Floating power generation platform with water plane platform

Abstract

A floating power generation platform includes a water plane platform having a plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns respectively connected with a plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls. At least one tower extends above the water plane platform and is configured to support at least one power generation system. The at least one tower has a center core capable of hosting a stowed member. A deployable spar is movable between a stowed position, in which the deployable spar is stowed within the center core of the tower, and a deployed position, in which the deployable spar is extended below the water plane platform and each of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns.

Description

FLOATING POWER GENERATION PLATFORM WITH WATER PLANE PLATFORMTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to offshore power generation systems, and more particularly to a floating power generation platform.Background

[0002] Floating power generation is becoming increasingly critical to the future of power generation, as efforts are being made to isolate renewable energy technologies further away from sensitive environmental ecosystems near shore, such as fisheries, birds, marshes, and human development. For example, platforms supporting wind turbines and other generation technology will be used to implement such offshore power generation. Floating power generation platforms are required in water depths greater than 60 meters. Estimates are that 80% of the offshore wind market needs to be floating, and there is a significant need for a cost-effective and high-performance design of these platforms.

[0003] Current floating platform designs include semi-submersible systems that utilize ballast columns to adjust buoyancy and provide stability, spar buoys with substantial depth for stability, or tension leg platforms that rely on mooring lines to anchor the platform to the sea floor. These systems have distinct disadvantages in different phases of their deployment, operation, and retirement. Additionally, such floating designs have not achieved optimal power performance at an affordable price. Moreover, extreme offshore conditions are not typically accounted for or mitigated in these floating designs, as conventional floating power production designs retain the constraints of land-based systems and involve unnecessary complexity and cost.Summary

[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a floating power generation platform design that minimizes structural constraints, increases the survivability of the platform in extreme conditions, and optimizes the utility of the platform. A floating power generationplatform is therefore described herein that is configured to achieve each of these outcomes. For example, the floating power generation platform described herein is designed to optimize the use of available space within and on the floating power generation platform to optimize the utility and stability of the floating power generation platform during all phases of operation. As a result, performance of the floating power generation platform is increased and overall operating costs are reduced. Additionally, the floating power generation platform facilitates the rapid deployment of renewable energy technology in ocean areas where the depth ranges from a few meters to hundreds of meters.

[0005] According to an aspect of this disclosure, a floating power generation platform includes a water plane platform including a plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns respectively connected with a plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls, at least one tower extending above the water plane platform and configured to support at least one power generation system, the at least one tower having a center core capable of hosting a stowed member, and a deployable spar movable between a stowed position, in which the deployable spar is stowed within the center core of the tower, and a deployed position, in which the deployable spar is extended below the water plane platform and each of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns.

[0006] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the water plane platform includes two buoyant subsurface hulls to form a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) configuration.

[0007] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the water plane platform is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

[0008] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the deployable spar is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

[0009] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, at least one of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns is configured to host at leastone of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

[0010] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, at least one of the plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

[0011] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the floating power generation platform further includes a cabin supported on top of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns.

[0012] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the cabin is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

[0013] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the floating power generation platform further includes a pump configured to pump cool water throughout the floating power generation platform.

[0014] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the floating power generation platform further includes at least one propulsion system to provide mobility to the floating power generation platform.

[0015] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the at least one propulsion system includes a propeller provided on at least one of the plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls.

[0016] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the floating power generation platform further includes at least one auxiliary anchor system configured to reposition and secure the floating power generation platform in place when deployed.

[0017] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the at least one power generation system is a vertical axis wind turbine.

[0018] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the floating power generation platform further includes at least one environmental sensor.

[0019] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the floating power generation platform further includes one or more struts configured to connect two or more of the plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls to each other.

[0020] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the floating power generation platform further includes one or more mooring line to secure the water plane platform in place when deployed.

