Off-grid solar lighting for IJmuiden
Autonomous solar lighting solution ensures safety on industrial quay
The town of IJmuiden, located in the province of North Holland, is home to the fourth-largest port in the Netherlands. Situated at the mouth of the North Sea Canal, it serves as the vital gateway to Amsterdam, welcoming thousands of vessels annually. Within this bustling maritime hub, the 3rd Rijksbinnenhaven stands as a key industrial basin on the northern side of the canal, requiring high-performance infrastructure to support its 24/7 operations.
To ensure the safety of personnel and enable 24/7 operations in this demanding environment, it was decided to install a dedicated lighting system. The contractor Van Hattum & Blankenvoort was commissioned to project manage the installation, overseeing the transformation of this industrial quay.
Lighting an off-grid quay
As this particular quay is not connected to the local power grid, a traditional lighting solution was not an option due to the disruption and costs that invasive groundworks would incur.
Working alongside Van Hattum & Blankenvoort, we proposed a fully-off grid solar lighting solution that eliminated the need for costly trenching and cabling, ensuring zero disruption to the port's logistics.
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The goal was to install lighting along the quay, but there was no existing infrastructure. Solar lighting provided a practical and quick solution.
PROTOS, a highly-efficient solar lighting system
Installing the PROTOS system enables the lighting to operate completely independently. Each pole incorporates an integrated solar panel, battery and efficient LED lighting in a refined design. This enables energy to be captured and stored during the day, with the lighting switching on automatically as evening falls.
We carried out an extensive audit of the site to ensure that the installation was optimised to provide sufficient illumination for the quay’s specific needs. This autonomous solar lighting solution provides reliable, high-performance lighting throughout the night, even in challenging Dutch weather conditions. This sustainable approach met the strict safety requirements of the 3rd Rijksbinnenhaven and aligned perfectly with the port’s broader commitment to reducing its environmental impact.
Smooth installation
Thanks to the easy-to-install solar masts, the installation was carried out efficiently, without the need for major excavation work or connection to the mains electricity supply. Commissioning was very straightforward as the required settings had been pre-programmed by Schréder and the PROTOS operates autonomously.
This experience is valuable for future projects. Once contractors and customers are familiar with installing and operating solar-powered lighting columns, they can more quickly and confidently opt for an off-grid lighting solution.
A partnership grounded in expertise
At Schréder, every project begins with a dialogue. Whether the challenge is overcoming a lack of grid infrastructure or meeting rigorous maritime safety standards, we work closely with our partners to analyse, design and deliver site-specific solutions. Our goal is to be a long-term partner, providing the technical knowledge needed to make the transition to more sustainable lighting. In this case, solar lighting now ensures that the quay is safely and reliably lit, without requiring a connection to the main supply.
