Apparatus and method for green hydrogen production using a submerged desalination system

Abstract

A green hydrogen generation system and method that uses an offshore platform, a marine renewable energy source, a submerged saline water desalination device, and a water electrolysis device to produce hydrogen and oxygen using power from the renewable energy source and desalted water from the submerged saline water desalination device. The system and method enable green hydrogen production with reduced energy usage or capital costs compared to land-based systems and systems that do not utilize a submerged saline water desalination device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 287,013, filed December 7, 2021, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to salt water desalination and hydrogen production. [Background technology]

[0003] Hydrogen has attracted considerable commercial interest for use in transportation, heating and other applications as a potential alternative to fossil fuels. Typically, hydrogen is an energy carrier rather than an energy source, since hydrogen production requires significant energy input. Common hydrogen production methods include steam methane reforming (SMR) and auto thermal reforming (ATR). In SMR, high temperature reaction of methane with steam produces hydrogen and carbon dioxide. In ATR, a hydrocarbon feed is partially oxidized with oxygen and steam to produce synthesis gas (syngas) composed of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, followed by a catalytic reforming step and separation of the hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. SMR and ATR may be combined with each other. If the carbon dioxide produced in SMR or ATR is released to the atmosphere, hydrogen production may be referred to as "gray hydrogen". If the carbon dioxide from SMR or ATR is captured, hydrogen production may be referred to as "blue hydrogen".

[0004] So-called "green hydrogen" is hydrogen produced by splitting water via electrolysis using renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, or tidal energy, to produce only hydrogen and oxygen with no carbon dioxide as a by-product. Several green hydrogen projects have been presented, but most are proposals or pilot projects. One example is the "Deep Purple" pilot project from TechnipFMC plc, which uses offshore wind turbines (and fuel cells, if wind power is insufficient) to power a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination unit and electrolyzer mounted on an offshore platform. Hydrogen from the electrolyzer can be piped to shore or stored in tanks on the seabed. Hydrogen production using land-based (i.e., onshore) desalination plants has also been proposed.

[0005] Current estimates are that green hydrogen is only about 1% of current world hydrogen production. Further improvements in the required capital costs and energy usage will likely be required before green hydrogen production can become widely used. From the above, it will be appreciated that what remains needed in the art are improved systems and methods for hydrogen production that have reduced environmental impacts and provide one or more of lower energy costs, lower capital costs, lower operating costs, or lower maintenance costs. Such systems are disclosed and claimed herein. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Compared to land-based seawater separation, submerged saltwater desalination systems can offer several important advantages: for example, by operating submerged, both pumping power requirements and capital expenditures can be significantly reduced, since hydrostatic pressure can provide much or all of the driving force required for desalination, and lower cost and reduced strength pressure containment vessels can be utilized to house the desalination equipment, or even eliminated entirely.

[0007] In one embodiment, the disclosed invention comprises: a. Offshore platforms, whether on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged or floating in seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source powering said platform; c. a saltwater desalination device submerged in seawater and supplying desalted water to a first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to said seabed, platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from said renewable energy source and desalinated water from said first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from said supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for storing or delivering the produced hydrogen. The present invention provides a green hydrogen production system comprising:

[0008] In another aspect, the disclosed invention is a method for green hydrogen production, the method comprising: a. Producing electricity from marine renewable energy sources; b. supplying such power to an offshore platform that is on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged or floating in the seawater; c. producing desalinated water from a saltwater desalination device submerged in seawater and supplying said desalinated water to a first conduit; d. producing hydrogen and oxygen from a water electrolysis device on or fixed to said seabed, platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, and receiving power from said renewable energy source and desalinated water from said first conduit; and e. storing or delivering the produced hydrogen in a tank or a second conduit. The present invention provides a method comprising:

[0009] The disclosed systems and methods combine marine renewable energy sources with submerged "natural ocean wells" to enable green hydrogen production with reduced energy usage or capital costs compared to either land-based systems or marine systems that do not utilize submerged desalination equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A-1D are schematic side views of two embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods. [Diagram 2] 1A-1D are schematic side views of two embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods.

[0011] Like reference symbols in the various figures of the drawings indicate like elements. Elements in the drawings are not drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The recitation of numerical ranges using endpoints includes all numbers within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, 5, etc.).

[0013] The terms "a," "an," "the," "at least one," and "one or more" are used interchangeably. Thus, for example, a device that includes "a" reverse osmosis membrane includes "one or more" such membranes.

[0014] The term "brine" refers to an aqueous solution containing a substantially higher sodium chloride concentration than is found in typical salt waters, i.e., a salinity equivalent to more than about 3.5% sodium chloride. It should be noted that different jurisdictions may apply different definitions to the term "brine" or set different limits on salinity discharge. For example, current California regulations state that discharges must not exceed a daily maximum of 2.0 parts per thousand (ppt) above natural background salinity measured within 100 meters horizontally from the point of discharge. In other jurisdictions, salinity limits may be set at levels such as, for example, 1 ppt above ambient, 5% above ambient, or 40 ppt absolute.

[0015] The term "concentrate" refers to a desalination unit discharge stream that has a high salinity level compared to the seawater of the surrounding environment, but does not necessarily contain sufficient salinity to be considered a brine in the applicable jurisdiction in which such stream is generated.

