EP2976578A1 - Off-shore photovoltaic installation - Google Patents

Off-shore photovoltaic installation

Info

Publication number
EP2976578A1
EP2976578A1 EP14706612.0A EP14706612A EP2976578A1 EP 2976578 A1 EP2976578 A1 EP 2976578A1 EP 14706612 A EP14706612 A EP 14706612A EP 2976578 A1 EP2976578 A1 EP 2976578A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
polymer
installation according
photovoltaic installation
photovoltaic
compartment
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP14706612.0A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Frederik Christian Krebs
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Infinitypv Aps
Original Assignee
Infinitypv Aps
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Infinitypv Aps filed Critical Infinitypv Aps
Priority to EP14706612.0A priority Critical patent/EP2976578A1/en
Publication of EP2976578A1 publication Critical patent/EP2976578A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
    • F24S20/70—Waterborne solar heat collector modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B1/00—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils
    • B63B1/02—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement
    • B63B1/10—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls
    • B63B1/14—Hydrodynamic or hydrostatic features of hulls or of hydrofoils deriving lift mainly from water displacement with multiple hulls the hulls being interconnected resiliently or having means for actively varying hull shape or configuration
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
    • B63B2035/4433—Floating structures carrying electric power plants
    • B63B2035/4453—Floating structures carrying electric power plants for converting solar energy into electric energy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B7/00—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels
    • B63B7/06—Collapsible, foldable, inflatable or like vessels having parts of non-rigid material
    • B63B7/08—Inflatable
    • 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
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
    • 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
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a photovoltaic (PV) installation suitable for off-shore mounting.
  • PV photovoltaic
  • the present invention relates to inflatable and floatable flexible tubes with PV solar modules/panels arranged therein.
  • PV installations are typically designed and configured for on-shore mounting.
  • onshore mounting of PV installations put high demands on the mechanical stands adapted to hold the PV solar panels of the installation in that such stands need to be arranged in a tilted manner specific to the geographic location in order to ensure proper orientation of the PV solar panels relative to the sun.
  • the associated costs for establishing and maintaining such mechanical stands are considerable.
  • WO 2008/025234 teaches a solution where a special floating platform is provided for carrying a solar installation.
  • WO 2008/025234 suggests that traditional on-shore stands are arranged and secured to the platform while the platform itself is anchored to the seabed via an appropriate numbers of anchors.
  • WO 2008/025234 teaches a system suffering from all the disadvantages associated with on-shore installations. On top of this an appropriate anchoring system is required in order to keep the platform in position.
  • a floatable PV installation for off-shore applications comprising a polymer-based flexible body comprising a first compartment comprising one or more polymer-based PV modules.
  • the PV installation according to the present invention takes advantage of the substantially flat and horizontal orientation of the surface of the sea upon which the PV installation according to the present invention is adapted to float.
  • the PV installation according to the present invention requires no expensive mechanical stands, the latter being a huge advantage over available prior art arrangements.
  • the polymer-based flexible body may be made of polyethylene or a similar flexible material.
  • the polymer-based flexible body comprises an inflatable flexible tube adapted to be inflated prior to be positioned or mounted on an off-shore location, or alternatively to be inflated while being in the water.
  • the inflatable flexible tube may comprise suitable means for performing self-inflation. These self-inflatable means may involve an air or gas pump. It is advantageous that the inflatable nature of the PV installation allows easy transportation of the installation, for example to a planned location for off-shore installation.
  • the one or more polymer-based PV modules may be based on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate where a plurality of PV cells are arranged in series in order to build up a relatively high voltage across each PV module.
  • the PV installation may further comprise a second compartment adapted to function as a ballast region so as to ensure proper orientation of the one or more polymer-based PV units relative to the sun when the installation floats on water.
  • the ballast region may be formed as a closed region or it may be formed by a region where sea water is allowed to enter via a number of properly arranged openings.
  • the polymer-based flexible body takes the form of an inflatable flexible tube having a length which is considerable longer compared to its transverse dimensions.
  • the first and second compartments may be separated by a sealing member.
  • the sealing member may comprise a polymer-based foil of for example polyethylene.
  • the primary purpose of the sealing member is to separate the ballast region from the one or more polymer-based PV modules.
  • the sealing member foil may have a thickness being smaller than 1 mm, such as smaller than 500 ⁇ .
  • the one or more polymer-based PV modules may form an integral part of the sealing member which in that case may involve PET.
