BE1028179B1 - Self-supporting support structure for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity - Google Patents

Abstract

A self-supporting support construction is described for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity. The support structure has vertically spaced floors supported by upright girders, one floor comprising electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen and/or conversion equipment for converting of hydrogen into electricity. The support structure can be received in the vertical direction in a hollow circumferential body that comprises a foundation pile for an offshore wind turbine tower, or a transition part placed between the foundation pile and the wind turbine tower, or a separate hydrogen tower that can be connected to a top side of the foundation pile or the transition part. A method is also described for assembling a device for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore.

Description

Self-supporting support structure for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a self-supporting support structure for offshore generation, storage and/or conversion into electricity of hydrogen, wherein the support structure can be accommodated in a hollow circumferential body which is a transition part for connecting a tower of an offshore wind turbine. with a foundation pile, or a foundation pile itself, or a separate hydrogen tower.

The invention also relates to a circumferential body provided with the support structure, and in particular a separate hydrogen tower provided with the support structure, which can be placed on a foundation pile anchored in an underwater bed.

The invention further relates to a method for assembling a device for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity, in which a circumferential body provided with a self-supporting support structure is connected to a foundation pile anchored in an underwater bed.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a foundation pile suitable for an offshore wind turbine tower and a peripheral body connected to a top thereof and comprising the support structure.

Finally, the invention relates to a wind farm comprising a number of the above-mentioned assemblies and a number of wind turbine towers arranged on foundation piles, wherein the assemblies are mutually and the assemblies and the wind turbine towers are mutually connected, electrically and/or via pipelines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is an ever-increasing interest in alternatively offshore electrical power generation. For example, the installation of wind turbines at sea has really taken off, with the generated power per wind turbine increasing. This also increases the average dimensions of such wind turbines.

A problem in generating electricity offshore by means of wind energy is the difficulty of storing the generated electricity. Indeed, the amount of energy generated is not always geared to the needs of the electricity grid.

A possible solution to the above problem is to store the electricity produced in the form of hydrogen. Recently, concepts have been proposed for the application of green hydrogen at sea. One of these concepts concerns the use of large platforms that are at least equipped with storage tanks for generated hydrogen.

However, such concepts are expensive and difficult to install. Also, these concepts are not flexible. For example, it turns out to be difficult to scale up the concepts and functionally they also appear to be inflexibly adaptable, for example adaptable to the electrical power produced from wind from one or more surrounding wind farms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a method and device with which the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art can at least partly be avoided.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by providing a device according to claim 1. The device according to claim 1. The device according to the invention comprises a self-supporting support structure for offshore generation, storage and/or conversion into electricity of hydrogen, wherein the support structure is spaced from each other in vertical direction. comprising floors placed and supported by upright girders, one floor comprising electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen and/or conversion equipment for converting hydrogen into electricity, and wherein the support structure can be received in the vertical direction in a hollow circumferential body which comprises a foundation pile for an offshore wind turbine tower, or a transition part placed between the foundation pile and the wind turbine tower, or a separate hydrogen tower which can be connected to a top side of the foundation pile or the transition part.

There are periods of time in the year when a wind farm is obliged to stop/reduce production due to bad forecasts, for example suddenly a lot of wind, or an epidemic that causes less consumption. This cessation or reduction in production is also known as 'grid curtailment'.

It is precisely these periods of time that can be used according to the invention to make maximum use of the wind farm by storing the produced wind energy in the form of H2.

During periods of too little wind (also called 'dunkelflaute'), a wind farm is forced to obtain its energy from onshore (grey energy). As a result, the wind farm is no longer dependent on its own wind energy. During periods of 'dunkelflaute', the stored hydrogen gas according to the invention can be used for the production of green electricity and the wind farm operates independently of the (onshore) grid or electricity grid.

It is expected that grid curtailment and dunkerflaute will become more common in the future, especially due to the increase in production of offshore wind energy and the systematic closure of nuclear energy production sites, resulting in more imbalance. The invention offers a solution for this.

An offshore wind turbine is usually placed on a foundation anchored to a seabed. For offshore wind turbines that are placed in relatively shallow water, the support structure can comprise a foundation pile, also referred to as monopile, arranged in the seabed. For deeper water, a truss structure or jacket can be used if desired. It is also possible to use a floating foundation. In the following reference will be made to a foundation pile, but this can also be understood to mean a jacket. In the state of the art, use can be made of a transition part, also referred to as a transition part or 'transition piece', to connect the wind turbine tower to a monopile. The transition part is connected to the monopile at the bottom thereof and to the wind turbine tower at the top thereof. If desired, the transition part can be provided with constructions such as a work platform or a landing stage. If no transition part is used, a work platform or jetty can also be provided on the outside of the foundation.

A nacelle or nacelle is then placed on top of the wind turbine tower, and a hub attached to the nacelle is fitted with rotor blades. The equipment required for the operation of the wind turbine is usually placed in the nacelle or in the tower. This equipment includes electrical equipment, such as transformers, switchgear, converters, and the like.

