Smals works daily on extracting sand and gravel for the construction sector. At the same time, our dredging activities often take place at locations with no or limited “direct” electricity supply. In these projects, we aim to accelerate our climate ambitions: fully emission-free dredging operations are an important goal.
Due to the absence of a suitable grid connection, electrifying our equipment presents a major challenge in practice. That is why we are exploring existing as well as innovative solutions to generate sustainable power independently of the electricity grid and use it directly on site.
A new direction: amphibious, modular solar energy
Under the working name BaleenSolar, Smals is developing, together with specialised partners GENAP, Airgroup Industries, and Wim Soppe Consultancy, a mobile, amphibious PV system that can be temporarily deployed on inland waters and sand extraction lakes. This system can generate solar energy on water and, if desired, be combined with electrical storage.
This creates a flexible energy supply that is applicable both in the Netherlands and internationally - exactly at the locations where our dredging projects take place.
Why BaleenSolar
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Emission-free operation: the system must generate enough green energy to power electric dredging equipment and reduce or even completely eliminate diesel consumption
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Mobile and temporarily deployable: ideal for projects without a grid connection or where energy is only needed temporarily
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Broader applications: besides dredging projects, the system can in the future be used for events, agricultural businesses, or other temporary energy needs
