Group explores hybrid floating solar, wave, tidal, wind project

floating solar
The future of solar energy? Giles Exley, Author provided

A group of universities and companies from Singapore will study the feasibility of integrating a hybrid floating solar project with ocean, tidal, and wind capacity, with the view to deploying a 100MW pilot system, according to PV Magazine.

The Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), and Singapore-based developer Keppel Infrastructure have signed an MoU to jointly study the feasibility of a hybrid offshore floating solar park paired with ocean, tidal, and wind capacity.

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The study will deploy floating solar platforms, integrated with other renewable sources, at an undisclosed offshore testing site in Singapore. If the study is successful, the consortium will design and deploy a pilot system with 100MW generation capacity.

With limited land space in Singapore, moving into waters offshore presents opportunities to unlock the potential for more diversified renewable energy sources, thereby enhancing energy security and supporting Singapore’s transition to a greener energy mix,” Keppel Infrastructure CEO Cindy Lim said.

Keppel will study how to develop and operate the park, while the two universities will look at how to overcome the challenges presented by high winds and the impact of waves on the mooring and anchoring system. They will also study the effects of salinity on corrosion and biofouling issues.

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National University of Singapore (NUS), which houses SERIS, will provide expertise in design and components selection, as well as the implementation and operation of the floating solar platforms. NTU will create tidal models of tidal flow conditions to assess the power density of the turbines and paddles.

Read the full article here.

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