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Floating photovoltaic platforms
Climate ChangeAdvarioSCICJTC
Up to S$30,000 in pilot fundingS$20,000 POC development grantAccess to pilot and test facilities
Advario is a leading, independent liquid and gas logistics provider with over 50 years of heritage in operating industrial storage terminals. Formed in 2022 as a carve out, Advario is headquartered in Rotterdam and has 13 terminals across the globe with facilities in Singapore, China, the Middle East, Europe and the United States of America.
Advario strives to take a major role in the global energy transition by transforming themselves and facilitating the industry’s embrace of new energies towards a sustainable future and ultimately reducing their carbon footprint.
In Singapore, it operates four sites on Jurong Island and is a major player in liquid storage logistics, handling various products, including chemicals, gases, fuels, and new energy products. The storage industry plays a pivotal role in both assurance of energy security and the acceleration of the energy transition.
Singapore’s national target is to deploy at least 2 gigawatt-peak of solar energy by 2030. With Advario's commitment to transitioning to green energy to power their terminal, the company strategically aligns itself with the nation's broader sustainability goals.
To find alternatives to the limited land for harnessing solar energy in Singapore, Advario is exploring the utilisation of sea spaces, where solar panels may be deployed and float on the sea surface. Floating solar, or Floating Photovoltaics (FPV), is a relatively new mode for capturing solar energy in Singapore that offers great potential for renewable energy. Currently there are only a few operational FPV sites around the island city.
Advario believes that a collaborative approach is a necessary and key ingredient to accelerate the adoption of FPV in Singapore, which is highly urbanised and has one of the busiest sea lanes in the world. This leads to challenges, such as needing to design FPV systems to safely function within tight live operating spaces, and uncertainties, like those that arise when coordinating with multiple stakeholders. Advario appreciates that this gives cause to specific pain points that hinder the wider adoption of FPV in Singapore, which it would like to help the industry solve by leading this challenge of deploying FPV systems at its dead sea spaces around their terminals on Jurong Island, to bring benefit to the industry and Singapore at large, and contribute towards Jurong Island’s and Singapore’s GHG emissions reduction targets.
Dead sea spaces, characterised by shallow draught and proximity to the shoreline, are areas not used for operations which are free from vessel traffic and present an opportunity for deploying floating solar panels at utility scale (>1MWp).
Generating renewable energy on this scale can initially be used to decarbonise Advario’s terminal operations and subsequently, help their customers achieve (Scope 3) sustainability goals. This green energy can be maximised by on-site battery storage and be employed to help decarbonise the maritime industry and contribute to grid resilience when coupled with energy storage systems. In time, such generation could be used to power the production of low carbon fuels, like hydrogen, which they could also store.
However, while FPV systems are a promising renewable energy solution, especially for regions with access to large, open water bodies, many floatation devices available currently are bulky and non-modular, making it costly to transport and difficult to replace when they are damaged.
Deploying FPV systems in seafront conditions also presents several unique challenges that need to be addressed to maximise their efficiency or viability as a sustainable energy source. These include:
- Saline Conditions: Prolonged exposure to saltwater can lead to corrosion and damage to the FPV system components, affecting their efficiency and maintenance costs over time.
- Wave and Tidal Movements: These movements can impact the stability and alignment of FPV platforms, potentially reducing energy capture. Furthermore, the constant motion may result in quicker wear and tear, and system degradation.
- Safety for Operation & Maintenance (O&M) Challenges: Safety is paramount for all activities and is prioritised during offshore O&M which can create other challenges. This usually requires more manpower to carry out O&M works which results in higher OPEX costs.
- Regulatory & Operational Requirements, and other potential site disturbances: FPV solutions must incorporate strategies for promptly addressing and overcoming the challenges of the authorities (refer below) and Advario requirements, while mitigating the impact of other disturbances, such as those to the environment, ensuring minimal disruption to the existing set-up.
In addition, it is important to note that the floatation device itself can significantly contribute to the overall system cost, which should be factored into the business case.
How might we optimise the design of Floating PV platforms, that is innovative, safe and efficient to deploy, redeploy, operate and maintain, while providing solar energy economically despite the variable requirements and challenging seafront conditions?
The primary focus of this challenge centres on these aspects: ensuring that the FPV platforms are easy to operate and maintain, guaranteeing safety and enhancing the mobility of FPV systems for quick deployment and easy redeployment. Solutions that address part(s) of the above statement may also be considered.
