CA3081621A1 - Apparatus and method - Google Patents
Apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA3081621A1 CA3081621A1 CA3081621A CA3081621A CA3081621A1 CA 3081621 A1 CA3081621 A1 CA 3081621A1 CA 3081621 A CA3081621 A CA 3081621A CA 3081621 A CA3081621 A CA 3081621A CA 3081621 A1 CA3081621 A1 CA 3081621A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- module
- support structure
- arrangement
- energy converter
- cross
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
- F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/40—Use of a multiplicity of similar components
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
- F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Oceanography (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
Apparatus comprising an energy converting array including a support structure (4) and a plurality of tidal energy converter modules (6) mounted to the support structure (4), each module (6) including at least one energy converter device, the arrangement being such that the plurality of tidal energy converter modules (6) are mounted to the support structure (4) in a staggered arrangement, each module (6) separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules (6), the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module (6) and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module (6).
Description
APPARATUS AND METHOD
This invention relates to an energy converting array.
Harnessing power from tidal energy is a well-proven method of energy extraction from the marine environment. However, there are major challenges with achieving a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) to enable justifiable commercial development of tidal energy. The key challenges have been:
= high costs and complexity of tidal turbines, = high costs and complexity of sea bed foundations, = high levels of fatigue in the sea bed foundations leading to reduced lifespan and higher complexity/cost, = high installation costs owing to the need for construction vessels capable of lifting large loads, = Poor availability of suitable installation vessels in certain geographical areas, = complex and high logistic costs associated with transporting and handling heavy turbines and associated balance of plant equipment, = very high operation and maintenance costs owing to the need to mobilise the heavy-lift construction vessels, = large expenditure on mobilisation/demobilisation costs for offshore marine spreads, = very limited windows of availability to site for construction activity.
Many of the best tidal sites in the World do not have availability of Offshore Construction Vessels (OCV's) thus leading to very high costs of mobilising such vessels over long distances.
Floating Platforms are widely regarded as a potential solution. However, this can increase cost and risk due to the high mooring loads, mooring fatigue, mooring elasticity/ yawing (fish-tailing), high costs and statutory requirements for the floating plant, expensive anchoring solutions and complex dynamic cable hook-up between the seabed and the floating device, cable fatigue, heavy weather/survivability issues, collisions with vessels/debris, etc. Furthermore, there are limited sites where such floating solutions can be used and represent a major hazard to marine navigation. The moorings and associated equipment also take up a lot of seabed space and as such the packing density is relatively low leading to lower energy recovery from a given area.
Subsea installation techniques of tidal turbines have become in recent times very efficient and well proven, there is no reason to deviate from using seabed mounted turbines.
In addition, the track record of using subsea connectors and hook-up methodologies have been well-understood and performed successfully using wet mate connectors.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising an energy converting array including a support structure and a plurality of tidal energy converter modules mounted to the support structure, each module including at least one energy converter device, the arrangement being such that the plurality of tidal energy converter modules are mounted to the support structure in a staggered arrangement, each module separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules, the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installation of an energy converting array comprising installing on a seabed location a support structure, lowering, sequentially, a plurality of tidal energy converter modules, each module including at least one energy converter device and mounting the plurality of tidal energy converter modules to the support structure in a staggered arrangement, each module separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules, the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module.
Owing to these aspects, a foundation structure can be provided where individual submerged energy converter modules can be easily accessed for recovery and the foundation/ support structure can remain in situ.
This invention relates to an energy converting array.
Harnessing power from tidal energy is a well-proven method of energy extraction from the marine environment. However, there are major challenges with achieving a Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) to enable justifiable commercial development of tidal energy. The key challenges have been:
= high costs and complexity of tidal turbines, = high costs and complexity of sea bed foundations, = high levels of fatigue in the sea bed foundations leading to reduced lifespan and higher complexity/cost, = high installation costs owing to the need for construction vessels capable of lifting large loads, = Poor availability of suitable installation vessels in certain geographical areas, = complex and high logistic costs associated with transporting and handling heavy turbines and associated balance of plant equipment, = very high operation and maintenance costs owing to the need to mobilise the heavy-lift construction vessels, = large expenditure on mobilisation/demobilisation costs for offshore marine spreads, = very limited windows of availability to site for construction activity.
