WATER TECHNOLOGIES

INSIDE

WE WILL MEET THE CHALLENGE!

“Had we wanted to do something easy, we would have chosen something different,” says the optimistic aquaculture entrepreneur, Carl Ivar Holmen, at Salmofarms, Rjukan. Along with his colleague, Sophus Kielland, and the technology provider, Krüger Kaldnes, they have come a long way in planning a complete land-based fish farm for the production of Atlantic salmon. The project is set to start this autumn, and the building construction is to begin in spring next year.

“There are many who wish to do the same. We are, therefore, proud to be in the forefront”, says Carl Ivar Holmen. He thrives in his role as a pioneer in the rapidly growing and successful Norwegian aquaculture industry. Rjukan is perhaps best known for the Norwegian heavy water sabotage during World War II, and the large hydroelectricity company Hydro, set up in 1907. Now this little town in is set to see the evolution of a new industry, with a plan for the construction of the country’s first large-scale fish farm for the production of market-size salmon. The fish will be reared from eggs all the way to adult fish ready for slaughter, with an average individual weight of 4,5 kg. The endeavor started in 2013, along with international players, with the search for suitable locations for the production of post-smolt. A preliminary study was conducted at Rjukan the year after, to establish the suitability of the location to potential international investors. The capital investment required is huge, in the order of 500 million to 1 billion NOK. “The finance market has so far been very positive, but then again, we also have a very lucrative project to sell”, points out Holmen. The entrepreneurs spoke to several technology providers to begin with, but they ended up choosing Krüger Kaldnes as the technology collaborator. “First and foremost, this plant requires a gigantic water treatment system. There are numerous risk factors to be taken under consideration in a plant of such dimensions, especially where biology is concerned. Krüger Kaldnes is the expert in this field. We were pleased with the extreme interest, concern and understanding

PRODUCTION OF MARKET-SIZE SALMON AT RJUKAN

with which our project was handled. Moreover, the company has an excellent reference list of large aquaculture projects”, says Holmen. The idea of having the largest land-based fish facility in Europe locally in Norway is an exciting proposition.“If there is anything we are good at in Telemark, it is process industry. Rjukan has a history of large industry establishments, so even though

aquaculture is a new industry in the area, it didn’t ruffle any feathers. We were received with open arms. We have an energy source available in the form of warm water from waste heat processes from existing businesses. Besides, Rjukan is an excellent location with respect to water resources, as it lies in the foothills

of Hardangervidda. We have bored three wells close to the site and found filtered groundwater that is crystal-clear, and more than sufficient for our needs. In addition, we believe we can also receive water from the power industry Vemork, if required.”

Sceptics may question the geographical location of Rjukan, with respect to transport of the finished product to the market. But Holmen shoots right back saying, “On the contrary, Rjukan is a prime location! It is only about a three-hour drive to the Gardermoen airport, and only two hours away from several ship ports to Europe. Compared to salmon producers in Western Norway, we are placed at a very favorable location”.

Even though aquaculture is a new business in Telemark, the two aquaculture entrepreneurs are not unfamiliar with the industry. For several years, they have worked on the development of a patented technology for the collection and analysis of fish welfare data from modern fish farming facilities. Now they are joining forces towards building this pioneer project at Rjukan. “While salmon production in the sea faced challenges, land-based aquaculture took quantum leaps of progress,” says Holmen. And now he wishes to take it one step further. “A large-scale facility like this is going to be very exciting,” concludes the indomitable optimist.