  • the PV installation may be implemented in such a way that the first compartment is defined between an upper side of the sealing member and an upper foil portion. Similarly, the second compartment may be defined between a lower side of the sealing member and a lower foil portion.
  • the second compartment may comprise a substantially closed region adapted to accommodate a liquid, such as water, in order to form a ballast region.
  • the lower foil portion may comprise a number of openings so that a liquid, such as water, is allowed to enter at least part of the second compartment.
  • the openings should be dimensioned so that liquid passes said openings with a certain degree of slackness so that a ballast region may be formed within at least part of the second compartment.
  • the inflatable flexible tube may comprise, in a cross-sectional profile, the first and second compartments, said first and second compartments being defined between respective inner and outer tube sections.
  • one polymer-based inflatable flexible tube may be arranged within another polymer-based inflatable flexible tube.
  • the one or more polymer-based PV modules may be arranged within the first compartment formed between two upper foil portions of the respective inner and outer tube sections.
  • the present invention relates to another type of PV installation comprising a plurality of flexible tubes as described above, said plurality of tubes being interconnected along a longitudinal direction of the flexible tubes.
  • the flexible tubes described above may, in a transverse direction, extend over a maximum width being smaller than 2 m, such as smaller than 1.5 m, such as smaller than 1 m, such as smaller than 0.5 m.
  • the flexible tubes may extend over a length of at least 100 m, such as at least 200 m, such as at least 500 m, such as at least 1000 m.
  • each polymer-based flexible body may comprise an inflatable flexible tube adapted to be inflated prior to be positioned on an off-shore location, or alternatively to be inflated while being in the water.
  • the inflatable flexible tube may comprise suitable means for performing self-inflation. These self-inflatable means may involve an air or gas pump.
  • the present invention relates to a floatable photovoltaic installation for offshore applications comprising a pair of essentially concentrically arranged polymer-based flexible tubes, wherein a first compartment comprising one or more polymer-based photovoltaic modules is defined between the essentially concentrically arranged polymer- based flexible tubes.
  • the pair of polymer-based flexible tubes may comprise an inflatable inner tube arranged within an inflatable outer tube in a concentrically manner so that the one or more polymer-based photovoltaic modules are positioned in a region between the inner and outer flexible tubes.
  • the inner and outer flexible tubes are preferably arranged inside one another so that the respective longitudinal directions of the tubes essentially coincide with each other.
  • the inner and outer tubes may be formed by sheets of foils welded together along the longitudinal direction of the tubes.
  • the inner tube may be positioned inside the outer tube and the one or more photovoltaic modules may be positioned in a region between the inner and outer tubes.
  • the inner tube may then be inflated until the one or more photovoltaic modules are pressed against an inner surface of the outer tube.
  • the one or more photovoltaic modules may thus be kept in position by the pressure provided by the inner tube onto the outer tube.
  • a second compartment adapted to function as a ballast region so as to ensure proper orientation of the one or more polymer-based photovoltaic units relative to the sun when the installation floats on water may be provided as well.
  • floatable photovoltaic installation according to the third aspect may be implemented as disclosed in relation to the first and second aspects.
  • Fig. 1 shows various embodiments of the flexible tube
  • Fig. 2 shows how a plurality of tubes may be mutually arranged in order to form a complete PV farm
  • Fig. 3 shows cross-sectional profiles of flexible tubes floating in water. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been disclosed by way of examples. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
  • the present invention relates to a floatable PV installation for offshore installation, the PV installation comprising one or more floatable bodies each housing one or more polymer-based PV modules.
  • the floatable bodies is typically
  • Fig. 1 depicts cross-sectional profiles of various embodiments of the present invention, in particular various embodiments of an inflatable and floatable flexible tube capable of housing one or more PV modules.
  • Figs lc-le the PV modules are depicted using dashed lines.
  • the foil used for manufacturing the inflatable flexible tubes depicted in Fig. 1 is generally of an at least partly optically transparent polymer-based material, such as a flexible polyethylene material.
  • Fig. la shows the simplest embodiment of the present invention where two pieces of polyethylene foil 101, 102 are welded together along respective edges 103, 104.
  • a compartment 105 for housing one or more PV modules is formed between the foil sheets 101 and 102. No separate ballast compartments are included in the embodiment depicted in Fig. la.
  • Figs, lb and lc show an embodiment where one or more PV modules 113 (Fig. lc) are arranged in an upper compartment 111 whereas a lower compartment 112 is adapted to function as a ballast compartment.
  • the embodiment shown in Figs, lb and lc are formed by three pieces of polyethylene foil 106, 107, 108 welded, or by other means attached, together along edges 109, 110.
  • Fig. Id shows an alternative embodiment where an inner inflatable flexible tube defined by inner foils 115 and 116 is arranged within an outer inflatable flexible tube defined by outer foils 114 and 117.
