DE102019124977A1 - Method of installing an offshore wind energy device - Google Patents

Abstract

The application relates to a method for installing an offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402), in particular a floatable offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402), comprising providing an offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) to be installed with at least a flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) attached to the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) at least during the installation process, and controlling the at least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) in such a way that a specific Position of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) is set according to at least one position target parameter during the installation of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402).

Description

The application relates to a method for installing an offshore wind energy device. In addition, the application relates to an offshore wind energy system, an offshore wind energy device, a liquid flywheel module and a use of a flywheel module.

To provide electrical energy from so-called renewable energy sources, wind parks with at least one wind turbine are increasingly being used. A wind power plant is set up in particular to convert the kinetic wind energy into electrical energy. In order to increase the energy yield with such systems, wind farms are arranged or installed at locations with a high wind probability. Offshore locations in particular are usually characterized by relatively continuous wind conditions and high average wind speeds, so that so-called offshore wind farms are increasingly being built.

As a rule, an offshore wind park has a large number of offshore wind energy devices, such as a large number of offshore wind turbines, measuring masts and / or at least one offshore substation, via which the offshore wind park electrically, for example, with an onshore substation or another Offshore substation or offshore converter station is connected. An onshore substation, in turn, can be connected to a public power grid. To transmit electrical energy between two offshore wind energy devices or an offshore wind energy device and an onshore device, energy cables are laid in the form of submarine cables.

While it has been customary in offshore wind farms to date, an offshore wind energy device (in particular a tower of an offshore wind energy device) through a foundation structure (e.g. monopile, tripod, tripile or jacket foundations) on the bottom of the water, in particular a seabed, directly To anchor, there have recently been increasing considerations to install floating offshore wind energy devices, for example floating offshore wind turbines, in order to install offshore wind farms, for example in areas with a great water depth, for example of more than 400 m. A buoyant offshore wind energy device can have a buoyant tower and / or a buoyant foundation, wherein (in the present case) a tower can be at least partially identical to a foundation.

The installation of floating or floatable offshore wind energy devices, but also of non-floating offshore wind energy devices, is extremely complex and expensive. In the case of an installation process, in particular the anchoring or anchoring process of the offshore wind energy device at a specific installation position on or on the water bed (in particular the sea bed) is complex and expensive.

This applies even more if the weather or meteorological conditions are unfavorable during installation. This means in particular that the wind conditions, wave conditions and / or flow conditions present at the installation position during an installation process are unfavorable, that is to say, for example, high wind speeds, high waves and / or strong currents prevail. It can happen that the weather conditions are so unfavorable that an installation process has to be canceled or postponed.

In particular, offshore wind energy devices, such as offshore wind turbines or offshore substations, are exposed to constant excitations of vibrations during installation by gusts of wind and / or waves. This results in high installation costs, shortened service life and / or damage to offshore wind energy devices. Especially the higher movements of floating foundations or foundations of floating offshore wind energy devices pose a challenge when installing with conventional ships.

The application is therefore based on the object of providing a method which facilitates the installation of an offshore wind energy device, in particular a floatable offshore wind energy device.

• - Bereitstellen einer zu installierenden Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung mit mindestens einem zumindest während des Installationsvorgangs an der Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung befestigten Schwungmassemodul, und
• - Ansteuern des mindestens einen Schwungmassemoduls, derart, dass eine bestimmte Lage der Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung entsprechend mindestens einem Lagesollparameter während der Installation der Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung eingestellt wird.

According to a first aspect of the application, this object is achieved by a method for installing an offshore wind energy device, in particular a floatable offshore wind energy device, according to claim 1. The method comprises:

• - providing an offshore wind energy device to be installed with at least one flywheel module attached to the offshore wind energy device at least during the installation process, and
• - Controlling the at least one flywheel module in such a way that a specific position of the offshore wind energy device is set in accordance with at least one position target parameter during the installation of the offshore wind energy device.

In that, in contrast to the prior art, at least one flywheel module is attached to the offshore wind energy device to be installed during an installation process and this is used to stabilize the position of the offshore wind energy device, the installation process is significantly facilitated. Undesired fluctuations or movements of an offshore wind energy device to be installed, for example caused by unfavorable weather conditions (e.g. high waves, strong currents, high wind speeds, etc.), can at least be reduced by controlling the at least one flywheel module. In particular, a specific, essentially constant position can be set and maintained by means of a rotating mass. In other words, by controlling and / or regulating the at least one flywheel module, a certain position of the offshore wind energy device can be set and / or kept stable in accordance with at least one target position parameter during the installation of the offshore wind energy device.

The method according to the application is in particular a control method. In the present application, controlling a flywheel module means in particular controlling and / or regulating the at least one flywheel module.