The idea of the invention is now to provide a self-supporting support structure which comprises the necessary equipment for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity, to arrange this support structure in a circumferential body, and then to position the circumferential body one by one. suitable foundation for wind turbines. If desired, the self-supporting construction can also be equipped with the above-mentioned 'switchgear' equipment such as transformers, switch boxes, etc.). This makes it possible to use proven technology for placing a wind turbine tower on a foundation. Moreover, a wind farm can thus be obtained in which the devices for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity are integrated in the wind farm itself.

If desired, the support structure can also be fitted in a standard wind turbine tower of a standard offshore wind turbine. The circumferential body, preferably in the form of a separate hydrogen tower, can be placed on a standard foundation for a wind turbine. Both the foundation and the separate hydrogen tower provided with the support structure can be transported and installed with standard equipment and installation vessels.

According to the invention, the support construction is provided with electrolysis equipment for generating (green) hydrogen from ambient water, and/or with conversion equipment (also based on electrolysis, for example) for converting hydrogen into (green) electricity.

The support structure can also be provided with storage equipment for the generated hydrogen. The surrounding water may comprise surrounding seawater, but also collected rainwater, for example.

The support structure may comprise one, two or more of said equipment and may differ in composition. It is thus possible to provide an embodiment wherein the support structure comprises one of electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen or conversion equipment for converting hydrogen into electricity. This embodiment provides support structures that are equipped for one particular application (generation, storage or conversion). In such a support structure, each floor is provided with one of electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen or conversion equipment for converting hydrogen into electricity. In this way, the capacity of each support structure is increased.

As already mentioned above, the invented support construction, and of the hydrogen tower provided with support constructions, also referred to as HYTOWER, offers a number of advantages. For example, standard components such as support structures and tower sections, standard transport and installation techniques and equipment can be used. A further advantage concerns the possibility of modular evolution of the invented device for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity with the needs of the hydrogen market, both in terms of size and mix, by varying the number of superimposed HYTOWERS, if varying in their composition.

It is also possible to allow retrofit in a relatively simple manner, so that the composition of a specific operational HYTOWER can be changed if the changed market conditions so require.

The self-supporting support structure can be built up almost completely in a safe environment, for example an onshore location, and provided with the desired equipment. The support construction forms a protection for the equipment during offshore transport and installation. This is certainly the case when the support construction is accommodated in a circumferential body. Furthermore, the support construction allows for standardization. Indeed, the dimensions of the floors, in particular their surface area and their intermediate height, can be adapted to the industry internal dimensions of the circumferential body into which the support structure can be received, without having to change the principle of the support structure. When a transition or transition part is used, such a part is connected on the underside thereof to a foundation pile arranged in the underwater bed. On a top side of the transition part a fastening means (flange) is provided for connection to a wind turbine tower or to an additional circumferential body provided with a self-supporting support construction.

A further advantage of the support structure is that the equipment can be placed in the circumferential body with a single operation. This is possible by arranging the support construction provided with the equipment in the circumferential body with a hoisting means. This can be done both on land and at sea. The circumferential body provided with the support structure, such as the separate hydrogen tower, for example, can then be placed with hoisting means on a foundation pile provided with the underwater bottom. Another possibility involves receiving a supporting construction provided with equipment with a hoisting means and arranging it in a circumferential body, wherein the circumferential body is already placed on a foundation pile or tower mounted thereon.

It is advantageous if in an embodiment of the method the support structure is provided with the equipment - for instance on a vessel or on land - and is subsequently fitted in the hydrogen tower. The manufacture of the equipment, which for instance comprises the manufacture of electrical circuits, and the manufacture of the hydrogen tower or other circumferential body, can be carried out separately in this way, possibly even at different locations. This reduces the chance of damage.

The invention thus also provides a method for assembling a device for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion into electricity of hydrogen, in which a self-supporting support structure according to the invention is suspended from a lifting means and is arranged in an internal cavity of a circumferential body. wherein the circumferential body comprises a foundation pile for an offshore wind turbine tower provided in an underwater bed, or a transition part placed on the foundation pile, or a separate hydrogen tower which has been previously connected to a top side of the foundation pile or the transition part.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method for assembling an apparatus for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore, wherein a circumferential body provided with a self-supporting support structure is suspended from a lifting means and provided on a submerged bottom. foundation pile for an offshore wind turbine tower, or a transition part placed on the foundation pile is placed and connected to a top side of the foundation pile or the transition part, for example by bolting, welding or grouting.

According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one floor adjoins substantially fittingly an internal circumferential wall of the circumferential body, in which the support construction can be accommodated or has been accommodated. In the context of this invention, fitting fit means that the distance from an outer edge of the relevant floor to the inner circumferential wall of the circumferential body is no more than 20 cm, more preferably no more than 10 cm. In this way, the surface of the floors is optimally utilized.

In a preferred embodiment, at least two, and even more preferably all floors of the support structure adjoin substantially fittingly to the inner circumferential wall of the circumferential body.

