IMDC
Offshore For Sure (O4S)
Energy transition is also taking place at sea
Our coasts are blessed with an abundance of energy sources, including tidal and wave energy. The development of a carbon-neutral energy system with reduced reliance on gas is a concern at the local, regional, national, and European levels. And, of course, the region must remain secure. Therefore, there is a significant need for integrated solutions for climate mitigation and adaptation. With the increasing installations at sea, comprehensive attention to cybersecurity is also crucial.
Five developers of promising offshore energy solutions are joining forces in Offshore For Sure (O4S), supported by specialists from Belgium and the Netherlands. These five demonstration projects represent innovative solutions from technology developers with a proven track record and a clear plan for deployment in the fields of tidal energy, wave energy, offshore floating solar energy, and energy storage.
Services
We are developing various services for different groups to maximize the utilization of the knowledge gained and apply it internationally. Education plays a crucial role in this endeavor. We are creating learning paths, including online and hybrid courses, based on the expertise acquired during the project's implementation. We promote student exchange and establish collaborations between educational partners in Flanders and the Netherlands.
Stay informed & get involved
Are you interested in becoming involved as a stakeholder in the implementation of the project, or would you like to stay informed about the developments of Offshore for Sure? We invite you with this form to express your interest : Formulier Offshore for sure | Bluespring 2.0
The five demonstration projects represent innovative solutions from technology developers with a proven track record and a clear plan for deployment in the fields of tidal energy, wave energy, offshore floating solar energy, and energy storage:
- Wave energy from Dutch Wave Power
- Offshore solar from Oceans of Energy
- Energy storage simulation from FLASC
Smart asset management and predictive maintenance of tidal turbines from Tocardo
For their developments, the technology developers can rely on the knowledge and expertise of partners Bluespring, World Class Maintenance, International Marine & Dredging Consultants, Ecopower, Rijkswaterstaat, Parkwind, Ghent University, HOWEST, Deftiq, and the Zeeland Environmental Federation.
BLUESPRING is the initiator behind the Offshore For Sure project idea and acts as the project coordinator.
Energy Transition at Sea: O4S and the Development of Offshore Renewable Energy
Testing and demonstrating Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) installations near the Belgian-Dutch border and busy international shipping lanes is particularly suited to identify potential bottlenecks early and address them before they hinder or even block future scaling of ORE installations. For example, the project will install and integrate an offshore solar farm into an offshore wind farm, a world-first.
The offshore solar power plant will be used in an offshore wind farm where the energy profiles are connected to each other and optimally adjusted for an improved energy profile. The parks must demonstrate the benefits of combining different generation techniques. At sea, there is wave or tidal energy, which is not weather-dependent and can thus provide a constant supply of energy.
Furthermore, an examination will be conducted into the extent to which Dutch and Belgian laws and regulations differ from each other, where this may lead to issues (risk analysis), and what recommendations for harmonization can be made.
Within this project, IMDC provides consultancy and engineering by supporting Dutch Wave Power and Water2Energy with turbines design optimization via CFD modelling and physical model tests, project implementation and derisking, environmental impact assessments, installation methodologies and environmental monitoring services.