WorldWater project include full national monitoring information of the inland water bodies in nine pilot countries/regions: Colombia, Mexico, Gabon, Zambia, Greenland, Thailand, Tajikistan, Denmark and the Volta basin in West Africa. Other key outputs include an online porcessing system and a cloud-based open-source toolbox as well as an open-for-all global dissemination portal. The portal contains information on surface water dynamics and statistics that are derived using advanced algorithms and processing of the entire archive of freely available satellite data from Sentinel-1, -2 and -3 of the European Copernicus mission. 
 
The ultimate aim of the project is to enable decision-makers and river basin authorities to gain more accurate and detailed information about the development of vulnerable water bodies so that they can implement effective measures for water body management and protection. Armed with the services developed in the WorldWater project, stakeholders can report and monitor water dynamics over time in alignment with the global water agendas, especially the Sustainable Development Goal on ‘clean water for all’ (SDG 6) and the ‘climate action goal’ (SDG 13). 
 
What’s next? 
 
At a recent partner meeting in Rome, members from the participating organisations not only reviewed the progress they had made in mapping the world’s inland water bodies. They also discussed critical next steps, including how the tools and services demonstrated in the project can be fully adopted by countries in the long term. This can be achieved by implementation in key national institutions and by integrating or expanding existing infrastructures for water and environmental monitoring.   

Water is rapidly becoming an increasingly critical resource. Climate change, increasing populations and growing urbanisation and deforestation are all putting pressure on the globe’s water resources.

Seagrasses are vital marine ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality and potentially sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. On World Seagrass Day, let's recognise their crucial role in sustaining our oceans and combating climate change.
 
DHI is engaged in a new research project together with Roskilde University and Deakin University (Melbourne, Australia), to outline innovative methods to restore seagrass ecosystems in Danish waters. The project aims to test a novel methodology to utilise otherwise unfavourable sediment for seagrass transplantation. The project team will be using biodegradable 3D printed BESE-elements® in collaboration with BlueCarbonLab to secure seagrass transplants in previously unsuitable coastal zones. The biodegradable elements are made of compostable potato starch from industrial waste and produced by BESE-products.
 
We will support this project with an assessment of the positive effects on biodiversity and address the question of whether eelgrass meadows develop to the same degree as eelgrass transplanted in favourable sediments. ‘Supporting the project with our modelling technology will give insights into the scalability potential of this transplantation method,’ says Verena Schrameyer, DHI Senior Marine Ecologist and Global Biodiversity Lead Marine &amp; Coast. ‘We will also be providing an areal biodiversity footprint analysis by applying DHI’s biodiversity valuation tool, EBM BioQ.’
 
Kasper Elgetti Brodersen, Associate Professor in Seagrass Ecophysiology at Roskilde University and leader of the project, adds, ‘Seagrass ecosystem restoration is a key part of Denmark’s climate mitigation strategy. This project is an opportunity to expand current best practices to increase the scope of seagrass restoration as a viable and scalable climate mitigation strategy. To turn strategy into action, we need to invest in novel techniques and technology to make large-scale seagrass restoration a reality.’

Seagrasses are vital marine ecosystems, enhancing biodiversity, improving water quality and potentially sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. On World Seagrass Day, let's recognise their crucial role in sustaining our oceans and combating climate change.

DHI to monitor birds and bats in pioneering new Dutch offshore wind farm

Ecowende teams up with Robin Radar, MIDO and DHI to implement most advanced framework for monitoring birds and bats at offshore wind farms to date. Robin Radar Systems, MIDO and DHI, three companies on the forefront of detection systems for and data collection on various birds and bats, are joining forces with Ecowende. Their technologies, which include Robin Radar’s MAX® bird and bat radar systems, DHI’s sensor integration and artificial intelligence (AI) species recognition solution MUSE and MIDO’s power-generating floating platform FLORA 1 will be deployed in Ecowende's future offshore wind farm. By combining these technologies, Ecowende will implement the most advanced framework for monitoring of flying birds and bats at offshore wind farms to date. This will help in assessing the impact of the wind farm on ecology and the effectiveness of Ecowende’s ecological innovations.
 
