Archive: first published 2023-10-11. This recovered report describes events at that time and has not been updated to reflect subsequent developments.
Oceans of Energy has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its offshore solar solution by obtaining a Statement of Conformity for the Basis of Design from DNV AS.
This Statement of Conformity verifies that the design methodology adheres to the requirements and guidelines established in DNV's DNV-RP-0584, the classification society's recommended practice for the design, development, operation, and decommissioning of floating solar photovoltaic systems. Notably, DNV-RP-0584, published in 2021, was the world's first of its kind, as recognized by DNV.
Oceans of Energy, with ambitions to establish 150 megawatts (MW) of offshore solar farm systems by 2028, engaged DNV to provide independent confirmation of the technology and system design. DNV's scope involves the delivery of the Statement of Conformity and later, a prototype verification for a second-generation offshore solar farm designed for challenging North Sea conditions.
Currently operational at 400 kW, the North Sea Two location is set to expand to one MW by 2024. North Sea Three is projected to become a multi-MW system, with subsequent projects aiming to achieve capacities in the tens of MW, according to DNV.
This Statement of Conformity is pivotal in ensuring risk reduction for North Sea Two and future solar farms integrated within offshore wind farms. It offers essential independent confirmation of the technology and system design, facilitating safe and reliable scaling for Oceans of Energy. Moreover, verification and certification are instrumental in attracting the necessary investments required for scaling up.
Being the first offshore solar Basis of Design in the European Union to receive a Statement of Conformity, Oceans of Energy's system demonstrates the feasibility of key solar technologies in challenging environmental conditions, notably the North Sea, setting the stage for future advancements.
Ditlev Engel, CEO of Energy Systems at DNV, emphasizes the global significance of this verification and its role in advancing offshore solar technologies, crucial for addressing climate challenges worldwide. Engel anticipates that this partnership will drive offshore solar adoption in Europe and serve as a model for global implementation.
This project is aligned with the Esbjerg and Ostend Declaration, reinforcing the North Sea's role in Europe's power generation. It also corresponds with the Netherlands' commitment to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by at least 55% by 2030, with a target of installing three gigawatts of solar capacity by the same year, equivalent to 3,000 football fields.
Original archive: Energy People.
