China is once again pushing the envelope when it comes to solar power. They are turning to the ocean as a means of facilitating a power operation with a 1 gigawatt offshore solar project that will prove that this method of developing solar farms is not only possible but practical.
China’s fascination with offshore solar farms continues
This means of housing solar farms is appealing to countries that have limited space on land. This is by no means a new concept, as solar farms have been placed on dams, rivers, and reservoirs before, but having them on the open waters of the ocean is truly enterprising. The challenges this comes with are by far more difficult to deal with, but the reward is also increased.
China will have to consider salt-air corrosion, wave interference, and extensive anchoring systems that can handle tidal conditions. All of which will have to be given large consideration in taking on this operation. Even the materials used for the construction of these will need to withstand harsher conditions while performing the same function as solar farms built on land.
How China plans to build this offshore solar farm
The parastatal entity CHN Energy will take charge of this 1 GW offshore solar project just off the shores of Dongying in Shandong Province. The installation will be placed 8 km (five miles) offshore, and it will span 1,223 hectares. CHN Energy has installed 2,934 PV platforms that measure 60 meters in length and 35 meters in width. These are fixed on steel truss platforms that use pile foundations.
The power generated will be connected to the grid thanks to a 66 kV offshore cable, which will be linked to transmission cables to connect this ingeniously generated solar power back to the mainland. The first phase of the project is well underway, and power is already being fed to the grid. Overall, this offshore solar farm will render 1.78 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually, which should meet the power demands of 2.67 million citizens.
How China’s bold move will be watched by the world
The idea is to reduce carbon emissions, free up space on land, and see China move away from its reliance on coal. China is shouldering the burden of being the proverbial guinea pig when it comes to offshore solar farms built in this way, as other nations may very well follow suit should this project prove to be a success.
The maintenance costs will be high, as is the case with anything at sea. The stability of these farms is also cause for concern, as the open waters of the ocean can be temperamental and intense. Marine life has been accounted for with the idea being that life can thrive beneath these platforms, but marine life can also disrupt the project.
A delicate balancing act will be undertaken
China will have to carefully balance all these considerations and find a way to achieve its goal while keeping costs at a minimum, not impacting marine life badly, and providing the 1GW it hopes to get from this farm. If this is achieved, China may very well broaden this project and consider constructing more.
As is the case with most engineering feats that emerge from this global superpower, the main outcome is about more than the results this solar farm yields, but just as much about this project being a statement of power and China’s illustrious engineering prowess.
Coastal nations throughout the world will be watching intently as China goes about laying the blueprint for offshore solar farms. If there is a country to pull this off, then one would think China would be it. As the project picks up steam, more reports are sure to emerge on the progress being made off the coast of Dongying.
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