EP3704372A1 - Apparatus and method - Google Patents
Apparatus and methodInfo
- Publication number
- EP3704372A1 EP3704372A1 EP18822431.5A EP18822431A EP3704372A1 EP 3704372 A1 EP3704372 A1 EP 3704372A1 EP 18822431 A EP18822431 A EP 18822431A EP 3704372 A1 EP3704372 A1 EP 3704372A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- module
- support structure
- arrangement
- energy converter
- modules
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
- F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
- F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
- F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
- F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/40—Use of a multiplicity of similar components
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
- F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
- F05B2240/00—Components
- F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
- F05B2240/97—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a submerged structure
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient
Definitions
- This invention relates to an energy converting array.
- Harnessing power from tidal energy is a well-proven method of energy extraction from the marine environment.
- LCOE Levelized Cost of Energy
- OCV's Offshore Construction Vessels
- Floating Platforms are widely regarded as a potential solution. However, this can increase cost and risk due to the high mooring loads, mooring fatigue, mooring elasticity/ yawing (fish-tailing), high costs and statutory requirements for the floating plant, expensive anchoring solutions and complex dynamic cable hook-up between the seabed and the floating device, cable fatigue, heavy weather/survivability issues, collisions with vessels/debris, etc. Furthermore, there are limited sites where such floating solutions can be used and represent a major hazard to marine navigation. The
- apparatus comprising an energy converting array including a support structure and a plurality of tidal energy converter modules mounted to the support structure, each module including at least one energy converter device, the arrangement being such that the plurality of tidal energy converter modules are mounted to the support structure in a staggered arrangement, each module separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules, the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module.
- a method of installation of an energy converting array comprising installing on a seabed location a support structure, lowering, sequentially, a plurality of tidal energy converter modules, each module including at least one energy converter device and mounting the plurality of tidal energy converter modules to the support structure in a staggered arrangement, each module separated both horizontally and vertically from adjacent modules, the arrangement being such that there are respective unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module and respective unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module.
- a foundation structure can be provided where individual submerged energy converter modules can be easily accessed for recovery and the foundation/ support structure can remain in situ.
- the energy converter devices are turbines and whose blades are rotated about an axis by movement of fluctuating tides.
- a small turbine of 50-200KW capacity and weighing around 1 -10 tonnes means that 1 MW of generating capacity can be achieved with a total of 5-20 turbines at a turbine weight as low as 20 tonnes. These loads are easily handled by standard low cost workboats, supply vessels and barges. Conventional larger turbines (>1 MW) of this capacity are generally in the range of 130- 200 tonnes. This has major advantages in terms of the installation, logistics, operation and maintenance, allowing for moving from larger heavy-lift installation and recovery vessels to smaller work boats, supply boats and barges without need for offshore construction vessels. This approach has major advantages in being able to adapt locally sourced work vessels and barges in areas where there are few offshore type construction vessels.
- the downside of a multi-turbine approach is increase balance of plant costs around integration of the multiple units into a common grid and integration into a foundation structure.
- the object of this invention is to address these issues through:
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an energy converting array
- Figure 2 is a side view of the array of Figure 1 ,
- Figure 3 is a rear view of the array of Figure 1 .
- Figures 4 to 9 show perspective views of stages of installation of the energy converting array
- Figure 10 is a perspective view showing in more detail parts of the array of Figure 1 in a detached configuration
- Figure 1 1 is a view similar to Figure 4 with the parts of the array in a mounted configuration.
- an energy converting array 2 comprises a support structure or foundation 4 and a plurality of tidal energy converter modules 6 mounted to the support structure 4, each module 6 including a plurality of energy converting devices in the form of turbines 8 mounted on a cross-beam structure 10, which in the example shown is a wing-like cross-beam structure.
- each module 6 is lowered from a surface vessel or barge 14 onto the support structure 4 which has previously been anchored to a seabed SB location.
- the modules 6 are arranged to be mounted to the support structure 4 in a staggered pattern to separate adjacent or neighbouring modules 6 both horizontally and vertically, to allow for unhindered access for installation and recovery and for unhindered flow of water through the turbines at different levels thereby optimising the energy extraction from the volumetric flow of water through the space occupied by the array 2.
- arrows 7 indicate unhindered substantially vertical lifting corridors for each module 6 to allow for unhindered access for installation and recovery
- arrows 7' indicate unhindered substantially horizontal flow corridors for each module 6 to allow for unhindered flow of water through the turbines at different levels thereby optimising the energy extraction from the volumetric flow of water.
- each module 6 is preferably lowered into the water by way of a twin-davit system 12 mounted on the front-end or back-end region of the vessel or barge 14 and incorporating a carrying beam 16, substantially the same width as the cross-beam structure 10.
- the cross-beam structure 10 is releasably mounted to the carrying beam 16.
- the carrying beam 16 attached to the module 6 is attached to lift wires 18 via a launch and recovery system frame (LARS frame).
- the twin-davit system 12 comprises the launch and recovery system and a sea-fastening arrangement for secure sea transport of the modules 6 and is designed so as to be capable of being fitted to the vessel 14, thus removing the need for any cranes or other large-scale lifting equipment.
- the lift wires 18 originate from first winch drums 20.
