The construction of the maritime research center in the Belgian port of Ostend will begin early in 2017.
The research center will be located in the industrial port area Plassendale 1, and will house a wave pool and a towing tank suitable for testing wave and tidal energy converters, floating wind turbines, and other offshore structures.
The Flemish government has backed the project with over €30 million, and the construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.
“For windmill builders, offshore engineering and developers of wave and tidal energy both test tanks offer a lot of research possibilities. The tests contribute to risk limitation and provide the opportunity for large and small businesses to respond quickly to developments in the market,” Port of Ostend said.
A partnership between Signum + Architects and engineering company Technum drew the final design, while the West-Flemish company Artes Depret will build the entire complex, according to Port of Ostend.