The support construction according to the invention is self-supporting. By this is meant that the support structure is strong and rigid enough to be able to be picked up by a hoisting means, and preferably strong and stiff enough to be able to be picked up by a hoisting means provided with the equipment.

The number of floors in a support structure can be chosen within certain practical limits. Too small a number of floors reduces the capacity of the relevant support structure, while too large a number of floors increases the weight to such an extent that limits of placeability are reached. A suitable embodiment is a support structure comprising three or more vertically spaced floors and supported by the upright girders, and preferably no more than six. According to an embodiment of the invention, a support structure is provided, wherein the electrolysis equipment comprises pump means for supplying ambient water, optionally a purification unit for purifying the pumped ambient water, and an electrolysis unit arranged to convert the, optionally purified, ambient water. to hydrogen and oxygen, and means for feeding the generated hydrogen to a hydrogen storage facility, and, optionally, the generated oxygen to an oxygen storage facility. As mentioned above, the ambient water may comprise surrounding seawater and/or collected rainwater.

The purification unit is optional because electrolysis equipment according to one embodiment can also directly convert seawater into hydrogen gas, oxygen gas and other gases such as magnesium hydroxide Mg(OH), and silicon dioxide SiO 2 .

A support structure according to another embodiment is characterized in that the storage equipment comprises a number of pressure tubes connected to a closable inlet line for the generated hydrogen and oriented parallel to each other in the vertical direction, and compression means which are designed to pressurize the hydrogen present in the pressure tubes. preferably a pressure comprised between 200 and 1000 bar, more preferably between 400 and 1000 bar, and most preferably between 600 and 1000 bar.

In yet another embodiment, the support structure is characterized in that the conversion equipment for converting hydrogen to electricity comprises pump means for supplying ambient oxygen, optionally from oxygen obtained from an oxygen store, and from hydrogen from the storage equipment, and an electrolysis unit arranged to convert the supplied hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, and furthermore a power line for discharging the generated electricity.

According to another embodiment of the invention, an upper floor of the support structure is adapted to couple another circumferential body, for instance another hydrogen tower, to a top side of the circumferential body. By this is meant that the top floor comprises the supplies necessary for said connection and further provides access to perform this connection.

In a particularly useful embodiment of the invention, a lower floor of the support construction is provided along a circumferential edge with closing means, adapted to realize a substantially airtight seal with the inner circumferential wall of the circumferential body. The substantially airtight closure ensures that after placing the support construction provided with the equipment in a circumferential body, the part above the bottom floor is closed off substantially airtightly from the spaces located below the bottom floor, which can be relatively moister.

The closing means can be designed in any desired manner, but an embodiment of the support construction in which the closing means comprise a rubber profile has advantages.

In an embodiment of the support construction, the floors are interconnected by one or more upright ladders and/or by a lift system to increase accessibility between the floors. Another embodiment useful in this context comprises a support construction wherein at least one floor is provided with a hatch providing access to an underlying floor.

The geometry of the support structure and of the floors can be chosen within limits whereby standardisation, usual dimensions of offshore wind turbine foundations and simplicity, speed and safety of installation are important. A favorable embodiment comprises a support construction wherein at least one floor is circular or polygonal and the upright supports are arranged according to the corner points of a polygon in the circumferential direction of the at least one floor. Preferably at least two floors are circular or polygonal and even more preferably all floors of the support structure. By arranging the upright carriers according to this embodiment, a relatively light and sufficiently strong support construction is obtained.

As stated above, the support construction is suitable for being received in a supporting manner in a circumferential body. The invention therefore relates to a hollow circumferential body, a cavity of which is provided with a support construction according to one of the embodiments described in the present application. The hollow circumferential body may comprise a transition part for connecting a tower of an offshore wind turbine to a foundation pile, or a foundation pile itself, in particular an upper part of such a foundation pile.

Preferably, however, the circumferential body comprises a separate hydrogen tower which is dimensioned such that it can connect to a foundation pile, jacket foundation and/or floating foundation suitable for a wind turbine.

According to yet another embodiment, the circumferential body is characterized in that at least one floor of a supporting structure received therein rests on a stop provided on the wall of the internal cavity.

The number of support structures included in a circumferential body such as the hydrogen tower can be selected according to need. Such a number of support structures are placed on top of each other. A practical embodiment of the circumferential body comprises at least two or three support structures placed one above the other in vertical direction. In another embodiment, the at least two or three support structures may comprise one of electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen, or conversion equipment for converting hydrogen to electricity. It is also possible to accommodate at least two or three support structures in a circumferential body, each support structure containing different equipment. Another useful embodiment provides a circumferential body, wherein it comprises a separate hydrogen tower section with a bottom and an upper surface, between which the at least one support structure is received, and wherein the hydrogen tower section further comprises at the bottom a fastening means for fastening to a top side of the foundation pile. or the transition portion, or another hydrogen tower section, and comprises a mounting means on a top side for mounting on a bottom side of another hydrogen tower section. This embodiment has the advantage that different hydrogen tower sections, each with their own appropriate equipment (which may be different per hydrogen tower section), can be arranged on top of each other, thus forming the hydrogen tower. In this way it becomes possible to achieve a relatively great flexibility. For example, the current generation of offshore wind turbines provides the option of installing a maximum of 9 support structures in 1 hydrogen tower, for example, where the hydrogen tower consists of 3 hydrogen tower sections with 3 support structures per section. However, it is also possible to provide hydrogen towers with more than 9 support structures, for example with 15 support structures and more. This depends somewhat on the evolution of technology in wind farms and on the limits set for installation ships.

