Overview

Lough Neagh and other waterways in Northern Ireland, and more widely, have been experiencing significant seasonal algal blooms. The factors that resulted in these unprecedented blooms are:

• Pollution – excess phosphorus and nitrogen entering waterways from agriculture, wastewater treatment works, domestic systems, and industry
• Climate change – resulting in record high water temperature
• Invasive species – zebra mussels causing increasing water clarity

The Lough Neagh report published in July 2024 outlines a range of measures required to address the problem of blue-green algae in the Lough. These actions are structured around 4 pillars (Education, Investment, Regulation, and Enforcement).

Preventative measures including reducing nutrient inputs from catchments will require long-term solutions. However, monitoring is required to address current questions of bloom development and extent.

Challenge Brief

UK Space Agency (UKSA), in collaboration with NI Space and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), is seeking potential remote sensing solutions to predict, detect and monitor the extent and movement of the Blue Green Algae in Lough Neagh.

Proposed solutions are expected to provide a remote sensing solution to the prediction, early detection, monitoring, and movement of blue-green algae in Lough Neagh and other water bodies in Northern Ireland. We are particularly interested in proposals from organisations that can combine terrestrial data and services (e.g. AI, quantum, machine learning, drones, geospatial data) with satellite data and services, and can provide analysis to derive value-added insights, to develop innovative solutions for customers.

Phase 1 is intended to demonstrate the technical feasibility of a proposed concept and its viability as a solution for UKSA, DAERA, and NI Space. UKSA reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend from Phase 1 with successful bidders as part of this pre-commercial procurement.

Large algal blooms are generally seasonal (Spring/Summer) and therefore the window of opportunity to test solutions may be reduced. However, it is likely that there will be blue green algae blooms present in different locations throughout most of the year. Phase 1 will run until March 2025 with a potential call for a Phase 2 in the 2025-2026 financial year.

Critical success factors

• Be able to demonstrate accuracy at scale.
• Be able to provide accuracy in the range of weather and environmental conditions in Northern Ireland.
• Be focused on Lough Neagh but demonstrate potential for use in other Northern Ireland and UK waterways.
• Work within DAERA and NI Space financial and wider resourcing limitations

Eligibility

This SBRI competition is open to all eligible organisations, registered in the UK, EU and the European Economic Area, that can demonstrate a route to market for their solution. Contracts will be awarded to a single legal entity only. However, if you can justify subcontracting components of the work, you can engage specialists or advisers. Delivery against the project milestones will be the responsibility of the main contractor. For clarity, your subcontractors do not have to meet all the eligibility criteria, however we maintain the right to review subcontractors on a case by case basis and to object where we see a need to.