  • the four pieces of foil are welded together along edges 119 and 120.
  • One or more PV modules 118 are arranged in the region between the two tubes.
  • the one or more PV modules 118 may be kept in position by various means.
  • the inner inflatable flexible tube may be pressurised against the outer inflatable flexible tube whereby the one or more PV modules 118 are fixed between foils 114 and 115.
  • Fig. le shows an alternative embodiment comprising three pieces of foil 121, 122, 123 and one or more PV modules 124 sandwiched between foils 121 and 122.
  • the three pieces of foil are welded together along edges 125 and 126.
  • each inflatable flexible tube forms a floatable, elongated structure of a polymer-based material having at least one water proof compartment adapted to house one or more PV modules.
  • the PV modules are polymer-based, such as PET-based, modules having a plurality of PV cells arranged in series in order to build up a relatively high DC voltage across the module as a whole.
  • a number of inflatable flexible tubes 201-204 may be arranged so as to form a group of inflatable flexible tubes 205.
  • Bridging sections of for example polyethylene are interconnecting the inflatable flexible tubes 201-205.
  • the bridging sections may form an integral part of the group of inflatable flexible tubes 205, i.e. the polyethylene foil used for manufacturing the inflatable flexible tubes is also applied for manufacturing the integrated bridging sections.
  • upper foil portions of the inflatable flexible tubes 201-204 and at least part of the bridging portions may be manufactured from the same piece of polyethylene foil.
  • the upper portions and the bridging portions may be defined in the same manufacturing process.
  • a group of inflatable flexible tubes 205 may form one string 206 of a plurality of strings 207 forming a complete or part of a PV installation.
  • groups of inflatable flexible tubes 208-210 may be arranged in a parallel manner when floating on the surface of the sea. The groups are kept in an essentially fixed mutual relationship by interconnecting said groups using a number of interconnecting members 211.
  • the interconnecting members 211 may be flexible or even resilient in order to reduce the influence of wave generated forces acting on the inflatable flexible tubes 208-210 during windy conditions.
  • the complete PV installation is anchored to the seabed by appropriate anchoring means. Alternatively, the PV installation may be secured to one or more off-shore wind turbine foundations.
  • FIG. 3 shows cross-sectional profiles of the embodiment previously disclosed in connection with Fig. Id while said embodiment is floating on the surface of the sea 304.
  • the inflatable flexible tube comprises an inner tube 302 and an outer tube 301 separated by a first compartment 306 and a second compartment 307. The first
  • the compartment houses one or more PV modules 303 whereas the second compartment is adapted to function as a ballast region in order to maintain correct orientation of the inflatable flexible tube relative to the sun.
  • the first and second compartments are separated by respective walls 308 and 309 so that water present in the second compartment, i.e. the ballast region, is not allowed to enter the first compartment in order to protect the one or more PV modules from short-circuiting.
  • the ballast region in the second compartment may be implemented in various ways. Firstly, the ballast region may be implemented as a closed region where, for example, it is encapsulated in closed region. Secondly, appropriately dimensioned openings may be provided between the second compartment and the open sea. By appropriately dimensioned openings is meant openings where water is allowed to enter or leave the second
  • ballast region is implemented as a closed region or as a region being in fluidic communication with the open sea it maintains a correct position of the inflatable flexible tube relative to incoming sunlight.
  • Fig. 3b shows an arrangement comprising two inflatable flexible tubes 310, 311 being directly attached to each other, i.e. without interconnecting members connecting the inflatable flexible tubes.
  • the implementation of each of the inflatable flexible tubes is similar to the inflatable flexible tube depicted in Fig. 3a.
  • the ballast region may optionally be omitted in the arrangement depicted in Fig. 3b since this construction may provide sufficient stability.
  • Fig. 3c shows a cross-sectional profile of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 2b.
  • three inflatable flexible tubes 312, 313, 314, each with no ballast region, are interconnected by members 315, 316. Similar to the construction depicted in Fig. 3b a sufficiently stable construction is provided by the arrangement shown in Fig. 3c.
  • the inflatable flexible tubes shown in Figs. 1-3 are all made of a transparent, flexible polyethylene material. However, other types of transparent polymer materials may be applicable as well.
  • the various types of inflatable flexible tubes may be shaped by providing pressurized air into the tubes during manufacturing of the tubes. Various types of manufacturing processes may be provided for this purpose.
  • the PV installation according to the present invention is particularly adapted for off-shore applications due to its ability to float. However, there is nothing that prevents that the installation is applied as an on-shore installation as well.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a PV installation for off-shore applications comprising a polymer-based flexible body comprising a first compartment comprising one or more polymer-based PV modules. The flexible body may be implemented as an inflatable and floatable structure. The flexible body may further comprise a second compartment within which a ballast region may be provided. The ballast region ensures correct orientation of the flexible body and thereby the one or more polymer-based PV modules relative to incoming sunlight.

