Marine Pumped-Storage Hydroelectric Station Caisson Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of terrestrial energy transfer stations by pumping (WWTPs) is constrained by site limitations, environmental concerns, and high costs due to the need for significant land-based equipment transport and complex geological considerations, which are exacerbated by the difficulty in achieving short response times and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A marine energy transfer station (STEP) is designed with a prefabricated, sealed hydroelectric plant in the form of a metal box, immobilized at sea and connected to a submerged pipe, allowing for efficient transportation and rapid installation, overcoming site access and environmental challenges by using a caisson foundation and prefabricated components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If terrestrial WWTPs are installed with traditional land-based equipment transport and complex geological considerations, then the station can operate, but the costs and installation time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The hydroelectric plant is divided into modular components that can be assembled in a prefabricated caisson structure. This segmentation allows the complex geological adaptation to be standardized in modular units, reducing both installation complexity and time while maintaining operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The caisson structure with hydroelectric equipment is pre-assembled and pre-tested in a controlled environment before deployment to the marine site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site geological adaptations and significantly reduces installation time and costs.
2Ease of manufacture
If main equipment is transported to terrestrial sites by land, then the station can be assembled, but significant transport means and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
A marine caisson structure serves as an intermediary platform that receives equipment via sea transport rather than land transport. This intermediary approach allows heavy equipment to be delivered by ship, which is more efficient for large components, and then assembled in the caisson at the marine site.
3Speed
If hydraulic circuits use long pipes between basins, then the station can function, but short response times cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from horizontal pipe connections on land to vertical water column connections in the marine environment. By utilizing the vertical dimension (height difference between upper reservoir and sea level), the system achieves short response times without requiring long horizontal pipe circuits.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the hydroelectric plant is installed partially underground in caves or wells, then the station can operate, but the costs and deadlines depend heavily on site geology and typography
Solution Approach 1:
The caisson structure with hydroelectric equipment is pre-assembled and pre-tested in a controlled environment before deployment to the marine site. This preliminary action eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site geological adaptations and significantly reduces installation time and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the installation parameter from underground cave/well construction to marine caisson deployment. This parameter change transforms the installation process from being geology-dependent to being sea-access-dependent, which is generally more controllable and predictable.
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
This method reduces costs, minimizes environmental impact, and enables quicker installation and scalability, allowing for efficient energy storage and production while addressing the limitations of terrestrial WWTPs, particularly in island or hard-to-reach locations.
Implementation Method 1
a hydro-electric plant configured to operate as a pump-motor assembly for pumping water from the sea to said water reservoir
Implementation Method 2
a hydro-electric plant configured to operate as a turbine-alternator for producing electricity by releasing water, from the reservoir to the sea
Implementation Method 3
producing electricity by dropping water, from said upper basin towards said lower basin
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for installing a pumped-storage hydroelectric power station, referred to as “marine PSH station”, which includes a dam located at a higher altitude than sea level, a hydroelectric plant configured to operate as a pump-motor assembly for pumping seawater towards said dam, or as a turbine-alternator assembly for producing electricity by releasing water from the dam into the sea via at least one pipe connecting said dam to said hydroelectric plant; characterized in that: the hydroelectric plant used is presented in the form of at least one coffer dam at least the bottom portion of which is sealed; said coffer dam is transported until the base of said dam (RE); said coffer dam is immobilized in the sea; and said coffer dam is connected to said pipe.