The method is carried out at least during an installation process of an offshore wind energy device. The offshore wind energy device can preferably be a buoyant offshore wind energy device and / or an offshore wind energy device which is largely stabilized by hydrostatic forces, but also a non-floatable offshore wind energy device. A buoyant offshore wind energy device can in particular comprise a floating body or buoyancy body. Here, a float or buoyancy body is to be understood in particular as an object which, due to its buoyancy, is independently buoyant by displacement according to the Archimedean principle. A buoyancy body can, for example, be at least partially hollow in its interior and / or filled with a light solid.

An offshore wind energy device (to be installed) is in particular an offshore wind turbine, a measuring mast and / or an offshore substation, but can also be just a component of such a device, such as a tower and / or a foundation, a nacelle, a rotor blade star , a single sheet, hammer, stake, crane, crane hook, traverse, attachments or the like.

According to the application, it is provided in particular that an offshore wind energy system is provided which is formed from at least one offshore wind energy device and at least one flywheel module attached to the offshore wind energy device at least during installation of the offshore wind energy device. Particularly preferably, the at least one flywheel module is temporarily attached to the offshore wind energy device, at least during the installation or the installation process of the offshore wind energy device. According to the application, the installation of an offshore wind energy device comprises in particular the anchoring process of the offshore wind energy device at the specific installation position of the offshore wind energy device on or on the seabed or the fastening of a component such as a tower, a foundation, a gondola, a rotor blade star, a single blade or the like on another facility (for example, attaching a nacelle to an already installed tower). The installation of an offshore wind energy device preferably also comprises the transport of the offshore wind energy device (for example from a port) to the particular installation position of the offshore wind energy device. The installation process in particular consists only of the transport process and / or the anchoring process.

At least during the installation or the installation process, preferably only during the installation or the installation process, of the offshore wind energy device, the position of the offshore wind energy device is stabilized using the at least one flywheel module. For example, two or more flywheel modules can be provided.

A flywheel module is a stabilization module which preferably has at least one mass that can be rotated about an axis of rotation. The rotation, in particular the speed of rotation, of this mass is controllable (i.e. controllable and / or regulatable) in order to set and in particular to stabilize a specific or desired position according to at least one position target parameter. For example, a flywheel module can have at least one rotatable flywheel.

According to the application, it is provided that the at least one flywheel module, in particular the at least one drive set up to drive the at least one rotatable mass, is activated (ie controlled and / or regulated) in such a way that a certain position of the offshore wind energy device, corresponding to one or more ( predetermined) nominal position parameter, while the installation of the offshore wind energy device is set and in particular stabilized.

• - Bereitstellen von mindestens einem während der Installation der Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung erfassten Lageparameter der Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung, und
• - Ansteuern des mindestens einen Schwungmassemoduls, basierend auf dem mindestens einen bereitgestellten Lageparameter und dem mindestens einen Lagesollparameter.

According to a first embodiment of the method according to the application, the actuation (control and / or regulation) of the at least one flywheel module can include:

• - providing at least one position parameter of the offshore wind energy device detected during the installation of the offshore wind energy device, and
• - Controlling the at least one flywheel module based on the at least one provided position parameter and the at least one position target parameter.

In other words, in particular at least one actual position parameter of the offshore wind energy device can be provided and the position of the offshore wind energy device can be regulated as a function of the recorded actual position parameter and the desired position parameter. In particular, the at least one centrifugal mass module, in particular the at least one drive, can be controlled as a function of a difference between the recorded position parameter or actual position parameter and the (predetermined) position target parameter. For example, a control module with at least one suitable controller can be provided.

The at least one position parameter can in particular be at least one position angle (also called Euler angle) of the offshore wind energy device. The at least one position parameter can, for example, be a yaw angle (angle between the current orientation of the offshore wind energy device and the vertical axis (also called the z-axis)), a roll angle (angle between the current orientation of the offshore wind energy device and a longitudinal axis (also called the x-axis) called)) and / or a pitch or pitch angle (angle between the current orientation of the offshore wind energy device and a longitudinal axis (also called y-axis)).

Preferably, one or more flywheel modules with one or more rotatable flywheels can be provided in order to set and essentially maintain or stabilize a certain position corresponding to one, preferably corresponding to several target position angle (s) (yaw angle, roll angle and / or pitch angle). Disturbance variables such as the surrounding wave field and / or wind gusts can be regulated. The installation process can be further simplified.

In particular, the foundation or the foundation of an offshore wind energy device and / or the foundation for stabilizing the position can thereby experience a corresponding acceleration control.

As already described, the control includes, in particular, a control of an actuator (e.g. (electric) motor) which is set up to set the at least one mass in rotation at a certain rotational speed, for example a flywheel, in accordance with a control command or control signal to rotate at a certain speed of rotation. The at least one (controllable) actuator can in particular be included in the flywheel module.

