Amphibious Solar and Wind-Powered Pontoon for Year-Round Sustainable Aquaculture Operations and FLUPSY Independence

Commodities

• Animals: shellfish

Practices

• Energy: renewable energy

This project focuses on creating an amphibious, solar- and wind-powered pontoon to provide sustainable, off-grid energy for aquaculture operations. The primary objective is to support year-round power needs for SeaChange LLC and other small farms by enabling flexible energy supply across multiple applications. Typically, FLUPSYs have only been located where shore power is available, which is increasingly hard to find. With the pontoon, it can all exist on a mooring on the ocean near the farm.  

Key components include outfitting the pontoon with solar panels, a micro wind turbine, and monitoring systems for flow rate, security, and energy output. The Department of Marine Services requires a canopy for work areas, and the solar panels can also serve that purpose. The pontoon will connect to a FLUPSY to power seawater pumps, feeding young oysters without relying on shore power. It will also connect to the oyster processing platform, powering the conveyor tumbler and washdown pumps. Lastly, it will transition to land, providing energy for tasks such as charging electric vehicles and running sorting and bagging equipment.  

Outreach includes engagement with existing farmer networks that are located right onsite at Sea Meadow Marine and elsewhere.  Thanks to its amphibious design, the pontoon can be demonstrated both on land and water at key annual events like the Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Exposition (NACE), Seagriculture, and Oyster Fest. Social media channels and the SeaChange LLC website will also be used to share updates, performance data, and benefits with the broader aquaculture community.

Project Objectives 

1. Develop an Off-Grid, Amphibious Power Pontoon for Aquaculture: 

   Build and deploy a solar- and wind-powered pontoon capable of supporting aquaculture equipment both on water and land. The pontoon will be designed for year-round versatility, providing consistent energy for FLUPSY systems, oyster processing, and on-land farm operations. By project completion, we aim to achieve a fully operational, renewable energy system that meets diverse farm power needs without relying on shore power or fossil fuels. 

2. Enhance Aquaculture Sustainability by Reducing Carbon Emissions and Operating Costs:  

   Replace fossil fuel-powered generators with the solar/wind pontoon to reduce carbon emissions by at least 70% and lower operational costs associated with fuel and generator maintenance. We will track greenhouse gas reductions and document cost savings in fuel and maintenance to quantify the environmental and financial impact. 

3. Support Oyster Production with Reliable Power for Key Aquaculture Processes:

   Ensure continuous energy for FLUPSY water pumps from May to June, enabling 24/7 feeding for young oysters to support optimal growth rates. From July to October, power the conveyor tumbler and washdown pumps on the processing platform to streamline processing operations. Monitor system performance to confirm that power needs are met reliably in each season. 

4. Engage Local Aquaculture Community through Outreach and Shared Use:

   Facilitate knowledge-sharing by showcasing the pontoon’s design and performance at events like the Northeast Aquaculture Conference and Exposition (NACE), Seagriculture, and Oyster Fest. Offer shared access to other local farms, including Nauti Sisters Sea Farm and Maine Family Sea Farms Coop, providing data on flow rates, power generation, and practical benefits to support potential adoption by other farmers.