Technology
The cost of algae as biofuel is higher than many other types of biofuel. The reason for this is twofold: high operating cost and high capital cost. The latter could be reduced by making use of the infrastructure that is in place at offshore wind parks. Obviously this would require close cooperation between the seaweed farms and operators of the wind parks, but it is not an unrealistic solution.
An interesting comparable suggestion is made in “Planet Texel”[pag. 341 - 353]. It is suggested that a large breakwater is created in front of an inlet in the coastal region. The breakwater could function as tourist walkway attraction and renewable energy producer through wave energy. In addition, it would create a region of calm water behind the breakwater ideal for sea farming and solar panel deployment.
Sea
Use should be made of the fact that seaweeds use phosphates as nutrients. High concentrations of phosphates can have a negative impact on the environment. The phosphate level in the North Sea is relatively high due to the amount added from the Rhine. In addition, a high phosphate level of the surrounding nature is one of the problems related to fish farms. By surrounding fish farms with seaweed farms, the phosphates released by the fish can be recycled. Furthermore, as seaweed can be used as nutrients for fish the fish farm circle could be closed: fish, feeding seaweed, feeding fish. Other, if any, high phosphate regions could be investigated as well.
Seaweed can effectively reduce phosphorous and nitrogen content (such as ammonium) from the discharge of sewage treatments and agricultural runoff. The high levels of chemical nutrients polluting these waters can lead to eutrophication, the unhealthy over-production of an ecosystem, something which seaweed can help curb
Human
The physical boundaries that separate Texel from its surrounding systems create many problems, but this relative isolation is also what gave Texel its rich history and culture. They are simply part of the system, and are here to stay. This just means that Texel has to build up such a strong system of information, education and business that the attraction is stronger than the barrier. There is always a demand/supply problem, but if the demand for connection is strong enough, then the bottlenecks will widen as to allow a greater system flow.
The culture of Texel is already a great attraction point, with hundreds of thousands of tourists coming every year, providing seasonal work for a large part of the island.
This means that most of the transformation is focused on the job/educational aspect. By having the ambition to become one of the most sustainable places in the world, Texel creates an example for other business owners and governmental officials. As they will be one of the places in order to work with advanced sustainable principles, educational organisations and connections to institutes of education will have followed, giving students a chance to keep working on their island.
In 2065 Texel will be a hotspot of innovation and sustainability. This (relatively) long history of sustainability will become part of its cultural identity. Texel can be a test site, but also a center of production for many different sustainable technologies related to the sea. This will create many diverse job opportunities where inhabitants can work, both in the technological sector, and as guides who educate interested tourists and business owners. The job sectors of agriculture and fishing will be completely different than currently. By incorporating the sea into their production methods, many more products can be sourced locally, thus greatly reducing risk. The social system of Texel will be strongly interwoven with the technological system, so creating a global hotspot of sustainable techniques.