Krüger Kaldnes has achieved unprecedented success with Kaldnes® RAS water treatment system and turnkey project delivery for land-based aquaculture, and today is one of the world-leaders in this market. The historical saga started with the first RAS delivery to Marine Harvest in Dalsfjord in 2009. After participation in the AquaNor conference in Trondheim as late as in 2011, the growth has been skywards, with a very steep slope. In collaboration with our construction partner, Total Betong, our company recently signed the largest contract ever for the construction of one of the world’s largest and perhaps highest-production capacity post-smolt facility, Lerøy Sjøtroll Kjærelva. Our client Lerøy Seafood Group is one of the world’s largest aquaculture companies. The total project cost is in the range of 650 million NOK, divided between the two Turnkey partners. Krüger Kaldnes has always been reputed as an accomplished technology company. But our ambitions go further than that! Through our project deliveries, in collaboration with knowledgeable clients, we have built a strong knowledge base. This experience has now put us in a position to raise our delivery capabilities yet higher – with a focus on things most important to our clients and to us: To be able to deliver highly advanced facilities, with a stronger understanding of the significance of good biosecurity and fish welfare. We are growing and recruiting people with relevant skills for our new focus areas. We are also increasing focus on research and development. Standardization, automation and building a platform with operating data from our delivered projects, are other important areas that we will focus on this autumn. As a result of good performance in Norway, Krüger Kaldnes has been appointed as the Center of Excellence in aquaculture within Veolia Water Global. Along with our sister company in Denmark, Krüger, we plan to focus more on the international market. This is an exciting time. However, we will pace it well and not rush it – because our first priority is to look after our clients and our skillful employees, under all circumstances!

Heidi KyvikVice President Aquaculture Krüger Kaldnes

Special Edition | Kaldnes®RAS Magazine, AQUA NOR 2017

AQUACULTURE AQUACULTURE

Carl Ivar Holmen”It is both exciting and super cool”

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KLEMET STEEN AT LERØY SEAFOOD GROUP ON THE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY:

Recently at a seminar in Lofoten, Steve Summerfelt gave a talk on the importance of biosecurity in recirculating aquaculture systems. The American expert emphasized that stringent control on the water quality and implementation of pathogen-prevention barriers was crucial for good fish welfare in RAS. Summerfelt’s words were like sweet music to the ears of Klemet Steen, head of smolt/RAS at Lerøy Seafood Group, considering the great efforts being put in by LSG to build the world’s largest Atlantic salmon post-smolt facility in Norway.

“Yes, indeed, I was very satisfied that for our new facility at Sjøtroll Kjærelva, we have taken into consideration all the safety barriers mentioned at the seminar”,--Steen, leaning backwards in his chair. His office in Trondheim is in a renovated building that has still not quite gotten rid of the smell of fish, and is hardly a stone’s throw away from the Nidelva river. It is from here that he handles his responsibility as the technology leader for RAS in LSG, which is one of the world’s largest aquaculture companies. In Norway, LSG’s activities are divided into three regions, Lerøy Aurora up north, Lerøy Midt in the center, and Sjøtroll down south, which is where the record will be set. This will be a facility built to produce 7,5 million post-smolt up to 160 g and 5 million to 500 g. This corresponds to a total fish biomass of 4.000 tonnes. Only three years ago, when the LSG-owned Belsvik smolt facility was constructed with a total capacity of 1 250 tonnes, it was the world’s largest facility at the time. This already speaks volumes about the growth of the company. However, LSG’s

very first RAS facility was started as early as in the 2000s. Klemet Steen has been instrumental in this development. He explains some of the major reasons why LSG moved away from flow-through systems to recirculating aquaculture systems.

“We began to see a shortage of freshwater necessary for flow-through systems, due to strong competition with industries like the power industry. The European Water Framework Directive implemented in 2005/2006 was also a limiting factor. In the light of these developments, it was apparent that RAS was an attractive alternative. Today, I have full confidence in the recirculation technology with its several advantages: You can control water temperature, particles, pH – and thus maintain an optimal environment for salmon or other species. It is not just water that is recycled, but also the energy used for warming it,” explains an enthusiastic Klemet Steen, who started his carrier as a

baker and ran his own bakery in the capital of Trønderlag. At the age of 30, he grew weary of waking up in the middle of the night and took admission at NTNU, then known as NTH. He studied to become a biologist in Zoology and Fish physiology. Therefore, he is not only interested in RAS as a cost-efficient technology, but also in the biological component besides the fish, i.e. the bacteria in the biofilter.

