Offshore Wind Turbine Hydrogen Storage for Continuous Power
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Offshore wind turbines face challenges in providing continuous energy supply due to intermittent wind conditions, as they are not designed to store energy effectively, leading to curtailed generation when wind is excessive and insufficient power during low wind periods.
Innovation Solution
An offshore wind turbine system that converts mechanical energy into liquid hydrogen through electrolysis of seawater using a polymer-electrolyte membrane electrolyzer, with sub-sea storage tanks for hydrogen, enabling the turbine to generate electricity independently of wind conditions by using stored hydrogen in a fuel cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If offshore wind turbines are connected to the power grid without energy storage, then the system structure is simple, but the energy supply is interrupted when wind conditions are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing excess hydrogen energy in sub-sea tanks during periods of high wind generation, before energy shortage occurs. This pre-stored energy is then retrieved during low wind periods to maintain continuous power supply, thus resolving the contradiction between supply reliability and system complexity.
2Duration of action of moving object
If wind energy is stored as hydrogen through electrolysis, then energy supply continuity is improved, but the device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the energy storage function from the main turbine system and places it in separate sub-sea hydrogen tanks. This separation allows the turbine to focus on generation while the stored hydrogen in the extracted storage system provides extended duration energy supply, resolving the contradiction between storage duration and system complexity.
3Loss of energy
If excess wind energy is curtailed instead of stored, then the system operation is simple, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by continuously monitoring wind generation levels and automatically directing excess energy to electrolysis for hydrogen production. This closed-loop energy management system prevents curtailment by dynamically adjusting energy flow based on real-time conditions, resolving the contradiction between energy loss and operational simplicity.
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 solution provides a continuous and stable energy supply by storing excess energy as hydrogen, which can be converted back to electricity when wind is low, ensuring uninterrupted power delivery to the grid.
Implementation Method 1
Electrolysis is the process of using electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The reaction takes place in an electrolyzer
Implementation Method 2
A wind turbine that produces a stored fuel such as hydrogen can eliminate many problems associated with renewable energy. Turbines powered by a combination of wind and hydrogen can provide adequate power independent of when the wind blows.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for converting mechanical energy from wind to fluid-fuel energy is an offshore wind-turbine apparatus. Electrical energy generated by the turbine is used in an electrolysis process to convert sea water to fluid fuel. The fuel may be stored in tanks beneath the water surface or on the ocean floor.