[0016] The term "conduit" refers to a pipe or other hollow structure (e.g., a hole, channel, duct, hose, line, opening, flow path, riser, tube or wellbore) through which a fluid flows during operation of a device utilizing such conduit. A conduit may, but need not be, circular in cross section and may have other cross-sectional shapes including, for example, oval or other circular or rounded shapes, triangular, square, rectangular or other regular or irregular shapes. A conduit may also, but need not be, straight or uniform along its length and may have other shapes including, for example, tapered, coiled, or branched (e.g., branches radiating outward from a central hub).

[0017] The term "depth" when used in reference to a submersible apparatus or component thereof refers to the vertical distance, i.e., the height of the water column, from the free surface of the body of water in which the apparatus or component is submerged to the point of introduction of seawater into the apparatus or to the location of the component.

[0018] The terms "demineralized water," "fresh water," and "produced water" refer to water containing less than 1,000 parts per million (ppm) by weight, more preferably less than 500 ppm by weight, of dissolved inorganic salts. Exemplary such salts include sodium chloride, magnesium sulfate, potassium nitrate, and sodium bicarbonate.

[0019] The term "offshore" refers to equipment, systems, or methods that are located or performed at sea and at some distance from land.

[0020] The term "onshore" refers to an apparatus, system, or method that is located or performed on land.

[0021] The term "platform" refers to a supporting surface, typically horizontal and flat, typically elevated relative to its surroundings, upon which equipment may be mounted. In some embodiments, the offshore platform may be non-horizontal, non-flat, or partially or wholly submerged.

[0022] The term "recovery ratio" when used in reference to a desalination system means the volume ratio of product water (permeate) produced by the system to the feed water brought to the system.

[0023] The term "renewable energy source" refers to wind, solar, tidal energy, geothermal energy or other clean energy sources that come from natural sources or processes that are continually replenished.

[0024] The term "seawater" refers to water containing more than 0.5 ppt dissolved inorganic salts by weight, and thus includes both brackish waters (waters containing 0.5-3.0 ppt dissolved organic salts by weight) and ocean waters or other waters containing more than 3.0 ppt dissolved organic salts by weight. In the oceans, dissolved inorganic salts are typically measured on a total dissolved solids (TDS) basis, typically averaging about 35 ppt TDS, although local conditions can result in higher or lower levels of salinity.

[0025] The term "submerged" means underwater.

[0026] The term "submersible" means suitable for use submerged in water and intended for use primarily while submerged in water.

[0027] Referring first to Figure 1, a submerged desalination apparatus (i.e., ocean well) 100 is shown in a schematic side view. Raw seawater (i.e., feedwater) 102 enters the ocean well 100 through a pre-filter screen 104 and is separated within the ocean well 100 by a suitable desalination device (e.g., an RO membrane, not shown in Figure 1) into a product water permeate stream 108 and a concentrate or brine discharge stream 110. Power is supplied to the ocean well 100 through a supply pipeline (umbilical) 112, and permeate 108 is removed from the ocean well 100 through a downward conduit 114 and an upward conduit 116. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, both power and permeate 108 pass through a single point anchor 118 that is lodge, anchor bolted, or otherwise secured to the seabed 120. A wet-mate hot-stab connector (not shown in FIG. 1) inside the anchor 118 facilitates disconnecting and servicing the ocean well 100 when necessary or convenient.

[0028] A floating platform 130 at the ocean surface 132 is secured to the ocean floor 120 via a catenary mooring 134. The platform 130 may be secured or maintained in position using a variety of other devices, including piles, mooring buoys, buoyancy devices such as floats, motorized propulsion, and other measures well known to those skilled in the maritime arts. For example, the platform 130 may be a component of, moored to, or suspended from an offshore oil or gas platform, an offshore wind farm support, a pier, or other partially or fully submerged support structure. Power is provided to the platform 130 by any one or more of marine renewable energy sources, such as a wind turbine generator 136, an underwater (i.e., tidal) turbine 138, a wave energy generator 140, or solar panels 142. As illustrated in FIG. 1, renewable energy sources 136, 138, 140, and 142 are mounted on platform 130, but they may be located nearby (e.g., within about 100 meters, about 1,000 meters, or about 10,000 meters of platform 130) and electrically connected to platform 130 or equipment thereon by suitable electrical cables. For example, renewable energy may be provided from a nearby wind farm having multiple wind turbine generators 136. If the power required for operation of the disclosed system would exceed the power available from the selected renewable energy source, in some embodiments, supplemental power may be provided by suitable onshore power sources including renewable sources, e.g., wind turbine generators, solar panels, and hydroelectric plants; sources with low carbon emissions, e.g., nuclear power plants, and, if necessary, sources with higher carbon emissions, e.g., conventional fossil fuel power plants.

[0029] Power from a renewable or other energy source and electrolyzer 150 is used to split desalinated water (i.e., permeate) 108 from the ocean well 100 into hydrogen 152 and oxygen 156. The hydrogen 152 so produced can be supplied to a suitable offshore recipient (e.g., to a vessel or other suitable vessel not shown in FIG. 1 for use as fuel or for transport to other locations), stored on deck above the platform 130 or subsea on or near the seabed 120 in suitable storage tanks (not shown in FIG. 1) or other facilities, or sent (e.g., piped) to shore via conduit 154. The oxygen 156 thus produced can be released to the atmosphere, routed through conduit 158 ​​for injection or otherwise dispersion into the surrounding seawater at any desired depth (e.g., to reduce hypoxic conditions), supplied to a suitable offshore recipient (e.g., to a vessel or other suitable container not shown in FIG. 1 for transfer elsewhere), stored on deck above the platform 130 or underwater on or near the seabed 120 in a suitable storage tank (not shown in FIG. 1) or other facility, or routed to land via a suitable conduit (not shown in FIG. 1).

