The ecological and climatic imperative is today a major challenge for the entire maritime economy. Carnot MERS institute is able to intervene throughout the entire life cycle, from the exploration of alternative resources to end-of-life management, thus contributing to the decarbonization of the industry.
Marine environments are rich in potential, and one of the aims of the Carnot MERS institute is to explore the possibilities of exploiting them in conditions that do not compromise their sustainability. This primarily concerns the development of more sustainable farming systems and restoration aquacultures, but also, in the longer term, research into molecules of interest derived from marine organisms (marine biotechnologies).
The Carnot MERS institute teams are also able to support industries in their decarbonization trajectory, thanks to a range of skills specifically adapted to the needs of offshore activities. This is of course the case for propulsion (alternative propulsion systems such as vellicles and e-fuels, as well as direct CO2 capture on conventional marine engines) and decarbonized energy production at sea (wind power, wave and swell energy recovery, etc.), but also for coastal activities, particularly in port areas (development of eco-driving models, for example).
Of course, environmental impacts are not limited to greenhouse gases. Carnot MERS teams are also able to intervene in end-of-life issues (dismantling and recovery of materials and structures no longer in use), as well as in pollution of all kinds affecting marine environments, including accidental pollution (simulation of dispersion scenarios, for example). Across the board, Carnot MERS teams boast major expertise in the integrated assessment of the pressures and impacts of maritime activities on ecosystems, coupled with the ability to develop environmental observatories specific to marine environments.
