Offshore Wind Farm Navigation Device Emergency Lighting Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind farms face challenges in providing adequate navigation and visibility during poor weather conditions or at night, which can lead to safety risks for ships and helicopters attempting to navigate or rescue operations due to inadequate lighting.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced where a navigation device in offshore wind farms can switch from a normal mode to an emergency navigation mode upon receiving a hazard signal, activating additional floodlights and adjusting lighting based on visibility conditions to enhance visibility and safety, while minimizing unnecessary light emission during normal operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If navigation lights are kept on during normal operation, then visibility for ships and helicopters is improved, but light pollution and disturbance to birds and animals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation device dynamically switches between normal mode and emergency navigation mode based on received hazard signals. In normal mode, minimal lighting is provided to reduce light pollution. Upon receiving a hazard signal indicating poor visibility conditions, the system transitions to emergency mode with enhanced illumination to improve safety for ships and helicopters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the illumination parameters (intensity, duration) based on operational conditions. During normal operation, lights are limited to essential navigation beacons. When hazard signals are detected, the parameter changes to activate additional floodlights and extend illumination duration, providing enhanced visibility without continuous high-intensity lighting.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If minimal lighting is used during normal operation, then light pollution is reduced, but visibility and safety for ships and helicopters in poor weather deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a receiving device that continuously monitors for hazard signals indicating poor visibility conditions. This feedback mechanism triggers the transition from normal mode to emergency navigation mode, ensuring that enhanced lighting is activated only when safety conditions deteriorate, thus maintaining safety without unnecessary light pollution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for potential safety issues by having the emergency navigation mode pre-configured and ready to activate. When hazard signals are received, the transition to enhanced lighting occurs immediately, ensuring safety measures are in place before rescue or navigation operations begin in poor visibility conditions.
3Illumination intensity
If additional floodlights are activated in emergency mode, then visibility for rescue operations is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic monitoring for hazard signals and activates enhanced lighting only during emergency periods. The normal operation uses minimal lighting with periodic checks for hazard conditions. This periodic activation pattern ensures energy is consumed only when necessary for safety, rather than continuously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by activating only the necessary additional floodlights required for emergency navigation and rescue operations, rather than illuminating the entire wind farm area. This selective activation provides sufficient visibility for safety while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Method for operating an offshore wind farm with at least one wind turbine system and a navigation device, which is operated in a normal mode, wherein a hazard signal is received by a receiving device, the received hazard signal is supplied to a control device that switches the navigation device from the normal mode to a an emergency lighting mode.