Berends, Sina (2023) Implementation of Floating Photovoltaics in the German Marine Space - Feasibility, Potentials and Barriers for the Multi-Use of Marine Space of the North Sea for Renewable Offshore Energy. Master thesis.
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Abstract
This thesis analyses the opportunities and advantages, the spatial potential, and barriers to the multi-use of marine space and energy infrastructure of the German North Sea when integrating floating photovoltaics into offshore wind farms. Transition theory and the concepts of marine spatial planning and ocean multi-use provide insights for this thesis. Floating photovoltaics (FPV) in a multi-use context is considered a niche innovation in a transition with the potential to challenge the regime. To answer the research questions, a literature review and semi-structured interviews were conducted with experts from the field, namely technology developers, technology accelerators, science and research, and a German permitting authority. The results show that the technology of offshore floating photovoltaics is not mature yet due to technical and financial constraints. Besides that, there are many advantages to the innovation of offshore FPV in a multi-use context, especially in wind farms due to overlapping spatial, temporal, and provisioning dimensions between offshore floating photovoltaics and offshore wind energy, with the opportunity to share energy infrastructure and thus increase the capacity of the grid and reduce costs. When integrating floating photovoltaics in those wind farms, a greater share of the area can be covered and thus the energy density increases. The results indicate a great spatial potential for the innovation in Germany, because of many existing and planned wind farms and reserved areas for wind farms that occupy much of the German marine space. However, the technology is not ready yet for large-scale implementation and the environmental effects are not thoroughly known. Furthermore, institutional, financial, and political barriers occurred, as well as barriers due to lack of data. Overcoming barriers to implementing offshore floating photovoltaics in a multi-use context requires several measures. Key recommendations include dedicating space for FPV testing and pilot projects to accelerate technology development. Financial support is also important to create viable business cases. Furthermore, the specification of targets can give certainty and lift barriers. Regulatory and institutional changes are also inevitable, changes in the tendering system for wind farms, joint licensing procedures and answering regulatory questions are decisive for scaling the innovation and promoting multi-use to challenge or enhance the current regime of marine spatial planning. Certainly, for all the recommendations, political awareness and support are key and should therefore be improved. Lifting barriers in Germany must also include studying how multi-use is possible and generally, further research is suggested to remedy the lack of data, also regarding environmental effects. To accelerate the change, regulations from other sectors or other countries, like the Netherlands, should serve as role models for German regulations. Overall, transboundary collaboration and exchange can help accelerate development.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Master) |
|---|---|
| Degree programme: | Environmental & Infrastructure Planning |
| Supervisor: | Kusters, J.E.H. |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Dec 2023 14:45 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Dec 2023 14:45 |
| URI: | https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/4438 |
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