Belgian partners Tractebel, DEME and Jan De Nul have unveiled a new floating offshore photovoltaic technology. The “Seavolt” technology is the result of joint research and development that combines the skills of solar, environmental and offshore experts.
The patent-pending technology can withstand the harsh conditions on the high seas while offering large areas protected from the waves. Their modular construction enables easy adaptation to different locations and requirements. Benefits included local generation of renewable energy and the ability to install the modules in offshore wind farms (provided local authorities grant appropriate multi-use concessions). Another benefit, according to the companies, is the ability to build large amounts of renewable energy capacity in a relatively short period of time.
Test installation is to go into operation off the Belgian coast
The partners, together with the University of Ghent, started the Blue Cluster research project Mpvaqua (Marine PV Aquaculture) four years ago, funded by Vlaio (the Flemish government’s Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship). For this purpose, a marine float concept was developed, together with initial studies on the impact on the marine ecosystem, the integration of aquaculture and a financial assessment.
After appropriate laboratory tests, the partners are currently developing an offshore test facility that is scheduled to go into operation off the Belgian coast in summer 2023. In addition, parallel projects are being launched with support from the Energy Transition Fund and the Federal Relaunch Fund, with a focus on the ecosystem, environment and cost efficiency.
The interest of the PV sector in offshore locations arises from the scarcity of land combined with the need for local production and the rapid acceleration of the energy transition. At the same time, the demand for local generation of renewable energies is increasing drastically. Wind and solar technology complement each other. “As authorities allow multi-use concessions, the grid infrastructure shows good potential for combined use, with the addition of floating offshore solar arrays to current and future offshore wind turbines offering the opportunity to generate large amounts of additional renewable energy,” it said .
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