Description

OFF-SHORE PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photovoltaic (PV) installation suitable for off-shore mounting. In particular the present invention relates to inflatable and floatable flexible tubes with PV solar modules/panels arranged therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
PV installations are typically designed and configured for on-shore mounting. However, onshore mounting of PV installations put high demands on the mechanical stands adapted to hold the PV solar panels of the installation in that such stands need to be arranged in a tilted manner specific to the geographic location in order to ensure proper orientation of the PV solar panels relative to the sun. Moreover, for large PV installations the associated costs for establishing and maintaining such mechanical stands are considerable.
WO 2008/025234 teaches a solution where a special floating platform is provided for carrying a solar installation. However, WO 2008/025234 suggests that traditional on-shore stands are arranged and secured to the platform while the platform itself is anchored to the seabed via an appropriate numbers of anchors. Thus, WO 2008/025234 teaches a system suffering from all the disadvantages associated with on-shore installations. On top of this an appropriate anchoring system is required in order to keep the platform in position.
It may be seen as an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide a PV installation suitable for easy off-shore mounting.
It may be seen as a further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an offshore PV installation in order to avoid the costs associated with establishing and maintaining on-shore mounting arrangement.
It may be seen as an even further object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an off-shore PV installation which is easy to transport prior to being mounted at an off-shore location. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The above-mentioned objects are complied with by providing, in a first aspect, a floatable PV installation for off-shore applications comprising a polymer-based flexible body comprising a first compartment comprising one or more polymer-based PV modules. The PV installation according to the present invention takes advantage of the substantially flat and horizontal orientation of the surface of the sea upon which the PV installation according to the present invention is adapted to float. Thus, the PV installation according to the present invention requires no expensive mechanical stands, the latter being a huge advantage over available prior art arrangements. The polymer-based flexible body may be made of polyethylene or a similar flexible material.
Preferably the polymer-based flexible body comprises an inflatable flexible tube adapted to be inflated prior to be positioned or mounted on an off-shore location, or alternatively to be inflated while being in the water. The inflatable flexible tube may comprise suitable means for performing self-inflation. These self-inflatable means may involve an air or gas pump. It is advantageous that the inflatable nature of the PV installation allows easy transportation of the installation, for example to a planned location for off-shore installation.
The one or more polymer-based PV modules may be based on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate where a plurality of PV cells are arranged in series in order to build up a relatively high voltage across each PV module. The PV installation may further comprise a second compartment adapted to function as a ballast region so as to ensure proper orientation of the one or more polymer-based PV units relative to the sun when the installation floats on water. The ballast region may be formed as a closed region or it may be formed by a region where sea water is allowed to enter via a number of properly arranged openings. Preferably, the polymer-based flexible body takes the form of an inflatable flexible tube having a length which is considerable longer compared to its transverse dimensions.
The first and second compartments may be separated by a sealing member. The sealing member may comprise a polymer-based foil of for example polyethylene. The primary purpose of the sealing member is to separate the ballast region from the one or more polymer-based PV modules. The sealing member foil may have a thickness being smaller than 1 mm, such as smaller than 500 μιη. The one or more polymer-based PV modules may form an integral part of the sealing member which in that case may involve PET.
The PV installation may be implemented in such a way that the first compartment is defined between an upper side of the sealing member and an upper foil portion. Similarly, the second compartment may be defined between a lower side of the sealing member and a lower foil portion.
As previously mentioned the second compartment may comprise a substantially closed region adapted to accommodate a liquid, such as water, in order to form a ballast region.
Alternatively, the lower foil portion may comprise a number of openings so that a liquid, such as water, is allowed to enter at least part of the second compartment. The openings should be dimensioned so that liquid passes said openings with a certain degree of slackness so that a ballast region may be formed within at least part of the second compartment.