[0021] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a method of deploying a floating power generation platform includes the steps of: assembling the floating power generation platform near a shore, wherein the assembling includes supporting and securing a shipping container, on top of a plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns of a water plane platform of the floating power generation platform; transporting the floating power generation platform to an offshore operating location; and moving a deployable spar from a stowed position, in which the deployable spar is stowed within the center core of a tower of the floating power generation platform, to a deployed position, in which the deployable spar is extended below a water plane platform and each column of the floating power generation platform to a predefined operational depth.

[0022] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the method further includes the step of locking the deployable spar in the deployed position.

[0023] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the method further includes the step of operating at least one power generation system supported on the floating power generation platform.

[0024] According to an embodiment of one or more paragraphs of this disclosure, the method further includes the step of disabling the at least one power generation system for a predetermined amount of time.

[0025] The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments described in this disclosure. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of this disclosure may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.Brief Description of Drawings

[0026] The annexed drawings show various aspects of the disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a floating power generation platform.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a top view of a floating power generation platform.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a side view of a floating power generation platform.

[0030] FIG. 4 is another side view of a floating power generation platform.

[0031] FIG. 5 is another side view of a floating power generation platform.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of deploying a floating power generation platform.Detailed Description

[0033] With reference to FIG. 1 , an exemplary floating power generation platform 10 is depicted in a deployed configuration, in which the floating power generation platform 10 is deployed to an operational location in a body of water. The floating power generation platform 10 is configured to be semi-submersible in the body of water and support one or more power generation systems 12 (e.g., at least one wind turbine, at least one wave energy collector, and at least one solar energy collector) thereon. The floating power generation platform 10 includes a water plane platform 14 including a plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 respectively connected with a plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls 18, for example in a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) configuration, having two buoyant subsurface hulls 18, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. The hulls 18 may be, for example, pontoons.

[0034] As depicted in the exemplary embodiment, the water plane platform 14 may have a rectangular footprint made of four hydrodynamically fared columns 16 connected with two buoyant subsurface hulls 18, with each respective hull 18 connecting two of thefour hydrodynamically fared columns 16 on either side. It is understood, however, that the depicted embodiment is provided as a non-limiting example and that the water plane platform 14 may have a different number and / or arrangement of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 and buoyant subsurface hulls 18, such as for example, a water plane platform 14 having two, three, five, six or more than six hydrodynamically fared columns 16, and one, three, four, or more than four buoyant subsurface hulls 18. As best shown in FIG. 2, one or more struts 20 may connect two or more of the buoyant subsurface hulls 18 to each other to provide rigidity and stability for the water plane platform 14. The one or more struts 20 may also provide a structural turret-like point to attach mooring lines to secure the water plane platform 14 in place and enable rotation due to wind and wave forces when deployed in the water. Each of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 may be cylindrical or rectangular in shape. Alternatively, each of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 may be a different shape, such as polygonal (e.g., rectangular). Also, each of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 may have different shapes than each other.

[0035] The floating power generation platform 10 additionally includes at least one tower 24 that extends above the water plane platform 14 and is configured to support at least one of the power generation systems 12, for example the wind turbine. The floating power generation platform 10 and at least one tower 24 may be specifically designed to support a variety of power generation systems and wind turbine technologies, depending on which is most desirable for the location and application. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1 -4, the floating power generation platform 10 and at least one tower 24 may be configured with the strength and stability to support a vertical axis wind turbine 12. Alternatively, the floating power generation platform 10 and at least one tower 24 may be configured with the strength and stability to support a horizontal axis wind turbine (not shown). It is understood, however, that the floating power generation platform 10 and at least one tower 24 may be configured to support any other type of power generation system or wind turbine technology.

