Offshore platform for energy farming

Abstract

An offshore platform (10) for energy farming is provided. The offshore platform (10) includes a plurality of first beams (12) arranged to receive a plurality of solar panels, the first beams (12) defining a first layer (16), a plurality of second beams (14) arranged 5 to define a second layer (18), and a plurality of posts (20) separating the first and second layers (16, 18). A plurality of hollow pipes (22) is attached to a base of the second layer (18), the hollow pipes (22) extending across the second layer (18).

Description

[0001] OFFSHORE PLATFORM FOR ENERGY FARMING

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates in general to energy farming and more particularly to an offshore platform for energy farming.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] Climate change is causing more frequent and severe storms, hotter temperatures, more droughts, rising sea levels and warming oceans, all of which pose increasing dangers to human beings and all other life forms on Earth.

[0006] To mitigate the effects of climate change, alternative clean energy sources are being looked into including offshore solar farming.

[0007] In conventional floating solar projects, space is usually catered between solar panels or groups of solar panels for access and maintenance. However, even with provision of such spaces, performance of installation or maintenance works is still a challenge.

[0008] In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide an offshore platform for energy farming that provides easy access to solar panels for installation or maintenance works.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an offshore platform for energy farming. The offshore platform includes a plurality of first beams arranged to receive a plurality of solar panels, the first beams defining a first layer, a plurality of second beams arranged to define a second layer, and a plurality of posts separating the first and second layers. A plurality of hollow pipes is attached to a base of the second layer, the hollow pipes extending across the second layer.

[0011] Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1A is a schematic perspective view of an offshore platform for energy farming in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 1 B is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a portion of the offshore platform for energy farming of FIG. 1A;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic plan view of a pair of hinged connection elements attached to respective offshore platforms in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 3A is a schematic cross-sectional view of an offshore platform for energy farming in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 3B is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a mooring connection of the offshore platform for energy farming of FIG. 3A;

[0018] FIG. 3C is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a portion of the offshore platform for energy farming of FIG. 3A;

[0019] FIG. 4A is a schematic perspective view of a portion of an offshore platform for energy farming in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 4B is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a portion of an offshore platform for energy farming of FIG. 4A; and

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an offshore platform for energy farming in accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments

[0023] The following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. The present invention is illustrated by way of example and is not limited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicate similar elements. It is to be understood that the drawings are not to scale and have been simplified for ease of understanding the invention. It is to be understood that the same or equivalent functions may be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1 B, an offshore platform 10 for energy farming is shown. The offshore platform 10 includes a plurality of first beams 12 arranged to receive a plurality of solar panels (not shown) and a plurality of second beams 14. The first beams 12 define a first layer 16 and the second beams 14 are arranged to define a second layer 18 with a plurality of posts 20 separating the first and second layers 16 and 18. A plurality of hollow pipes 22 is attached to a base of the second layer 18, the hollow pipes 22 extending across the second layer 18.

[0025] The offshore platform 10 with a two-layer arrangement provides a number of advantages. For one, as spacing provided between the first and second layers 16 and 18 is sizeable enough for access, the solar panels when installed are accessible from beneath for installation and maintenance works such as, for example, changing of solar panels and visual inspection and testing of direct current (DC) cables of the solar panels. With the two-layer arrangement, if a solar panel located away from a periphery of the offshore platform 10 is damaged, the damaged solar panel is readily accessible by a technician without having to remove any other solar panels to get to the damaged solar panel. Engineers and / or technicians are able to move about freely on the second or bottom layer 18 to maintain the solar panels when installed as well as any other installed equipment.

[0026] Further advantageously, because the two-layer offshore platform 10 allows performance of installation and maintenance works from below, the first beams 12 may be arranged to receive the solar panels in an optimised solar panel layout on the first or top layer 16 for increased solar panel installation capacity in a given sea space since the first or top layer 16 is not limited by a need to provide access for maintenance or installation requirements. In the embodiment shown, the first beams 12 are arranged to receive the solar panels in a directly side-by-side arrangement across an entire surface of the first layer 16 without leaving spaces between solar panels for maintenance or installation access. With the optimised solar panel layout, increased or optimised solar energy yields may be obtained for a given sea space.