Several of the embodiments described above make it possible to realize several types of hydrogen tower (HYTOWER), and to connect them to offshore wind turbines or to each other in offshore wind farms: - HYTOWER E ("E" of electrolysis): the support structures comprise all electrolysis equipment only. The input of such a hydrogen tower comprises (green) electricity, while the output comprises green hydrogen. The power to be produced can be, for example, 9x5MW = 45MW for 9 support structures; - HYTOWER S (“S” for storage): the support structures comprise all hydrogen storage equipment only. Both imports and exports include (green) hydrogen. For example, a power to be stored can be 9x360MWh = 3240MWh; - HYTOWER FC (“FC” of fuel cell): the support structures comprise all fuel cells only. The import in this case includes (green) hydrogen, while the export includes (green) electricity. The power to be produced can be, for example, 9x3MW = 27 MW. - HYTOWER B (“B” of battery): the support structures include electrolysis, storage equipment and fuel cells, allowing such a hydrogen tower to function as a battery for electricity. The ratio MWin/MWh/MWout can be varied by varying the number of support structures of each type. Both the import and export of such HYTOWER is (green) electricity. For example, a 15MWin/360MWh/15MW out battery consists of 3 support structures with electrolysis equipment, 1 support structure with storage equipment, and 5 support structures with fuel cells; - HYTOWER E+S: the support structures comprise all electrolysis and storage equipment only. The import includes (green) electricity, while the generated (green) hydrogen is stored. For example, a hydrogen tower of the HYTOWER E+S type can function as a charging station at sea for ships.

It will be clear that other combinations are also possible, such as a HYTOWER S+FC for example.

Each assembly requires energy, so that the assemblies are preferably also electrically connected to each other and to windmills present in a wind farm. For example, a Hytower E will preferably be electrically connected to windmills in a wind farm, but a Hytower S also needs energy for compression of the generated hydrogen gas. There may be an electrical connection between Hytower towers. It is also possible that the Hytower towers are each separately connected to a surrounding wind farm.

In order to obtain a relatively airtight seal with the foundation pile on which the circumferential body is mounted, another embodiment relates to a circumferential body wherein a lower floor of a lower supporting body is provided along a circumferential edge with closing means, designed to form a substantially airtight seal with the internal circumferential wall of the foundation pile or the transition part. It is also possible to realize such an airtight closure at the top of the foundation pile or the transition part itself.

To protect the equipment present in the support structures, an embodiment of the circumferential body is characterized in that it further comprises a cover on a top side thereof. If desired, the cover can be provided with a storage reservoir for rainwater, for supply to the electrolysis equipment present in the circumferential body and/or optional water treatment equipment.

A hydrogen tower according to the invention (HYTOWER) is spatially well integrated in socially accepted offshore wind farms, so that acceptance based on spatial and social considerations is not a problem. In addition, large-scale storage of hydrogen at sea will be possible, which is preferable to such storage on land.

Finally, it is indicated that the embodiments of the invention described in this patent application can be combined in any possible combination of these embodiments, and that each embodiment separately can be the subject of a divisional patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention will now be further elucidated with reference to the following figures and a description of a preferred embodiment, without the invention being otherwise limited thereto. In the figures: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a monopile foundation as commonly used for the foundation of an offshore wind turbine; fig. 2 is a schematic side view of an assembly of a monopile foundation and a hydrogen tower section placed on the monopile foundation according to an embodiment of the invention; fig. 3A-3C schematic side views of a method step for assembling an apparatus for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore according to embodiments of the invention; fig. 4A-4C schematic side views of an apparatus for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 5A is a schematic side view of an apparatus for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore according to an embodiment of the invention; fig. 5B is a schematic top view of the device shown in figure SA; fig. 6A is a schematic side view of a support structure incorporated in a hydrogen tower section according to an embodiment of the invention; fig. 6B is a schematic front perspective view of a self-supporting support structure according to an embodiment of the invention; fig. 6C shows a schematic rear perspective view of the self-supporting support structure shown in figure 6B; fig. 7 is a schematic perspective front view of two stacked support structures according to an embodiment of the invention; fig. 8 is a schematic side view of a monopile foundation as used in a device according to an embodiment of the invention; fig. 9A is a schematic front perspective view of three stacked support structures according to an embodiment of the invention; fig. 9B is a schematic front perspective view of the upper support structure of the stack shown in FIG. 9A according to an embodiment of the invention; fig. 10A-10B are schematic side views of a method step for assembling an apparatus for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore according to embodiments of the invention; and FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view of a wind farm according to an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS With reference to figure 1, a monopile foundation 1 is shown as commonly used for the foundation of an offshore wind turbine. The monopile foundation 1 comprises a cylindrical part 1a which merges at the top into a conical part 1b, which again merges into a cylindrical top part 1c. The cylindrical part 14 is anchored over a large part of its length in an underwater bed 2. This can be done, for example, by means of pile driving, drilling, etc. The monopile foundation 1 generally protrudes above the seawater 3 with part of the cylindrical top portion 1c. The top portion 1c of the monopile foundation 1 has a flange 1d that allows connections (e.g. bolted connections) between the monopile foundation 1 and other structures, such as a transition section for example, or a hydrogen tower section 4.

