First floating photovoltaic system in Lower Saxony
Floating PV: Sustainable energy generation on the water
Höltinghausen industrial plants are reducing their CO2 footprint
A project of superlatives! We are proud to have implemented Lower Saxony’s first floating photovoltaic system jointly with our partner 1PUNKT5. The solar plant on the quarry pond of the sand-lime brick plant in Höltinghausen is not only impressive with an area of 88 x 132 metres, but is also a flagship project in terms of renewable energies.
“As the general contractor, we were responsible for handling the entire project,” said our colleague Clemens Westendorf from the project team. “We were also in charge of connecting the plant to the medium-voltage grid,” the project manager continued. 1PUNKT5 took over the planning, installation and certification of the plant. The customer’s goal was to use the plant to produce sand-lime brick products in a more CO2-neutral way.
Photos & videos: © 1PUNKT5
Performance that impresses
The plant with a system output of 2.0 megawatts peak consists of 3724 PV modules and generates around 1900 megawatt hours of electricity per year. The electricity generated is not fed into the grid, but used exclusively for the operation of the plant, “a so-called zero feeder”, said Westendorf. For this purpose, the output of the inverters is adjusted according to the customer’s electricity requirements. This was part of the funding condition of N-Bank, which is supporting the three-million euro project with one million euros.
In addition to the joint planning with 1PUNKT5 and support during the approval and certification phase, we supplied a transformer station that was specially designed for use on the water. We also implemented the medium-voltage connection using a 440-metre long cable.
Challenges and innovations
“Installing the PV system on the water was a unique challenge,” recalled Clemens Westendorf. More than 20 fitters were temporarily deployed to securely fasten the modules. It was an exciting learning process for everyone involved, as this was our first project with a floating PV system. “This enabled us to gain valuable expertise for floating PV systems.”
The project is also setting high standards in Lower Saxony: It is currently the largest floating solar plant in the state and a prime example of how industrial companies can improve their CO₂ footprint.
SUSTAINABILITY GOES HAND IN HAND WITH PROFITABILITY
Höltinghauser Industriewerke relies on floating PV for sand-lime brick production. | Photo: 1POINT5
“With this system, the sand-lime brick plant is digging two holes with one shovel: Not only did it significantly cut down on energy costs, but will make a major contribution to climate protection,” explained Edmund Brinkmann, managing partner of the sand-lime brick plant.
As an additional contribution to the environment, compensation areas were created as part of the project. The result was a 6000-square-metre water biotope with
small islands providing a new habitat for birds. Space was also created for a bat population.
With this system, we are digging two holes with one shovel: Lower energy costs and a major contribution to climate protection.
Edmund Brinkmann, Managing Partner of Höltinghauser Industriewerke
