Instawalk Highlights: Tide & Turbine

The day began bright and full of connection: participants walked together from Vlissingen station to the tidal sluice, on their way to the Community of Practice North Sea – the shared purpose of the day.

We gathered at the Water2Energy tidal turbine, where knowledge, coffee, and cookies were exchanged. Curious passers-by glanced at the group by the water – what had brought them together? The answer: an innovative turbine that generates renewable energy from the tides, now performing better than ever before. A variety of interests emerged. Some were drawn to the blend of nature and technology, while others were intrigued by the turbine’s operation. What united everyone that beautifully mild morning in Vlissingen was a shared sense of curiosity.

How does it work?
With infectious enthusiasm, inventor Reinier Rijke explained the smart tech behind his tidal turbine:
"Each rotor blade of the Water2Energy turbine can rotate independently and adjust its angle to the incoming tidal current. Just like trimming a sail to catch the wind, or tilting your hand out of a moving car window to feel lift — this dynamic positioning allows each blade to generate maximum lift at just the right moment during rotation.

Within the Offshore For Sure project, Instawalks are a dynamic and creative tool that support key communication objectives — particularly in the area of policy and public engagement.

Making the invisible visible
Many developments within Offshore For Sure take place at sea — out of sight for most people. Instawalks bring citizens closer to these offshore innovations, both literally and figuratively. By involving communities in visual storytelling, we help foster transparency, knowledge-sharing, and public support for sustainable offshore projects. This Instawalk was a small but vibrant part of a larger event hosted by the Community of Practice North Sea (RVO) and the Delta Climate Center.

To be continued
With this Instawalk, we wanted to show that sustainable energy isn’t just about technology and numbers — it’s also about stories and images that connect with people.
By letting participants capture and share their own photos, we’re contributing to greater visibility and understanding of innovative energy solutions. This was our first Instawalk — and definitely not the last.