Referring to Figure 2, such an assembly of the monopile foundation 1 and a hydrogen tower section 4 placed on the monopile foundation 1 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. The hydrogen tower section 4 is in the form of a hollow circumferential body into which a support structure 5 according to an embodiment of the invention can be inserted according to the arrow 50 and accommodated, see for example figure 4C. The hydrogen tower section 4 is substantially cylindrical and has a diameter 40 which adjoins the diameter 10 of the top portion 1c of the monopile foundation 1. The connection can be realized, for example, by connecting the flange 1d and a bottom flange 41 of the hydrogen tower section 4, such as with a flange bolt connection or other type of connection.

The hydrogen tower section 4, and in particular this hydrogen tower section 4 which is directly connected to the monopile foundation 1, may be provided on its underside with an access door 42 providing access to the internal cavity of the hydrogen tower section 4. It is also possible additionally adding an exterior structure such as an access platform for access. Both the monopile foundation 1 and the hydrogen tower section 4 can have any dimensions, depending on the time and the situation (type of wind farm, type of installation vessel, evolution in technology, year, cost price and many more). Figures 3A-3C show a number of different ways in which an apparatus for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore can be assembled. In the method shown in figure 3A, for example, it is possible to provide the hydrogen tower section 4 beforehand with, in the embodiment shown, 3 support structures 5-1, 5-2 and 5-3 placed on top of each other, which are then mounted in their entirety on the monopile foundation. 1 is placed via a lifting crane 60 placed on a jack-up platform 6. The jack-up platform 6 stands in the known manner with four legs 61 on the underwater bottom 2, but can also be floating if desired. In another embodiment, shown in Figure 3B, the hydrogen tower section 4 is first installed on the monopile foundation 1, and then a plurality of self-supporting support structures 5 are each lowered separately along an open top of the hydrogen tower section 4 thereinto. The embodiment variant shown in figure 3C relates to an example in which only a part of one water tower section 4 is used for installation on the monopile foundation 1. The installation can take place according to the two methods already described above. The portion of the water tower section 4 has a length that substantially corresponds to only one support structure

5. If desired, several such parts of the water tower section 4 can be placed on top of each other and connected to each other, for example by a flange-bolt connection. Referring to figures 4A-4C, another embodiment is shown of an apparatus for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore.

Before the hydrogen tower section 4 is installed on the monopile 1, an airtight platform 11 can first be installed on the top of the latter. The airtight platform 11 can serve as a platform for the installation of the monopile 1 / hydrogen tower section 4 connection as well as for a useful air and water seal between the monopile 1 and the hydrogen tower section 4. Then the hydrogen tower section 4 can be installed on the above already described manner by means of the monopile hydrogen tower section connection (1d, 41) wherein the airtight platform 11 can be used as a working platform. Subsequently, in this embodiment, an external service platform 7 is provided, which inter alia ensures that personnel have access to an outside of the hydrogen tower section 4 via the access door 42 and a vessel (not shown) or other means of transport. In a subsequent step (Figure 4C), three support structures (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) are installed in the hydrogen tower section 4 and secured to an inner wall of the hydrogen tower section 4. According to the invention, the support structures 4 are already provided with the equipment and machinery required for the purpose, as will be further explained below. For proper operation, the equipment present in each support structure (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) is interconnected on the various platforms and in the various support structures (5-1, 5-2, 5-3). This will also be further explained in the following. A top of the hydrogen tower section 4 may have a tower-tower connection 43, which comprises, for example, a flange-bolt connection. This allows an additional hydrogen tower section 4-2 to be connected to a previous hydrogen tower section 4-1 if desired (Figures 10A, 10B). If no additional hydrogen tower section 4-2 is present, an upper hydrogen tower section is optionally provided with a protective cover 44. This cover 44 can for instance comprise a monopile cover known per se, and protects the (equipment of the) support structures (5-1, 5-2). , 5-3) against weathering. An upper support structure 5-3 in the hydrogen tower section 4 has, if desired, an additional auxiliary platform 50 that allows a tower-tower connection 43 to be made between two hydrogen tower sections 4-1 and 4-2.

The support structures (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) are designed in a standardized manner so that each support structure (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) is in principle identical to another support structure (5-1, 5-2 , 5-3), except for the equipment contained therein.