“Based on their functionalities, bacteria can be classified as benevolent or maleficent. By growing the beneficial species, the growth of undesirable species can be reduced. Biosecurity is very important in many areas. An example is the treatment of intake water at the main plant at Kjærelva. Here we have added several components in addition to the traditional measures. It is important to focus on fish welfare. Well-being of the fish leads to better health and economy for the producer. Longer production time in land-based facilities leads to larger smolt and consequently, the fish are more robust when transferred to the sea. This last period in the sea is irreplaceable. This is because in the ocean, the fish are subject to a natural daily rhythm, and experience environmental stimuli, which makes them taste much better on the dinner plate. That’s my opinion,” says a smiling Steen, who is ready for his summer vacation – a sail boat journey up north to the Helgeland coast.

Our planet consists of 30% land, while the rest is water. However, a mere 2% of the global food produced comes from the sea. The Norwegian government has set a goal to increase aquaculture production to four times today’s value – this in an industry that is already the country’s second largest export industry. According to the Technology Head, the future holds a different average work-day for RAS technology suppliers.

“Fish will not just survive, they will also have a good life”

Technology head, Klemet Steen in LSG, thrives in the rapidly growing aquaculture industry and looks forward to the construction of the gigantic land-based post-smolt facility Lerøy Sjøtroll Kjærelva

Collaboration team who kick-started the massive project in record time, From left Lerøy’s regional manager Svein Nøttveit, Marketing Manager at Total Betong, Olav Bang-Haagensen, Sales Manager Heidi Kyvik and Project

Leader Torgeir Vreim, both Krüger Kaldnes, Operations Manager at Lerøy, Emil Skjerping and CEO at Total Betong, Kurt Helland. Technology Head (smolt) Leroy Seafood Group , Klemet Steen (not in picture)

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today become one of the key ingredients in the success of Krüger Kaldnes® RAS technology.“I have always been interested in clean water and environment-friendly technologies,” says Sharada, who will also research methods to reduce the

environmental footprint of the biofilter. This is in addition to working 25% as a process engineer at Krüger Kaldnes. “I am very lucky to be working with brilliant people who have shaped the creation of a world-class technology in the global aquaculture industry. On the other hand, through me, Krüger Kaldnes is building fruitful relationships with involvement in CtrlAQUA, an international R&D project on rearing technologies for post-smolt, led by the world’s leading institute for Atlantic salmon research, Nofima. It is a symbiotic relationship with a win-win situation for both parties,” she says, contentedly.

COMBINING A “PHD” WITH A JOB AT KRÜGER KALDNESSharada Navada meets me outside the Natural Sciences building at NTNU in Trondheim. She began her study here this January, thus starting the four-year long journey towards a doctoral degree.

“A great idea for both the company and me,” says Sharada. She was born in Mumbai, India, a city with more than 22 million inhabitants, where she acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering. She moved to the USA to pursue a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, and joined Veolia. Destiny brought her to Norway. Despite her young age, she is fluent in five to six languages, and her Norwegian is already impressive. At NTNU, she will delve into the study of the efficiency of the renowned Kaldnes® MBBR biofilter technology for water treatment, which was invented right here at NTNU by Professor Hallvard Ødegaard, a few decades ago. Kaldnes® MBBR has

Sharada Navada at the NTNU Natural Sciences building where she is currently pursuing

her doctoral degree

Through Sharada Navada, Krüger Kaldnes will further its collaboration with important research institutes.

“They should not just be equipment manufacturers, but should also help the client to become better. At the same time, this will also improve their own expertise. During the work on Sjøtroll Kjærelva, we formed a collaboration team with our two partners: Krüger Kaldnes as the technology provider of process solutions, and Total Betong, as the building contractor. There were intense meetings for just under two months. Some may perceive us as relentless in our requirements. But the result was excellent and, I believe, an enriching process for all the partners.

The new post-smolt facility at Kjærelva, estimated to cost 650 million NOK, will be delivered as a turnkey facility.