Many of the best tidal sites in the World do not have availability of Offshore Construction Vessels (OCV's) thus leading to very high costs of mobilising such vessels over long distances.
Floating Platforms are widely regarded as a potential solution. However, this can increase cost and risk due to the high mooring loads, mooring fatigue, mooring elasticity/ yawing (fish-tailing), high costs and statutory requirements for the floating plant, expensive anchoring solutions and complex dynamic cable hook-up between the seabed and the floating device, cable fatigue, heavy weather/survivability issues, collisions with vessels/debris, etc. Furthermore, there are limited sites where such floating solutions can be used and represent a major hazard to marine navigation. The moorings and associated equipment also take up a lot of seabed space and as such the packing density is relatively low leading to lower energy recovery from a given area.
Subsea installation techniques of tidal turbines have become in recent times very efficient and well proven, there is no reason to deviate from using seabed mounted turbines.
In addition, the track record of using subsea connectors and hook-up methodologies have been well-understood and performed successfully using wet mate connectors.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus comprising an energy converting array including a support structure and a plurality of tidal energy converter modules mounted to the support structure, each module including at least one energy converter device, the arrangement being such that the plurality of tidal energy converter modules are mounted to the support structure in a staggered arrangement, each module separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules, the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of installation of an energy converting array comprising installing on a seabed location a support structure, lowering, sequentially, a plurality of tidal energy converter modules, each module including at least one energy converter device and mounting the plurality of tidal energy converter modules to the support structure in a staggered arrangement, each module separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules, the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module.
Owing to these aspects, a foundation structure can be provided where individual submerged energy converter modules can be easily accessed for recovery and the foundation/ support structure can remain in situ.
2 Preferably, the energy converter devices are turbines and whose blades are rotated about an axis by movement of fluctuating tides.
By taking advantage of the reduced cost and reduced weight of relatively smaller tidal turbines available in recent years and integrating/clustering a plurality of these turbines into a single energy converter module on a cross beam structure and further integrating the hook-up and power management system of the modules, it is possible to extract the same amount of energy at a lower capital expenditure and at a considerably reduced weight. For example, a small turbine of 50-200KW capacity and weighing around 1-10 tonnes, means that 1MW of generating capacity can be achieved with a total of 5-20 turbines at a turbine weight as low as 20 tonnes. These loads are easily handled by standard low cost workboats, supply vessels and barges.
Conventional larger turbines (>1MW) of this capacity are generally in the range of 130-200 tonnes. This has major advantages in terms of the installation, logistics, operation and maintenance, allowing for moving from larger heavy-lift installation and recovery vessels to smaller work boats, supply boats and barges without need for offshore construction vessels. This approach has major advantages in being able to adapt locally sourced work vessels and barges in areas where there are few offshore type construction vessels.
Additionally, relatively smaller turbines have been demonstrated to deliver not only a considerably higher power-generation: weight ratio but also a considerably higher power-generation: manufacture cost ratio.
Additional advantages are that fatigue of the support structure (foundation fatigue);
wake losses; installation, operation and maintenance costs are all much reduced.
Additionally the requirements for ballasting of the support structure required to mitigate sliding and overturning are significantly reduced with associated cost savings.
The downside of a multi-turbine approach is increase balance of plant costs around integration of the multiple units into a common grid and integration into a foundation structure.
By taking advantage of the reduced cost and reduced weight of relatively smaller tidal turbines available in recent years and integrating/clustering a plurality of these turbines into a single energy converter module on a cross beam structure and further integrating the hook-up and power management system of the modules, it is possible to extract the same amount of energy at a lower capital expenditure and at a considerably reduced weight. For example, a small turbine of 50-200KW capacity and weighing around 1-10 tonnes, means that 1MW of generating capacity can be achieved with a total of 5-20 turbines at a turbine weight as low as 20 tonnes. These loads are easily handled by standard low cost workboats, supply vessels and barges.
Conventional larger turbines (>1MW) of this capacity are generally in the range of 130-200 tonnes. This has major advantages in terms of the installation, logistics, operation and maintenance, allowing for moving from larger heavy-lift installation and recovery vessels to smaller work boats, supply boats and barges without need for offshore construction vessels. This approach has major advantages in being able to adapt locally sourced work vessels and barges in areas where there are few offshore type construction vessels.
