Accelerating the energy transition
View our project
The wind farm Hollandse Kust Noord
CrossWind, a joint-venture between Shell and Eneco, develops and will operate the Hollandse Kust Noord subsidy-free offshore wind project.
Hollandse Kust Noord is located 18.5 kilometers off the west coast of the Netherlands near the town of Egmond aan Zee.
CrossWind plans to have Hollandse Kust Noord operational in 2023 with an installed capacity of 759 MW, generating at least 3.3 TWh per year.
An intelligent wind farm
The wind doesn’t always blow consistently. So how can a wind farm provide electricity when there is little wind? CrossWind and its partners are exploring five different innovations designed to address these challenges. Through these innovations, an offshore wind farm could be capable of providing more constant electricity regardless of the wind conditions.
Intelligent wind turbines
CrossWind and its partners are exploring a range of technologes that can help wind turbines in a range of conditions. Using real-time data, intelligent wind turbines can respond to changing conditions within seconds and help keep stability across the energy grid.
Addressing the wake effect
The wake effect describes how wind can slow after hitting a turbine, affecting those situated further afield. CrossWind is looking at ways of using real-time data to reduce this across the entire wind farm.
Floating solar energy
What about times when there is simply not enough wind to turn a turbine? CrossWind and its partners are experimenting with floating solar panels that could sit alongside the wind turbines and help deliver more consistent energy.
Storing energy
How can you store excess energy in times of low demand to supply it in times when demand is high? CrossWind and its partners are exploring energy storage solutions of batteries and even a hydrogen plant on location that produces and stores hydrogen and is able to convert the hydrogen electricity when needed.
Research & integration
CrossWind is looking at opportunities to integrate these innovations within the wind farm. We have commissioned further research to assess its feasibility. Our aim is to help the world to build intelligent wind farms that can align. Supply it with the demand of renewable energy and to further power the transition into a lower carbon future.
Partnering to drive the Dutch energy transition
Get to know CrossWind
Frequently Asked Questions
The arrival of the wind farm will affect the habitat of birds, bats, fish and marine mammals. That is why we adhere to the HKN Permit requirements and the Wind Farm Site Decree. We apply measures for birds and bats to limit any adverse effects, such as shutting down the wind turbines under certain circumstances. In order not to unnecessarily disturb fish and marine mammals, we adhere to a maximum noise level while pile driving the foundations of the wind turbines.
News
Construction offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust Noord commences
The installation of the first monopile on Monday 17 October marked the start of the construction of offshore wind farm Hollandse Kust Noord. The 70 monopiles that will be installed by Van Oord over the coming months will form the foundations of the wind turbines in the wind farm, which will be located some eighteen kilometres off the coast at Egmond aan Zee. Wind farm owner CrossWind will be implementing several innovations in the construction of the wind farm, such as offshore hydrogen production and floating solar panels. These innovations will enable this first smart wind farm in the Netherlands to contribute significantly to accelerating the energy transition.
Cybersecurity for a remotely operated wind farm
To constantly monitor and control our upcoming wind park, a complex and redundant OT (Operational Technology) system is required. In addition to the green electricity, an enormous amount of data will be generated and transferred from the wind park to shore. Data from all kinds of sensors will be passing through fiber optic cables to the onshore WPO (Wind Park Owner) control rooms. To control the systems of the wind park, data is also travelling in the opposite direction back to sea. Both the monitoring and the management of the park are crucial for safe and reliable operation, and optimal electricity output to the grid.
Coming with the wind, innovating together to make offshore wind farming smarter
For the Netherlands, having the North Sea at the doorstep is a blessing. Not only for generating wind power, as the Shell-Eneco joint-venture CrossWind will show. The site Hollandse Kust Noord will be a testbed for integrated energy solutions for the very near future.
