The rapid implementation of large scale floating solar panels has consequences to water quality and local ecosystems. Environmental impacts depend on the dimensions, design and proportions of the system in relation to the size of the surface water, as well as the characteristics of the water system (currents, tidal effects) and climatic conditions. There is often no time (and budget) for thorough research into these effects on ecology and water quality. A few studies have addressed the potential impacts of floating solar panels, but often rely on models without validation with in situ data. In this work, water quality sensors continuously monitored key water quality parameters at two different locations: (i) underneath a floating solar park; (ii) at a reference location positioned in open water. An underwater drone was used to obtain vertical profiles of water quality and to collect underwater images. The results showed little differences in the measured key water quality parameters below the solar panels. The temperature at the upper layers of water was lower under the solar panels, and there were less detected temperature fluctuations. A biofouling layer on the floating structure was visible in the underwater images a few months after the construction of the park
DOCUMENT
Large floating projects have the potential to overcome the challenge of land scarcity in urban areas and offer opportunities for energy and food production, or even for creating sustainable living environments. However, they influence the physical, chemical, biological and ecological characteristics of water bodies. The interaction of the floating platforms affect multiple complex aquatic processes, and the potential (negative/positive) effects are not yet fully understood. Managing entities currently struggle with lack of data and knowledge that can support adequate legislation to regulate future projects.In the Netherlands the development of small scale floating projects is already present for some years (e.g. floating houses, restaurants, houseboats), and more recently several large scale floating photovoltaic plants (FPV) have been realized. Several floating constructions in the Netherlands were considered as case-studies for a data-collection campaign.To obtain data and images from underneath floating buildings, underwater drones were equipped with cameras and sensors. The drones were used in multiple locations to scan for differences in concentrations of basic water quality parameters (e.g. dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, algae, light intensity) from underneath/near the floating structures, which were then compared with data from locations far from the influence of the buildings. Continuous data was also collected over several days using multi-parameter water quality sensors permanently installed under floating structures.
DOCUMENT
There is a clear demand for a collaborative knowledge-sharing on climate adaptation and mitigation. The aim of most climate adaptation platforms is (inter)national knowledge exchange and raising awareness about climate adaptation in urban areas and promote solutions such as Nature-based solutions (NBS) and floating infrastructure. However their multiple benefits are often unknown to the wider public. During seminars (February 2020) in Indonesia climate adaptation measures where mapped and the relevance of the climate adaption platforms such as ClimateScan was evaluated by the means of workshops and a survey. The platform ClimateScan holds now over 5000 locations in 5 main categories of climate adaptation (water, nature, agriculture, energy and people). The conclusions from the workshops in Semarang and Surabaya show high relevance scores for NBS: permeable pavement and swales; for infiltration of stormwater to groundwater; for mitigation of high temperatures with heat stress measures; and flood barriers to mitigate flooding. There were low scores for floating urbanization because this is not a culturally accepted practice in contradiction to other parts of the world. Indonesian floating infrastructure as a floating library, restaurant and airport terminal where mapped during workshops bringing the total of international floating structure locations to 150. The workshops have raised awareness among participants and contributed to capacity building by empowering the participants to map and review climate adaptation measures. A high majority see the value of climate adaptation platforms and will use it in the future.
MULTIFILE