Additionally, relatively smaller turbines have been demonstrated to deliver not only a considerably higher power-generation: weight ratio but also a considerably higher power-generation: manufacture cost ratio.
Additional advantages are that fatigue of the support structure (foundation fatigue);
wake losses; installation, operation and maintenance costs are all much reduced.
Additionally the requirements for ballasting of the support structure required to mitigate sliding and overturning are significantly reduced with associated cost savings.
The downside of a multi-turbine approach is increase balance of plant costs around integration of the multiple units into a common grid and integration into a foundation structure.
3 The object of this invention is to address these issues through:
= development of a multi-turbine foundation structure at a reduced cost, = lower balance of costs by integrating several turbines as a single unit, = spread fatigue load into the base structure in a more balanced manner and to increase fatigue life of the turbine support structure, = develop of a robust operation and maintenance strategy using workboat sized vessels, barges or supply boats that can be locally sourced worldwide, = use tried and tested subsea operation hook-up methodologies, = use a purpose-built Launch and Recovery System (LARS) on a dual skid arrangement that can be easily transported Worldwide and integrated easily on any flat deck work vessel, supply vessel or barge with no need for crane vessels.
= use lightweight/ low cost handling and transport equipment.
.. In order that the present invention can be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of an energy converting array, Figure 2 is a side view of the array of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a rear view of the array of Figure 1, Figures 4 to 9 show perspective views of stages of installation of the energy converting array Figure 10 is a perspective view showing in more detail parts of the array of Figure 1 in a detached configuration, and .. Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 4 with the parts of the array in a mounted configuration.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, an energy converting array 2 comprises a support structure or foundation 4 and a plurality of tidal energy converter modules 6 mounted to the support structure 4, each module 6 including a plurality of energy converting devices in the form of turbines 8 mounted on a cross-beam structure 10, which in the example shown is a wing-like cross-beam structure.
= development of a multi-turbine foundation structure at a reduced cost, = lower balance of costs by integrating several turbines as a single unit, = spread fatigue load into the base structure in a more balanced manner and to increase fatigue life of the turbine support structure, = develop of a robust operation and maintenance strategy using workboat sized vessels, barges or supply boats that can be locally sourced worldwide, = use tried and tested subsea operation hook-up methodologies, = use a purpose-built Launch and Recovery System (LARS) on a dual skid arrangement that can be easily transported Worldwide and integrated easily on any flat deck work vessel, supply vessel or barge with no need for crane vessels.
= use lightweight/ low cost handling and transport equipment.
.. In order that the present invention can be clearly and completely disclosed, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a perspective view of an energy converting array, Figure 2 is a side view of the array of Figure 1, Figure 3 is a rear view of the array of Figure 1, Figures 4 to 9 show perspective views of stages of installation of the energy converting array Figure 10 is a perspective view showing in more detail parts of the array of Figure 1 in a detached configuration, and .. Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 4 with the parts of the array in a mounted configuration.
Referring to Figures 1 to 3, an energy converting array 2 comprises a support structure or foundation 4 and a plurality of tidal energy converter modules 6 mounted to the support structure 4, each module 6 including a plurality of energy converting devices in the form of turbines 8 mounted on a cross-beam structure 10, which in the example shown is a wing-like cross-beam structure.
4 Referring to Figures 4 to 9, during installation, each module 6 is lowered from a surface vessel or barge 14 onto the support structure 4 which has previously been anchored to a seabed SB location. The modules 6 are arranged to be mounted to the support structure 4 in a staggered pattern to separate adjacent or neighbouring modules 6 both horizontally and vertically, to allow for unhindered access for installation and recovery and for unhindered flow of water through the turbines at different levels thereby optimising the energy extraction from the volumetric flow of water through the space occupied by the array 2. Referring back to Figure 2, arrows 7 indicate unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module 6 to allow for unhindered access for installation and recovery and arrows 7' indicate unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module 6 to allow for unhindered flow of water through the turbines at different levels thereby optimising the energy extraction from the volumetric flow of water.
