Floating solar energy: in the test phase!
The Energy & Climate innovation programme is taking great leaps forward under the leadership of Programme Manager (and our colleague) Tanja! Fieldlab Green Economy Westvoorne is conducting research into floating solar energy systems. This research is one of 16 projects that are supported by 7 regional field labs as part of the Energy & Climate programme. And the first milestones have been reached!
Research themes
Floating solar energy systems
Three companies with promising system designs have now been selected, and they will be able to contribute to the further development of floating solar energy. Dutch company Texel4Trading/SolarFloat, Portuguese company SolarisFloat and Spanish company Isifloatingby Isigenere were recently selected from 12 candidates.
In the Green Economy Westvoorne field lab, the companies’ systems are being tested for a year on the nearby Oostvoornse Meer lake. Important research themes include the robustness of the floating systems in waves and strong winds, the energy yield, and the effects on underwater life and biodiversity. This combination of themes is unique.
The acquired knowledge will be shared with water boards, municipalities, provinces, knowledge institutions and nature organisations to help them formulate a vision for the future applications of floating solar energy systems.
The research at Fieldlab Green Economy Westvoorne is being conducted in collaboration with knowledge institution TNO, petrochemical company SABIC, Norwegian energy company Equinor and the municipality of Westvoorne.
Contribution to the energy transition
Solar on water is expected to make an important contribution to the energy transition. In the Netherlands, two hundred gigawatt-peak (GWp) of generated solar energy is forecast by 2050, of which 25 GWp will be on inland waters and 45 offshore. However, too little is still known about the effect of wind and waves on the performance of solar panels; the same applies to the ecological effects. The research is consistent with the energy agenda and the Coalition Agreement aimed at accelerating the energy transition and strengthening the competitive position of Dutch companies.
The Energy & Climate Innovation Programme
South Holland has high ambitions in the field of sustainability. And a wonderful regional field lab infrastructure. This is providing opportunities for entrepreneurs to further develop, test and successfully introduce their innovations on the market. In the Energy & Climate innovation programme, we are working with field labs and with the supporting partners (Metropolitan Region Rotterdam-The Hague, InnovationQuarter, TNO and the province of South Holland) to stimulate and realise sustainable innovations.