[0027] Another advantage of the two-layer offshore platform 10 is that wind flow is unobstructed. This improves convective heat loss from the solar panels, helping reduce solar panel temperatures. With increased cooling effect, efficiency and yield of the solar panels are increased.

[0028] Moreover, as the solar panels are to be installed on the top or first layer 16, away from a splash zone, the solar panels are unlikely to come into contact with sea water which has a high salt content. Advantageously, this helps prolong a life span of the solar panels.

[0029] As can be seen from FIGS. 1A and 1B, the first beams 12 may be arranged to receive the solar panels in a ridged arrangement. In the ridged arrangement, the first beams 12 defining the first layer 16 may include a plurality of ridge beams 12A alternating with a plurality of purlins 12B in a vertically staggered arrangement with a plurality of rafters 12C connecting adjacent ones of the ridge beams 12A and the purlins 12B. Advantageously, the ridged arrangement of the first beams 12 ensures that the solar panels when installed are dual-facing and this helps the solar panels capture sunlight throughout a day when the solar panels of the offshore platform 10 are positioned in an east-west orientation. In the ridged arrangement, the rafters 12C may be positioned at an incline © of between about 5 degrees (°) and about 10° from a horizontal plane of the first layer 16.

[0030] The second beams 14 defining the second layer 18 may include a plurality of primary beams 14A and a plurality of secondary beams 14B connecting adjacent ones of the primary beams 14A. To reinforce the second layer 18, the second beams 14 may also include a plurality of horizontal braces 14C diagonally connected between intersections of the primary and secondary beams 14A and 14B.

[0031] To provide walkway support and for attachment to a containment boom (not shown), the second beams 14 may further include a plurality of perimeter beams 14D connected to one of or both the primary and secondary beams 14A and 14B may be provided around a perimeter of the second layer 18. To bolster the posts 20, a plurality of vertical braces 24 diagonally connected between opposite ends of adjacent ones of the posts 20 may be provided to reinforce separation between the first and second layers 16 and 18. An integrated frame formed by the arrangement of the first beams 12, the second beams 14 and the braces 24 provides strength and stiffness required for offshore deployment of the offshore platform 10. Further advantageously, the arrangement of the first beams 12, the second beams 14 and the braces 24 minimises usage of raw materials without compromising the strength and stiffness of the offshore platform 10. This in turn allows provision of smaller sized hollow pipes 22 without compromising buoyancy of the offshore platform 10. The first beams 12, the second beams 14, the posts 20 and the braces 24 may be made of metallic material such as, for example, steel and / or aluminium or fibre-reinforced materials such as, for example, carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) and / or glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP). Advantageously, various elements of the offshore platform 10 made of metallic materials may serve as natural earthing points when the offshore platform 10 is partially submerged when deployed offshore, conferring lighting protection capabilities to the offshore platform 10.

[0032] The hollow pipes 22 provide buoyancy and serve as floaters to keep the offshore platform 10 afloat when deployed in a body of water. Advantageously, the hollow pipes 22 are easily pulled out and replaced in the case of damage. Further advantageously, because the hollow pipes 22 are designed to be easily scaled, buoyancy of the offshore platform 10 may be simply and effectively increased as required. Each of the hollow pipes 22 may be singly or individually formed. Advantageously, this enables the offshore platform 10 to better withstand higher wave, wind and other live loads as well as transport loads when deployed offshore. The hollow pipes 22 may be made of high- density polyethylene (HDPE) or a fibre- reinforced plastic (FRP) such as, for example, a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) or a glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP).

[0033] With an elevated design, the two-layer offshore platform 10 provides flexible operating options and enables multiple functions between the solar panels and sea. A solar photovoltaic (PV) Balance-of-System (BOS), a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a reverse osmosis (RO) plant and / or a desalination plant may be provided on the second layer or main deck 18. By increasing separation between the first layer 16 and the second layer 18, more space may be created, for example, to accommodate a balance of system (BOS) for renewable energy sources and inverters for solar to allow conversion of direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) before transmission, significantly reducing power loss without taking up extra sea space. In this manner, the offshore platform 10 may be configured for various uses. For solar applications, inverters, cables and the BOS may be placed at the second or bottom layer 18, further saving space for solar deployment. Advantageously, by providing the BESS on the second layer or main deck 18, the offshore platform 10 may be converted into a round- the-clock baseload power plant.