[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ocean well 100 is shown at a depth D below the ocean surface 132. Various devices well known to those skilled in the marine arts may be used to secure the ocean well 100 in place and maintain it at the desired location, depth D and appropriate height H relative to the seabed 120, including the platform 130 device mentioned above, suspension cables from the platform 130 or its supports, or (as shown in FIG. 1) a conduit 114 and single point anchor 118. The depth D is preferably such that the hydrostatic pressure of the seawater 102 at depth D is sufficient to drive the seawater 102 through the ocean well 100 to produce produced water 108 and concentrate or brine 110 at the desired total volume and recovery rate without the need for additional pumps or other measures to pressurize the seawater 102 on the inlet side of the ocean well 100. The selected depth D will vary based on several factors, including the pressure drop across the pre-filter screen 104 mentioned above; the type, size, and placement of the RO cartridge or other desalination device within the oceanwell 100; the type, size, and operating conditions of the permeate conduits 114 and 116; and the type, size, and operating conditions of any required pumps within the oceanwell 100. For example, when operating the disclosed desalination system using Nitto Hydranautics' HYDRANAUTICS™ SWC cylindrical membrane cartridges, which operate without the use of a pump to pressurize the inlet seawater, it is preferred to operate at a depth of at least about 350 m with a pump to draw product water from the RO membrane to minimize or eliminate the need for a high pressure vessel surrounding the RO membrane. Some previous submerged desalination system designs, especially those that rely on pressure pumps to force seawater through the membrane, have utilized thick pressure vessels to accommodate the high pressures required for saltwater desalination. In a preferred embodiment of the present desalination apparatus, the pre-filter elements and RO membranes or other desalination devices do not require a pressure vessel since they will already be immersed in the fluid to be purified at sufficiently high pressure.Desirably, the disclosed desalination apparatus simply maintains a sufficiently low pressure at the permeate exhaust side and a sufficient inlet-to-outlet pressure differential to allow proper operation of the desalination device without the use of an enclosing pressure vessel.

[0031] 2 shows a system similar to that in FIG. 1 but in which the seabed 120 slopes upward to a shelf 220 having a depth D' shallower than depth D. As a result, the platform 110 can be rigidly mounted on a submersible platform support 234 at a reduced and therefore less costly depth D' while still allowing the submersible desalination apparatus 100 to operate at a depth D that is deeper and therefore has a higher hydrostatic pressure.

[0032] The disclosed desalination apparatus may, if desired, be operated at depths greater than those required to operate without a pressure vessel (e.g., at least about 400 m, at least about 450 m, at least about 500 m, at least about 550 m, at least about 600 m, at least about 650 m, at least about 700 m, at least about 750 m, at least about 800 m, at least about 900 m, or at least about 1,000 m), and operation at such greater depths may increase the pump suction head and inlet pressures, or allow for the elimination of one or more pumps from the disclosed system, or allow for the use of the same model pump as may be utilized at shallower depths. Such shallower depths may be, for example, at least about 300 m, at least about 200 m, or at least about 100 m, and operation at such shallower depths typically requires at least one pump (or suitable vacuum assist at the outlet) to help push seawater through the desalination apparatus to achieve efficient desalination, and in some cases a pressure vessel to surround and protect the RO membrane or other desalination device. Exemplary total depths for operation of the disclosed submerged desalination apparatus are, for example, from just below the sea surface (e.g., from about 10 m), from about 100 m, from about 300 m, or from about 500 m, up to about 2,000 m, up to about 1,500 m, or up to about 1,000 m. Preferred depths are from just below the sea surface to as deep as 1,500 m, depending on the pumps and desalination devices selected, if any. Typically, the hydrostatic pressure of the ocean must be augmented by mechanical pumping to provide the pressure differential necessary for water separation near the surface.

[0033] In the disclosed apparatus, the raw seawater, the product water, and the concentrate or brine may each flow in a variety of directions, for example, upward, downward, horizontally, diagonally, or any combination thereof. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the reverse osmosis membranes or other desalination devices in the oceanwell 100 are oriented such that the concentrate or brine 110 generally drains upward and the permeate 108 drains downward.Further details regarding such desalination systems and replaceable RO modules, pumps and other components for use therein are set forth in U.S. Patent No. 11,174,877 B2, entitled SUBMERGED REVERSE OSMOSIS DESALINATION SYSTEM, in co-pending application Ser. No. 16 / 484,363, filed on August 7, 2019, entitled BRINE DISPERSAL SYSTEM, and in International Application No. WO2021 / 087468 A1, entitled THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION SUBMERGED REVERSE OSMOSIS DESALINATION SYSTEM, International Application No. WO2021 / 087469 A1, entitled SUBMERGED WATER DESALINATION SYSTEM WITH REPLACEABLE DOCKABLE MEMBRANE MODULES, International Application No. WO2021 / 087469 A1, entitled SUBMERGED WATER DESALINATION SYSTEM WITH PRODUCT WATER PUMP CAVITATION SYSTEM, and in U.S. Patent No. 6,313,636, filed on August 7, 2019, entitled BRINE DISPERSAL SYSTEM. These features and advantages can be found in International Application No. WO2021 / 087470 A1, entitled "SUBMERGED WATER DESALINATION SYSTEM PUMP LUBRICATED WITH PRODUCT WATER PROTECTION," International Application No. WO2021 / 087471 A1, entitled "SUBMERGED WATER DESALINATION SYSTEM WITH REMOTE PUMP," International Application No. WO2021 / 087472 A1, entitled "SUBMERGED WATER DESALINATION SYSTEM WITH REMOTE PUMP," and International Application No. WO2021 / 087473 A1, entitled "ADHESIVELY-BONDED WATER SEPARATION CARTRIDGE MODULE," each of which was filed on November 2, 2020, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0034] Additionally, the depth D may be a fixed depth selected at the time of installation, or may be an adjustable depth that may be changed, for example, after start-up of the submerged desalination apparatus, or in response to changing conditions (e.g., changing waves, tides, thermocline or halocline conditions, changing seawater salinity, sea level rise, or changing RO membrane operating efficiency). In further embodiments, the disclosed submerged desalination apparatus may include a pressure seeking feature that allows the system to increase or decrease its depth to obtain a desired hydrostatic pressure, to optimize or adjust RO operating conditions, or to optimize or adjust product water and concentrate or brine delivery.