- two stabilising cables 22 are advantageously attached from amidships of the vessel 14 to the end regions of the carrying beam 16 to allow full control of the lift at all stages.
- the stabilising cables originate from second winch drums 24.
- the stabilising cables 22 allow for launching of the module 6 in non-optimal, adverse weather conditions as the pendulum effect caused by high wind forces can be reduced owing to reduced working heights (as compared to cranes) and two points of attachment with the two stabilising cables 22.
- the path the load (the module 6) takes is much more controlled through the splash zone, through a column of water and during locating of the module 6 onto the support structure 4. In good weather conditions, use of the stabilising cables 22 may not be needed.
- Figure 6 shows the module 6 attached to the carrying beam 16 and part way through the water column to mate with the support structure 4.
- Figure 7 shows arrival of the module 6 at the support structure 4 at the desired mating position.
- the module 6 is located or stabbed onto the support structure 4 by way of a stabbing arrangement discussed in more detail hereinbelow.
- Figure 8 shows the carrying beam 16 disengaged from the module 6 now connected to the support structure 4 and being raised back to the vessel 14 through the water column by the twin-davit system 12 for being releasably connected to a further module 6 for installation or, as shown, completion of the installation task.
- the carrying beam 16 is released from the module 6 by a hydraulic ram releasing a pin which secures the lifting cables through a pad- eye arrangement.
- the stabilising cables 22 remain attached to the module 6 throughout the operation.
- Figure 9 shows a completed installation of the array and ready for use once all the electrical connections have been made.
- each module 6 is located or stabbed onto the support structure 4 via an arrangement of stabbing guides 24 on the cross-beam 10, increasing the tolerance (in the version shown this tolerance being given by a frusto-conically shaped channel) for reception of a corresponding mating element 26 on end regions of mounting struts of the support structure 4.
- Intelligent arrangements such as subsea cameras, acoustic positioning systems, sonar based reference systems mounted on the lifting arrangements mean that expensive work-class Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are not required.
- the module 6 may be mounted to the support structure 4 via a remote locking pin arrangement actuated from the LARS frame.
- a wet mate connector arrangement for the electrical hooking-up of the module 6 is also actuated from the LARS frame.
- the vessel 14 can return to the site and by way of the twin-davit system 12 with its LARS frame can lower the carrying beam 16 to engage with the desired module 6 on the support structure 4.
- the vessel 14 can return to the site and by way of the twin-davit system 12 with its LARS frame can lower the carrying beam 16 to engage with the desired module 6 on the support structure 4.
- the modules 6 may be designed to create some downforce onto the support structure 4 while simultaneously augmenting the flow around the turbines 8 by nature of fairing of the wing-like cross-beam 10.
- the support structure 4 may be in the form of a tripod, a duo-pod, or a quadro-pod structure and may be fixed into the seabed by drilling into the seabed or rest on top of the seabed by way of a gravity base/modular gravity base.
- the bracings of the support structure 4 may further include fairings so as to augment flow of water into the turbines 8.
- the turbines themselves may be suspended from the cross beam 10 (as shown), fixed above the cross-beam or be integrated into the crossbeam.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Oceanography (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB1718193.4A GB201718193D0 (en) | 2017-11-02 | 2017-11-02 | Apparatus and method |
PCT/GB2018/053164 WO2019086877A1 (en) | 2017-11-02 | 2018-11-01 | Apparatus and method |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3704372A1 true EP3704372A1 (en) | 2020-09-09 |
Family
ID=60664752
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP18822431.5A Pending EP3704372A1 (en) | 2017-11-02 | 2018-11-01 | Apparatus and method |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3704372A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2021508017A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20200116903A (en) |
CA (1) | CA3081621A1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB201718193D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2019086877A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5440176A (en) * | 1994-10-18 | 1995-08-08 | Haining Michael L | Ocean current power generator |
GB2497459B (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2014-11-05 | Cameron Int Corp | Method and apparatus for energy generation |
GB201218569D0 (en) * | 2012-10-16 | 2012-11-28 | Mojo Maritime Ltd | Improvements in or relating to marine operations |
US9506451B2 (en) * | 2014-03-17 | 2016-11-29 | Aquantis, Inc. | Floating, yawing spar current/tidal turbine |
WO2017045030A1 (en) * | 2015-09-18 | 2017-03-23 | Worleyparsons Services Pty Ltd | Method and apparatus for deploying tide driven power generators |
-
2017
- 2017-11-02 GB GBGB1718193.4A patent/GB201718193D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2018
- 2018-11-01 JP JP2020544168A patent/JP2021508017A/en active Pending
- 2018-11-01 CA CA3081621A patent/CA3081621A1/en active Pending
- 2018-11-01 KR KR1020207015752A patent/KR20200116903A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2018-11-01 WO PCT/GB2018/053164 patent/WO2019086877A1/en unknown
- 2018-11-01 EP EP18822431.5A patent/EP3704372A1/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JP2021508017A (en) | 2021-02-25 |
GB201718193D0 (en) | 2017-12-20 |
CA3081621A1 (en) | 2019-05-09 |
KR20200116903A (en) | 2020-10-13 |
WO2019086877A1 (en) | 2019-05-09 |
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