July 2nd

The full-seawater floating photovoltaic project of Sinopec Qingdao Refining & Chemical Company has been successfully completed and put into operation.This is Sinopec's first seawater floating photovoltaic project to realize industrial operation.Combined with the pile-mounted water-surface PV project commissioned earlier, it has become Sinopec's largest water-surface photovoltaic power station to date.

The whole project is expected to generate 16.7 million kWh of green electricity annually, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 14,000 tons, equivalent to planting an extra 750,000 trees.Compared with traditional pile-mounted PV systems, it reduces investment by approximately 10%.It sets an important demonstration for the promotion of floating PV in full-seawater environments along coastal and shallow sea areas.

By tapping into land-use potential, a new model of “one land, dual use” has been created.The water area where the floating PV power station is located connects to the sea, using the seawater surface to capture solar energy for power generation.

Located in the Hydrogen Energy “Production, Research & Utilization” Demonstration Park of Qingdao Refining & Chemical, the project features zero emissions, high efficiency and low cost.It covers an area of about 60,000 square meters with an installed capacity of 7.5 megawatts.

The project adopts an innovative floating PV structure, with PV panels designed to rise and fall synchronously with the tides.This shortens the distance between the panels and the water surface to only about one-tenth of traditional pile-mounted structures, maximizing seawater cooling and improving power generation efficiency by 5%–8%.

Three Major Innovations Solve Industrial Application Challenges of Seawater PV

In full-seawater environments, PV systems face issues such as seawater corrosion, biofouling and tidal fluctuations.To overcome these challenges, Sinopec joined hands with NET's R&D team to carry out technical research, achieving three major innovations:

Developed special floating bodies and brackets resistant to salt spray corrosion and barnacle adhesion.

Created an underwater anchoring system capable of withstanding Category 13 gales and adapting to a 3.5 meter tidal range, reducing investment by about 10% compared with traditional pile-mounted PV.

Designed inspection channels with PV panels and cables close to the water surface, significantly improving safety and reducing operation and maintenance costs over conventional pile-mounted systems.

These technological innovations will provide standardized solutions for PV development in coastal and shallow sea areas and drive down costs for new energy projects.

Promoting High-Quality Coupling of Hydrogen Energy and Photovoltaics

Previously, Qingdao Refining & Chemical had built China's first “carbon-neutral” hydrogen refueling station and the country's first industrialized seawater hydrogen production project.

The full completion and operation of the water-surface PV project has linked up the most critical link in Qingdao Refining & Chemical's new energy industry chain, forming an industrial pattern of “PV generates green electricity, green electricity produces green hydrogen”.This supports the high-quality coupled development of hydrogen energy and photovoltaics, laying a resource foundation for green hydrogen refining and green hydrogen transportation industries.

The entire Sinopec Qingdao Refining & Chemical full-seawater floating PV project adopts NET's latest [NAS]® floating system adapted to seawater environments, equipped with the most mature anchoring system.Backed by a professional technical team, NET's [NAS]® floating system provides customized solutions for different regions and environments, delivering comprehensive overall solutions for floating power stations.

NET upholds a respectful and prudent work attitude, focuses on innovation, maintains industry leadership, and continuously creates greater value for customers!

Source: Sinopec