[0035] By way of example, when the disclosed apparatus is operated at a depth of about 700 m, this results in a hydrostatic pressure of approximately 68 bar (6.8 MPa) on the high pressure side of the semipermeable RO membrane. When used with the currently preferred back pressure of 13 bar (1.3 MPa) or less on the product discharge side of the membrane, this results in a pressure differential across the membrane of 55 bar (approximately 800 psi) (5.5 MPa) or more. In higher or lower salinity water conditions, these depth and pressure values ​​may vary. In any event, the inlet pressure will typically be the marine hydrostatic pressure at the operating depth of the selected desalination apparatus.

[0036] The preferred depth and pressure values ​​set forth above may change in systems that utilize future developments that allow or require lower or higher differential pressures, or higher or lower backpressures, across the RO membrane or other desalination device. Adjustments to accommodate such developments may increase or decrease the preferred operating depth of the disclosed desalination apparatus. For example, in many RO membranes, the low-side pressure typically does not vary significantly with depth, so that changing the operating depth as a result may be sufficient to adjust the differential pressure across the membrane and achieve optimal operating conditions.

[0037] The height H (the vertical spacing between the lowest inlet to the pre-filter screen 104 and the ocean floor 120) may be, for example, at least about 3 m, at least about 5 m, at least about 10 m, at least about 20 m, at least about 40 m, or at least about 50 m. Lower heights H may be utilized. For example, the height H may be reduced to near zero or zero such that the inlet to the pre-filter screen 104 is near or at the same depth as the ocean floor 120. Typically, however, doing so increases the turbidity of the seawater 102 entering the pre-filter 104 and the likelihood that foreign matter may be drawn through the pre-filter 104 into the ocean well 100.

[0038] The various pumps referred to herein may be selected from a wide variety of submersible single or multi-stage pumps, including piston (e.g., axial piston), plunger, rotor (e.g., centrifugal impeller pumps and rim-driven shaftless thrusters) and screw pumps, which may use a variety of flow regimes, including positive displacement, centrifugal and axial principles. Suitable pumps are available from a variety of sources well known to those skilled in the art of desalination technology, and may be adapted, in appropriate cases, from other fields, such as subsea oil and gas production, and marine (including subsea) positioning and propulsion. Exemplary pump suppliers include Brunvoll, Cat Pumps, Copenhagen Subsea, Danfoss, Enitech, FMC Kongsberg Subsea AS, Fuglesang Subsea AS, Halliburton, Hayward Tyler, Ocean Yacht Systems, Parker, Rolls Royce, Schlumberger, Schottel, Silent Dynamics, Technical Supply & Logistics, Vetus, and Voith. In some embodiments, the disclosed pumps include hot swap connectors that allow the disclosed pumps to be removed from the disclosed apparatus while it is submerged for replacement, repair, or rebuild.

[0039] When operated at sufficient depths, the oceanwell 100 need not include a pressure vessel, but instead may have its components mounted in or on a lightweight support frame or other housing made from a relatively inexpensive, suitable corrosion-resistant material, such as a corrosion-resistant metal framework, or a suitable plastic, fiber-reinforced (e.g., fiberglass-reinforced or carbon-reinforced) plastic or other composite material, or a variety of other unreinforced or engineered plastics, the selection of which would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Avoiding the need for a pressure vessel significantly reduces the capital expenditure (CAPEX) required to build the oceanwell 100 compared to the cost to build a land-based desalination apparatus. When using multiple individual desalination devices (e.g., RO cartridges containing spiral wound membranes), avoiding the pressure vessel also allows the devices to be economically deployed using parallel arrays that include a significantly larger number of devices than would normally be utilized in a land-based desalination apparatus, and operate the individual devices at a lower than normal individual throughput. For example, the number of cartridges or other desalination devices may be at least 10% more, at least 15% more, at least 20% more, or at least 25% more than would normally be utilized in a land-based desalination system. Doing so may help extend the life of an individual desalination device while still providing the desired daily volume of produced water. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, preferably, a large array of parallel desalination devices (e.g., cylindrical RO cartridges) operates not only with a low individual throughput, but also with a reduced recovery rate. Doing so may also reduce the salinity of the concentrate and the potential for contamination, resulting in a large volume of concentrate that, in a preferred embodiment, is not considered a brine in the jurisdiction of interest. Exemplary recovery rates may be, for example, 40% or less, 30% or less, 20% or less, 15% or less, 10% or less, 8% or less, or 6% or less, and may be, for example, less than 3%, at least 3%, at least 4%, or at least 5%. The recovery rate selected will depend on factors including the desalination device chosen, and the depth at which the desalination system will operate and the jurisdiction of interest.The recovery rate selected also impacts pump size and energy costs. As an example, for one embodiment utilizing Dow FILMTEC RO membrane cartridges to treat seawater with an average salinity of 34,000 ppm at a recovery rate of 8%, approximately 8% of the seawater inlet stream is converted to product water with a salinity of less than 500 ppm, and approximately 92% of the seawater inlet stream is converted to a low-pressure or non-pressurized brine stream with a salinity of approximately 37,000 ppm. As a further example, a submerged desalination unit utilizing Nitto Hydranautics RO membrane cartridges operating at a depth of approximately 500 m and a recovery rate of 5% may be used to produce a concentrate that is not considered a brine under the current version of the California Water Quality Management Plan.