• - Bereitstellen von mindestens einem während der Installation erfassten oder vorhergesagten meteorologischen Parameter, und
• - Ansteuern des mindestens einen Schwungmassemoduls, basierend auf dem mindestens einen meteorologischen Parameter und dem mindestens einen Lagesollparameter.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the application, the control of the at least one flywheel module can include:

• - Provision of at least one meteorological parameter recorded or predicted during the installation, and
• - Control of the at least one flywheel module based on the at least one meteorological parameter and the at least one target position parameter.

For example, the wind speed, the wind direction, the flow speed, the flow direction, the wave height at the installation position (and / or the transport route) of the offshore wind energy device to be installed (or in the installation area of the wind farm to be installed) can be recorded and / or as meteorological parameters be predicted. The regulation of disturbance variables, such as the surrounding wave field and / or wind gusts, can be improved even further.

• - Bereitstellen von mindestens einem während der Installation erfassten oder vorhergesagten Bewegungsparameter (z.B. Auslenkung oder Beschleunigung oder Neigung) der auf eine schwimmende Struktur aufzubringenden Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung wirkt (z.B. Turm, Gondel, Einzelrotorblätter, Rotorblattnabenverbundkonstruktionen, Hammer, Pfähle, Kräne, Kranhaken, Traversen, Anbauten etc., aber auch Container und oder Personal), und/oder
• - Bereitstellen von mindestens einem während der Installation erfassten oder vorhergesagten Bewegungsparameter (Auslenkung, oder Beschleunigung oder Neigung) der schwimmenden Struktur selbst, und/oder
• - Steuern und/oder Regeln des mindestens einen Schwungmassemoduls, zusätzlich basierend auf dem mindestens einen erfassten oder (z.B. durch Berechnung) vorhergesagten Bewegungsparameter der schwimmenden Struktur und/oder des Lageparameters und/oder des erfassten oder vorhergesagten Bewegungsparameters der aufzubringenden Elemente und dem mindestens einen Lagesollparameter der schwimmenden Struktur und/oder der aufzubringenden Elemente.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the application, the actuation (control and / or regulation) of the at least one flywheel module can include:

• - Provision of at least one movement parameter (e.g. deflection or acceleration or inclination) of the offshore wind energy device to be applied to a floating structure (e.g. tower, nacelle, single rotor blades, rotor blade hub composite structures, hammers, piles, cranes, crane hooks, trusses), which is recorded or predicted during installation. Attachments etc., but also containers and / or staff), and / or
• - Provision of at least one movement parameter (deflection, or Acceleration or inclination) of the floating structure itself, and / or
• - Controlling and / or regulating the at least one centrifugal mass module, additionally based on the at least one recorded or (e.g. by calculation) predicted movement parameter of the floating structure and / or the position parameter and / or the recorded or predicted movement parameter of the elements to be applied and the at least one target position parameter the floating structure and / or the elements to be applied.

In a further embodiment, the application of the method according to the application according to claim 1 of at least one recorded and / or predicted meteorological parameter for the installation position area and / or transport route of the offshore wind energy device to be installed can be used. The method can only actually be used if the at least one meteorological parameter is in an application area (e.g. the wave height is higher than a threshold wave height or the wind strength is higher than a threshold wind strength). Otherwise, in particular due to the favorable weather conditions, it is not necessary to use it.

• - Befestigen des Schwungmassemoduls zumindest kraftschlüssig an einer Außenwand einer Gründung der Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung (vor dem Installationsvorgangs), und
• - Deinstallieren des Schwungmassemoduls, insbesondere nach einer Installation der Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the application, the method can comprise:

• - Attaching the flywheel module at least positively to an outer wall of a foundation of the offshore wind energy device (before the installation process), and
• - Uninstalling the flywheel module, in particular after installing the offshore wind energy device.

The at least one flywheel module can preferably be temporarily installed on the offshore wind energy device to be installed during the installation period. For example, the at least one flywheel module can be fastened to the specific installation position before the offshore wind energy device is transported and, after it has been anchored to or on the seabed, can be uninstalled or dismantled. The at least one flywheel module can preferably be attached externally on or to the foundation. This enables particularly simple assembly and / or disassembly.

In other variants of the application, the at least one flywheel module can also be attached within the offshore wind energy device, for example within the foundation and / or the tower. This can improve the efficiency of the flywheel module.

A flywheel module or such a stabilizer that is non-positively attached outside the offshore wind energy device, for example outside a tower and / or a foundation, in particular (circumference), can be removed again after the offshore wind energy device has been installed, for example the turbine tower become. For this purpose, the flywheel module and the offshore wind energy device can have fastening elements that preferably allow a screw connection. In the case of other variants, the fastening can take place by means of an adhesive connection or a welded connection.