The connection between the support structures (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) is standardized in such a way that minimal interaction is required between two support structures (5-1, 5-2, 5-3),

as will be further explained below.

Although the dimensions of the monopile foundation 1, the hydrogen tower section 4 and the support structures (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) are attuned to each other, they can be chosen widely, and can be adapted, for example, to the requirements of the installation.

The number of platforms or floors 51 per support structure can also be chosen within wide limits.

The embodiment shown is based on 3 platforms per support structure 5. Referring to figures 5A and 5B, another embodiment is shown of a direction for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore.

A lower support structure 5-1 shown in more detail is suitable for generating hydrogen gas (H 2 ) by means of water electrolysis.

The required seawater is sucked up by means of a water pipeline 12 from an inside of the monopile foundation 1 by means of pumps (not shown).

It is also possible to suck this in from an outside.

Because of the cable holes 13 provided in a circumferential wall of the monopile foundation 1 for the passage of electrical cables 14 (see figure 8) a flow of seawater is caused in the internal cavity of the monopile foundation 1. The sucked-in seawater is preferably first treated before this can be done. be used for electrolysis to hydrogen gas.

A practical embodiment comprises on a lower platform or floor 51 equipment for sucking up the water (particularly pumps) and equipment for treating (e.g. desalination) the sucked up seawater into, according to known electrolysis standards, pure water.

The treated water can be temporarily stored in the water treatment unit 54 or in a collector 55 also present on the first floor. Also, the treated water can be raised directly to a second platform or floor 52 via a pure water pipe 56. The second floor 52, and by extension, the third floor 53 is also equipped with electrolysis equipment 57, with which the treated (pure) water is converted into hydrogen gas (H2) and oxygen gas (O2). The hydrogen gas H2 and oxygen gas O2 produced by the electrolysis equipment 57 are separated.

To this end, the support structure 5 (5-1) is provided with a separate safety section 58 in section (see the top view of figure 5B) which allows to transport the generated hydrogen gas H2 and oxygen gas O2 downwards or upwards without these gases coming into contact with each other. can come. The secluded security section 58 may be separated from the remainder or operational section 59 of the interior of the support structure 5 by a partition 58a. Further, this security section 58 includes an access section 58b, a section adapted for the storage of hydrogen gas lines 58c, an oxygen gas line storage section 58d, and a power line storage section 58f. In this way all connections are diverted via the safety section 58 between the different floors (platforms) and support structures 5. The safety section 58 is divided into the sub-sections in order to distinguish and protect the different pipes (58b-58f) and cables. . The lines (12, 56) for sucking up and pumping the seawater or the purified water, respectively, need not run in the safety section 58, but can also be included in the operational section 59 separated from the safety section 58.

Referring to Fig. 6A, a support structure 5 incorporated in a hydrogen tower section 4 according to yet another embodiment of the invention is shown. The support structure 5 adapted for electrolysis of (pre-treated) seawater is shown in more detail in figure GB in front view, and in figure 6B in rear view. The seawater pipeline 12, in combination with pumping equipment (not shown) provides for the uptake of seawater. The absorbed seawater is converted by the water treatment unit 54 into purified water suitable for the electrolysis. The purified water is then collected and, if necessary, pumped up to the second floor 52 via the pure water connection 56. On the second floor 52, the purified water supplied via the line 56 is used as feed water for the production of hydrogen gas in the electrolysis. -equipment 57. The water electrolysis converts the purified water into hydrogen gas on the one hand and oxygen gas on the other, and the two gases are kept separate from each other and transported up or down through the pipelines provided in the safety section 58. With a Hytower type B, the produced oxygen gas can, if desired, be used in a support structure 5 in which fuel cells are incorporated for converting hydrogen gas into electricity, as will be further explained below. In the example shown in Figure 6B, the oxygen line 58d and the power line 58f are shown in 1 subsection of the safety section 58. The top floor 53 provides additional space and support for additional electrolysis equipment 54 or other equipment such as for gas compression, for example.

The access in the form of ladders 70 visible in Figure 6C provides space to allow access for maintenance technicians to the various floors (51, 52, 53). Other equipment may also be available to transport relatively heavy materials from top to bottom or vice versa, for example a hoisting hoist. Preferably, this equipment is incorporated into subsections of the security section 58. In the event of any danger (fire, explosion or other), the security section 58 serves as protection and emergency access to various levels. Referring to Figure 7, another embodiment is shown showing two stacked support structures (5-1, 5-2). The stacking of the support structures (5-1, 5-2) is possible due to the standardized design of the internal support structures (5-1, 5-2), noting that an additional support structure 5-2 can have a completely different application than the support structure 5-1 on which it is placed. Figure 7 shows that the installation of a second support structure 5-2 on a first support structure 5-1 can proceed without problems because of the same design. Indeed, the dimensions of both support structures (5-1, 5-2), including the dimensions of the subsections in the safety sections 58 and the operational sections 59, are matched, and preferably substantially identical.