Referring specifically to Figures 4 and 5, each module 6 is preferably lowered into the water by way of a twin-davit system 12 mounted on the front-end or back-end region of the vessel or barge 14 and incorporating a carrying beam 16, substantially the same width as the cross-beam structure 10. The cross-beam structure 10 is releasably mounted to the carrying beam 16. The carrying beam 16 attached to the module 6 is attached to lift wires 18 via a launch and recovery system frame (LARS frame).
The twin-davit system 12 comprises the launch and recovery system and a sea-fastening arrangement for secure sea transport of the modules 6 and is designed so as to be capable of being fitted to the vessel 14, thus removing the need for any cranes or other large-scale lifting equipment. The lift wires 18 originate from first winch drums 20. In addition, two stabilising cables 22 are advantageously attached from amidships of the vessel 14 to the end regions of the carrying beam 16 to allow full control of the lift at all stages. The stabilising cables originate from second winch drums 24. The stabilising cables 22 allow for launching of the module 6 in non-optimal, adverse weather conditions as the pendulum effect caused by high wind forces can be reduced owing to reduced working heights (as compared to cranes) and two points of attachment with the two stabilising cables 22. As a result, the path the load (the module 6) takes is much more controlled through the splash zone, through a column of water and during locating of the module 6 onto the support structure 4. In good weather conditions, use of the stabilising cables 22 may not be needed.
Referring specifically to Figures 4 and 5, each module 6 is preferably lowered into the water by way of a twin-davit system 12 mounted on the front-end or back-end region of the vessel or barge 14 and incorporating a carrying beam 16, substantially the same width as the cross-beam structure 10. The cross-beam structure 10 is releasably mounted to the carrying beam 16. The carrying beam 16 attached to the module 6 is attached to lift wires 18 via a launch and recovery system frame (LARS frame).
The twin-davit system 12 comprises the launch and recovery system and a sea-fastening arrangement for secure sea transport of the modules 6 and is designed so as to be capable of being fitted to the vessel 14, thus removing the need for any cranes or other large-scale lifting equipment. The lift wires 18 originate from first winch drums 20. In addition, two stabilising cables 22 are advantageously attached from amidships of the vessel 14 to the end regions of the carrying beam 16 to allow full control of the lift at all stages. The stabilising cables originate from second winch drums 24. The stabilising cables 22 allow for launching of the module 6 in non-optimal, adverse weather conditions as the pendulum effect caused by high wind forces can be reduced owing to reduced working heights (as compared to cranes) and two points of attachment with the two stabilising cables 22. As a result, the path the load (the module 6) takes is much more controlled through the splash zone, through a column of water and during locating of the module 6 onto the support structure 4. In good weather conditions, use of the stabilising cables 22 may not be needed.
5 Figure 6 shows the module 6 attached to the carrying beam 16 and part way through the water column to mate with the support structure 4. Figure 7 shows arrival of the module 6 at the support structure 4 at the desired mating position. The module
6 is located or stabbed onto the support structure 4 by way of a stabbing arrangement discussed in more detail hereinbelow. Figure 8 shows the carrying beam 16 disengaged from the module 6 now connected to the support structure 4 and being raised back to the vessel 14 through the water column by the twin-davit system 12 for being releasably connected to a further module 6 for installation or, as shown, .. completion of the installation task. The carrying beam 16 is released from the module 6 by a hydraulic ram releasing a pin which secures the lifting cables through a pad-eye arrangement. The stabilising cables 22 remain attached to the module 6 throughout the operation.
Figure 9 shows a completed installation of the array and ready for use once all the electrical connections have been made.
Referring to Figures 10 and 11, each module 6 is located or stabbed onto the support structure 4 via an arrangement of stabbing guides 24 on the cross-beam 10, increasing the tolerance (in the version shown this tolerance being given by a frusto-conically shaped channel) for reception of a corresponding mating element 26 on end regions of mounting struts of the support structure 4. Intelligent arrangements such as subsea cameras, acoustic positioning systems, sonar based reference systems mounted on the lifting arrangements mean that expensive work-class Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are not required. The module 6 may be mounted to the support structure 4 via a remote locking pin arrangement actuated from the LARS frame. Additionally, a wet mate connector arrangement for the electrical hooking-up of the module 6 is also actuated from the LARS frame.