A new ecological standard with innovative monitoring and research programmes
Together with partners, Ecowende intends to set a new ecological standard for building and operating offshore wind farms, with a minimal impact on the natural habitat of birds, bats and marine mammals, and with a thriving underwater world. To do so, the wind farm developer – a joint venture of Shell, Chubu and Eneco – puts state-of-the-art monitoring and mitigation technologies and innovations at the core. This is where the technologies from Robin Radar, MIDO and DHI come in.
 
First ever MAX® Radar System on a floating platform
‘Ecowende is the perfect example of the sheer passion for innovation in this industry’, said Sibylle Giraud, VP Wind and Environmental Practice at Robin Radar. ‘There’s a real determination to keep finding new ways to protect wildlife while helping the green transition. We share that passion, and like us, Ecowende will break ground and take risks to make essential technologies scalable and sustainable. We're delighted to accompany them on this fantastic project, we'll deploy no less than four flagship radars, including our first-ever MAX® on a floating platform.’
 
To enhance Ecowende’s data collection, the three-dimensional (3D) MAX® Radar Systems operate every day of the year and in all weather conditions, simultaneously tracking and organising data into one informative and intuitive interface. Insight and awareness like this, provide a foundation for real-time and strategic analysis. Mitigating the risk of collision, or even implementing shut-down-on-demand (SDOD) when necessary, depends on an extensive understanding of bird behaviour.
 
A match made in Holland
The FLORA 1 floating platform has been especially designed for offshore installation and is equipped for autonomous operation because of its power-generating nature, by using a complementary mix of wave and solar power and battery storage, allowing for uninterrupted data collection by the MAX® Radar System on the platform.
 
‘The project’s innovation challenges have brought the very best out of the partners, including MIDO. In our case we’ve had to continually question the possible problems and constantly iterate, learn and optimise the design to achieve system unanimity. We’re building something almost dream-like together by combining energy and sensor technologies. We call it “A match made in Holland"', said Francisco Garcia, CEO of MIDO.
 
Pairing with MUSE for data integration
Even more data can be gathered automatically, such as a count of the actual bird species being observed, by integrating the MAX® with robotic cameras using DHI’s MUSE solution. Robin Radar and DHI have paired their radars and MUSE systems before, ensuring that the compatibility of the sensors will improve the quality of data collection.
 
MUSE helps ensure protection of birds and bats with maximum uptime of the wind turbines. DHI’s AI-based algorithms automatically identify the species of birds of concern and locate bats in the wind farm zone and can automatically send signals to advise on slowing down individual wind turbines if a priority species of bird or bat is in danger of collision. DHI will also be responsible for integrating the project’s different data sources and their experts will help identify the most efficient approaches to bird and bat protection.
 
A pioneering lighthouse for eco-innovations
Mikael Kamp Sørensen, Executive Vice President for Energy &amp; Ports, DHI, said, ‘Ecowende will be a pioneering lighthouse for eco-innovations in offshore wind. DHI is ready to support the mission of truly integrating sustainability into the design and operation of offshore wind farms. With MUSE, authorities and wind farm developers can protect birds and bats from collision and still achieve the most ambitious goals for renewable energy production.’
 
Filling knowledge gaps to help future wind farms
To ensure that the collected data really turns into knowledge, we will work together with scientists who will focus on researching and filling existing knowledge gaps. Marin van Regteren, Marine Ecologist at Ecowende explains, ‘Bird ecologists will work on accurately mapping seabird behaviour around our innovations, patterns of migratory birds and improving existing collision models. Based on these insights, we can continuously improve our own approach by finetuning innovations, and we can help future wind farms.’
 
***
Robin Radar SystemsRobin Radar is developing cutting-edge radar technologies, with 30 years of built-up expertise of applied radar science. They strive to create greater safety for humans and wildlife alike, helping the aviation, security and on- and offshore ecology industries to set the pace for a better world. The MAX®, their flagship 3D avian radar, is a full 3D (360 degrees) radar providing size, speed, height, location and flight path data for each bird or bat it detects.
 