“Our expertise is in the production of fish, and we do not have the experience or competence to build such a large project. Moreover, the turnkey concept frees up our resources to be directed towards more fruitful activities. However, we will not be sitting idly by. We are very focused on being involved in the project execution. Personally, I am going to be active right from the beginning. Operating personnel must be involved in the early phase to understand how the plant will function when they begin to operate it. Therefore, they should start learning it well in advance. I was once overconfident when I said that there had never been any problems at our smolt facility at Belsvik: the entire delivery from start-up had been so hassle-free. However, there have been challenges along the way. It happens at all facilities. But we have gathered knowledge on how we can solve problems in the shortest and most efficient way,” concludes Klemet Steen who thrives in what is possibly the country’s most jovial industry. For where else can you find competitors greeted with open arms and the liberal sharing of operating experience and solutions.

KRÜGER KALDNES

Nordre Fokserød 9 • 3241 Sandefjord, Norway off. +47 91 60 80 00 • Fax: +47 33 48 50 01

postnorway@krugerkaldnes.no

www.krugerkaldnes.nowww.veoliawatertechnologies.com

Andreas L. Brunstad has been an important contributor to the successful Kaldnes® RAS-technology. The former Sales engineer was recently assigned a new challenging position in Krüger Kaldnes as the Manager of Research & Development in aquaculture. Work has already begun on building a superior product for the market based on lessons learned and experience from past project deliveries. The key focus areas are biosecurity and data analysis.

“We have had a pretty steep sales curve. In Norway, we have around ten reference plants that have expanded to increase plant capacity. Now we would like to collect detailed operating data, not just to measure performance, but also to deeply evaluate our existing standard model, and further our understanding of the relationship between plant operation and fish welfare. One of the focus areas could be to check the feasibility of greater flexibility under changing operating conditions. Our RAS facilities are always delivered with a water quality process guarantee. However, due to biological challenges, it may be necessary to hold the fish in the RAS facility longer than intended, which may lead to an increase in biomass in the fish tank, thus exceeding the design capacity. We strive to deliver intelligent and cost-effective solutions to ensure the best possible fish welfare. Our clients’ operating database and operating experience would be an invaluable tool towards this effort. It will also be interesting to understand their expectations about a RAS facility, and the challenges they encounter during a typical workday,” believes Andreas.

Through the Turnkey-concept (like Salangfisk, Sævareid and lately, Sjøtroll),

Krüger Kaldnes has greatly broadened its delivery capabilities in the aquaculture industry.

“We would like to create a digital platform for the collection and optimization of key parameters from our process solutions; an experience database. We wish to do it through our operating control system VA-Operator,” he says.

“A land-based smolt facility is composed of a variety of complex systems, including water treatment, system monitoring, feed systems, logistical and operational tools. Often there is very little integration between these systems. It becomes even more complicated if the client buys components from different sources. On the other hand, our turnkey facilities are able to provide access to important information about all the systems in a much more rational manner. This helps the clients and us to use the information to optimize the plant operation,” he says.

Today, the aquaculture industry in Norway is in a stage of unprecedented growth.

While new smolt facilities continue to sprout like mushrooms, and create new job opportunities in remote areas, there may be challenges associated with the acquisition of qualified labour. This problem has not been lost upon Andreas, and he has a few solutions in mind.

“It is no secret that every fish farm faces unforeseen challenges, even though RAS reduces the risk significantly. A good start is important, as is a secure environment for the fish. It is essential to have a competent and knowledgeable workforce to manage the facility. If the client is interested, we could perhaps create intern ship positions at previously delivered facilities. At Krüger Kaldnes, the department responsible for municipal wastewater treatment plants manages user forums for process-related troubleshooting. We could do something similar for our aquaculture clients,” he concludes.

ONE STEP AHEAD!

DIGITAL PLATFORMS AND ROBUST SOLUTIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Andreas L. Brunstad on Research & Development:

Andreas L. Brunstad has been instrumental in the development of Krüger Kaldnes’ RAS technology.With Christian Rønning, Process Department Manager

Andreas L. Brunstad