[0034] Referring now to FIG. 2, a pair of hinged connection elements 26 attached to respective offshore platforms 10 is shown. The hinged connection elements 26 may be secured together by a pin 28. Advantageously, the cooperating pair of hinged connection elements 26 provides an easily removable interlocking mechanism to connect adjacent ones of the offshore platforms 10, providing modularity to the offshore platforms 10. To facilitate detachable interconnection between a plurality of the offshore platforms 10 for upscaling of a solar farm, a plurality of the hinged connection elements 26 may be attached around a periphery of the second layer 18 of each of the offshore platforms 10. Advantageously, the hinged connection between adjacent ones of the offshore platforms 10 also helps interconnected offshore platforms 10 accommodate wave motion when deployed offshore without breaking up.

[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 3A through 3C, an offshore platform 50 for energy farming in accordance with another embodiment is shown. The offshore platform 50 of the present embodiment differs from the earlier embodiments in that the offshore platform 50 further includes a plurality of walkways 52 provided in the second layer 18, a plurality of mooring connections 30 attached to the second beams 14 and a plurality of solar panels 54 have been installed.

[0036] As can be seen from FIG. 3A, a plurality of handrails 56 may also be provided, each of the handrails 56 being provided with a corresponding one of the walkways 52.

[0037] The mooring connections 30 facilitate cross mooring with other offshore platforms 50, enabling large scale deployment in crowded sea spaces. In a cross-mooring arrangement, fixation points may be from mooring connections 30 located at inner sections of interconnected offshore platforms 50, resulting in a reduced overall footprint without compromising power generation capacity. In cross-mooring arrangements, maximum drift as well as space required for the interconnected offshore platforms 50 is significantly reduced. By virtue of flexible fixation points, sinkers (not shown) attached to respective ones of the mooring connections 30 may be positioned with fewer constraints and greater flexibility. Advantageously, this allows deployment of floating solar farms formed with the interconnected offshore platforms 50 in crowded sea spaces with a lot of pipes and cables buried under armour rock or seabeds with many unmovable geographic formations and also reduces excavation and / or marine works required for deployment. As can be seen from FIG. 3B, the mooring connection 30 attached to the second beam 14 may be a pad eye secured to the second beam 14. When in use, a mooring line (not shown) may be connected to the pad eye 30 installed at the bottom of the offshore platform 50.

[0038] As can be seen from FIG. 3C, the solar panels 54 may be attached to the first beams 12 by a plurality of undermounted securing devices 58. In the embodiment shown, each of the undermounted securing devices 58 may include a spacer 62 to which frames 60 of the solar panels are attached to maintain a separation between the solar panels 54 and the first beams 12, and a plurality of clamps 64 to attach the undermounted securing device 58 to the first beams 12. With the elevated two-layer design of the offshore platform 50 and the undermounted securing devices 58, not only can technicians easily access any defective solar panel 54, even if located in the middle of a solar panel array, the undermounted securing devices 58 also allow removal of only the defective solar panel 54 from below, without touching and thus compromising any other solar panels 54.

[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, an offshore platform 100 for energy farming in accordance with yet another embodiment is shown. The offshore platform 100 of the present embodiment differs from the earlier embodiments in that the offshore platform 100 further includes a plurality of wind turbines 102 attached between corresponding pairs of first and second beams 12 and 14 along a perimeter of the first and second layers 16 and 18. The wind turbines 102 may be small, compact and light and may be positioned in a well spaced-out arrangement along the perimeter of the first and second layers 16 and 18 to maximize wind yield, whilst not adversely affecting the convective cooling effect on the solar panels from air flow between the first and second layers 16 and 18. Advantageously, by positioning the wind turbines 102 along sides of the offshore platform 100 between the first and second layers 16 and 18, the wind turbines 102 do not cast shadows on the solar panels and create shading. The wind turbines 102 in the embodiment shown are vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs). In one or more alternative embodiments, the wind turbines 102 may be or may include horizontal axis wind turbines (HAWT).