[0040] In some embodiments, the disclosed desalination apparatus operates at depths of at least about 350 m and does not utilize a seawater pump at the inlet side of the RO membrane, but a product (freshwater) pump at the outlet side of the RO membrane to maintain a pressure differential across the membrane of at least 27 bar (2.7 megapascals), more preferably at least 30 bar (3.0 megapascals) or 35 bar (3.5 megapascals), allowing the hydrostatic pressure of the ocean to greatly assist in driving or driving the product water through such membrane. Advantages of such a configuration include much less energy required when the pump is located at the membrane outlet rather than the inlet, and the elimination or much lower requirement for any pressure vessel to house the membrane. Using a membrane that requires a smaller pressure differential allows operation at shallower depths or with smaller pumps. Presently preferred such membranes include Nitto Hydranautics' SWC6-LD membrane cartridge (40 bar (4.0 MPa) differential pressure) and LG Chem's LG-SW-400-ES membrane cartridge (38 bar (3.8 MPa) differential pressure). For example, by using about 1700 of the above-referenced Nitto Hydranautics cartridges, the disclosed desalination system can produce about 5,000,000 gallons (about 18,927 cubic meters) per day when operated at 5% recovery. Other RO membrane suppliers whose cartridges may be used will be apparent to those skilled in the art and include Aquatech International, Axeon Water Technologies, DuPont Water Solutions (manufacturer of the above-referenced DOW FILMTEC cartridges), Evoqua Water Technologies, GE Water and Process Technologies, and Koch Membrane Systems, Inc. If desired, customized cartridges having altered features (e.g., wider gaps between layers, altered spacers, looser membrane rolls, modified housings, or modified ends) may be utilized.

[0041] A wide variety of renewable energy sources may be utilized in the disclosed system. Suitable wind turbine generators include those available from Alstom, Areva Turbine Company, Clipper Windpower, Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction, Gamesa Technology, GE Power, Senvion, Siemens, Sinovel, and Vestas. Suitable underwater turbines include those available from Nova Innovation. Suitable wave energy generators include devices under development by CalWave Power Technologies, Inc. Suitable solar panels include both platform mounted and floating designs, such as those available from Kyocera Corporation.

[0042] As discussed above, the ocean well 100 may be further supplied with power, if desired, from a conventional platform mounted power source, a vessel mounted power source, or an onshore power source, such as an onshore power plant. Doing so may result in higher carbon emissions than would result from using the disclosed renewable energy sources, but may be desirable in instances where the disclosed renewable sources are unable to provide sufficient power or are unable to do so at all times or seasons when such power may be needed.

[0043] The disclosed desalination device can operate in various locations. In some embodiments, the device is deployed above an ocean cliff or above or within a trench (e.g., the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, Monterey Submarine Canyon, Puerto Rico Trench, Ryukyu Trench, and other accessible deep - sea locations well - known to those skilled in the art). In some embodiments, the device is deployed near a manned or unmanned area that requires hydrogen and, optionally, near a manned or unmanned area that requires surplus desalinated water. The surface of the desalination device inlet need not be placed at the depth of the ocean floor or trench floor. Instead, it can be positioned at a depth sufficient to enable the use of hydrostatic pressure to drive seawater through the osmotic membrane, for example, by suspending the device from or on a floating or seabed - mounted platform, or by placing it along a trench wall or cliff wall. However, it is desirable that the device not be placed within or near areas that can be subject to high turbidity or underwater avalanches.

[0044] Operation at an appropriate depth can significantly reduce or eliminate the potential for blue - green algae fouling, which can cause the shutdown of conventional land - based plants with shallow seawater intakes to avoid toxins and clogging. Most marine life is found within the photic zone (corresponding to depths up to about 200 m, depending on water transparency), and thus, at greater depths, such operation at an appropriate depth can also minimize or eliminate losses of marine life, as it is not drawn into the desalination device intake or against the pre - filter screen.

