Renewable energy solutions are not only being explored by countries around the world; They are also widely used in daily life. The Netherlands is a good example. Despite controversy surrounding their possible impact on human health, the country’s wind turbines accounted for 18% of its total electricity generation in 2022. However, thanks to an agreement between two energy companies and a marine solutions company, a new initiative is to integrate artificial reef structures directly into wind turbine foundations, not only providing green energy but also protecting the marine environment.
RWE AG, together with TotalEnergies, worked with ARC Marine to install purpose-built reef cubes. The environmentally friendly cubes will form part of the new OranjeWind offshore wind farm being built in the North Sea. The cubes are made from recycled materials and are expected to promote underwater habitats in the area. A total of 66 reef cubes will be spread across 11 different turbines, making it one of the largest artificial reefs in the region, although not the largest in the world. The cubes are expected to remain in place for the entire life of the turbine.
Placing large wind turbines directly in the ocean could severely impact any underwater life that exists there. However, the purpose of using artificial reefs is to prevent or at least mitigate any negative impacts by encouraging ocean growth and improving existing habitats that may be affected by turbine construction. This is evident in the design of the reef cubes, as they are designed to attract local species such as cod and oysters that are beneficial to the local ecosystem.
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Offshore wind reaches new heights
Close-up view of offshore wind turbines in the Netherlands. – Make more antennas/Shutterstock
Plans for the OranjeWind offshore wind farm in the Netherlands are moving forward following the formation of a partnership between RWE and TotalEnergies in 2024. The facility is expected to generate approximately 795 megawatts of electricity, which will be used to power multiple projects and produce green hydrogen for local industry. The overall goal of the OranjeWind project is to reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 5 million tons per year, while also reducing emissions generated by local refineries.
Dutch offshore wind farms, similar to those in China, require solid foundations because they are not built on dry land. RWE achieves this by installing turbine supports on the seafloor or using floating foundations in deeper waters. When these turbines generate electricity, it is harnessed by nearby offshore power stations. The energy is then transmitted to substations on land and distributed to the local grid.
The Netherlands’ push to develop and harness wind energy has led the country to make some major leaps forward in the past few years. By the end of 2024, wind energy installed capacity has increased overall, reaching approximately 11.7 GW. This figure also includes a higher contribution from offshore wind farms, accounting for approximately 19% in 2024. In fact, the nation’s goal of increasing offshore wind power was met a full year ahead of schedule.
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Read the original article on SlashGear.
