Variable-Buoyancy Assembly Anchoring via Underground Fluid Line
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of constructing and maintaining offshore compressed air energy storage systems for renewable energy integration, due to marine construction requirements and environmental factors, necessitate a more efficient and cost-effective solution.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a fluid-processing plant onshore, a variable-buoyancy assembly in the water, and an underground non-collapsible fluid-line assembly that facilitates pressurized fluid exchange and ballasting, reducing installation and maintenance costs by anchoring the buoyancy device and enabling efficient energy storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If offshore underwater storage of compressed air is constructed using traditional marine construction systems, then energy storage capability is achieved, but construction cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the offshore energy storage function into two separate components: a variable buoyancy device (VBD) for energy storage in water and an underground fluid line assembly for ballasting and fluid transfer. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the VBD handling buoyancy control and the underground assembly handling structural support and fluid conveyance, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The underground fluid line assembly acts as an intermediary between the onshore facility and the offshore VBD. It provides a stable, non-collapsible conduit for fluid transfer and ballasting operations, eliminating the need for complex marine construction systems while maintaining reliable connection between land-based control systems and offshore storage devices.
2Reliability
If traditional marine construction systems are used for installing the buoyancy device, then energy storage function is achieved, but installation and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The variable buoyancy device is designed to control its own positioning and depth through autonomous buoyancy adjustment. By varying its buoyancy, the device can maintain optimal depth positions without requiring external ballast systems or complex installation infrastructure, thereby reducing installation and maintenance costs while maintaining energy storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameter of buoyancy dynamically to achieve depth control and positioning. By adjusting the buoyancy of the VBD, the system can operate at different depths without requiring complex mechanical positioning systems or expensive marine construction equipment, simplifying both installation and maintenance operations.
3Ease of operation
If the buoyancy device is left unsubmerged or poorly anchored, then deployment is simpler, but system stability and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The underground fluid line assembly provides a counterbalancing anchor system that opposes the buoyant force of the VBD. This anchoring system maintains the VBD in a stable submerged position without requiring complex active control mechanisms, achieving both deployment simplicity and system stability through passive mechanical balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves stable equilibrium by balancing the buoyant force acting upward on the VBD with the gravitational pull and anchoring forces from the underground fluid line assembly. This creates a stable operating condition where the VBD remains at a consistent depth without requiring continuous active control, maintaining both simplicity and reliability.
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 configuration reduces installation and maintenance costs while maintaining the buoyancy assembly submerged, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of intermittent renewable energy storage and grid support by utilizing the fluid-line assembly for both energy storage and anchoring, thus addressing the challenges of offshore construction.
Implementation Method 1
buoyant balloon-like bags are positioned in a body of water
Implementation Method 2
The fluid is compressed (pressurized) to slightly above the hydrostatic pressure found at depth (the position of the variable-buoyancy assembly in the water)
Implementation Method 3
The underground non-collapsible fluid-line assembly transmits an anchoring force from the ground to the variable-buoyancy assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for use with fluid-processing plant configured to generate and store pressurized fluid. Fluid-processing plant is spaced apart from body of water. Apparatus includes variable-buoyancy assembly positioned in body of water in such way that buoyancy force urges variable-buoyancy assembly to move toward surface of body of water. Apparatus also includes non-collapsible fluid-line assembly positionally anchored, at least in part, underground in such way that non-collapsible fluid-line assembly extends, at least in part, into body of water. Non-collapsible fluid-line assembly fluidly connects fluid-processing plant and variable-buoyancy assembly together in such way that non-collapsible fluid-line assembly conveys pressurized fluid between fluid-processing plant and variable-buoyancy assembly. Non-collapsible fluid-line assembly transmits an anchoring force from ground to variable-buoyancy assembly; this is done in such way that anchoring force substantially counteracts, buoyancy force acting on non-collapsible fluid-line assembly. Anchoring force substantially urges variable-buoyancy assembly to remain below surface of body of water.