Fred. Olsen 1848 has launched Tension Buoy, a mooring system designed to enable floating solar installations on reservoirs and hydro dams with highly variable water levels. The system aims to overcome a key challenge for floating solar: maintaining consistent mooring tension as water levels rise and fall.
“Water levels rise and fall, sometimes dramatically, leaving conventional mooring systems either too taut or too slack. The result is reduced efficiency, increased maintenance needs, and operational uncertainty,” the company said.
The Tension Buoy integrates a smart, automatic winch that continuously adjusts the mooring line length in response to changing water levels. The design ensures floating solar arrays remain stable and secure without manual intervention.
“At the core of our Tension Buoy is a smartly integrated winch perched atop the structure, designed to deliver dynamic tension control with elegant efficiency,” the company explained. “Whether deployed temporarily for precise tensioning during installation, or installed permanently to adapt continuously throughout FPV operations, it’s a solution built to meet the real-world needs of changing water levels.”
The mooring chain is routed through the buoy’s centre, rising from below, passing over the gypsy, and descending again. Any surplus chain hangs freely to accommodate shifting water levels. The company said the design prioritizes reliability and cost-efficiency.
Hydro dams often experience rapid water-level changes, creating challenges for conventional fixed mooring systems. Tension Buoy automatically adjusts line length and tension, keeping floating solar arrays operational in all conditions.
“By making hybridisation straightforward, it enables operators to unlock new renewable potential and deliver reliable clean energy,” the company said. “When paired with existing hydro infrastructure, the Tension Buoy becomes a bridge to hybrid energy systems that offer greater stability and flexibility. Solar power can supplement hydropower during bright hours or dry periods, while dams continue supplying baseload where needed.”
The Tension Buoy is part of Fred. Olsen 1848’s ongoing efforts to expand renewable energy potential on reservoirs and enable hybrid systems that increase resilience and efficiency.