[0045] Cold feedwater (e.g., water at 5-10°C) typically encountered at the recommended operating depths mentioned above can provide several useful advantages. For example, the feedwater is relatively free of significant organic and inorganic contaminants. It has little organic matter or chlorophyll and therefore contains very little bacteria, while still retaining valuable nutrients from the ionic minerals and trace elements present at the pressures and depths disclosed. Further advantages arise in relation to boron removal, which is important for irrigation water and health purposes. Boron is present in seawater, and at conventional RO operating temperatures such as those used in land-based RO units, enough boron can pass through the RO membrane to inhibit plant growth. In conventional RO facilities, removing boron to the agricultural standard of 0.5 mg / liter can require dual treatment of the water using a second RO pass, thus increasing capital and operating costs. However, boron removal by reverse osmosis is highly temperature dependent, with lower temperatures allowing less boron and its salts to pass through the membrane. For example, borate passage may drop by several percentage points for every 10° C. decrease in feedwater temperature. As a result, deploying the disclosed system in cold, deep ocean waters may help generate high-quality surplus desalinated water (e.g., for drinking water or for use in agriculture) beyond that required for green hydrogen production by improving the removal of boron and its salts while saving the energy, capital, and maintenance costs required for dual treatment systems. Cold feedwater may also result in less total salt passage through the RO membrane or other desalination device, allowing remineralization of the produced water for taste reasons while maintaining low TDS levels to meet regulatory requirements. In addition, using cold feedwater may nearly eliminate membrane scaling due to mineral deposition, as measured by the Langelier Index. Membrane scaling may be an issue in RO units with shallow land-based intakes, reducing the efficiency and lifespan of the system. In the disclosed desalination apparatus, CO2 is reduced at temperatures of 5-10° C. at which the apparatus may operate. 2Scaling is minimized since the water content tends to be in equilibrium. This may eliminate the need for antiscaling agents that are often utilized in land-based RO units. Biofilm growth, another form of membrane fouling, is also temperature dependent, with more biofilms formed at higher temperatures and less in the lower temperature favorable operating environment of the disclosed desalination apparatus. Thus, biological activity and therefore biofouling is reduced due to the use of water from regions with no light, low oxygen, and cold water temperatures.

[0046] The disclosed desalter can produce significantly lower salt concentrations in the brine stream than would be the case for a conventional land-based desalter, by eliminating the need for a pressure vessel and allowing the RO membranes or other desalination devices to be arrayed in parallel, unlike the typical seawater desalination industry practice of arranging 5-7 RO membrane cartridges in series. The parallel array eliminates a common failure point in conventional RO systems, i.e., O-ring interconnections between the membranes. The parallel arrangement also allows for higher product water production per membrane. In addition, the parallel arrangement creates a much lower salinity concentrate or brine than a train of single RO membranes operating in series, and the salinity of such concentrate or brine can be easily adjusted by changing the recovery rate. The ability of the disclosed desalter to achieve low brine salinity is beneficial to marine life and allows for easier dilution of the concentrate or brine. For example, when supplied with Southern California seawater containing approximately 34,250 ppm ambient TDS and operated at a 5% recovery rate, the disclosed apparatus can provide a concentrate containing only approximately 36,049 TDS, compared to nearly double the salinity of the effluent stream that can be produced using a conventional land-based RO configured in series. The 36,049 ppm TDS effluent stream is less than the ambient 1,800 ppm, and is therefore well within the current brine discharge limit of more than 2,000 ppm ambient TDS in California waters.

[0047] A variety of water electrolysis devices (i.e., electrolyzers) may be utilized in the disclosed system. Suitable electrolyzers include those available from Accagen SA, Beijing CEI Technology Co., Ltd., ELB Elektrolyse Technik GmbH, Gaztransport & Technigaz, Giner Inc., Green Hydrogen Systems, Hydrogenics Corp., Igas Energy plc, McPhy Energy SA, Nel Hydrogen, Next Hydrogen Solutions, and Tianjin Mainland Hydrogen Equipment Co., Ltd. As noted above, hydrogen produced by the electrolyzer may be supplied to an offshore receiver, stored on deck or underwater in suitable storage tanks or other facilities, or sent to shore. Oxygen produced by the electrolyzer may be supplied to an offshore receiver, stored on deck or underwater in suitable storage tanks or other facilities, or sent to shore, or injected or otherwise dispersed into the surrounding seawater at any desired depth.

[0048] A primary benefit of the disclosed system and method overall is its significantly reduced energy and capital requirements. The largest source of energy usage in conventional RO desalination, artificial pressurization of the process water, can be reduced or eliminated. Associated capital and operating expenditures can be significantly reduced as well, especially compared to those required for offshore platform mounted or land-based desalination. These and other advantages of the disclosed system and method may thus include one or more of the following: Significantly reducing electricity consumption (thus providing more energy to run the electrolysis or allowing the construction of smaller wind farms or other renewable energy sources). · Reduce greenhouse gas emissions to produce a given amount of hydrogen. Eliminates the artificial high pressure environment and associated pressure vessels, high pressure piping and accessories used in conventional desalination. Reduced operating and maintenance requirements through elimination of parts and especially reduced high pressure connections. Fewer precision components requiring expensive alloys and other exotic materials to resist seawater corrosion. ·Reducing or eliminating pre-processing equipment and its associated working capital and labor. · Reduce localized brine discharge. Reduced bacterial content and contamination due to the use of deep-ocean water that is relatively free of undesirable organic or inorganic contaminants. · Avoiding excessive sludge production which is a consequence of using land- or platform-mounted desalination units. Reduce vulnerability to disruptions to desalination caused by blue pollutants. -Reducing visibility or invisibility from land. Reduce vulnerability to collapses due to severe weather events, fire, terrorism, or volcanic eruptions. · Reduces onshore real estate requirements by as much as 100%. Suitable for deployment as an "ocean well" that could provide a sustained supply of fresh water without depleting the aquifer.