When one or more modules 6 require maintenance and/or repair, the vessel 14 can return to the site and by way of the twin-davit system 12 with its LARS frame can lower the carrying beam 16 to engage with the desired module 6 on the support structure 4.
Owing to the staggered arrangement of the modules 6 on the support structure 4 there is no part of the array 2 that hinders removal of the module 6 through the water column
Figure 9 shows a completed installation of the array and ready for use once all the electrical connections have been made.
Referring to Figures 10 and 11, each module 6 is located or stabbed onto the support structure 4 via an arrangement of stabbing guides 24 on the cross-beam 10, increasing the tolerance (in the version shown this tolerance being given by a frusto-conically shaped channel) for reception of a corresponding mating element 26 on end regions of mounting struts of the support structure 4. Intelligent arrangements such as subsea cameras, acoustic positioning systems, sonar based reference systems mounted on the lifting arrangements mean that expensive work-class Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are not required. The module 6 may be mounted to the support structure 4 via a remote locking pin arrangement actuated from the LARS frame. Additionally, a wet mate connector arrangement for the electrical hooking-up of the module 6 is also actuated from the LARS frame.
When one or more modules 6 require maintenance and/or repair, the vessel 14 can return to the site and by way of the twin-davit system 12 with its LARS frame can lower the carrying beam 16 to engage with the desired module 6 on the support structure 4.
Owing to the staggered arrangement of the modules 6 on the support structure 4 there is no part of the array 2 that hinders removal of the module 6 through the water column
7 back to the vessel 14. The same applies to the re-connection of the module 6 after the required maintenance and/or repair has taken place.
The modules 6 may be designed to create some downforce onto the support structure 4 while simultaneously augmenting the flow around the turbines 8 by nature of fairing of the wing-like cross-beam 10. The support structure 4 may be in the form of a tripod, a duo-pod, or a quadro-pod structure and may be fixed into the seabed by drilling into the seabed or rest on top of the seabed by way of a gravity base/modular gravity base.
The bracings of the support structure 4 may further include fairings so as to augment .. flow of water into the turbines 8. The turbines themselves may be suspended from the cross beam 10 (as shown), fixed above the cross-beam or be integrated into the cross-beam.
The modules 6 may be designed to create some downforce onto the support structure 4 while simultaneously augmenting the flow around the turbines 8 by nature of fairing of the wing-like cross-beam 10. The support structure 4 may be in the form of a tripod, a duo-pod, or a quadro-pod structure and may be fixed into the seabed by drilling into the seabed or rest on top of the seabed by way of a gravity base/modular gravity base.
The bracings of the support structure 4 may further include fairings so as to augment .. flow of water into the turbines 8. The turbines themselves may be suspended from the cross beam 10 (as shown), fixed above the cross-beam or be integrated into the cross-beam.
Claims (15)
1. Apparatus comprising an energy converting array including a support structure and a plurality of tidal energy converter modules mounted to the support structure, each module including at least one energy converter device, the arrangement being such that the plurality of tidal energy converter modules are mounted to the support structure in a staggered arrangement, each module separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules, the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each module includes a plurality of energy converting devices.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the energy converting devices are turbines.
4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the module comprises a cross-beam structure to which the energy converting devices are mounted.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the cross-beam structure is a wing-like cross-beam structure.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure may be in the form of a tripod and further includes fairings so as to augment flow of water into the energy converting devices.
7. Apparatus according to according to any preceding claim, wherein each module is preferably lowered into the water by way of a twin-davit system mounted a vessel.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 as appended to claims 4 or 5, wherein the twin-davit system includes a carrying beam, substantially the same width as the cross-beam structure.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the cross-beam structure is releasably mounted to the carrying beam.
10.Apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the cross-beam structure comprises stabbing guides.
11.Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said stabbing guides are frusto-conically shaped channels increasing the tolerance for reception of a corresponding mating element on end regions of mounting struts of the support structure.
12.A method of installation of an energy converting array comprising installing on a seabed location a support structure, lowering, sequentially, a plurality of tidal energy converter modules, each module including at least one energy converter device and mounting the plurality of tidal energy converter modules to the support structure in a staggered arrangement, each module separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules, the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module.
13.A method according to claim 12, each module being lowered from a surface vessel onto the support structure previously anchored to a seabed location.