[0036] The at least one tower 24 may include a hollow center core 26 in which a deployable spar 28 may be stowed. Specifically, when the floating power generationplatform 10 is being built and transported to an operational location in the body of water, the deployable spar 28 may be stowed in the at least one tower 24 in a stowed position (depicted in FIG. 4). Once the floating power generation platform 10 is brought to the operational location offshore, the deployable spar 28 may be extended below the water plane platform 14 to a deployed position (depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5). The deployable spar 28 may have several nested structural members that deploy to increase the depth below the platform. In the deployed position, the deployable spar 28 may extend below the water plane platform 14 and each hydrodynamically fared column 18 to a predefined operational depth to create stability, especially in peak operational and storm conditions. The predefined operational depth of the deployable spar 28 may be determined based on a desired operating stability of the particular power generation systems supported on the floating power generation platform 10. For example, the predefined operational depth of the deployable spar 28 may depend on a height of the wind turbine 12 supported on the tower 24. A mass 30 may be attached at the base of the deployable spar 28 that can also act as a heave plate and be shaped to reduce motion and counteract force originating from the energy generators at or above the surface. The tower 24 and the deployable spar 28 may be configured on a single hydrodynamically fared column 18 of the water plane platform 14, or may be configured on two or more of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 18. For example, the floating power generation platform 10 may include a plurality of towers 24 and associated deployable spars 28, each placed respectively on one of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 18.

[0037] A plurality of flexible lines, such as chains or anchor lines, may secure the deployable spar 28 to each of the plurality of columns 16. A length of each of the flexible lines may be such that each of the flexible lines are under tension when the deployable spar 28 is fully extended. Therefore, as the floating power generation platform 10 undergoes motion, the flexible lines will be in tension on the compensating side of the sparse water plane platform 14 and minimize the relative motion between the deployable spar 28 and the plurality of columns 16. A lock may be provided for rigidly locking the deployable spar 28 in a fully extended position.

[0038] The water plane platform 14 may be configured to host at least one of payloads (sensors, operational systems, power generators (i.e., turbine, solar cells, etc.)), power management systems, and power storage systems (batteries, capacitors) on at least one of the at least one tower 24, above a deck of the platform 14, below the deck of the platform 14 in compartment spaces, in at least one of the columns 16, and / or in at least one of the subsurface hulls 18. For example, the floating power generation platform 10 may further include a cabin 22 supported on top of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 and configured to host the at least one of payloads (sensors, operational systems, power generators (i.e., turbine, solar cells, etc.)), power management systems, and power storage systems (batteries, capacitors). The cabin 22 may be configured to support the at least one of payloads, power management systems, and power storage systems in at least one standard shipping container that can be conveniently lowered in via a crane on land, for example, and concealed within the cabin 22 when the platform is deployed in water. Each of the standard shipping containers can hold up to 22.000 lbs. of equipment. In this manner, each of the shipping containers may be loaded on land with whatever equipment is required for the floating power generation platform, and easily deployed in a “ready-to- o perate” state.

[0039] Additionally or alternatively, the deployable spar 28 may be configured to host at least one of the payloads, power management systems, power storage systems, and / or at least one additional power generation system, auxiliary power, sensors, storage or consumption features, and / or deployable unmanned underwater vehicles, the collective mass of which may be used for additional overall platform stabilization. For example, the deployable spar 28 may support or house power generators, such as small modular reactors, water desalination systems, and / or hydrogen generators, and may additionally or alternatively house energy storage, such as one or more batteries, and / or energy consuming systems such as computing servers. Various computing systems housed in the deployable spar 28 may, for example, facilitate the interconnection of the floating power generation platform 10 with other floating power generation platforms in an offshore floating wind farm. The mass of the additional systems provided in or on the deployable spar 28, for example at a bottom thereof oralong a length thereof, serves to counterbalance the weight and forces of the wind turbine 12. The shape of the deployable spar 28 may be optimized for housing utility functions and for counteracting the forces at the top of the wind turbine 12. Moreover, the floating power generation platform 10 may include on-board power storage for electricity that is generated, fully incorporated into all means of generation, allowing autonomy and consumption of power on-board without the need to connect to another grid-desired functions of the floating power generation platform 10.