[0049] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the teachings found herein may be applied to still other embodiments within the scope of the claims appended hereto. The complete disclosures of all patents, patent documents, and publications are incorporated herein by reference as if individually incorporated. (Other possible items) (Item 1) a. Offshore platforms, whether on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged or floating in seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source powering said platform; c. a saltwater desalination device submerged in seawater and supplying desalted water to a first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to said seabed, platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from said renewable energy source and desalinated water from said first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from said supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for storing or delivering the produced hydrogen. A green hydrogen generation system comprising: (Item 2) 1. A method for green hydrogen production, the method comprising: a. Producing electricity from marine renewable energy sources; b. supplying such power to an offshore platform that is on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged or floating in the seawater; c. producing desalinated water from a saltwater desalination device submerged in seawater and supplying said desalinated water to a first conduit; d. producing hydrogen and oxygen from a water electrolysis device on or fixed to said seabed, platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, and receiving power from said renewable energy source and desalinated water from said first conduit; and e. storing or delivering the produced hydrogen in a tank or a second conduit. A method comprising: (Item 3) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the offshore platform is on the seabed. (Item 4) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the offshore platform is fixed to the seabed. (Item 5) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the offshore platform is moored in seawater. (Item 6) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the offshore platform is submerged in seawater. (Item 7) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the offshore platform is floating in seawater. (Item 8) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more wind turbine generators. (Item 9) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more underwater turbines. (Item 10) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more wave energy generators. (Item 11) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more solar panels. (Item 12) The system or method of any one of the preceding items, wherein the submerged salt water desalter has an inlet for seawater and an outlet for desalted water and concentrate or brine, and operates at a depth sufficient to drive seawater into the desalter and form desalted water without the need for a pressure vessel enclosing the desalter. (Item 13) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the submerged salt water desalination apparatus has an inlet for seawater and an outlet for desalted water and concentrate or brine, and operates at a depth sufficient to drive seawater into the desalter to form desalted water without requiring a pump to pressurize the seawater at the inlet. (Item 14) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the submerged salt water desalination apparatus operates at a depth of at least about 350 m. (Item 15) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the submerged salt water desalination apparatus comprises a reverse osmosis membrane. (Item 16) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the submerged salt water desalination apparatus comprises a plurality of desalination devices arranged in a parallel array. (Item 17) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the submerged saltwater desalination apparatus operates at a recovery rate of 40% or less. (Item 18) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the submerged saltwater desalination apparatus operates at a recovery rate of 30% or less. (Item 19) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the water electrolysis device is on or fixed to the seabed. (Item 20) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the water electrolysis device is on or fixed to the platform. (Item 21) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the water electrolysis device is on or fixed to the saline water desalination device. (Item 22) 3. The system of claim 1 or the method of claim 2, wherein the water electrolysis device is tethered, submerged, or floating in seawater. (Item 23) 7. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein hydrogen produced by the water electrolysis device is delivered at sea to a ship or other suitable vessel. (Item 24) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding items, wherein hydrogen produced by the water electrolysis device is stored on the offshore platform. (Item 25) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein hydrogen produced by the water electrolysis device is delivered to land. (Item 26) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein oxygen produced by the water electrolysis device is injected into seawater to reduce hypoxia. (Item 27) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding items, wherein potable water is pumped from the platform, desalinizer, or water electrolyzer to a vessel or other nearby container. (Item 28) 2. The system or method of any one of the preceding items, wherein potable water is pumped from the platform, water desalination unit or water electrolysis unit to land. (Item 29) The system or method of any one of the preceding items, wherein excess power is sent from the platform or renewable energy source to a ship or other nearby vessel. (Item 30) The system or method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein excess power is sent from the platform or renewable energy source to shore. (Item 31) 31. The system or method of any one of items 1-12 or 14-30, wherein the submerged salt water desalter has an inlet for seawater and outlets for desalted water and concentrate or brine, and has at least one seawater inlet pump to help push seawater through the desalter.

Claims

1. a. an offshore platform that is on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged, or floating in the seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source that powers the offshore platform; c. a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater to a depth of at least 200 m and supplying desalted water to a first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from the supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for delivering the produced hydrogen from the offshore platform to a ship, or other suitable vessel, or to land. A green hydrogen generation system comprising:

2. The green hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the marine platform is on the seabed or is fixed to the seabed.

3. a. An offshore platform, whether on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source that powers the offshore platform; c. a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying desalted water to the first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from the supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for storage or delivery of the produced hydrogen. Equipped with A green hydrogen production system, wherein the offshore platform is submerged in seawater or the offshore platform is floating in seawater.

4. The green hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more wind turbine generators.

5. 2. The green hydrogen production system of claim 1, wherein the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more underwater turbines or the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more wave energy generators.

6. a. An offshore platform, whether on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source that powers the offshore platform; c. a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying desalted water to the first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from the supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for storage or delivery of the produced hydrogen. Equipped with A green hydrogen production system, wherein the submerged desalination unit has an inlet for seawater and an outlet for desalinated water and concentrate or brine, and operates at a depth sufficient to drive seawater into the desalination unit and form desalinated water without the need for a pressure vessel surrounding the desalination unit.

7. a. An offshore platform, whether on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source that powers the offshore platform; c. a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying desalted water to the first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from the supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for storage or delivery of the produced hydrogen. Equipped with 2. The green hydrogen production system of claim 1, wherein the submerged desalination unit has an inlet for seawater and an outlet for desalted water and concentrate or brine, and operates at a depth sufficient to drive seawater into the desalination unit to form desalted water without requiring a pump to pressurize seawater at the inlet.

8. a. An offshore platform, whether on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source that powers the offshore platform; c. a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying desalted water to the first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from the supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for storage or delivery of the produced hydrogen. Equipped with A green hydrogen production system, wherein the submerged desalination unit operates at a depth of at least about 350 m.

9. 2. The green hydrogen production system of claim 1, wherein the submerged desalination device comprises a reverse osmosis membrane.