In an alternative embodiment the inflatable flexible tube may comprise, in a cross-sectional profile, the first and second compartments, said first and second compartments being defined between respective inner and outer tube sections. Thus, according to this embodiment one polymer-based inflatable flexible tube may be arranged within another polymer-based inflatable flexible tube. The one or more polymer-based PV modules may be arranged within the first compartment formed between two upper foil portions of the respective inner and outer tube sections. In a second aspect the present invention relates to another type of PV installation comprising a plurality of flexible tubes as described above, said plurality of tubes being interconnected along a longitudinal direction of the flexible tubes.
The flexible tubes described above may, in a transverse direction, extend over a maximum width being smaller than 2 m, such as smaller than 1.5 m, such as smaller than 1 m, such as smaller than 0.5 m. Similarly, the flexible tubes may extend over a length of at least 100 m, such as at least 200 m, such as at least 500 m, such as at least 1000 m.
Similar to the first aspect each polymer-based flexible body may comprise an inflatable flexible tube adapted to be inflated prior to be positioned on an off-shore location, or alternatively to be inflated while being in the water. The inflatable flexible tube may comprise suitable means for performing self-inflation. These self-inflatable means may involve an air or gas pump. In a third aspect the present invention relates to a floatable photovoltaic installation for offshore applications comprising a pair of essentially concentrically arranged polymer-based flexible tubes, wherein a first compartment comprising one or more polymer-based photovoltaic modules is defined between the essentially concentrically arranged polymer- based flexible tubes. The pair of polymer-based flexible tubes may comprise an inflatable inner tube arranged within an inflatable outer tube in a concentrically manner so that the one or more polymer-based photovoltaic modules are positioned in a region between the inner and outer flexible tubes.
The inner and outer flexible tubes are preferably arranged inside one another so that the respective longitudinal directions of the tubes essentially coincide with each other. As it will be explained later the inner and outer tubes may be formed by sheets of foils welded together along the longitudinal direction of the tubes.
Thus, before inflation, the inner tube may be positioned inside the outer tube and the one or more photovoltaic modules may be positioned in a region between the inner and outer tubes. The inner tube may then be inflated until the one or more photovoltaic modules are pressed against an inner surface of the outer tube. The one or more photovoltaic modules may thus be kept in position by the pressure provided by the inner tube onto the outer tube. A second compartment adapted to function as a ballast region so as to ensure proper orientation of the one or more polymer-based photovoltaic units relative to the sun when the installation floats on water may be provided as well.
In terms of suitable materials, dimensions and its general implementation the floatable photovoltaic installation according to the third aspect may be implemented as disclosed in relation to the first and second aspects.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in further details with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein
Fig. 1 shows various embodiments of the flexible tube,
Fig. 2 shows how a plurality of tubes may be mutually arranged in order to form a complete PV farm, and Fig. 3 shows cross-sectional profiles of flexible tubes floating in water. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been disclosed by way of examples. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In its most general aspect the present invention relates to a floatable PV installation for offshore installation, the PV installation comprising one or more floatable bodies each housing one or more polymer-based PV modules. Each of the floatable bodies is typically
implemented as an inflatable flexible tube having a PV module compartment being separated from a ballast compartment, the latter maintaining the correct orientation of the inflatable flexible tube relative to the sun.
Fig. 1 depicts cross-sectional profiles of various embodiments of the present invention, in particular various embodiments of an inflatable and floatable flexible tube capable of housing one or more PV modules. In Figs, lc-le the PV modules are depicted using dashed lines. The foil used for manufacturing the inflatable flexible tubes depicted in Fig. 1 is generally of an at least partly optically transparent polymer-based material, such as a flexible polyethylene material.
Fig. la shows the simplest embodiment of the present invention where two pieces of polyethylene foil 101, 102 are welded together along respective edges 103, 104. A compartment 105 for housing one or more PV modules is formed between the foil sheets 101 and 102. No separate ballast compartments are included in the embodiment depicted in Fig. la.
Figs, lb and lc show an embodiment where one or more PV modules 113 (Fig. lc) are arranged in an upper compartment 111 whereas a lower compartment 112 is adapted to function as a ballast compartment. The embodiment shown in Figs, lb and lc are formed by three pieces of polyethylene foil 106, 107, 108 welded, or by other means attached, together along edges 109, 110.
Fig. Id shows an alternative embodiment where an inner inflatable flexible tube defined by inner foils 115 and 116 is arranged within an outer inflatable flexible tube defined by outer foils 114 and 117. The four pieces of foil are welded together along edges 119 and 120. One or more PV modules 118 are arranged in the region between the two tubes. The one or more PV modules 118 may be kept in position by various means. For example, the inner inflatable flexible tube may be pressurised against the outer inflatable flexible tube whereby the one or more PV modules 118 are fixed between foils 114 and 115.