According to a further embodiment of the method according to the application, the flywheel module can preferably be fastened to the offshore wind energy device during a maintenance process for the offshore wind energy device. The flywheel module can (in addition to position stabilization) be set up to provide electrical energy during the maintenance process of the offshore wind energy device. In particular, the rotational energy of a flywheel module can be converted back into electrical energy, which can be used in particular to supply at least one electrical consumer during the maintenance process of the offshore wind energy device. The use of a flywheel as an energy store at least during a maintenance process is inventive in its own right. It goes without saying that in other variants a described flywheel module can also be used during regular operation of an installed offshore wind energy device, as a position stabilizer and / or as an energy store.

Another aspect of filing is an offshore wind energy system. The offshore wind energy system includes at least one offshore wind energy device. The offshore wind energy system comprises at least one flywheel module that is detachably fastened to the offshore wind energy device, at least during an installation of the offshore wind energy device.

In particular, the offshore wind energy device can be a previously described offshore wind energy device and / or the at least one flywheel module can be a previously described flywheel module. In particular, the method described above can be used to regulate the position of the offshore wind energy device of the offshore wind energy system according to the application.

According to one embodiment of the offshore wind energy system according to the application, the offshore wind energy device can have an outer wall, for example an outer wall of a (floatable) foundation and / or a (floatable) tower. The outer wall can have at least one first fastening element, which can correspond to at least one second fastening element of the flywheel module, in such a way that the flywheel module can be fastened to the foundation of the offshore wind energy device at least in a non-positive manner. For example, the at least two fastening elements can enable a screw connection or the like.

In particular, the offshore wind energy device can have at least one sensor (e.g. as a first fastening element) in order to receive a flywheel module or (gyro) stabilizer. The shape of the transducer can preferably correspond to the shape of the flywheel module. In particular, the transducer can be designed in such a way that there is a touchdown tolerance of at least 0.15 m, preferably of at least 0.5 m (and less than 2 m, in particular less than 1 m). This can facilitate the temporary attachment of the at least one flywheel module.

According to a further embodiment of the offshore wind energy system according to the application, the flywheel module can be formed from at least one first flywheel (e.g. a first flywheel) with a first axis of rotation and a second flywheel (e.g. a second flywheel) with a second axis of rotation, the first axis of rotation essentially Is oriented at right angles to the second axis of rotation and in particular the second axis of rotation through the center of the first flywheel (for example the first flywheel). In particular, the flywheel module can be formed by a group of two flywheels at an angle of 90 ° to one another. This aspect is inventive in its own right.

Yet another aspect of the application is an offshore wind energy device, in particular a buoyant offshore wind energy device. The offshore wind energy device comprises at least one liquid flywheel module. The liquid flywheel module comprises at least one container which can be filled with a liquid and is essentially cylindrical. The liquid flywheel module comprises at least one liquid flow generator designed to generate a circular flow of the liquid filled in the container.

The liquid flywheel module is in particular a flywheel module in which the rotating mass is formed by a rotating liquid. The flywheel module can in particular be integrated in a (floatable) foundation or a (floatable) foundation or a (lower) tower. In the intended state, the essentially cylindrical container can be filled with a liquid, in particular water (e.g. sea water). For example, the offshore wind energy device can have a pump or the like for filling the container. The cylinder axis of the essentially circular cylindrical container forms the axis of rotation.

Furthermore, at least one liquid flow generator is provided. At least one liquid flow generator can preferably be attached to an inner wall of the container. In particular, at least two liquid flow generators can be arranged opposite one another on the circumferential (cylindrical) inner wall of the container. For example, a liquid flow generator can be a nozzle module. Alternatively or additionally, a propeller device or the like can be provided.

The at least one liquid flow generator can in particular be controllable (i.e. controllable and / or regulatable) in such a way that a (specific) circular flow, in particular at a specific rotational speed, can be generated in the container.

In other words, a gyroscopic stabilizer can be provided as the liquid flywheel module, in which a liquid (e.g. seawater) located in a largely cylindrical vessel or container is set in rotation, e.g. through one or more nozzles. In particular, a method for foundation installation can be provided in which the foundation is stabilized in that the liquid in the container, which for example can be arranged in the pile to be installed, is set in rotation.

It will be understood that an offshore wind energy device can have two or more fluid flywheel modules.

