Future energy supply will have to come mainly from renewable sources. One idea is to start using energy from rivers and the sea. The energy density in water is much greater than in air, so potentially there is much more energy in rivers and the sea than in wind. Further development of this form of energy could have a major impact on our future energy mix within a decade. Many of the questions submitted address the possibilities of combining this form of energy with wind and possibly solar power. By making use of locations in, for example, the North Sea where wind energy is already being generated, infrastructure can be used efficiently and no additional claim is made on the use of North Sea space. With that, this question is closely linked to other questions in the field of energy and wind energy in particular. However, there are still major technical and scientific questions about the best method to convert the energy, without negatively impacting flora and fauna and other users such as inland shipping and the protective function of dykes.
Connecting character
Especially in the field of maritime technology and delta (top sector Water) and in the field of energy extraction (top sector Energy), there is a lot of relevant knowledge and expertise in the Netherlands. Besides research in technology and physics, research into ecological aspects is also necessary to determine the potential of this form of energy as a sustainable source. In addition, social aspects play a role in the transition to sustainable energy. This cluster thus ties in with questions about how human activities affect nature.More fundamental questions about the functioning of the ocean are also of great importance.