Fig. le shows an alternative embodiment comprising three pieces of foil 121, 122, 123 and one or more PV modules 124 sandwiched between foils 121 and 122. The three pieces of foil are welded together along edges 125 and 126.
The embodiments depicted in Figs, la-le all have transverse dimensions which are significantly smaller compared to the length of the inflatable flexible tubes. The length of each of the inflatable flexible tubes is typically hundreds or even thousands of meters whereas the transverse dimensions are typically a few meters or even smaller, such as around a half meter. Thus, each inflatable flexible tube forms a floatable, elongated structure of a polymer-based material having at least one water proof compartment adapted to house one or more PV modules. As previously mentioned the PV modules are polymer-based, such as PET-based, modules having a plurality of PV cells arranged in series in order to build up a relatively high DC voltage across the module as a whole. As depicted in Fig. 2a a number of inflatable flexible tubes 201-204 may be arranged so as to form a group of inflatable flexible tubes 205. Bridging sections of for example polyethylene are interconnecting the inflatable flexible tubes 201-205. The bridging sections may form an integral part of the group of inflatable flexible tubes 205, i.e. the polyethylene foil used for manufacturing the inflatable flexible tubes is also applied for manufacturing the integrated bridging sections. This means that upper foil portions of the inflatable flexible tubes 201-204 and at least part of the bridging portions may be manufactured from the same piece of polyethylene foil. Optionally, the upper portions and the bridging portions may be defined in the same manufacturing process.
As further depicted in Fig. 2a a group of inflatable flexible tubes 205 may form one string 206 of a plurality of strings 207 forming a complete or part of a PV installation. Thus, groups of inflatable flexible tubes 208-210 may be arranged in a parallel manner when floating on the surface of the sea. The groups are kept in an essentially fixed mutual relationship by interconnecting said groups using a number of interconnecting members 211. The interconnecting members 211 may be flexible or even resilient in order to reduce the influence of wave generated forces acting on the inflatable flexible tubes 208-210 during windy conditions. The complete PV installation is anchored to the seabed by appropriate anchoring means. Alternatively, the PV installation may be secured to one or more off-shore wind turbine foundations. Fig. 3 shows cross-sectional profiles of the embodiment previously disclosed in connection with Fig. Id while said embodiment is floating on the surface of the sea 304. As depicted in Fig. 3a the inflatable flexible tube comprises an inner tube 302 and an outer tube 301 separated by a first compartment 306 and a second compartment 307. The first
compartment houses one or more PV modules 303 whereas the second compartment is adapted to function as a ballast region in order to maintain correct orientation of the inflatable flexible tube relative to the sun. The first and second compartments are separated by respective walls 308 and 309 so that water present in the second compartment, i.e. the ballast region, is not allowed to enter the first compartment in order to protect the one or more PV modules from short-circuiting.
The ballast region in the second compartment may be implemented in various ways. Firstly, the ballast region may be implemented as a closed region where, for example, it is encapsulated in closed region. Secondly, appropriately dimensioned openings may be provided between the second compartment and the open sea. By appropriately dimensioned openings is meant openings where water is allowed to enter or leave the second
compartment with a certain degree of slackness. Regardless of whether the ballast region is implemented as a closed region or as a region being in fluidic communication with the open sea it maintains a correct position of the inflatable flexible tube relative to incoming sunlight.
Fig. 3b shows an arrangement comprising two inflatable flexible tubes 310, 311 being directly attached to each other, i.e. without interconnecting members connecting the inflatable flexible tubes. The implementation of each of the inflatable flexible tubes is similar to the inflatable flexible tube depicted in Fig. 3a. However, the ballast region may optionally be omitted in the arrangement depicted in Fig. 3b since this construction may provide sufficient stability. Fig. 3c shows a cross-sectional profile of the arrangement depicted in Fig. 2b. As shown in Fig. 3c three inflatable flexible tubes 312, 313, 314, each with no ballast region, are interconnected by members 315, 316. Similar to the construction depicted in Fig. 3b a sufficiently stable construction is provided by the arrangement shown in Fig. 3c.
Generally, the inflatable flexible tubes shown in Figs. 1-3 are all made of a transparent, flexible polyethylene material. However, other types of transparent polymer materials may be applicable as well. The various types of inflatable flexible tubes may be shaped by providing pressurized air into the tubes during manufacturing of the tubes. Various types of manufacturing processes may be provided for this purpose. The PV installation according to the present invention is particularly adapted for off-shore applications due to its ability to float. However, there is nothing that prevents that the installation is applied as an on-shore installation as well.