14.A method according to claim 12 or 13, and further comprising stabilising the modules during lowering by way of stabilising cables.
15.A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein each module is stabbed onto the support structure 4 by way of a stabbing arrangement.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1718193.4A GB201718193D0 (en) | 2017-11-02 | 2017-11-02 | Apparatus and method |
GB1718193.4 | 2017-11-02 | ||
PCT/GB2018/053164 WO2019086877A1 (en) | 2017-11-02 | 2018-11-01 | Apparatus and method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA3081621A1 true CA3081621A1 (en) | 2019-05-09 |
Family
ID=60664752
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA3081621A Pending CA3081621A1 (en) | 2017-11-02 | 2018-11-01 | Apparatus and method |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3704372A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2021508017A (en) |
CA (1) | CA3081621A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB201718193D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019086877A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5440176A (en) * | 1994-10-18 | 1995-08-08 | Haining Michael L | Ocean current power generator |
GB2497461B (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2014-11-05 | Cameron Int Corp | Method and apparatus for energy generation |
GB201218569D0 (en) * | 2012-10-16 | 2012-11-28 | Mojo Maritime Ltd | Improvements in or relating to marine operations |
US9506451B2 (en) * | 2014-03-17 | 2016-11-29 | Aquantis, Inc. | Floating, yawing spar current/tidal turbine |
WO2017045030A1 (en) * | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | Worleyparsons Services Pty Ltd | Method and apparatus for deploying tide driven power generators |
-
2017
- 2017-11-02 GB GBGB1718193.4A patent/GB201718193D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2018
- 2018-11-01 CA CA3081621A patent/CA3081621A1/en active Pending
- 2018-11-01 JP JP2020544168A patent/JP2021508017A/en active Pending
- 2018-11-01 WO PCT/GB2018/053164 patent/WO2019086877A1/en unknown
- 2018-11-01 EP EP18822431.5A patent/EP3704372A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2019086877A1 (en) | 2019-05-09 |
EP3704372A1 (en) | 2020-09-09 |
KR20200116903A (en) | 2020-10-13 |
JP2021508017A (en) | 2021-02-25 |
GB201718193D0 (en) | 2017-12-20 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP3430259B1 (en) | A floating wind turbine and a method for the installation of such floating wind turbine | |
CN112135772B (en) | Wind turbine for offshore deployment | |
US20100316450A1 (en) | Method for installing an offshore wind turbine and a barge system | |
CN102464088B (en) | Method for installing thruster at bottom of drilling platform | |
EP2251254A1 (en) | Installation vessel for offshore wind turbines | |
CN210653580U (en) | Offshore wind power platform group with shared mooring | |
CN103925172A (en) | Integral mounting assisting device and mounting method for tension leg type offshore floating wind turbine | |
US20220316446A1 (en) | Floating offshore wind turbine assembly unit | |
AU2021258901A1 (en) | A self-propelled floating structure and method of construction | |
CN110654510A (en) | Offshore wind power platform group with shared mooring | |
US20240117788A1 (en) | Delivery of a high volume of floating systems for wind | |
KR102708453B1 (en) | Device and method | |
CA3081621A1 (en) | Apparatus and method | |
EP2432938B1 (en) | Method for installing a topside module on an offshore support structure | |
CN214092145U (en) | Truss inhaul cable type floating offshore wind turbine structure | |
WO2022108456A1 (en) | A handling apparatus and method of mating a module | |
EP2440709B1 (en) | Buoyant stabilizing device | |
Crowle et al. | Challenges during installation of floating wind turbines | |
EP4389579A1 (en) | Offshore floating intervention vessel, intended to temporarily support an offshore wind turbine platform, related assembly and intervention method | |
US20240084782A1 (en) | Floating offshore wind turbine apparatus and installation method | |
Tarełko | Installation vessels of offshore wind farms and their take+ off systems | |
DK3255211T3 (en) | Jack-bridge structure | |
NO346577B1 (en) | Construction of offshore wind power plants | |
CN117719639A (en) | Semi-submersible fan installation platform and fan installation method | |
CN115450848A (en) | Offshore installation system and offshore installation method of floating type wind turbine |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request |
Effective date: 20231006 |