In the embodiment shown, the support structure 5-2 has the purpose of storing an amount of hydrogen gas produced and a possibly smaller amount of oxygen gas in a plurality of gas tubes 71. The gas tubes 71 are positioned vertically so as to cover all platforms or floors (51, 52, 53). put into use in the support structure 5-2. In this way, the space within the support structure 5-2 is optimally utilized. Each gas tube 71 has its own branch to the hydrogen gas lines 58c. All associated equipment and control applications associated with the storage of the generated gases H2 and O2 are preferably centrally collected in the vicinity of the safety section 58 such that maintenance should preferably only be carried out at this location, if necessary. In this way it is also possible not to provide an access space in the space between the different gas pipes 71 arranged parallel to each other in the operational section 59, whereby the space can be optimally used.

Referring to Figure 8, a monopile foundation 1 is shown as it is used in a device according to an embodiment of the invention. Electric cables 14 are extended in the monopile 1 to a lower part of the monopile 14 where the cable holes 13 are provided, through which electricity produced can leave the monopile foundation 1 via an outgoing power line (one of the lines 14 shown), and electricity via an ingoing power line. electricity line (the other of the lines 14 shown) can be supplied for the purpose of driving the equipment accommodated in the hydrogen tower 4.

Referring to Figures 9A and 9B, the upper support structure 5-3 of the illustrated stack of three support structures (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) comprises fuel cells 73 arranged to convert the stored hydrogen gas and oxygen gas into electricity. via an inverse of the electrolysis process. Additional oxygen gas is optionally available by providing an additional oxygen line 58d that optionally takes oxygen from the outside. In the shown support structure 5-3, all platforms are used for producing electricity. The energy produced is diverted downwards via the power line 58f contained in a subsection of the safety section 58 to the outgoing power line 14.

The upper support structure 5-3 may optionally include an additional auxiliary platform 50 to support the installation of an additional hydrogen tower section 4 by means of a tower-tower connection 43. As mentioned above, the upper water tower section 4 is provided with a protective cover 44 to prevent the equipment contained in the internal support structures 5 from weather influences. The internal equipment can be made operational from the moment that the assembly of a monopile 1 and hydrogen towers 4 mounted on it has been installed.

According to Figures 10A and 10B, additional water tower sections 4 can be added according to methods as discussed above, regardless of the amount of water tower sections 4 and the type of application. For example, a minimum of 3 hydrogen tower sections (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) each provided with 3 internal support structures (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) can be installed on a monopile foundation already anchored in the underwater bed. 1. The number can of course be adjusted to the need.

In Fig. 10A, the water tower sections (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) from a jack-up platform 6 with a lifting crane 60 are successively placed on top of each other and interconnected, thus forming a complete hydrogen tower (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) forming.

In Fig. 10B, the water tower sections (4-1, 4-2, 4-3) from a floating installation vessel 9 with a lifting crane 60 are successively placed on top of each other and interconnected, thus forming a complete hydrogen tower (4-1, 4-2, 4 -3) forming.

Finally, Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a wind farm according to an embodiment of the invention. The wind farm 80 comprises a number of assemblies of a monopile foundation 1 customary for offshore wind turbine towers and a hydrogen tower section 4 or sections connected to the top thereof (also referred to as HyTower), and a number of wind turbine towers 81 mounted on foundation piles 1. The assemblies (1, 4) and the wind turbine towers 81 are electrically interconnected with electrical lines 82 connected to the lines 14 of each assembly (1, 4). The hydrogen tower sections 4 are internally provided with support structures 5 according to the invention.

A wind farm 80 can have several HyTower (1, 4) applications that are connected to the power lines of the wind farm as well as to each other. For example, one or more wind turbine towers 81 can be electrically connected to a HyTower (1, 4), wherein the connecting electrical cable 82 is extended via the seabed 2, through the cable holes 13 of a HyTower (1, 4) and through the airtight platform 11 via the subsection of the safety section 58 to a platform (51, 52, 53) of an internal support structure 5. Depending on the application in the Hytower (1, 4), electricity can be produced which is either diverted to a windmill 81 or to an additional Hytower (1, 4) for further application. If the application includes production of hydrogen gas, a gas pipeline 83 can be laid between the HyTowers (1, 4).

The table below shows which different applications are possible, but can always be expanded with other applications if necessary and possible.

| Name | Application | lInvoee | Output | HyTower E Electrolysis Electricity from wind farm or Hydrogen gas via gas pipelines or other energy source by ship HyTower S Storage Hydrogen gas via gas pipelines Hydrogen gas via gas pipelines or from HyTower E or other source by ship to land, HyTower FC. Hydrogen gas for own use (Hydrogen gas filling station at sea) HyTower FC Fuel Cell Hydrogen gas via gas pipelines Electricity via power line to HyTower E or other source land or wind farm HyTower B Battery = Electricity from wind farm or Electricity via power line to + Electrolysis other energy source land, wind farm or other source + Storage + Fuel Cell! (fuel cell) HyTower E+S Electrolysis Electricity from wind farm or Hydrogen gas for own use Storage (storage) other energy source (Hydrogen gas filling station at sea) HyTower S+FC Storage+Fuel Cell Hydrogen gas via gas pipelines Electricity via power line to from Hytower E or other source land or wind farm or other source The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above and the scope of protection is determined by the appended claims.