Claims

I. A floatable photovoltaic installation for off-shore applications comprising a polymer-based flexible body comprising a first compartment comprising one or more polymer-based photovoltaic modules.
2. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 1, further comprising a second compartment adapted to function as a ballast region so as to ensure proper orientation of the one or more polymer-based photovoltaic units relative to the sun when the installation floats on water.
3. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer-based flexible body comprises an inflatable flexible tube, such as a polyethylene-based flexible tube.
4. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 3, wherein the inflatable flexible tube comprises means for self-inflation, such as an air or gas pump.
5. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inflatable flexible tube comprises, in a cross-sectional profile, the first and second compartments, said
compartments being separated by a sealing member.
6. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 5, wherein the one or more polymer-based photovoltaic modules form an integral part of the sealing member, and wherein the one or more polymer-based photovoltaic modules comprise polyethylene terephthalate.
7. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 5, wherein the sealing member comprises a polymer-based foil, such as polyethylene.
8. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 6, wherein the sealing member has a thickness being smaller than 1 mm, such as smaller than 500 μιη.
9. A photovoltaic installation according to any of claims 6-8, wherein the first compartment is defined between an upper side of the sealing member and an upper foil portion.
10. A photovoltaic installation according to any of claims 6-9, wherein the second
compartment is defined between a lower side of the sealing member and a lower foil portion.
II. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 10, wherein the second compartment comprises a substantially closed region adapted to accommodate a liquid, such as water.
12. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 10, wherein the lower foil portion comprises a number of openings so that a liquid, such as water, is allowed to enter at least part of the second compartment in a slackness manner.
13. A photovoltaic installation according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the inflatable flexible tube comprises, in a cross-sectional profile, the first and second compartments, said first and second compartments being defined between respective inner and outer tube sections.
14. A photovoltaic installation comprising a plurality of inflatable flexible tubes according to any of claims 3-13, said plurality of inflatable flexible tubes being interconnected along a longitudinal direction of the flexible tubes.
15. A photovoltaic installation according to any of claims 3-14, wherein each inflatable flexible tube, in a transverse direction, extends over a maximum width being smaller than 2 m, such as smaller than 1.5 m, such as smaller than 1 m, such as smaller than 0.5 m.
16. A photovoltaic installation according to any of claims 3-15, wherein each inflatable flexible tube extends over a length of at least 100 m, such as at least 200 m, such as at least 500 m, such as at least 1000 m.
17. A floatable photovoltaic installation for off-shore applications comprising a pair of essentially concentrically arranged polymer-based flexible tubes, wherein a first compartment comprising one or more polymer-based photovoltaic modules is defined between the essentially concentrically arranged polymer-based flexible tubes.
18. A floatable photovoltaic installation according to claim 17, wherein the pair of polymer- based flexible tubes comprises an inflatable inner tube arranged within an inflatable outer tube.
EP14706612.0A 2013-02-26 2014-02-26 Off-shore photovoltaic installation Withdrawn EP2976578A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP14706612.0A EP2976578A1 (en) 2013-02-26 2014-02-26 Off-shore photovoltaic installation

