01
Marine Robotics & Autonomous Systems
Robotic or autonomous concepts that support jellyfish-management activities.
Advanced Technology Pioneers 2026
Advanced Technology Pioneers 2026
Challenge for all university students and recent graduates across the UAE
Problem Statement
HOW MIGHT WE ADVANCE THE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF SEASONAL JELLYFISH BLOOMS IN COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS?
This Student Problem Statement provides accessible background on seasonal jellyfish blooms and invites ideas that could improve how these natural events are managed across coastal infrastructure environments. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) has an ongoing program that supports the detection of jellyfish blooms offshore, providing time to prepare appropriate response measures. This challenge is distinct from early detection: it focuses on innovative, sustainable approaches to managing jellyfish swarms once an early-warning notification has been issued, with the aim of reducing manual intervention and supporting marine-life protection.
Context & Impact
why this problem statement
is actual
Coastal facilities around the world that rely on seawater as part of their operations interact continuously with dynamic marine environments. Seasonal jellyfish blooms are a natural phenomenon observed in many coastal regions. Existing engineered protection and response measures support the successful management of these events; however, some activities may still require significant manual effort, specialized equipment, and sustained field support. This creates an opportunity to explore smarter, more sustainable, and environmentally responsible approaches that can reduce manual intervention while supporting operational efficiency and marine ecosystem protection.
International operating experience has shown that large seasonal aggregations of marine organisms can create challenges for seawater-dependent coastal facilities, reinforcing the value of proactive, sustainable, and technology-enabled management approaches.
Imagine you are part of a multidisciplinary team developing the next generation of sustainable marine-management technologies for coastal infrastructure. Your task is to design an innovative, practical, and environmentally responsible solution that can support the management of seasonal jellyfish blooms once an early-warning notification has been issued. The solution may guide, redirect, collect, move, or release jellyfish while minimizing manual intervention and protecting marine ecosystems.
Context & Impact
background information
Coastal Infrastructure
- Intake & Discharge Channels: Coastal facilities may use intake and discharge channels to support seawater circulation.
- Breakwaters: Breakwaters help manage local marine conditions and support the performance of coastal infrastructure.
- Intake Protection: Screens and other engineered features help protect marine life and coastal infrastructure.
Environmental
- Cooling seawater remains separate from reactor water and is managed through dedicated systems.
- Water returned to the Gulf is monitored in accordance with applicable environmental requirements.
Jellyfish of Focus
- While several jellyfish species exist, solution concepts should focus primarily on large, bloom-forming species typical of warm Gulf waters, in particular the Blue Blubber Jellyfish (Catostylus mosaicus).
- Size: a large jellyfish with a firm, dome-shaped bell, typically around 30-45 cm in diameter.
- Body: dense and relatively solid (heavier and more robust than delicate species), which makes guiding, handling, and collection more challenging.
- Behavior: forms large swarms under warm, high-salinity, nutrient-rich conditions, usually during the warmer months.
- Concepts that can also adapt to other bloom-forming species, of varying sizes and body types, would be advantageous.
Scope Boundary
- Teams are not expected to redesign plant systems or develop nuclear safety systems. The challenge focuses on sustainable jellyfish management after an early-warning notification.
Objectives
SUGGESTED INNOVATION AREAS
The following areas are provided only as guiding examples to inspire participants. They are not exhaustive and should not limit creativity or constrain solution development. Participants may propose ideas within, across, or outside these areas, provided that the ideas address the challenge objectives.
02
Sustainable Collection & Relocation Methods
Environmentally responsible approaches to guide, collect, relocate, or release jellyfish.
03
Smart Barrier & Deflection Concepts
Passive or active approaches that influence jellyfish movement while minimizing environmental impact.
04
Environmental Monitoring & Decision Support
Tools that support situational awareness, response planning, or integration with existing bloom-detection capabilities.
Participants are not expected to have prior expertise in nuclear energy systems. The challenge focuses on sustainable marine and engineering solutions applicable to coastal infrastructure.
What we will provide
ENEC will provide:
- No internal operational data or detailed facility design information will be provided. Teams may use publicly available information and clearly stated assumptions.
- Promising solutions may be considered for further exploration, development, collaboration opportunities, or future pilots at ENEC's sole discretion.
- Public background information included in this Challenge Brief.
- Mentorship, clarification and feedback for shortlisted teams.
SUCCESS CRITERIA
A strong solution
should:
01
Address the management of jellyfish swarms after an early-warning notification.
02
Minimize potential harm to jellyfish and other marine organisms.
03
Be practical and suitable for further development.
04
Reduce manual intervention or improve current management activities.
05
Be cost-conscious and capable of being scaled or adapted.
06
Be supported by clear assumptions and reasonable evidence.
07
Be capable of managing large, continuous, high-volume aggregations rather than small quantities.
what you’ll submit
expected outcomes
Application Stage
Each team shall submit:
- A proposal deck or equivalent (10-slides PDF) setting out Participant details, an Executive Summary, and a detailed project proposal
- A 1–2 minute video summarizing the proposed solution.
The detailed proposal should include:
- The problem being addressed.
- The proposed solution and its intended benefit.
- A simple diagram showing how the solution works.
- Initial technical and environmental considerations.
- Key assumptions and limitations.
- How the team would test or demonstrate the solution if shortlisted.
Teams may also submit optional supporting materials (such as attachments or links) containing relevant calculations, drawings, references, test results, or other supporting information.
Use of AI Tools
Teams may use AI tools to support their work. Any use should be declared, and teams should be able to explain their solution, decisions, and results in their own words.
Evaluation Criteria
Your work will be judged based on:
Challenge Relevance and Understanding
20%
- Demonstrates a clear understanding of the challenge.
- Directly addresses the sustainable management of seasonal jellyfish blooms in coastal environments.
- Clearly explains the intended benefit and how the concept could improve current approaches.
Innovation and Originality
20%
- Presents a creative or differentiated concept.
- Demonstrates thoughtful application of engineering, technology, design, environmental science, operational improvements, or other relevant disciplines.
- Innovation may be demonstrated through technological, engineering, environmental, operational, or nature-inspired approaches.
Feasibility and Practicality
25%
- Provides a credible explanation of how the concept could work.
- Considers implementation, operation, maintenance, and environmental conditions.
- Demonstrates potential to reduce manual intervention or improve the efficiency of current management activities.
- Identifies key assumptions, limitations, and development needs.
Sustainability and Marine-Life Protection
20%
- Minimizes potential harm to jellyfish and other marine organisms.
- Considers possible unintended environmental consequences.
- Supports responsible coexistence between coastal infrastructure and marine ecosystems.
- Demonstrates potential environmental benefits over existing approaches.
Communication and Evidence
15%
- Communicates the concept clearly through the proposal, diagrams, model, simulation, prototype, or other appropriate evidence.
- Uses reasonable assumptions and explains the basis for key claims.
- Presents a logical and understandable development pathway.