[0040] The plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 may also be configured to support or house additional useful functions and systems that enhance the utility of the floating power generation platform 10. For example, at least one of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 may be configured to support at least one wave energy collector and / or at least one solar energy collector. It will be understood, however, that the at least one wave energy collector and / or the at least one solar energy collector may be supported on another part of the floating power generation platform 10, such as the deployable spar 28, the tower 24, the cabin 22 (as depicted in FIG. 2), the struts, and / or the wind turbine 12. The at least one wave energy collector and / or the at least one solar energy collector adds to the overall utility of the floating power generation platform 10 and improves the baseload performance thereof, while additionally providing additional stability to the structure during operations upon action of counter forces that tilt the floating power generation platform 10. The wave energy collector may drive a mechanism housed internal to at least one of the hydrodynamically fared columns 16 and is configured to collect energy in the rise and fall of the ocean waves, as well as in the vertical motion of the floating power generation platform 10, as a whole. The solar energy collector also adds to the baseload performance of the floating power generation platform 10 and may serve to keep the batteries charged to the maximum extent possible. Various other systems, such as energy storage and data processing systems, may be housed in or supported by the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16.

[0041] The water plane platform 14 may be configured to store payloads in at least one of the subsurface hulls 18 to leverage ambient water for cooling of electronics orother heat generating payloads. For example, the water plane platform 14 may be equipped with at least one pump in at least one of the deployable spar 28, at least one of the hulls 18, and other spaces on the platform 14 to pump cooling water throughout the components to provide a cooling effect. For example, the deployable spar 28 may be provided with a pump configured to pump cool water from a depth of the deployable spar 28 in the deployed position. This is advantageous as it makes the platform 14 capable of providing its own cooling effect, rather than having to provide and run an HVAC system thereon.

[0042] The floating power generation platform 10 may also include at least one propulsion system to provide mobility to the platform 10. For example, the at least one propulsion system, such as a propeller, may be provided on at least one of the hulls 18. In this manner, the floating power generation platform 10 may be self-propelled and movable after being deployed in the water. The floating power generation platform 10 may additionally or alternatively be provided with a fuel generator system, such as a diesel fuel generator, for propelling the platform and powering the components. Such a hybrid fuel supply can provide augmentation and an extended operational utility to the floating power generation platform 10, utilizing both electric and petroleum type power generation.

[0043] The floating power generation platform 10 may further include at least one auxiliary anchor system configured to reposition and secure the platform in place when deployed in the water. The floating power generation platform 10 may be configured for autonomous or piloted operations.

[0044] The floating power generation platform 10 may additionally include a variety of environmental sensors, and at least one power storage battery that enables sensor operations for a period of time in the event that power generation is limited. The at least one power storage battery will also power on board sensor data processing computers.

[0045] Turning to FIG. 6, a method of deploying the floating power generation platform 10 described above will be descripted. The method 100 includes a step 102 of assembling the floating power generation platform 10 near shore and close to a dock, wherein the assembling includes supporting and securing a shipping container, hostingat least one of payloads (sensors, operational systems, power generators (i.e., turbine, solar cells, etc.)), power management systems, and power storage systems (batteries, capacitors) therein, on top of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns 16 of the water plane platform 14 of the floating power generation platform 10. During assembly, the deployable spar 28 is stowed in the hollow center of the tower 24, as described above.

[0046] The method 100 then includes a step 104 of transporting the floating power generation platform 10 to an offshore operating location. The step 104 of transporting may include, for example, towing the floating power generation platform 10 with a boat. Once the floating power generation platform 10 is transported to the offshore operating location, the method 100 includes the step 106 of moving the deployable spar 28 from the stowed position, in the hollow center of the tower 24, to the deployed position, extended downward from the water plane platform 14 to a predetermined operational depth to achieve overall structural stability.

[0047] The method 100 may then include a step of locking the deployable spar 28 in the deployed position with the lock. The method 100 may then include operating the power generation systems on the floating power generation platform 10, and if necessary under extreme weather conditions, disabling the power generation systems and / or placing the power generation systems in a survival mode for a predetermined amount of time or until the extreme weather conditions subside.