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP13156666 2013-02-26
PCT/EP2014/053686 WO2014131782A1 (en) 2013-02-26 2014-02-26 Off-shore photovoltaic installation
EP14706612.0A EP2976578A1 (en) 2013-02-26 2014-02-26 Off-shore photovoltaic installation

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2976578A1 true EP2976578A1 (en) 2016-01-27

Family

ID=47832922

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP14706612.0A Withdrawn EP2976578A1 (en) 2013-02-26 2014-02-26 Off-shore photovoltaic installation

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2976578A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2014131782A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10644645B2 (en) 2016-05-31 2020-05-05 Ocean Sun, As Solar power plant
EA036603B1 (en) * 2017-05-03 2020-11-27 Оушн Сан Ас Solar power plant

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4882239A (en) * 1988-03-08 1989-11-21 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Light-rechargeable battery
DE19857174A1 (en) * 1998-12-11 2000-06-15 Wolfgang Volkrodt Maritime, floating solar collectors of plastics transparent top foil and back-up foil, sandwiching photovoltaic material coated support foil
JP2003347574A (en) * 2002-05-28 2003-12-05 Ebara Corp Solar battery module
US7185600B2 (en) * 2004-04-09 2007-03-06 Stearns Inc. Inflatable keel floor chamber for inflatable kayaks
US20120279557A1 (en) * 2004-10-29 2012-11-08 Spg Solar, Inc. Floating support structure for a solar panel array
DE102006019753A1 (en) * 2006-04-28 2007-10-31 Helmut Roppelt Solar panel for floatingly accommodating on e.g. pond, has immersion body including hollow space that is in flow connection with water through opening, where body changes buoyancy of body over compressed-air source with pressure gas
WO2008012791A1 (en) * 2006-07-24 2008-01-31 Aquate Solar Ltd. Water integrated photovoltaic system
WO2008025234A1 (en) 2006-08-18 2008-03-06 Ge Pan Special platform for generating electricity using solar energy
DE102009025705B4 (en) * 2009-06-20 2016-12-01 Guenter Cornelissen Double wall air chamber
KR101087497B1 (en) * 2009-10-26 2011-11-28 주식회사 우성아이비 Tube Structure of Inflatable Boat and Method of manufacture thereof
CN102792102A (en) * 2010-02-02 2012-11-21 C&L帕斯托拉尔有限公司 Floatation device for solar panels
AU2011328925A1 (en) * 2010-11-19 2013-06-06 Combined Power Cooperative Systems and methods of dry cooling

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2014131782A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2014131782A1 (en) 2014-09-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2021225233B2 (en) Solar power plant
JP4845544B2 (en) Water power plant
KR101481093B1 (en) Floating Solar Power Generating System
US20120139255A1 (en) Technology for combined offshore floating wind power generation
US9741883B2 (en) Floating cover sheet assembly having a solar module
US20180034408A1 (en) Edge protection for a floating photovoltaic power generation system
CN102883947A (en) Floating platform
AU2024200320A1 (en) A solar power plant and method of installing a solar power plant
EP2976578A1 (en) Off-shore photovoltaic installation
KR101813053B1 (en) Rotating and Floating Type Photovoltaic Power Generation Apparatus and Control System using it
KR20200088567A (en) Floating structure for solar panel
KR20190014367A (en) Floating Solar Power Plant System Mixed Floatert With AirCap(Bubble Wrap) And Floatert Without AirCap
KR20100030009A (en) Solar cell buoyancy body floating on the surface of the water
WO2016187654A1 (en) A photovoltaic device
KR200466821Y1 (en) Floating Typed Apparatus For Generating Photovoltaic Power
AU2009101216A4 (en) System for evaporation control and electricity generation
AU2016267391A1 (en) A photovoltaic device
IL303565A (en) Floating platform for solar panel arrays
BR102018013087A2 (en) FLOOR ELECTRIC POWER GENERATOR

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20150928

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20170901