According to a further embodiment of the offshore wind energy device according to the application, the fluid flywheel module can comprise at least one electrical energy generator with at least one turbine device coupled to at least one generator. The electrical energy generator can be set up to convert the kinetic energy of the Liquid into electrical energy. In other words, the fluid flywheel module can be used as a position stabilizer and as an energy store. The turbine device can also be set up as a liquid flow generator, for example. In other words, a liquid power generator can be operable in a power generation mode and in a recovery mode for recovering electrical energy.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the offshore wind energy device according to the application, the offshore wind energy device can comprise at least one control module, set up to control (ie control and / or regulate) the at least one liquid power generator, in such a way that a certain position of the offshore wind energy device corresponds to at least one position target parameter adjusted (and / or kept stable). In particular, by activating the at least one liquid flow generator, a circular flow can be brought about at a specific speed. A position stabilization can be carried out in a simple manner. The regulation can be carried out as described above.

Yet another aspect of the application is a liquid flywheel module for an offshore wind energy device (in particular described above), in particular a floatable offshore wind energy device (for stabilizing the position of the offshore wind energy device). The liquid flywheel module comprises at least one container which can be filled with a liquid and is essentially cylindrical. The liquid flywheel module comprises at least one liquid flow generator designed to generate a circular flow of the liquid filled in the container.

Yet another aspect of the application is the use of at least one flywheel module attached to an offshore wind energy device to be installed to stabilize the position of the offshore wind energy device in accordance with at least one desired position parameter during the installation of the offshore wind energy device.

A module, such as a control module, can be formed at least partially from hardware and / or at least partially from software.

The characteristics of the methods, offshore wind energy systems, offshore wind energy devices, liquid flywheel modules for offshore wind energy devices and uses can be freely combined with one another. In particular, features of the description and / or the dependent claims, even with complete or partial circumvention of features of the independent claims, can be independently inventive on their own or freely combined with one another.

• 1 eine schematische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Offshore-Windenergiesystems gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung,
• 2 eine schematische Ansicht eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Offshore-Windenergiesystems gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung,
• 3 ein Diagramm eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung,
• 4a eine erste schematische Ansicht eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Offshore-Windenergievorrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung mit einem Ausführungsbeispiel eines Flüssigkeitsschwungmassemodul gemäß der vorliegenden Anmeldung,
• 4b eine weitere schematische Ansicht des Ausführungsbeispiels nach 4a.

There are now a multitude of possibilities for designing and further developing the method according to the application, the offshore wind energy system according to the application, the offshore wind energy device according to the application, the fluid flywheel module according to the application and the use according to the application. For this purpose, reference is made, on the one hand, to the claims subordinate to the independent claims and, on the other hand, to the description of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. In the drawing shows:

• 1 a schematic view of an embodiment of an offshore wind energy system according to the present application,
• 2 a schematic view of a further embodiment of an offshore wind energy system according to the present application,
• 3 a diagram of an embodiment of a method according to the present application,
• 4a a first schematic view of an embodiment of an offshore wind energy device according to the present application with an embodiment of a liquid flywheel module according to the present application,
• 4b a further schematic view of the embodiment according to 4a .

In the figures, the same reference symbols are used for the same elements. In the coordinate system drawn in in each case, the axes x, y, and z, in particular in accordance with the above explanations of the roll axis, vertical axis and pitch axis.

The 1 FIG. 11 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of an offshore wind energy system 100 according to the present application, in particular during an installation process. With the reference number 120 is called the water surface.

The offshore wind energy system shown 100 is in the present case formed by an offshore wind energy device 102 and a flywheel module 110 . The offshore wind energy device 102 is an example of an offshore wind turbine 102 with a tower 104 holding an outside wall 106 having. It goes without saying that the following explanations apply to other offshore Wind energy device can be transmitted. In the present case, part of the tower also forms the foundation of the offshore wind turbine. It goes without saying that different types of towers and / or types of foundation can be used.

The flywheel module 110 can be removed from the offshore wind turbine 102 attached. Detachable means in particular that the flywheel module 110 can be dismantled non-destructively (using tools). In particular, a dismantled and, in particular, mobile flywheel module 110 be reused, for example during an installation process of a further offshore wind energy device or during a maintenance process of an offshore wind energy device.

As can be seen, is on the outside wall 106 a recording 108 or a transducer 108 attached. The transducer 108 serves in particular as a first fastening element 108 or forms a first fastening element 108 . In particular, the flywheel module 110 on the transducer 108 temporarily attached.

The flywheel module 110 in the present case has a second fastening element 112 that goes to the first fastener 108 corresponds. This means in particular that the first fastening element 108 in particular has a receiving shape which corresponds to an outer shape of the second fastening element 112 (preferably with a certain tolerance) corresponds.

The fasteners 108 , 112 enable, in particular, a non-positive connection to be established between the flywheel module 110 and the offshore wind turbine 102 . For example, a screw connection can be produced. A detachable connection or a gyro stabilizer attachment can alternatively or additionally take the form of at least one slip joint. Alternatively or additionally, the detachable fastening can be produced by a substantially planar (in particular smooth) plate and a hydrostatic connecting element, a suction or magnetic connection.

