Test solutions in realistic conditions

Blue Valley Ostend opens doors to Living Labs: experimental zones where businesses, researchers and public authorities jointly test innovative solutions in a realistic maritime context. There are no simulations, but rather real-world conditions: this is where you can establish what works before scaling up:

Through Blue Valley, you will have access to existing Living Labs (see below) and opportunities to develop new labs with partners. Ostend is the ultimate testbed for maritime innovation, with facilities on the beach, at the port and offshore.

Raversijde Living Lab

Resources: dune in front of a dyke and research dyke

Focus: dune development, climate adaptation, soft coastal protection

Partners: Agency for Maritime Services and Coast, Flanders Marine Institute, Flanders Hydraulics, University of Ghent, KU Leuven

Highlight: 750-m dune in front of a dyke, with a concrete research dyke (20 m x 20 m)

Open to: researchers and businesses involved in coastal engineering, nature-based solutions and monitoring

Location: Raversijde beach, between Ostend and Middelkerke

Oosteroever Living Lab

Resources: planted dune strip in front of existing sea dyke

Focus: sustainable coastal protection, sediment management, biodiversity

Partners: Agency for Maritime Services and Coast, City of Ostend, Province of West Flanders, Flanders Marine Institute, University of Ghent, KU Leuven

Highlight: pilot project launched in 2020, educational involvement with schools (5,000 marram grass plants planted by pupils in 2025)

Aim: to improve coastal protection naturally and reduce sand accumulation on Spinola dyke

Location: Spinola Dyke, Ostend

Blue Accelerator

Resources: a unique ‘living-lab’ environment for maritime innovation, with an offshore testing platform 500 m off the coast that comes with a fully equipped laboratory container.

Applications: testing scale models and prototypes in real offshore conditions with options for air, water surface and seabed testing

Highlight: state-of-the-art container with electricity, high-speed internet, plug-and-play sensors, remote control and pre-approved test area, including a safety zone

Location: 500 m off Ostend’s North Sea coast

SeaVolt – floating testing platform in Ostend

Resources: floating testing platform for solar panels, developed by Tractebel, DEME and Jan de Nul

Applications: testing floating PV systems in real offshore conditions, including the impact of waves, saltwater, wind and biofouling

Highlight: modular design, ecological monitoring, collaboration with Blue Accelarator for a safe testing zone

Location: Port of Ostend and offshore testing zone (Blue Accelerator)

NS3 – Oceans of Energy

Resources: demonstrator of an offshore solar farm connected to the grid

Applications: integration of solar energy with offshore wind farms, rapid port-to-sea assembly and ecological impact studies

Highlight: first European offshore solar farm to be connected to the grid, part of the EU SCORES project

Location: Port of Ostend and Blue Accelerator facility