Climate change increases the risk of flooding, and many areas need new solutions to protect homes, businesses, and nature. At the same time, traditional barriers can be resource-intensive to build and have a significant impact on the landscape. The project investigates how natural materials and new robotics technology can be used to develop a more environmentally friendly form of flood protection.
3D Printing for Flood Protection is an innovation project aimed at developing a mobile robotic platform capable of 3D-printing water-retaining barriers directly into the landscape. The barriers are made from natural materials such as clay, sand, and stone and are designed to both protect against flooding and support the surrounding ecosystem.
Natural Materials as Part of the Landscape
The project is developing printable materials based on clay, with a focus on water retention, the stability of the structures, and their interaction with nature. The barriers must blend naturally into the landscape and, over time, degrade in a controlled manner so that the materials can return to the surrounding environment.
At the same time, the project will investigate methods for natural reinforcement and anchoring in the terrain, including the use of natural fibers and bamboo, which can strengthen the structures without altering their natural character.
Mobile robots build directly on site
The project involves developing a new print head and adapting a mobile 3D printer so that it can operate on natural terrain and under outdoor conditions. The goal is to make it possible to construct the barriers directly where they are needed to provide protection against flooding.
As part of the project, ERLEtek is engaging in a targeted dialogue with Danish municipalities in areas at high risk of flooding. The municipalities’ experiences and needs will help ensure that the technology is developed with a focus on specific climate adaptation challenges.
Development and testing based at Risø
The project is being carried out by ERLEtek in collaboration with DTU Construct and the Danish Technological Institute.
The Danish Technological Institute is developing the clay-based materials, while DTU Construct is contributing methods for natural reinforcement and anchoring of the barriers. ERLEtek is developing the mobile robot platform and is responsible for the overall integration of the technology.
ERLEtek was established at Risø as a spin-off from DTU, and part of the project’s testing activities are being conducted there. The collaboration with the research communities at Risø provides access to knowledge and testing facilities that support the development of the technology.
Part of the Risø SME Innovation Platform
The project is one of 15 innovation projects within the Risø SME Innovation Platform, where companies and research institutions collaborate to develop and demonstrate new green technologies. The platform provides companies with access to research expertise, testing facilities, and strong innovation partnerships based at Risø.
Explore the other projects on the innovation platform
- PFASOL – PFAS in solar power plants – mapping and documentation of PFAS in solar power plants.
- OmniPFAS – flexible solutions for removing PFAS from various types of water.
- KhaosGuard – continuous monitoring of nitrous oxide emissions from wastewater treatment plants.
- RisøLith – 3D printing at the nanoscale at low temperatures.
- Circular solar-powered lighting – off-grid lighting with a focus on circularity and dark-sky principles.
- Heat-driven water-based cooling technology – utilization of excess heat for energy-efficient cooling.
- Reliable water supply – mobile solutions for producing safe drinking water.
- Searine M360 – electric propulsion system for small boats.
- Chemical plastic recycling – conversion of plastic waste into methanol.
- NanoShield – UV and nanotechnology that inhibits bacterial and algal growth on metal surfaces.
- Lab2Land – Greenlandic rock flour for carbon sequestration and soil improvement.
- 3D printing for flood protection – nature-based barriers printed directly into the landscape.
- Recycled Wind Turbines for 3D-Printed Homes – fiberglass from end-of-life wind turbines as a building material.
- Circular Plastic without Permanence – biodegradable plastic made from brewery waste.
- Circular Battery Design – battery systems designed for disassembly, repair, and reuse.
The project is part of the Risø SME Innovation Platform, which was developed as a coordinated initiative under the Investment Support Scheme for Green Innovative Technologies and is administered by Clean. The initiative is funded by REACT-EU funds administered by the Danish Board of Business Development.