In the present embodiment there is a flywheel module 110 with exactly one rotatable flywheel 114 arranged. It goes without saying that two or more flywheel modules can be detached from the offshore wind turbine 102 can be attached. The flywheel module 110 is in the present case a flywheel module 110 , in which the rotatable flywheel 114 by a flywheel 114 is formed.

The flywheel 114 can around an axis of rotation 116 (for example the above-described x-axis or y-axis) are rotated, for example by an actuator 134 or drive 134 . The rotational movement of the flywheel 114 is with the arrow 118 indicated (whereby in principle a rotation can take place in both directions of rotation).

The at least one flywheel module (or its actuator) is controlled in such a way that a certain position of the offshore wind energy device 102 corresponding to at least one target position parameter during the installation of the offshore wind energy device 102 is set. In other words, a specific or desired position of the offshore wind energy device is used 102 stabilized during the installation process and, in particular, essentially maintained.

The 2 shows a schematic view of a further exemplary embodiment of an offshore wind energy system 200 according to the present application. To avoid repetition, essentially only the differences from the previous exemplary embodiment are described below and otherwise reference is made to the previous explanations.

As can be seen, the offshore wind energy system 200 an offshore wind energy device 202 on the external flywheel module 210 in the form of a flywheel module 210 is releasably attached. In the case of other variants of the application, internal fastening and arrangement is also conceivable.

The offshore wind energy device 202 is an offshore wind turbine 202 , especially a buoyant offshore wind turbine 202 . The floating offshore wind turbine 202 can have at least one float 224 have that in the tower 204 or the foundation of the tower 204 is arranged.

During the installation of the floating offshore wind turbine 202 this can be done at a certain installation position, for example by means of one or more anchor chains (not shown) on the bottom of the water 232 be anchored.

In order to facilitate the installation, especially in unfavorable weather conditions, a flywheel module is used in the present exemplary embodiment 210 with a first rotatable flywheel 214.1 and a second rotatable flywheel 214.2 intended. The flywheel module shown 210 is in particular formed from the first flywheel 214.1 with a first axis of rotation 216.1 and the second flywheel 214.2 with a second axis of rotation 216.2 , where the first axis of rotation 216.1 substantially perpendicular to the second axis of rotation 216.2 is aligned and in particular the first axis of rotation 216.2 through the center of the second flywheel 214.2 runs.

As can also be seen, the flywheel module 210 for each flywheel 214.1 , 214.2 one actuator each 234.1 , 234.2 or drive 234.1 , 234.2 which can be individually controlled. In particular, the respective drive 234.1 , 234.2 through a control module 226 be controlled, for example by a corresponding control signal.

For example from a position measuring module 228 (which can have at least one suitable position parameter sensor) at least one (during installation) of the offshore wind energy device 202 detected position parameter of the offshore wind energy device 202 (preferably (almost) continuously. For example, the yaw angle, pitch angle and / or roll angle can be provided as a recorded position parameter or actual position parameter Offshore wind energy device towed by a ship 202 be educated.

The control module 226 is set up to control the at least one flywheel module 210 (in particular of the respective drives 234.1 , 234.2 ), based on the at least one provided (actual) position parameter and the at least one position target parameter. The regulation takes place in such a way that the actual position is (always) adjusted to the target position. The location of the offshore wind energy device 202 can be stabilized during installation.

In addition, another measuring module 230 (in the present case in the offshore wind energy device, but can also be formed by a measuring mast), which is set up to provide at least one meteorological parameter recorded or predicted during installation. For example, a predicted parameter can be received from a service provider via a communication link. A control of the at least one flywheel module 210 takes place, in particular additionally, based on the at least one meteorological parameter and the at least one target position parameter.

Even if the modules 226 to 230 presently arranged in the offshore wind energy device, at least the modules 226 and 228 (but also module 230 ) advantageously also in the (mobile) flywheel module 210 be integrated. In particular, it is then not necessary to equip an offshore wind energy device with corresponding modules or functions. However, if an offshore wind energy device (anyway) already includes a corresponding module, such as a position detection module, then this can be used advantageously. In this case, a control module integrated in the flywheel module can be communicatively coupled to the position detection module of the offshore wind energy device when the flywheel module is mounted.

It goes without saying that at least one further flywheel module can be provided or the flywheel module can have at least one further flywheel.

The 3 Figure 12 is a diagram of a method of installing an offshore wind energy device (eg, offshore wind energy device 100 or 200 ) according to the present application. In particular, it is assumed in the following exemplary description that a buoyant offshore wind power plant is being installed. It goes without saying that the explanations can be transferred to other (for example non-buoyant) offshore wind energy devices.