10. a. An offshore platform, whether on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source that powers the offshore platform; c. a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying desalted water to the first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from the supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for storage or delivery of the produced hydrogen. Equipped with 1. A green hydrogen production system, wherein the submerged desalination apparatus has a plurality of desalination devices arranged in a parallel array, and wherein the submerged desalination apparatus operates at a recovery rate of 40% or less.

11. The green hydrogen production system of claim 1 , wherein the water electrolysis device is tethered, submerged or floating in seawater.

12. 2. The green hydrogen generation system of claim 1, wherein hydrogen produced by the water electrolysis device is supplied at sea to a ship or other suitable vessel, or potable water is sent from the marine platform, desalinizer or water electrolysis device to a ship or other nearby vessel, or excess electricity is sent from the marine platform or the marine renewable energy source to a ship or other suitable vessel.

13. 2. The green hydrogen generation system of claim 1, wherein hydrogen produced by the water electrolysis device is sent to land, or drinking water is sent from the marine platform, the saline water desalination device or the water electrolysis device to land, or surplus electricity is sent from the marine platform or the marine renewable energy source to land.

14. a. An offshore platform, whether on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater; b. A marine renewable energy source that powers the offshore platform; c. a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying desalted water to the first conduit; d. a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit, and producing hydrogen and oxygen from the supply of desalinated water; and e. A tank or second conduit for storage or delivery of the produced hydrogen. Equipped with 1. A green hydrogen production system, comprising: a submerged desalination unit having an inlet for seawater and outlets for desalted water and concentrate or brine, and at least one seawater inlet pump to help push seawater through the desalination unit.

15. 1. A method for green hydrogen production, the method comprising: a. Producing electricity from a marine renewable energy source; b. supplying such power to an offshore platform that is on or fixed to the seabed, or moored, submerged, or floating in the seawater; c. producing desalinated water from a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater to a depth of at least 200 m and supplying said desalinated water to a first conduit; d. Producing hydrogen and oxygen from a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, and receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit; and e. delivering the produced hydrogen from the offshore platform to a ship, or other suitable vessel, or to land. A method comprising:

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more wind turbine generators.

17. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more underwater turbines, or the marine renewable energy source comprises one or more wave energy generators.

18. 1. A method for green hydrogen production, the method comprising: a. Producing electricity from a marine renewable energy source; b. supplying such power to an offshore platform that is on or fixed to the ocean floor, or moored, submerged, or floating in ocean waters; c. producing desalinated water from a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying said desalinated water to a first conduit; d. Producing hydrogen and oxygen from a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, and receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit; and e. storing or delivering the produced hydrogen in a tank or a second conduit. Equipped with The submerged saltwater desalination apparatus has an inlet for seawater and an outlet for desalted water and concentrate or brine, and operates at a depth sufficient to drive seawater into the saltwater desalination apparatus and form desalted water without the need for a pressure vessel surrounding the saltwater desalination apparatus.

19. 1. A method for green hydrogen production, the method comprising: a. Producing electricity from a marine renewable energy source; b. supplying such power to an offshore platform that is on or fixed to the ocean floor, or moored, submerged, or floating in ocean waters; c. producing desalinated water from a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying said desalinated water to a first conduit; d. Producing hydrogen and oxygen from a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, and receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit; and e. storing or delivering the produced hydrogen in a tank or a second conduit. Equipped with wherein the submerged saltwater desalter has an inlet for seawater and an outlet for desalted water and concentrate or brine, and operates at a depth sufficient to drive seawater into the saltwater desalter to form desalted water without requiring a pump to pressurize the seawater at the inlet.

20. 1. A method for green hydrogen production, the method comprising: a. Producing electricity from a marine renewable energy source; b. supplying such power to an offshore platform that is on or fixed to the ocean floor, or moored, submerged, or floating in ocean waters; c. producing desalinated water from a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying said desalinated water to a first conduit; d. Producing hydrogen and oxygen from a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, and receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit; and e. storing or delivering the produced hydrogen in a tank or a second conduit. Equipped with The method, wherein the submerged desalination apparatus operates at a depth of at least about 350 m.

21. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the submerged desalination device comprises a reverse osmosis membrane.

22. 1. A method for green hydrogen production, the method comprising: a. Producing electricity from a marine renewable energy source; b. supplying such power to an offshore platform that is on or fixed to the ocean floor, or moored, submerged, or floating in ocean waters; c. producing desalinated water from a saltwater desalination unit submerged in seawater and supplying said desalinated water to a first conduit; d. Producing hydrogen and oxygen from a water electrolysis device on or fixed to the seabed, marine platform, or saltwater desalination device, or moored, submerged, or floating in seawater, and receiving power from the marine renewable energy source and desalinated water from the first conduit; and e. storing or delivering the produced hydrogen in a tank or a second conduit. Equipped with 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein the submerged desalting apparatus comprises a plurality of desalting devices arranged in a parallel array, and the submerged desalting apparatus operates at a recovery rate of 40% or less.

23. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein hydrogen produced by the water electrolysis device is supplied offshore to a vessel or other suitable vessel, or potable water is sent from the offshore platform, desalination device or water electrolysis device to a vessel or other nearby vessel, or excess electricity is sent from the offshore platform or the marine renewable energy source to a vessel or other suitable vessel.

24. 24. The method of any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein hydrogen produced by the water electrolysis device is delivered to shore, or potable water is delivered to shore from the offshore platform, desalinizer or water electrolysis device, or surplus electricity is delivered to shore from the offshore platform or the marine renewable energy source.

Images