[0040] To further abate emissions, improve revenue and return on investment (ROI) of the offshore platform 100, a plurality of aquaculture nets 104 may be attached to the second beams 14 for aquafarming. Advantageously, as aquatic plants remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and sequestrate CO2 from the sea, integration of aquafarming or hydroponics into the offshore platform 100 increases carbon sequestration by the offshore platform 100. Furthermore, as valuable species of plants may be grown, harvested and sold using the offshore platform 100, a new income stream may be created for solar developers with the offshore platform 100.

[0041] To harness energy from waves during deployment, a plurality of wave energy converters 106 may be attached around a periphery of the second layer 18.

[0042] Referring now to FIG. 5, an offshore platform 150 for energy farming in accordance with still another embodiment is shown. The offshore platform 150 of the present embodiment differs from the earlier embodiments in that the offshore platform 150 further includes a plurality of tidal turbines 152 attached to the second beams 14 and extending below the base of the second layer 18. Advantageously, the tidal turbines 152 regenerate kinetic energy and help the offshore platform 150 harness an additional source of clean energy. The offshore platform 150 may be deployed in numerous sea spaces as tide is a function of water speed. Connection of multiple offshore platforms 150 provides greater structural strength, rigidity and stability, allowing integration of the tidal turbines 150 below or beside the offshore platform 150.

[0043] As is evident from the foregoing discussion, the present invention provides an offshore platform for energy farming that utilises a two-layer concept with a top layer configured purely for solar installation and a bottom layer configured for installation and maintenance access. As the top layer is not bound by installation and maintenance access requirements, solar panel deployment capacity for a given sea space which determines effective area usage is enhanced and solar yields are optimised, whilst still providing lots of space for maintenance on the bottom layer. The offshore platform of the present invention may be fully fabricated, installed and tested on land before lifting into sea. Advantageously, this reduces installation time and allows for quick commissioning. The offshore platform of the present invention is compact and may have multiple revenue-generating functions apart from solar energy generation such as, for example, wind energy generation, tidal energy generation and aquafarming, allowing for higher revenue generation from a given sea plot. Being modular, the multiple functions may be implemented with a single offshore platform or a group of modular offshore platforms. Due to its modular nature, the offshore platform of the present invention may be easily redeployed as required, providing cost savings. Further advantageously, the offshore platform of the present invention may be deployed in high offshore sea state areas due to its stiffness, in crowded sea spaces offshore or near shore as well as industrial sea spaces from optimised mooring layout and as a large-scale offshore deployment through its modularity.

[0044] While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be clear that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as described in the claims.

[0045] Further, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising" and the like are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An offshore platform for energy farming, comprising: a plurality of first beams arranged to receive a plurality of solar panels, the first beams defining a first layer; a plurality of second beams arranged to define a second layer; a plurality of posts separating the first and second layers; and a plurality of hollow pipes attached to a base of the second layer, wherein the hollow pipes extend across the second layer.

2. The offshore platform of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of braces diagonally connected between opposite ends of adjacent ones of the posts.

3. The offshore platform of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of walkways provided in the second layer.

4. The offshore platform of claim 3, further comprising a plurality of handrails, each of the handrails being provided with a corresponding one of the walkways.

5. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first beams are arranged to receive the solar panels in a ridged arrangement.

6. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the solar panels attached to the first beams by a plurality of undermounted securing devices.

7. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the hollow pipes is singly formed.

8. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hollow pipes are made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or a fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP).

9. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of mooring connections attached to the second beams.

10. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of hinged connection elements attached around a periphery of the second layer.11 . The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of wind turbines attached between corresponding pairs of first and second beams along a perimeter of the first and second layers.

12. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of aquaculture nets attached to the second beams.

13. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of wave energy converters attached around a periphery of the second layer.

14. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of tidal turbines attached to the second beams and extending below the base of the second layer.

15. The offshore platform of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of a solar photovoltaic (PV) Balance-of-System (BOS), a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a reverse osmosis (RO) plant and a desalination plant provided on the second layer.

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