Exciting developments in SUREWAVE, a project that's promising to deliver circular floating wavebreakers for floating solar.
Imagine a floating breakwater, a simple yet innovative solution, very well suited to protecting other floating structures such as floating solar installations. Through the EU-funded SUREWAVE project, project partner ACCIONA and others have driven extensive research towards an optimal wave breaker for shielding FPV installations from harsh marine conditions, offering a more resilient approach to energy production.
What sets SUREWAVE apart is the careful consideration given to concrete formulations. Lightweight Aggregate Concrete (LWAC) and High-Performance Concrete (HPC) is currently being explored, seeking an optimal composition in order to increase circularity and reduce the CO2 footprint - all while ensuring the structural reliability of the wavebreaker.
Addressing concerns about the cement industry's impact on CO2 emissions, SUREWAVE takes a practical approach by minimizing cement content. This involves the use of low-carbon cement paired with Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) like ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) and fly ash (FA). It's a step towards meeting the rising demand for sustainable solutions without overstating the case.
But the real excitement lies in SUREWAVE's commitment to a circular model. Leveraging non-primary available resources, recycled materials such as aggregate from concrete waste and lightweight aggregate from recycled glass breathe new life into concrete mix designs. It's not revolutionary; it's a pragmatic move towards environmental responsibility.
