EU project picks wave energy and offshore solar among solutions for greener ports

The European Union (EU)-backed TREASURE project has selected renewable energy company SolarinBlue, Rotary Wave start-up, as well as wave energy developer Eco Wave Power among the 52 companies to address environmental challenges in Euro-MED ports.

The TREASURE initiative (Testing novel environmental quality measures in and around Euro-MED ports), co-funded by the EU, launched a call for expressions of interest on September 16, 2024, to identify solutions for port-related environmental issues.

According to TREASURE, the selection process focused on technological innovation, scalability across different port environments, and potential impact.

Challenges outlined in the call included offshore and onshore renewable energy deployment, water and wastewater management, biodiversity protection, sediment remediation, air quality improvement, and waste management.

Among the selected technologies, French company SolarinBlue’s offshore solar solution will be examined for its role in environmental remediation at port sites. 

“By harnessing solar energy at sea, ports can reduce their carbon footprint, enhance energy resilience, and optimize available space without impacting land use,” SolarinBlue said.

According to SolarinBlue’s announcement, the next steps include workshops with project partners and potential pilot implementations, creating new opportunities to demonstrate the role of offshore solar in the energy transition of maritime infrastructures.

By the December 13, 2024, deadline, 59 applications were received from 47 organizations across 13 countries. A transnational committee reviewed the applications and shortlisted 52 solutions for further exploration.

Some of these solutions could be implemented in TREASURE ports in the coming year.

In June 2024, SolarinBlue was awarded €6 million in funding for its floating solar project by the French government as part of the France 2030 program, operated by ADEME, the French Agency for Ecological Transition.