Requirements
Advario aims to streamline the installation, inspection, and repair processes for FPV platforms, while developing a scalable, robust framework. This framework should: - Maximise energy generation potential;
- Adapt to diverse water bodies and weather conditions; and
- Accelerate the adoption of floating solar as a competitive and reliable renewable energy source in Singapore's sea spaces.
- Address risks in relation to fire safety in an operating environment.
The floating platform should offer a similar or better energy yield to that of a ground or rooftop-mounted PV system per unit area of deployment. It has to be low-cost yet resilient and convenient to deploy and maintain. It may also employ a modular system that facilitates the easy replacement of damaged or faulty parts within the FPV system, as well as its quick removal, and subsequent redeployment, in the event of an emergency.
The awarded solution provider would also be required to obtain the necessary approvals for the FPV deployment from the relevant agencies. Such approvals include, but are not limited to, obtaining foreshore TOL, conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and permits to commence work within the designated spaces, where applicable. Such approvals and requirements of Singapore authorities and agencies, include but are not limited to:- Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
- Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
- JTC Corporation
as well as meet Advario's operational requirements (for further discussion upon shortlisting). The solution provider should also specify how they intend to integrate and connect the FPV system with Advario’s existing electrical network and obtain the necessary approvals to do so through the relevant Qualified Person(s) (to be engaged by the solution provider).
A proposal of a side-by-side testbed comparison with conventional floatation devices to assess performance and yield differences is favourable.
While providers should strive to meet and address all the requirements, solutions that fulfil part(s) of the desired outcomes may be considered. Awarded solution providers will work with Advario, and other 3rd parties as engaged by Advario, to further refine the solution where more information will be shared before implementation through a pilot.
Advario aims to streamline the installation, inspection, and repair processes for FPV platforms, while developing a scalable, robust framework. This framework should:
- Maximise energy generation potential;
- Adapt to diverse water bodies and weather conditions; and
- Accelerate the adoption of floating solar as a competitive and reliable renewable energy source in Singapore's sea spaces.
- Address risks in relation to fire safety in an operating environment.
The floating platform should offer a similar or better energy yield to that of a ground or rooftop-mounted PV system per unit area of deployment. It has to be low-cost yet resilient and convenient to deploy and maintain. It may also employ a modular system that facilitates the easy replacement of damaged or faulty parts within the FPV system, as well as its quick removal, and subsequent redeployment, in the event of an emergency.
The awarded solution provider would also be required to obtain the necessary approvals for the FPV deployment from the relevant agencies. Such approvals include, but are not limited to, obtaining foreshore TOL, conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA), and permits to commence work within the designated spaces, where applicable. Such approvals and requirements of Singapore authorities and agencies, include but are not limited to:
- Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF)
- Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA)
- JTC Corporation
as well as meet Advario's operational requirements (for further discussion upon shortlisting). The solution provider should also specify how they intend to integrate and connect the FPV system with Advario’s existing electrical network and obtain the necessary approvals to do so through the relevant Qualified Person(s) (to be engaged by the solution provider).
A proposal of a side-by-side testbed comparison with conventional floatation devices to assess performance and yield differences is favourable.
While providers should strive to meet and address all the requirements, solutions that fulfil part(s) of the desired outcomes may be considered. Awarded solution providers will work with Advario, and other 3rd parties as engaged by Advario, to further refine the solution where more information will be shared before implementation through a pilot.
PILOT
Indicative timeline, where activities are to be run concurrent to others where possible:
- Conceptual design: 3 months
- Clearances for use of sea spaces by relevant authorities: 1 year
- Procurement of materials: 8 months
- Installation: 6 months
- Testbed of solution and rectifications: 8 months
- Evaluation of pilot results: 3 months
The potential sites for the pilot FPV deployment lie along Advario’s waterfront, most of which include jetty structure.
Resources and incentives
Advario is providing funding of up to SGD30,000 for a trial.
Enterprise Singapore is augmenting this support with a SGD20,000 POC development grant. This POC development grant will be made available to solution providers, both local and foreign, provided that they engage in innovation development activities in Singapore.
Info Session
Check out the recording from our Info Session, where Advario shared more about their challenge statement.
Market Potential / Business Opportunity
If your solution proves successful after a small-scale testbed, Advario will explore opportunities to scale the solution at other sites with similar conditions (dead sea spaces).
Other Considerations
Other Considerations
The expected end TRL (Technology Readiness Level) is 8 to 9, indicating readiness to do system testing and launch.
Making Your Application
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Once done, you may proceed to submit your application with your credentials. You can also save your application as a draft if need.