Realising the world’s largest floating solar platform

In the Dutch offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust West (HKW) VII, around 53 kilometres off the coast of IJmuiden, the TotalEnergies/RWE consortium is developing a new form of sustainable energy generation. As part of the project, the world’s largest floating solar platform will be integrated alongside wind power generation. The floating solar platform is an innovative solution devised by the Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck and will be located between the wind turbines. The platform will consist of floating, interconnected triangular structures with solar panels. SolarDuck selected Iv to conduct the technical development and optimisation of this innovative concept to ensure that it meets all the requirements for installation and use at sea.

The floating solar platform

The floating solar platform that will be installed in the HKW VII wind farm is based on the Merganser test platform, a prototype solar platform with an energy generation capacity of 520 kWp (kilowatt peak) that was installed as a pilot 12 kilometres off the coast of Scheveningen in the North Sea. The often-harsh North Sea environment in which the HKW VII wind farm is located is considered one of the most challenging offshore environments in the world. Iv is applying its extensive offshore knowledge and experience to help optimise the existing design for these unique conditions.

By installing the platform between the wind turbines, the space at sea is used as efficiently as possible, and the grid system, which has already been installed for the wind farm, can also transport the electricity yield to shore. In addition, the maintenance of both energy systems can also be combined to take place simultaneously.

High potential worldwide

The possibility of realising more large solar parks on land in densely populated areas is decreasing. However, the demand for sustainable energy is only increasing, and this trend is set to continue. The floating solar platform is a solution to help electrify countries worldwide and provide security in supplying affordable, sustainable energy. It is a suitable solution for increasing sustainable energy supply, particularly in densely populated countries with lower average wind speeds and higher solar irradiation levels.

From idea to sea

SolarDuck started with this idea five years ago. But how do you get such an innovative solution to work at sea? How do you achieve a reliable structure that will operate for at least 30 years without maintenance? And how do you ensure that the entire project can be safely installed offshore? In addition to the overall technical optimisation of the design, Iv is advising SolarDuck on hydrodynamics (the motions the structure undergoes due to the waves), anchoring and installation. Iv is also responsible for ensuring that the design is approved by the classification society. The harsh conditions at sea subject structures to fatigue and corrosion, among other things. Besides this, the structure must be able to properly absorb the motions of the waves so that the systems on the structure (such as solar panels and subsystems) are not damaged. Iv, as an experienced engineering company, specialises in such issues.

“It’s awesome to be involved in the development of new technology”, says Pieter de Boer, lead engineer at Iv. “A solar park at sea, fully functional and at this distance from the coast, has never been done before. From a technical point of view, it is incredibly challenging and complex. It takes a lot of creativity to make it technically, financially and safely feasible.”

Simulation

But what makes it so complex? It goes without saying that creating something new is, by definition, no easy task. Among other things, the ‘behaviour’ of all the different platforms of the solar park is special and an important aspect. Pieter: “These all influence each other to a certain extent. It is quite a challenge to simulate the behaviour in the right way. Another factor is that people are present on the platform from time to time. We want them to be able to do their work as safely as possible, so we have to include that in the design.” Iv is currently researching how the solar park will eventually look in terms of the number of platforms, the layout, and the exact location. The floating solar park is expected to be completed in 2026.