In an optional first step 301 can be checked before the installation, in particular before the transport process and / or the anchoring process, whether the method according to the application is to be used (or not). The test can in particular be based on at least one provided meteorological parameter. The at least one meteorological parameter (e.g. the wind speed, the wind direction, the flow speed, the flow direction, the wave height, etc.) can be a predicted and / or a measured parameter at the installation position of the offshore wind turbine to be installed and / or along the offshore transport route -Be wind turbine.

The check can in particular be based on the at least one (preferably a plurality of (location-dependent) parameter values are each provided for different parameters (e.g. the wind speed, the wind direction, the flow speed, the flow direction, the wave height, etc.)) provided parameter and at least one (corresponding ) Comparison parameters (or range) take place. The at least one comparison parameter can define an application area in which the method is applied. A non-application area in which the method is not used can also be defined by the at least one comparison parameter.

If at least one of the provided parameters (values) is within the application range, it can be determined as the evaluation or test result that the method according to the application, for example according to the steps described below 302 to 306 , is applied. However, if none of the provided parameters (values) are within the application range, the evaluation or test result can indicate that the method according to the application is not being carried out. In other words, in this case the weather conditions for an installation process of an offshore wind power plant can be such that a stabilization of the position of the offshore wind power plant is not necessary or only a minor benefit (especially in comparison to the effort for mounting and dismounting a flywheel module ) Has.

If in the optional step 301 it is determined that the procedure according to the application is to be used, then in step 302 the at least one flywheel module (for example module 110 and or 210 ) are firmly and detachably attached to the offshore wind turbine.

For example, before the offshore wind turbine is transported to the specific installation position, for example in a harbor, or before the anchoring process at the installation position, at least one flywheel module can preferably be attached to a sensor provided for this purpose. For example, fastening elements described above can be used for fastening. After mounting, the offshore wind turbine can be towed to the installation position by at least one ship and anchored there.

During the installation process, i.e. during the transport of the offshore wind turbine and / or while the offshore wind turbine is being anchored, the actual position of the offshore wind turbine can be recorded (almost) continuously (step 303 ). The recorded actual position can in particular be mapped by one or more actual position parameters. The at least one actual position parameter acquired, preferably by a previously described position acquisition module, is made available (almost) continuously in particular to a previously described control module.

Optionally, at least one recorded or predicted meteorological parameter can be made available to the control module (almost) continuously in this step.

In step 304 the control module performs a control (in particular in accordance with at least one implemented control algorithm) based on the at least one provided actual location parameter, optionally based on the at least one provided meteorological parameter and based on at least one target location parameter, which can in particular be specified.

In particular, the at least one desired position parameter can be changed during installation, in particular in order to set different desired positions. For example, a first target position can be specified during the transport process and a second target position, which can differ from the first target position in at least one target position parameter (value), during the anchoring process. In this way, different requirements for a target position can be optimally met during various sub-installation processes.

It goes without saying that in the event that the at least one flywheel module remains on the offshore wind turbine after installation, a third target position can be specified, which differs from the first target position and / or the second target position in at least one target position parameter (value) can distinguish and which in particular represents an optimal target position during operation.

The control module generates a control signal, in particular based on the respective difference between the at least one actual position parameter and the at least one desired position parameter, in order to at least reduce the difference. The control signal is transmitted in particular to the at least one drive in order to bring about a specific rotation of the at least one flywheel (for example flywheel 114, 214.1, 214.2). As a result, a specific target position can be set and, in particular, essentially maintained during installation. Optionally, the at least one flywheel module can be controlled based on the at least one meteorological parameter and the at least one target position parameter.

It goes without saying that the steps 304 and 305 can be carried out essentially in parallel.

After a (successful) installation of the offshore wind energy device, step 305 the at least one flywheel module must be dismantled again. The dismantled (mobile) flywheel module can be reused and, for example, in step 302 be reattached to another offshore wind energy device to be installed. In an optional step, the (mobile) flywheel module can also be attached to an offshore wind energy device at least during a maintenance process and, in particular, used as an energy store during the maintenance process.

The 4a and 4b show two schematic views of an embodiment of an offshore wind energy device 402 according to the present application with an embodiment of a fluid flywheel module 410 according to the present application. The offshore wind energy device 402 can preferably according to the method according to 3 be installed, with the difference that the steps 302 and 305 can be omitted. Preferably, the fluid flywheel module 410 insoluble or permanent in the offshore wind energy device 402 be integrated. However, mobile solutions that can be detachably attached are also conceivable.

In the present exemplary embodiment, this is at least one fluid flywheel module 410 in the tower 404 (especially in the lower area of the tower 404 , which can also be referred to as foundation) of an exemplary offshore wind turbine 402 integrated.

