Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 2, The EU-funded SUREWAVE project achieved a significant milestone, with the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN) enhancing its hydrodynamic modeling tools to simulate large-scale offshore floating solar farms. The work focuses on a 2 MW system under various operating conditions, utilizing a validated framework based on wave basin tests, linear diffraction theory, and high-performance computing.

The modeling provides insights into wave-induced motions, hinge loads, standing wave effects within breakwater rings, and mooring system requirements due to increased wave drift forces. These findings, detailed in the paper “Hydrodynamic analysis of a 2MW offshore floating solar farm with breakwater protection,” support the development of robust offshore floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems.

SUREWAVE aims to address challenges in offshore FPV by designing solutions for harsh marine environments, enhancing operational reliability and energy production. The project stated: “This work supports the future deployment of robust and scalable offshore FPV systems in harsh marine environments.” The initiative seeks to establish FPV as a reliable renewable energy technology, contributing to the EU’s goal of climate neutrality by 2050 through diverse energy solutions.

The SUREWAVE concept features an innovative floating photovoltaic system protected by an external floating breakwater made of circular, eco-friendly materials. This breakwater mitigates severe wave loads, improving system availability and energy output. In October 2024, ACCIONA, a Spanish consortium member, introduced a new eco-friendly breakwater design through its Construction Technology Center, advancing the project’s sustainability goals.

The SUREWAVE consortium includes SINTEF, MARIN, Ceit Research Center, Sunlit Sea, ACCIONA, IFEU – Institut für Energie und Umweltforschung Heidelberg, and Clement Germany. Their collaborative efforts focus on developing and testing scalable FPV systems to harness the renewable energy potential of the EU’s seas.

By refining hydrodynamic models and integrating protective structures, SUREWAVE is paving the way for resilient offshore solar farms, enhancing energy production efficiency and supporting sustainable development in marine environments.