Mobile Offshore Wind Vessel for Hydrogen Production at Sea
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixed-foundation and floating wind farms are limited by high installation and maintenance costs, and are stationary, restricting wind energy harvesting to favorable wind conditions, while conventional offshore wind turbines are restricted to coastal areas due to high installation and maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A mobile floating offshore wind energy system, termed 'wind trawler,' comprising autonomously operated vessels that travel to high-wind areas, equipped with wind turbines to generate electricity, electrolyzers to convert seawater to hydrogen, and a propulsion system for navigation and hydrogen transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional fixed-foundation wind turbines are used, then wind energy can be harvested at coastal areas, but installation and maintenance costs are prohibitive for deeper waters
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine system is mounted on a mobile floating platform that can move autonomously through water to different locations. This transforms the static fixed-foundation approach into a dynamic mobile system, enabling the turbine to access high-wind areas in deeper waters while reducing installation costs by avoiding permanent foundation construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating platform serves multiple functions: it supports the wind turbine for energy generation, contains electrolyzers for hydrogen production, includes propulsion systems for navigation, and provides hydrogen storage capabilities. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated vessel.
2Use of energy by moving object
If floating wind turbines are used in deeper waters, then access to higher wind speeds is enabled, but installation and maintenance costs remain high due to mooring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates static mooring requirements by using an autonomous mobile platform that propels itself to operational locations. The vessel can freely navigate to high-wind areas and return, replacing the need for expensive fixed mooring infrastructure while maintaining access to deep-water wind resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The floating platform is equipped with its own propulsion system that allows it to navigate autonomously to and from operational areas without requiring external towing or mooring infrastructure. This self-propelled capability eliminates the need for expensive port facilities and mooring systems.
3Ease of manufacture
If stationary wind farms are used, then infrastructure can support the turbines, but they are limited to harvesting wind at particular locations regardless of wind conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The wind turbine system is mounted on a mobile floating platform that can move autonomously through water to different locations. This transforms the static fixed-foundation approach into a dynamic mobile system, enabling the turbine to access high-wind areas in deeper waters while reducing installation costs by avoiding permanent foundation construction.
4Productivity
If the floatable vessel operates in hydrogen production mode, then hydrogen can be produced from seawater, but drag and fuel consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel alternates between hydrogen production mode (where it drifts with the wind to minimize fuel consumption) and transport mode (where it actively navigates to delivery locations). This periodic switching between operational modes optimizes the balance between hydrogen production efficiency and energy consumption for navigation.
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
Enables efficient wind energy harvesting in deeper waters, reducing costs by allowing vessels to travel to high-wind areas and store hydrogen for later use, with the ability to operate in both hydrogen production and transport modes, minimizing drag and fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of rotor blades configured to convert an airstream to rotational shaft power
Implementation Method 2
an electrical generator configured to convert the rotational shaft power of the wind turbine to electrical power
Implementation Method 3
an electrolyzer configured to convert the seawater to hydrogen using power from the wind turbine
Data Source
AI summary
A wind turbine system comprises a vessel; a wind turbine mounted to the vessel, the wind turbine comprising rotor blades configured to convert an airstream to rotational shaft power, and an electrical generator configured to convert the rotational shaft power to electrical power; a hydrogen production system configured to be powered by the electrical generator; a propulsion system configured to propel the vessel via power from the electrical generator; and a steering system to control orientation of the vessel relative to the water and the airstream. A method of producing hydrogen comprises floating a vessel in open sea in areas of wind; rotating a wind turbine with the wind to produce electrical energy; synthesizing hydrogen gas from seawater utilizing the electrical energy from the wind turbine; storing the hydrogen gas in a storage system transported by the vessel; and offloading the hydrogen from the storage system.