The Netherlands – A collaboration agreement was signed by RWE and the Dutch-Norwegian business SolarDuck to advance the use of floating solar parks at sea.
RWE will invest in a first offshore pilot in the North Sea to hasten the learning process for SolarDuck’s floating solar technology. At the Dutch offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust West, the project is a first step in the collaboration and lays the groundwork for a larger demonstration project (HKW). RWE is submitting a bid for this project, and SolarDuck, a highly innovative combination of offshore floating solar and integrated storage solutions, is a part of it.
Innovative technology
The offshore floating solar technology created by SolarDuck opens up new possibilities for solar energy and offers a solution to the growing shortage of land for the production of renewable energy. A multi-source renewable energy plant’s construction and maintenance can be streamlined by incorporating offshore floating solar into an offshore wind farm. This is a more effective use of the ocean’s surface for energy production. The complementary nature of wind and solar resources leads to a more balanced production profile as a result.
A technology that can withstand harsh offshore conditions, such as high waves, strong winds, and a corrosive environment, is needed to move solar farms offshore. The triangular-shaped platform from SolarDuck, which has been certified by Bureau Veritas as the world’s first offshore floating solar installation, is made to float several meters above the water and move with the waves like a carpet. Thus, maintaining the integrity of the semi-submersible structure, keeping critical electrical components dry, clean, and stable, and allowing safe operations with little maintenance.
Investing in offshore pilot
RWE will invest in SolarDuck’s full-scale offshore pilot called Merganser, which has a nameplate capacity of 0.5 MWp, in 2023 to hasten the development of the technology. Merganser, SolarDuck’s first offshore pilot after the successful deployment of an inland pilot in the Netherlands last year, is anticipated to be installed off the coast of Ostend in the Belgian North Sea. RWE and SolarDuck will benefit from Merganser’s valuable first-hand experience in one of the most difficult offshore environments in the world. Starting in 2023, these discoveries will make it possible for the technology to be commercialized more quickly.
Solution for Hollandse Kust West
The innovation of SolarDuck opens up new possibilities for solar energy, even in the abrasive conditions of the North Sea. RWE has therefore chosen SolarDuck in its submission for the Dutch HKW VII tender (system integration). The integration of an offshore floating solar plant at pre-commercial scale with 5 MWp along with cutting-edge energy storage techniques into the offshore wind farm will be made possible by the winning bid.
