Photos: North Sea’s new offshore floating solar farm gears for ops – Interesting Engineering
Following the success of offshore wind farms, renewable energy companies are now exploring floating solar panels as a way to utilize the vast ocean space for solar energy capture.
The Dutch North Sea is now home to Merganser, a new floating solar trial project. This pilot project aims to test and demonstrate the viability of this floating technology.
SolarDuck, a Dutch-Norwegian company, partnered with German power giant RWE to install this clean energy project. This pilot will assess performance and explore future possibilities of integrating solar with offshore wind farms. This integration is said to be a more efficient use of ocean space for energy generation.
“Standalone or also in combination with offshore wind farms, offshore floating solar could open up further offshore renewable energy opportunities – especially for countries with lower average wind speeds but lots of sunlight,” said Sven Utermöhlen, CEO of RWE Offshore Wind, in the press release.
“With Merganser, we are gaining unique insights and first-hand experience in one of the most challenging offshore environments in the world.”
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0.5-megawatt peak (MWp) facility
Merganser is a 0.5-megawatt peak (MWp) facility in the North Sea. It has been installed at the North Sea Farmers offshore test site in the Dutch North Sea — located 12 kilometers from The Hague. This project serves as a learning lab for future large-scale deployments of offshore floating solar. It will test the design, mooring systems, and electrics, while also figuring out the best ways to build, assemble, install, and maintain these systems at sea in the coming years. -
Triangular-shaped floating platform
For this pilot project, the triangular platform is secured to a mooring system at a depth of 20 meters. Built to weather the storm, this concept uses six interconnected floating platforms designed to handle the North Sea’s rough conditions, including high waves, strong winds, and corrosion. The ultimate goal is to scale this technology to create a vast “floating carpet” of solar panels on the North Sea – if this pilot project proves successful. -
The entire structure floats several meters above the waves
Traditional offshore structures can be vulnerable to harsh ocean conditions. SolarDuck’s triangular platforms offer a solution. They’re designed to float several meters above the waves, keeping critical components dry and protected. This innovative approach also promotes stability and structural integrity. The design’s effectiveness has been recognized with the world’s first OFPV certification from Bureau Veritas. -
Merganser’s performance will be monitored using 180 sensors
To assess the Merganser’s performance over the next two years, a network of over 180 sensors will be keeping a close eye on everything from how much stress the structure is under to how efficiently it generates electricity. In addition, Deltares, a leading Dutch research institute, will be conducting a separate environmental impact study to ensure the sustainability of offshore floating solar technology. -
Solves land scarcity issues
SolarDuck’s innovative offshore floating solar technology breaks new ground for renewable energy. It tackles the growing challenge of land scarcity for solar farms by harnessing the vast, untapped potential of the ocean. Moreover, combining wind and solar in one offshore location creates a powerhouse of clean energy. -
This tech is scalable
Countries are grappling to curb carbon dioxide emissions and meet climate goals. The Merganser project is a significant step towards a future powered by clean, renewable energy. This scalable concept could pave the way for large-scale offshore solar deployment, and reduce the reliance on fossil fuels. Apart from RWE, various other energy firms are considering combining solar and wind energy. The Hollandse Kust (noord) wind farm in the North Sea also aims to deploy a floating solar technology demonstration. -
Accelerating offshore floating solar plants
“The combination of RWE´s leading global market position in offshore wind and SolarDuck´s technological ingenuity sets the perfect base for accelerating the deployment of OFPV,” said Koen Burgers, CEO of SolarDuck, in the press release. “The successful installation of Merganser is proof of the dedication of SolarDuck’s team to electrify the world with offshore floating solar.”
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