The NaturSea-PV project aims to develop a lily-inspired offshore floating photovoltaic (PV) system. It is built using a newly developed, eco-friendly UHPC material that is both flexible and resilient against harsh conditions. MARIN is currently testing the prototype.
With eleven partners, NaturSea-PV seeks to develop a PV substructure solution to meet the specific needs for offshore floating PV. These substructures will be built using newly developed environmentally friendly low carbon ultra-high performance concrete, and it will be coated with new biobased antifouling and anticorrosive coatings.
The lily’s concept of radial and tangential girders will take advantage of the flexibility and lightness of the new eco-concretes to withstand the harsh offshore metocean conditions. A computational toolkit will serve to optimise materials properties and plan timely maintenance operations.
Also read: Nevesbu and IV trial floating substation at MARIN
Testing at MARIN
Currently, a first scaled prototype is being tested at MARIN, where it is being evaluated under realistic wave and weather conditions. The span of the full-scale platform would be 24 metres. On top, a flexible lid will be placed that will contain the solar panels. Watch the video below to get a first look at the prototype.
MARIN plays a key role in designing the conceptual floater and conducting scaled model tests, contributing to the further improvement of numerical capabilities.
NaturSea-PV will strongly collaborate with associations, public bodies and regulators to assess the implementation barriers and potential impacts on the socio-economic activities and the environment, to propose corrective measurements and ensure social acceptance. The project is funded by the EU under the Horizon programme.
Picture: Testing of the NaturSea prototype at MARIN (still from the video above).
Also read: SolarDuck and RWE install floating solar pilot off Dutch coast
