AUTHOR=Flikkema Maarten , Waals Olaf 

TITLE=Space@Sea the Floating Solution

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2019

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2019.00553

DOI=10.3389/fmars.2019.00553

ISSN=2296-7745

ABSTRACT=<p>This paper describes the Horizon 2020 project Space@Sea (<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://www.spaceatsea-project.eu" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">www.spaceatsea-project.eu</ext-link>) which started in November 2017. This project aims to provide a concept of affordable and flexible floating islands. With increasing population and rising sea level there is a scarcity for space on land for the people to live, grow food and harvest renewable energy. Moreover, a large number of people live in areas that are exposed to the risk of flooding in case of sea level rise. These trends call for a solution at sea that creates a new perspective. Previous projects on floating habitation such as the TROPOS project (<ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://www.Troposplatform.eu" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">www.Troposplatform.eu</ext-link>) have delivered artist impressions. Technical solutions are yet to be provided. In the Space@Sea project a conceptual study is done to develop a standardized floating solution for offshore space. Four applications focusing on energy hub, living, aquaculture and maritime transport will be demonstrated. For two locations a business case of a combination of these applications will be examined. The present paper discusses the Space@Sea project background and approach of the collaborative research. First results regarding the basic design and societal acceptance are discussed at a high level. Throughout the Space@Sea project results will be published on Frontiers in Marine Science.</p>