A New Approach to Renewable Energy in the North Sea: The Dutch Are Testing Offshore Photovoltaics
Dutch company Oceans of Energy has committed to thorough testing of its technology—in the Delta Flume tunnel, over 300 meters long, they simulated waves up to 5 meters high. The tests were carried out in cooperation with the Deltares institute, DNV – a marine industry classifier – and TNO, allowing them to study the durability of photovoltaic panels and floats under the most extreme marine conditions.
Certification is getting closer
The hydrodynamic tests provided DNV with knowledge on structural and mechanical requirements, which may form the basis for creating international standards for offshore photovoltaics. In a so-called white paper (a document summarizing the results of the experiments), published by Deltares, further steps towards certification were recommended. As engineers explain, “the simulation allowed DNV to better understand the structural needs of these systems.”
Construction – lightweight floats and sensors on the front line
The test platform consisted of four lightweight and rigid floats connected by an interconnector with PV panels, moored to the seabed. Sensors monitored line loads, tension, pressure, and acceleration. The wave period ranged from 2 to 16 seconds, with wave heights from 0.25 to 2.5 meters. Wave slamming tests showed that the PV structure withstands wave impacts without signs of degradation. TNO and Deltares confirmed through models and sensors that the structure holds up in tough conditions, marking a significant step toward deploying such systems on the open sea.
Scaling up: from kilowatts to hundreds of megawatts
In May, Oceans of Energy installed pilot systems on the North Sea, anchored to the seabed. Integration with wind farms is planned, which—according to director Allard van Hoeken—could increase energy production up to fivefold through the synergy of both technologies.
The first system, built in 2019, had a capacity of 8.5 kW, later expanded to 50 kW. Ultimately, the NS2 project plans to scale to 100 MW by 2030 and even 500 MW of offshore photovoltaic capacity by 2035. The CrossWind project (Shell & Eneco) plans to launch PV installations at the Hollandse Kust Noord wind farm in summer 2025, signaling growing market confidence.
Why does it matter?
Offshore photovoltaics are key to increasing the potential of renewable energy on limited land resources. Integration with wind farms allows efficient use of space and infrastructure. Large-scale systems compete with fossil fuels, but the stakes also include climate resilience and energy security. These tests show that the technology is ready for deployment.
The Dutch pilot shows that floating PV systems are technically feasible and resilient—and certification is coming. If the Delta Flume findings are included in international standards, offshore photovoltaics could become a real complement to offshore wind, supporting gigawatt-scale energy generation. It’s a major step toward diversifying renewable sources and harnessing the wealth of the world’s oceans.
Source: pv-magazine.com