Olivier Keech leads the research behind a new initiative focused on circular and resource‑efficient farming of shrimp and fish (photo: Stéphanie Robert).
Soon, it may be possible to farm tropical shrimp and fish in Northern Sweden. With support from two EU projects, UPSC researcher Olivier Keech will develop and scale up a circular aquaculture system with a low carbon footprint, utilising surplus heat from Umeå Energi’s combined heat and power plant.
Text adapted from a news article by Sara-Lena Brännström, Umeå University.
Producing shrimp and fish locally instead of importing them from distant regions can significantly reduce climate impact. By integrating aquaculture with surplus industrial energy, the projects aim to demonstrate how food production can become both climate-smart and resource-efficient.
The two initiatives are part of two independent larger research grants funded through the EU’s research and innovation programme Horizon Europe (see below for details). One project has a strong applied focus and brings together Umeå University, Umeå Municipality, Umeå Energi and RISE. The other focuses more on fundamental research into sustainable and circular aquaculture systems using low-trophic species.
But how is it possible to farm species that normally live in Southeast Asia and Latin America, in northern Sweden?
“It's not that crazy if you think about it. After all, anyone can grow vegetables in the winter if they do so indoors. Our normal room temperature is close to that of a tropical climate,” says Olivier Keech, researcher in cell metabolism and sustainable food production at UPSC and Umeå University.
Multitrophic farming enables an efficient nutrient cycle
The concept is based on multitrophic farming – a system in which species, both animal and vegetal, from different levels of the food chain are co-cultivated. Nutrients circulate in a controlled cycle, where residual products from one organism become resources for another. The approach mimics natural ecosystems but is designed to maximise productivity and resource efficiency.
Olivier Keech first tested the concept about ten years ago, together with students in a small experimental system in which fish, zoo- and phytoplanktons, mushrooms and vegetables were grown together. Since then, he has further developed the method in collaboration with scientists from other fields.
Shrimps are one of the species included in the planned farming system (photo: Sergio Zimmermann).
The planned shrimp and fish farm at Dåva CHP plant will be built on the same principle. It will consist of a circular aquaculture system with several basins arranged in sequence, allowing water and nutrients to flow through the system. Shrimp or fish are grown in one basin, while microorganisms in subsequent stages process their waste and convert it into new nutrients.
Developing such a system requires careful balancing of biological interactions. In collaboration with ecologists and mathematicians at Umeå University, Olivier Keech uses modelling approaches to analyse how organisms interact and to optimise nutrient and energy flows.
“This requires large amounts of data and knowledge. There are biological, physical and economic layers that must work together and in symbiosis with the combined heat and power plant,” says Olivier Keech.
Towards climate-neutral food production
A small pilot facility already exists in Västervik. Through the EU projects, the next step is to scale up the concept and develop a new generation facility in northern Sweden.
The long-term goal is to contribute to a more climate-neutral food system by combining surplus energy use with circular biological production. After stabilising the shrimp and fish farming, the system could be expanded to include other organisms, such as mushrooms or vegetables.
“What excites me the most with this project is that all partners are engaged and work towards a common goal, which is to develop complementary sustainable food production systems for more sustainable industries and thus cities” says Olivier Keech.
About the two EU-funded projects
CIRCUIT - Integrating decarbonization and circularity actions in industrial sites to achieve climate neutral and sustainable cities
A project exploring how industry and cities can become more circular and climate smart, for example by making use of surplus heat.
Diversify4Future - Diversifying aquaculture for the future: inclusion of low trophic species for sustainable, innovative, healthy and circular food systems
A project focusing on more sustainable aquaculture, using resource efficient species in circular production systems.
News from Umeå University
Press release from Umeå Municipality which is involved in the applied project
Contact
Olivier Keech, Department of Plant Physiology, Umeå University
Phone: +46 90 786 53 88
Email:
www.upsc.se/olivier_keech