Accelerating the energy transition
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The wind park 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.
Hollandse Kust Noord has been operational since December 2023 with an installed capacity of 759 MW and generation of at least 3.3 TWh per year. This corresponds to 2.8 per cent of national electricity demand.
An intelligent wind park
The wind doesn’t always blow consistently. So how can a wind park 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 park 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 park.
Offshore solar
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 park. We have commissioned further research to assess its feasibility. Our aim is to help the world to build intelligent wind parks 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
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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
The Netherlands hits offshore wind target of 4.5 GW with Hollandse Kust Noord wind park
The Hollandse Kust Noord wind park, located 18.5 kilometres off the coast of Egmond aan Zee, became operational on December 20. The wind park was built by CrossWind, a joint venture between Shell and Eneco. It will add 759 MW of renewable energy to the Dutch electricity grid after final commissioning. The completion of Hollandse Kust Noord will achieve a target in the Netherlands of more than 4.5 GW of offshore wind by the end of 2023.
How is HKN’s electricity sold on short-term markets?
On June 19, the first green electricity from the Hollandse Kust Noord (HKN) wind park flowed into the Dutch power grid. With the commissioning of the first turbines, Eneco and Shell started trading their share of green power on the electricity markets. As a 100% Shell-owned company, Next Kraftwerke's task is to trade part of the electricity production on the short-term power markets – the so-called day-head and intraday market.