The fluid flywheel module 410 has a substantially cylindrical (liquid-tight) container 442 with a circumferential side wall 440 on. For example via a (not shown) pump or the like, a liquid 446 into the container 442 be filled. Seawater can preferably be used as the liquid. In particular, in the present fluid flywheel module 410 the rotatable mass is the liquid (filled in during normal operation) 446 used around the axis of rotation 416 is rotatable. The axis of rotation 416 is in the present case identical to the cylinder axis.

Around a certain rotation (with a certain rotation speed) of the liquid (the rotation is indicated by the arrow 448 indicated), has the fluid flywheel module 410 Via at least one (controllable) liquid flow generator 444 (e.g. a nozzle, a propeller, etc.). The at least one liquid flow generator 444 can in particular from a (previously described) control module 426 be controlled, which for example a position control according to the steps 303 and 304 (at least during installation, but also during normal operation).

The at least one liquid flow generator generates according to the activation signal received 444 a circular flow 448 . In this way, in particular, a specific target position of the offshore wind power installation can be set and in particular essentially maintained.

According to a preferred embodiment, there are two liquid flow generators 444 on opposite areas of the side wall 440 arranged.

Optionally, the fluid flywheel module 410 Via at least one electrical energy generator with at least one turbine device coupled to at least one generator (not shown) 450 feature. The electrical energy generator can be set up to convert the kinetic energy of the liquid 446 into electrical energy. In other words, the fluid flywheel module 410 are preferably used as an energy store and as a position stabilizer. In the case of other variants, a separate turbine device can also be used 450 can be omitted if, for example, a liquid flow generator 444 can be operated in a power generation mode and in a recovery mode for recovering electrical energy.

Claims (13)

A method for installing an offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402), in particular a buoyant offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402), comprising: - Providing an offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) to be installed with at least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) attached to the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) at least during the installation process, and - Controlling the at least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) in such a way that a certain position of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) corresponds to at least one target position parameter during the installation of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402 ) is set. Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that the control of the at least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) comprises: - Provision of at least one position parameter of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) recorded during the installation of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) 202, 402), and - controlling the at least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) based on the at least one provided position parameter and the at least one position target parameter. Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the control of the at least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) comprises: - Provision of at least one meteorological parameter recorded or predicted during the installation, and - Control of the at least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410), based on the at least one meteorological parameter and the at least one target position parameter. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method further comprises: - fastening the flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) at least in a non-positive manner on an outer wall, and - deinstalling the flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) after an installation of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - the flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) is attached to the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) during a maintenance process for the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) and - the flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) is set up to provide electrical energy during the maintenance process of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402). Offshore wind energy system (100, 200), comprising: - at least one offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402), and - At least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) detachably fastened to the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) at least during an installation of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402). Offshore wind energy system (100, 200) according to Claim 6 , characterized in that - the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) has an outer wall (106, 206), and - the outer wall (106, 206) has at least one first fastening element (108, 208) which leads to at least one The second fastening element (112, 212) of the flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) corresponds in such a way that the flywheel module can be fastened at least in a non-positive manner to the outer wall (106, 206) of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402). Offshore wind energy system (100, 200) according to one of the Claims 6 or 7th , characterized in that - the flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) is formed from at least one first flywheel (214.1) with a first axis of rotation (216.1) and a second flywheel (214.2) with a second axis of rotation (216.2), - wherein the second axis of rotation (216.2) is oriented substantially at right angles to the first axis of rotation (216.1). Offshore wind energy device (402), in particular buoyant offshore wind energy device (402), comprising: - At least one fluid flywheel module (410), the fluid flywheel module (410) comprising: - At least one essentially cylindrical container (442) which can be filled with a liquid (446), and - At least one liquid flow generator (444) set up to generate a circular flow of the liquid (446) filled in the container (442). Offshore wind power device (402) according to Claim 9 , characterized in that the fluid flywheel module (410) comprises: - at least one electrical energy generator with at least one turbine device (450) coupled to at least one generator, - wherein the electrical energy generator is set up to convert the kinetic energy of the fluid into electrical energy. Offshore wind power device (402) according to Claim 9 or 10 , characterized in that - the offshore wind energy device (402) comprises at least one control module (426), set up to control the at least one liquid flow generator (444), in such a way that a certain position of the offshore wind energy device (402) is set according to at least one position target parameter becomes. A liquid flywheel module (410) for an offshore wind energy device (402), in particular a buoyant offshore wind energy device (402), comprising: - At least one essentially cylindrical container (442) which can be filled with a liquid (446), and - At least one liquid flow generator (444) set up to generate a circular flow of the liquid (446) filled in the container (442). Use of at least one flywheel module (110, 210.1, 210.2, 410) attached to an offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) to be installed to stabilize the position of the Offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402) corresponding to at least one position target parameter during the installation of the offshore wind energy device (102, 202, 402).

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