Claims (23)

CONCLUSIONS A self-supporting support structure for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity, the support structure comprising vertically spaced and upright girders supported floors, a floor comprising electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen and/or conversion equipment for converting hydrogen into electricity, and wherein the support structure can be received in the vertical direction in a hollow circumferential body comprising a foundation pile for an offshore wind turbine tower, or a transition part placed between the foundation pile and the wind turbine tower, or a separate hydrogen tower that can be connected to a top side of the foundation pile or the transition part. Support structure according to claim 1, comprising one of electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen or converting equipment for converting hydrogen into electricity. The support structure of claim 1 or 2, wherein each floor comprises one of electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen or converting equipment for converting hydrogen to electricity. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, comprising three or more floors spaced apart in the vertical direction and supported by the upright girders. 5. Support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one floor connects substantially fittingly to an internal circumferential wall of the circumferential body. ©. Support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one floor is circular or polygonal and the upright supports are arranged according to the corner points of a polygon in the circumferential direction of the at least one floor. Support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an upper floor is adapted to couple another circumferential body or a screening cover to a top side of the circumferential body. Support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrolysis equipment comprises pump means for supplying ambient water, optionally a purification unit to purify the pumped ambient water, and an electrolysis unit adapted to convert the optionally purified ambient water. into hydrogen and oxygen, and means for feeding the generated hydrogen to a hydrogen store, and, optionally, the generated oxygen to an oxygen store. 9. Support structure as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the storage equipment comprises a number of pressure tubes connected to a closable inlet line for the generated hydrogen and oriented parallel to each other in the vertical direction, and compression means which are designed to pressurize the hydrogen present in the pressure tubes. preferably a pressure comprised between 200 and 1000 bar. A support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the conversion equipment for converting hydrogen into electricity comprises pump means for supplying ambient oxygen, optionally from oxygen obtained from an oxygen storage, and from hydrogen coming from the storage equipment, and an electrolysis unit arranged to convert the supplied hydrogen and oxygen into electricity, and furthermore a power line for discharging the generated electricity. Support construction according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower floor is provided along a circumferential edge with closing means, for instance a rubber profile, designed to realize a substantially airtight seal with an internal circumferential wall of the circumferential body. Support structure according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floors are mutually connected by an upright ladder. 13. A peripheral body in which a support structure according to any one of the preceding claims is supported. A circumferential body according to claim 13, wherein at least three support structures according to any one of the preceding claims 1-12, placed one above the other, are included. The circumferential body of claim 14, wherein the at least three support structures are one of electrolysis equipment for generating hydrogen from ambient water, storage equipment for storing hydrogen or converting equipment for converting hydrogen into electricity. 16. A peripheral body according to any one of claims 13-15, wherein it comprises a separate hydrogen tower section with a bottom and a top surface, between which the at least one support structure is accommodated, and wherein the hydrogen tower section further comprises a fastening means on a bottom side for fastening on a top side. of the foundation pile or the transition part, or to another hydrogen tower section, and comprises at a top a fastening means for fastening to another hydrogen tower section, thus forming a hydrogen tower, or to a shielding cover. 17. A peripheral body according to claim 16, wherein an upper floor of an upper support structure is adapted to couple the cover to a top side of the peripheral body. 18. A circumferential body according to claim 16 or 17, wherein a lower floor of a lower supporting body is provided along a circumferential edge with closing means, designed to realize a substantially airtight seal with the internal circumferential wall of the foundation pile or the transition part. 19. A peripheral body according to any one of claims 16-18, wherein it further comprises a storage reservoir for rainwater for supply to the electrolysis equipment. 20. Assembly of a foundation pile usual for an offshore wind turbine tower and a circumferential body connected to a top side thereof as claimed in any of the claims 16-19. 21. Wind farm, comprising a number of assemblies according to claim 20 and a number of wind turbine towers mounted on foundation piles, wherein the assemblies and the wind turbine towers are mutually electrically connected. A method for assembling a device for generating, storing and/or converting hydrogen into electricity offshore, wherein a self-supporting support structure according to any one of claims 1-12 is suspended from a lifting means and arranged in an internal cavity of a circumferential body wherein the circumferential body comprises a foundation pile for an offshore wind turbine tower provided in an underwater bed, or a transition part placed on the foundation pile, or a separate hydrogen tower which has been previously connected to a top side of the foundation pile or the transition part. 23. Method for assembling a device for the offshore generation, storage and/or conversion of hydrogen into electricity, in which a circumferential body provided with a self-supporting support construction according to any one of claims 16-19 is suspended from a lifting means and placed on an underwater bed. provided foundation pile for an offshore wind turbine tower, or a transition part placed on the foundation pile is placed and connected to a top side of the foundation pile or the transition part, for example by bolting, welding or grouting.