Man-made atoll planned for North Sea
A new man-made island could appear off the Flemish coast within five years, producing electricity for moments of peak demand and providing a new habitat for marine wildlife, according to plans announced last week by federal minister Johan Vande Lanotte.
The electricity-producing island would make wind power more efficient
The plan involves an atoll – a ring-shaped island with a lagoon in the middle – three to four kilometres off the coast of Wenduine. It would produce hydro-electricity by pumping water out of the central lagoon at times when there was surplus energy produced by wind turbines – for example at night. Then, when demand required it, the water would be allowed to flow back into the lagoon, passing through turbines, which would convert the flowing water back into electricity.
The atoll would tackle the main problem associated with wind energy: It is relatively easy to produce but difficult to store. The electricity produced by wind would be stored in the water, as already happens at conventional hydro-electric stations in mountain areas.
“The main advantage is that such an energy depot can deliver electricity at peak moments,” Vande Lanotte said. “And you can store energy that is produced on land. We also intend to sell electricity to other countries.”
According to Vande Lanotte, whose portfolio includes management of the North Sea, the atoll would be 2.5 kilometres in diameter, sit 10 metres above sea level and be capable of producing 300 megawatts of electricity. A private sector consortium, including Electrabel, wind energy producers, dredging companies and researchers, has already been assembled.
The energy atoll would also provide a habitat for sea birds, taking the place of the brooding island currently standing just off the harbour at Zeebrugge, which is hampering plans to extend the port. The new island could solve the problem of aggressive seagulls in the area, which have been known to attack rail workers at the port.