MIDOAs an arm of Wedge Global, MIDO started designing their wave energy technology back in 2007 in partnership with Spain’s National Center for Energy and Environmental Technology (CIEMAT). Combining their floating energy systems with state-of-the-art sensor technology, they design next generation ocean energy systems for niche applications including ocean observations. MIDO’s technology facilitates autonomous, in-situ and uninterrupted observation of marine life and biodiversity in harsh or hard-to-reach environments, like offshore wind farms.
 
DHI A/SDHI has been committed to advancing and sharing knowledge of water environments for over half a century. Headquartered in Denmark, DHI has offices in 26 countries. Every day, 1,100 engineers and other specialists work within the entire water cycle to innovate new ways to use, manage and live with water and protect water-related ecosystems. DHI leverages their domain expertise, advanced technologies and unique modelling software to support decision-makers in the global water industry. Together with clients and partners, they enable a sustainable future for water.
 
Ecowende and Hollandse Kust WestA sustainable future for offshore wind that positively contributes to the North Sea’s ecology. An ambition that Ecowende hopes to bring to life through collaboration with partners, research, and progressive innovations. The Ecowende wind farm (Hollandse Kust (west) lot VI) will be located about 53 kilometres off the Dutch coast, near IJmuiden. The wind farm will have an operational capacity of approximately 760 MW, making 3% of the current Dutch electricity demand greener. Ecowende plans to have the wind farm fully operational and commissioned in 2026.
 
Press contact 

Robin Radar Systems | Jasper van Laanen: vanlaanen@robinradar.com 


MIDO | Tania Martin: tmartin@mido.tech 


DHI | Annette Mystek : acmy@dhigroup.com


Ecowende, Eneco | Marnix Heijboer: heijboer@eneco.nl


Ecowende teams up with Robin Radar, MIDO and DHI to implement most advanced framework for monitoring birds and bats at offshore wind farms to date. 

Drastically reduce WWTP energy use, costs and carbon footprint by up to 30%

Wastewater treatment plants are confronted with a critical challenge: inefficient aeration controllers leading to unnecessary energy wastage, heightened operational costs and an amplified carbon footprint. TwinPlant's revolutionary solution, the Optimised Plant module by DHI, is here to address these issues.
 
This cloud-based application empowers water utilities to continuously fine-tune aeration process controllers. The result is reduced WWTP costs, decreased energy consumption and mitigated GHG emissions, all while minimising the risk of effluent permit violations. By leveraging advanced algorithms and predictive modelling, the Optimised Plant module dynamically adjusts aeration controllers in real-time, significantly reducing blower power consumption by 15-30% and lowering overall power usage by 10-20%.
 

 
With a user-friendly interface, operators gain easy access to process control adjustments and automation capabilities, enabling direct contribution to a plant's efficiency and sustainability goals. ‘Human-in-the-loop validation’ ensures meticulous evaluation of controller settings, guaranteeing optimal outcomes. Additionally, the module features ‘optimised aeration’ functionality to further maximise energy efficiency and operational cost savings. Want to achieve more quantifiable KPI improvements? Take advantage of the Optimised Plant's robust modelling and data analytics.
 
‘Water utilities are facing increasing pressure to make wastewater plant operations efficient, sustainable and compliant at the same time,’ comments TwinPlant Product Owner Fabio Polesel. ‘Digital solutions are in high demand to address these challenges and empower operators with the tools to make the right decision – a unique offering that TwinPlant and The Optimised Plant can provide,’ he continues.
 
All of TwinPlant’s modules are now available via subscription. Visit  dhigroup.com/technologies/twinplant to learn more and schedule a demo.

Drastically reduce WWTP energy use, costs and carbon footprint by up to 30% with TwinPlant's new Optimised Plant module.

DHI hosts seminar on sustainable water for Power-to-X

DHI recently hosted a seminar on sustainable water use for Power-to-X (PtX) together with Danish Export Association.
 
The event took place at DHI headquarters in Hørsholm, and participants came from both industry organisations, utilities, research institutions, public authorities and private companies.
The day started with a tour of DHI’s renowned hydraulic test facilities, where DHI is currently testing the design of tomorrow’s energy islands and floating wind turbine foundations. After the tour, Mette Vestergaard, CEO of DHI, opened the seminar with a brief introduction of DHI and our work in supporting the green transition in the energy sector.

DHI recently hosted a seminar on sustainable water use for PtX together with Danish Export Association. 

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