The Ekiocean project has been launched with the mission of exploring and developing new sustainable concepts for floating photovoltaic plants adapted to the marine environment . This initiative, led by Tecnalia and financed by the Basque Government through the Elkartek program, includes collaborators such as Azti, the Department of Energy Engineering of the UPV/EHU, UPV/EHU Polymat, BCAM, and the Energy Cluster.
The objective is to encourage progress in the floating photovoltaic (PVF) value chain, identifying significant commercial opportunities for the local industry.
New concepts for floating photovoltaic plants
The project, launched in 2023, aims to create economic FVF plant concepts that are not only profitable, but also respect marine ecosystems and coastal socio-economic environments . The aim is to generate fundamental knowledge that allows evaluating the performance of PVF plants in terms of energy generation and hydrodynamic behavior, in order to design more efficient and environmentally friendly solutions.
One of the key areas of research within Ekiocean is the development of sustainable flotation structures employing new materials, such as UHPC concretes and biocomposites, with integrated PV modules. These studies are focused on understanding the implications of marine conditions on PV systems and flotation structures, as well as minimizing the potential environmental impact of deploying these PVF solutions at sea.
This project stands out for its focus on innovation and sustainability, as well as its ability to promote the energy transition towards cleaner and renewable sources. Ekiocean represents an exemplary model of how renewable energy research and development can be aligned with the goals of environmental conservation and economic progress, offering a roadmap for future initiatives in other global marine contexts.
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Source and photo: energias-renovables.com