Project:
CUSTOMER:
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
TECHNOLOGIES USED:
PARTNERS / COLLABORATORS:
STATUS:
Complete
Recent forecasts predict a significant expansion in the floating solar market. While solar projects are already operating successfully on many inland bodies of water, developing offshore floating solar has proven challenging. One of the key obstacles to deploying more floating PV is the task of ensuring stable mooring for the system that is also environmentally suitable and cost-effective.
Large FPV installations often require bottom-mounted gravity anchors due to distance from shore and water depth. Traditional block-shaped gravity anchors are heavy, material-intensive, and expensive, leading to inefficiencies in transportation, installation, and disposal.
Sperra’s 3D concrete printing technology optimizes gravity anchor design and manufacturing, reducing material use, installation costs and environmental impact. The Department of Energy has awarded Sperra a grant for its innovative 3D- printed gravity anchor designs. In collaboration with the University of California, San Diego, Sperra is demonstrating the feasibility, performance, and commercial viability of its gravity anchors for floating solar applications. The project aims to lower system costs, accelerate deployment in the U.S., and cut CO2 emissions from anchor manufacturing and transport.
PROJECT GOALS:
- Validating the business model through customer discovery, market research, and levelized cost of energy (LCOE) analysis.
- Performing geotechnical design and analysis of a full-scale 3DCP anchor for a representative FPV plant.
- Conducting structural design and analysis of a full-scale 3DCP anchor to minimize material usage while meeting performance requirements.