Braceless Semi-Submersible Wind-Wave Integrated Platform
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind energy systems face low energy conversion efficiency and high unit costs, limiting the commercialization of wave energy generation, while existing wind farm site selection prioritizes wind speed and conditions over wave energy potential.
Innovation Solution
A novel floating wind-wave integrated power generation system combining a braceless semi-submersible platform with an oscillating water column wave energy device, enhancing stability and efficiency by converting wave motion into electricity through an air turbine generator, shared with offshore wind turbines to reduce costs and improve overall energy utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a floating wind turbine system is deployed in deep water areas, then the power generation capacity is improved, but the construction cost and unit cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wind energy conversion and wave energy conversion systems into a single integrated floating platform. The wave energy devices are mounted on the pontoon structure of the floating wind turbine platform, allowing both wind turbines and wave energy converters to share the same foundation, mooring system, and platform structure. This merging reduces duplicate infrastructure costs and lowers the overall unit cost of deploying deep water renewable energy systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating platform is designed to serve multiple functions: it supports wind turbines for wind energy generation, accommodates wave energy devices for wave power conversion, and provides a shared mooring system. This multi-functionality increases the utility of the platform structure and reduces the cost per unit of energy generated by distributing infrastructure costs across multiple energy conversion functions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wave energy generation devices are deployed separately, then wave energy utilization is achieved, but the total cost remains high limiting commercialization
Solution Approach 1:
The wave energy devices are integrated with the floating wind turbine platform structure, specifically mounted on the pontoon. This combination allows wave energy conversion functionality to be added to existing wind farm infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate wave energy device deployment and reducing overall project costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating platform structure serves dual purposes: it provides the foundation for wind turbines and simultaneously supports the wave energy devices. The platform's structural components, such as the pontoon and mooring system, serve both wind energy and wave energy functions, making the infrastructure self-sufficient and reducing the need for additional dedicated structures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional three columns semi-submersible wind turbine structure is used, then structural stability is achieved, but the construction process is complex and fatigue issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the brace structure from the traditional three-columns semi-submersible platform, resulting in a braceless design. This extraction of the bracing system simplifies the construction process by reducing the number of components to be assembled and welded, while also eliminating fatigue issues associated with complex brace structures subjected to cyclic wave and wind loading.
Solution Approach 2:
The pontoon structure is designed with enhanced structural properties to compensate for the removal of braces. The use of composite or optimized structural materials in the pontoon allows the braceless design to maintain adequate stability and strength while achieving simpler construction and reduced fatigue problems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system increases overall power generation capacity, reduces construction and maintenance costs, and promotes the commercialization of wave energy by leveraging existing wind turbine technology, improving stability and efficiency in deep water areas.
Implementation Method 1
the wave forces will drive the water column within the chamber 9 up and down, driving the air in and out (inhalation and exhalation) of the chamber 9 typically through air turbine generator 10 for power generation
Implementation Method 2
air turbine generator 10 for power generation
Implementation Method 3
The described air chamber 9 uses a cone-shaped air outlet to increase the pressure of the airflow
Implementation Method 4
The described water inlet 8 is heading the waves to improve the power generation efficiency
Implementation Method 5
The described air turbine generator 10 uses a bidirectional generator
Implementation Method 6
The pontoon can help to mitigate this movement
Implementation Method 7
The mooring system can further prevent the movement of the wave energy device
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to the offshore renewable energy utilization technology. A novel floating wind-wave integrated power generation system is based on the braceless semi-submersible floating wind turbine concept and the oscillating water column (OWC) wave energy generator. The integrated system includes the offshore wind energy system and the oscillating water column wave energy system. The novel floating wind-wave integrated power generation system transfers the rise and fall movement of the water column into the air in and out movement which is converted into the electricity by the air turbine generator. This invention makes good use of pontoons at of the semi-floating platform and the mooring lines. Since the wave energy system will move with the wave movement, which will reduce the power generation efficiency. The pontoon can help to mitigate this movement. The mooring system can further prevent the movement of the wave energy device. This invention uses the braceless structure, which simplifies the construction process and reduce the fatigue issues for the braces. Compared with the traditional three columns semi-submersible wind turbine, this invention enlarges the water plane area. The moment of inertia for hydrostatic stability is enhanced, and the stability of the floating foundation is improved.