Mobile Offshore Energy Platform with Distributed Interface Points
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore energy capture and conversion plants face inefficiencies due to unpredictable weather conditions and the need for long-distance movement and costly offloading processes, leading to periods of low power production and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A mobile offshore apparatus with an array of energy capture devices and multiple interface points allows for efficient energy capture and export by selecting the closest and easiest connection point for offloading, enabling the apparatus to be moved and oriented for optimal energy capture, and includes autonomous movement and energy storage for efficient power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the power plant is fixed at a particular offshore locality, then the installation is stable and easy to operate, but the plant cannot move to locations with more favorable energy capture conditions and must endure periods of low power production due to unpredictable weather
Solution Approach 1:
The power plant is designed with mobile capabilities, allowing it to dynamically relocate between different offshore locations. The platform can move to追随 favorable weather conditions and energy capture opportunities, transforming from a static fixed installation to a dynamic mobile system that adapts to changing environmental conditions while maintaining operational reliability through continuous movement to optimal locations
2Productivity
If the power plant moves to locations with more favorable energy capture conditions, then energy capture efficiency is improved, but the plant needs to travel long distances and spend significant time offloading converted power, increasing operational costs and time consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The power plant is divided into modular components including multiple energy capture devices, conversion units, and multiple interface points distributed around the platform. This segmentation allows different parts of the plant to operate independently and enables simultaneous energy capture at one location while offloading at another, reducing overall offloading time and improving operational efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple interface points are provided around the platform as intermediary connection points for offloading operations. These distributed interface points serve as mediators between the power plant and external power reception facilities, allowing the plant to connect at the most convenient location and reducing the time and distance required for power offloading
3Ease of operation
If multiple interface points are provided around the platform, then the offloading process is simplified and connection time is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple interface points are provided around the platform, each capable of performing the same offloading function. This universal design allows any interface point to connect with power reception facilities, providing operational flexibility and simplifying the offloading process without requiring complex specialized systems at each connection point
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The present invention relates to offshore apparatus (10) for capturing energy to generate an exportable product. In one embodiment, the offshore apparatus includes a mobile arrangement of energy capture devices, such as wind turbines (18), wave energy converters (14), or solar energy panels. The arrangement provides a plurality of points that may be connected to an offloading unit (26) to move the product, which can be stored electricity in batteries or a stored pressurised gas away from the energy capture devices.