[0048] For retrieval of the floating power generation platform 10, the power generation systems may be disabled and the deployable spar 28 may be unlocked and moved back to the stowed position. The floating power generation platform 10 may then be transported back to shore for repair or retirement.

[0049] The floating power generation platform 10 described herein achieves symmetry of operation as forces in any direction result in nearly the same response from the energy collectors and the platform motions. The structure is designed to eliminate the need for complex active damping mechanisms that limit operational life and are a single point of failure. That is, the ease of deployment and flexibility in operations reduces complexity and cost, eliminates the need for active stability control systems, and eliminates costly specialized deployment platforms. Particularly, thecombination of the SWATH configuration with the deployable spar 28 provides enhanced stability to counteract both wind and wave forces on the platform 10. That is, the deployable spar 28 provides enhanced stability of the platform 10 against forces of wind on the at least one tower 24, counterbalancing a height of the tower 24, while the SWATH configuration provides stability of the platform 10 against wave forces on the platform.

[0050] Although the above disclosure has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments. In addition, while a particular feature may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . A floating power generation platform comprising: a water plane platform including a plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns respectively connected with a plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls; at least one tower extending above the water plane platform and configured to support at least one power generation system, the at least one tower having a center core capable of hosting a stowed member; and a deployable spar movable between a stowed position, in which the deployable spar is stowed within the center core of the tower, and a deployed position, in which the deployable spar is extended below the water plane platform and each of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns.

2. The floating power generation platform according to claim 1 , wherein the water plane platform includes two buoyant subsurface hulls to form a Small Waterplane Area Twin Hull (SWATH) configuration.

3. The floating power generation platform according to any one of claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the water plane platform is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

4. The floating power generation platform according to claim 3, wherein the deployable spar is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

5. The floating power generation platform according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

6. The floating power generation platform according to according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

7. The floating power generation platform according to any one of claim 1 to claim 6, further comprising a cabin supported on top of the plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns.

8. The floating power generation platform according to claim 7, wherein the cabin is configured to host at least one of payloads, power generating systems, and power management systems, and power storage systems.

9. The floating power generation platform according to any one of claim 1 to claim 8, further comprising a pump configured to pump cool water throughout the floating power generation platform.

10. The floating power generation platform according to any one of claim 1 to claim 9, further comprising at least one propulsion system to provide mobility to the floating power generation platform.1 1 . The floating power generation platform according to claim 10, wherein the at least one propulsion system includes a propeller provided on at least one of the plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls.

12. The floating power generation platform according to at least one of claim 1 to claim 1 1 , further comprising at least one auxiliary anchor system configured to reposition and secure the floating power generation platform in place when deployed.

13. The floating power generation platform according to any one of claim 1 to claim 12, wherein the at least one power generation system is a vertical axis wind turbine.

14. The floating power generation platform according to any one of claim 1 to claim 13, further comprising at least one environmental sensor.

15. The floating power generation platform according to any one of claim 1 to claim 14, further comprising one or more struts configured to connect two or more of the plurality of buoyant subsurface hulls to each other.

16. The floating power generation platform according to claim 15, further comprising one or more mooring line to secure the water plane platform in place when deployed.

17. A method of deploying a floating power generation platform, the method comprising the steps of: assembling the floating power generation platform near a shore, wherein the assembling includes supporting and securing a shipping container, on top of a plurality of hydrodynamically fared columns of a water plane platform of the floating power generation platform; transporting the floating power generation platform to an offshore operating location; and moving a deployable spar from a stowed position, in which the deployable spar is stowed within the center core of a tower of the floating power generation platform, to a deployed position, in which the deployable spar is extended below a water plane platform and each column of the floating power generation platform to a predefined operational depth.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the step of locking the deployable spar in the deployed position.

19. The method according to any one of claim 17 and claim 18, further comprising the step of operating at least one power generation system supported on the floating power generation platform.

20. The method according to any one of claim 17 to claim 19, further comprising the step of disabling the at least one power generation system for a predetermined amount of time.

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