Seaweed Energy Solutions AS
A leader in seaweed to-biofuels solutions, Seaweed Energy Solutions AS (SES) is a Norwegian registered company focused on large-scale cultivation of seaweed primarily for energy purposes. SES has operations in both Norway and Portugal - the northern and southern extremes of the habitats of the large brown seaweeds in Europe. Bioenergy production utilizing the Earth’s vast oceans offers tremendous opportunity as a worldwide renewable energy resource. Current advanced and proven technologies in marine biology, offshore structures, aquaculture and biomass processing are bringing this promise ever closer to commercial reality.
Company details
Find locations served, office locations
- Business Type:
- Service provider
- Industry Type:
- Renewable Energy
- Market Focus:
- Nationally (across the country)
About Us
The three main pillars in the seaweed-to-fuel business are Biology, Marine Technology and Energy Conversion.
SES is mastering this integrated process with proven and proprietary components. SES is involved in various seaweed processing projects, but our main focus is on the first stages in the process - cost competitive and sustainable breeding and cultivation of seaweed. Patents have been registered in key areas and the ongoing development with existing and new partners is expected to result in compelling competitive technology solutions.
History
Growing up with seaweed
In 1978 the founder of SES, Pål Bakken, was working part time at his father's seaweed meal factory at the island of Frøya in Norway.
At the age of 13, he and a friend harvested about 1.5 tons of seaweed in less than 2 hours, including delivering the seaweed to the factory with a small boat powered by a 4 HP outboard motor.
Now 30 years later, this is what SES is all about. The fact that it is possible to harvest a wild resource with such a low input of energy and cost is a strong indicator that large scale cultivation of seaweed offers a compelling alternative energy resource for the world. Utilizing the full momentum of modern technology, large scale cultivation of seaweed has unmatched potential as an energy crop.
It all started in 2006 when Bakken contacted Dr. Svein Jarle Horn who in 2000 completed his PhD on bioenergy production from brown seaweeds, following a seaweed research tradition that started with the Norwegian Institute of Seaweed Research in 1950. Mentz Indergaard, who worked extensively with seaweed cultivation research and development from the 1980’s, also joined the team during this first stage of SES' history.
Environment
The environmental benefits go on and on
In addition to providing a renewable fuel solution with minimal conflicting issues, seaweed cultivation is believed to have several other positive effects on the environment.
- CO2 uptake and storage
- Better overall biodiversity and increased level of dissolved oxygen in the sea lead to increased fish stocks in vicinity of farms; some of commercial importance (food security)
- No pollution (less or no need for fertilizer and pesticides)
- Biofilter (ability to absorb pollutants in the water)
- Assist in reducing coastal eutrophication; improve water quality
- IMTA (Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture) implemented in areas with intensive fish farming to remove excess nutrients and waste products from fish farms
- Counterbalance to diminishing wild seaweed resources
- Help mitigate climate change and ocean acidification
- Defense against coastal erosion