GB2546251A

GB2546251A - Offshore wind turbine

Info

Publication number: GB2546251A
Application number: GB1600223.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: He Wei
Original assignee: Statoil Petroleum ASA
Current assignee: Equinor Energy AS
Priority date: 2016-01-06
Filing date: 2016-01-06
Publication date: 2017-07-19
Anticipated expiration: 2036-01-06
Also published as: GB2546251B; GB201600223D0

Abstract

An offshore wind turbine 1 and method of use thereof for providing a resource to an offshore consumer 20, the offshore wind turbine comprises a generator 26 for generating electricalenergy from wind energy 36 and equipment for providing a resource for an offshore consumer, wherein the resource is a resource other than electrical energy which has been generated from wind energy. The generator may comprise a fuel generator 16. The turbine system may furthermore comprise an energy storage or battery storage system 18, a solar system 22, a treatment system 24 such as water 50 or fish 52 treatment. The resource may be transported to the consumer via electrical transmission line 34 or a secondary, resource, transmission line 48. The wind turbine may comprise a floating turbine, a buoy or spar buoy.

Description

OFFSHORE^iMD'ryReiNE T|e Indention relates to an offshore wind turbine which is arranged to provide a resource to an offshore consumer.

When an offshore power demand facility is far offshore, the power transfer from the conventional onshore power-generation units can become expensive Accordingly, there is a desire to be able to generate electrical energy offshore and to provide the power to the nearby offshore users.

For this purpose offshore wind turbines, such as floating wind turbindss are known. These wind turbines can generate electrical energy from wind energy offshore and supply it to the offshore power demand facility.

In a first aspect the present invention provides an offshore wind turbine for providing a resource to a consumer, the offshore wind turbine comprising: a generator for generating electrical energy from wind energy; and equipment for providing a resource for an offshore consumer* wherein the resource is a resource other than electrical energy which has been generated from wind energy.

It has been realised that these offshore wind turbines can also be used to provide resources to the offshore consumer other than electrical energy which has been generated from wind energy, i.e. the resource may comprise a resource other than electrical energy Or may be electrical energy which is generated from a different energy source to Wind. tie offshore wind turbine may be a floating wind turbine. Alternatively, the wind turbine may fee an offshore fixed foundation wind turbine. In either ease, the Wind turbine will fee an offshore wind turbine, e.g. located in a body of water such as the sea or a lake, rather than on land.

When the offshore wind turbine is a fixed foundation wind turbine, the foundation may comprise a fixed foundation which is fixed rigidly to the bed of the body of water in which the wind turbine is located during use.

As used herein, the term ’Offshore wind turbine" means a wind turbine structure of the kind that is designed to be used offshore, i.e. not a land based wind turbine.

As used herein, the term 'losing wind turbine" means a wind turbine structure of the kind that is designed to float in a body of water, such as the sea, when in use. "the consumer is an offshore consumer. The consumer may for example be, or be located on, a platform or a ship.

The consumer may be a power consumer. The consumer may need fresh water or fish processing.

The oislore consumer may be a large electrical power consumer (such as a power consumer which consumes of the order of ten or one hundred MW).

For example, the offshore consumer may be an offshore oil and/or gas platform, a large oil and/or gas production vessel, an offshore construction site, of an offshore operation such as drilling or subsea compression/separation.

The offshore consumer may be a small electrical power consumer (such as a power consumer which consumes up tp the order of one, ten, one hundred, or several hundred watts). lor example, the offshore cohsumer may be a measurement instrument. The small power consumer may be a measurement iosfuntent or an aquaculture farm.

The offshore consumer may be an aquaculture farm of a mining site.

The equipment may be for generating and/or providing the resource for the offshore consumer. The equipment may be for providing the resource to the consumer.

It was realised that the floating wind turbine may be used to house or mount equipment which is used to provide a resource (other than the electrical energy which is generated from wind energy) for aisoffshore consumer.

The resource may be Ofie or more of electrical energy which las been generated from a source other than wind energy, food, or treated/fresh water etc.

The: resource may be electrical energy which has been generated or provided from a source other than wind energy. For example, the resource may be electrical energy generated from one or more of a fuel generator such as a diesel energy, an energy storage device such as one or more batteries, or a solar panel such as a photovoltaic cell. Thus the resource may be electrical energy which is generated (i.e. converted from) from one or more of a fuel source, chemical energy or solar energy.

The wind energy may be a first energy source. The source (such as fuel, or solar energy sources) which is used to generate the resource may be a second source, which may be a second energy source. Thus, the equipment for providing the resource to the offshore cohsumer may be arranged to generate the resource, which may |e electrical energy, from a second source. The second source may be different to the first energy source, i.e, the second source is not wind energy.

The resource loing a resource other than electrical energy which has been generated from wind energy may mean that it is a resource which is not directly converted from wind energy to electrical energy. For example, the resource may be electrical energy which has been stored in the energy storage system, even if the energy stored in the energy storage system has been generated from electrical energy which has been generated from wind energy.

The resource being a resource other than electrical energy which has been generated from wind energy may not be provided from the wind turbine generator,

The offshore wind turbine may be arranged so that electrical energy generated from the Wind energy (i.e. electrical energy generated by the generator): is for, or provided to, the offshore consumer,

Additionally, or alternatively, the offshore wind turbine may be arranged so that eiiCt|caJ energy ienerated from the wind energy (i.e. electrical energy generated by the generator) is for, or provided to, the equipment.

The electrical energy generated from the wind energy (i.e. electrical energy generated by the generator) may be regarded as a first source of electrical energy.

The generator for generating electrical energy from wind energy may be referred to as a wind turbine generator.

The resource, when the resource Comprises electrical energy, rriay be regarded as a second source of electrical energy. The second source of electrical energy may be electrieai energy generated from the second energy source (i.e. other than wind energy) to the power consumer and/or may be electrical energy provided from an energy storage device, such as an energy storage system comprising batteries,

The equipment for providing the resource to the offshore consumer may comprise one Or more of a water treatment system, a fish treatment system, an energy storage device (such as a battery or battery pack), a fuel (such as a diesel) generator, a solar pane! (such ae a photovoltaic cell).

The equipment may use the electricity generated by the wind turbine (for example in the wind turbine generator) and/or may use the space within the wind turbine.

The equipment may only use the electricity generated by the wind turbine (for example in the wind turbine generator) and th| space within the wind turbine.

The offshore wind turbine may be arranged to provide the resource to the Offshore consumer additionally to the wind turbine being arranged to provide electrical energy generated from wind energy to the offshore consumer. The electrical energy generated from: Wind energy may also be used to generate the resource on the wind turbine,

Alternatively, the offshore wind turbine may be arranged to only provide the resource for resources) which is/are not electrical energy generated from wind energy to the offshore consumer. In this case, electrical energy generated from wind energy may be used on the floating wind turbine itself to generate or provide the resource for the offshore consumer.

In a second aspect the present invention may provide an offshore wind turbine (such as a floating wind turbine) for providing electrical energy to an offshore power consumer, the floating offshore wind turbine being arranged to provide: a first source of electrical energy for/to the power consumer, the first source of electrical energy being generated from wind energy, and a second source of electrical energy for/to the offshore power consumer, the second source of electrical energy being generated from an energy source which is not wind energy.

In other words, the second source of electrical energy may be generated from an energy source which does pot depend on the availability of wind energy.

The second source of electrical energy may be generated by a means other than one which involves the rotation of the rotor blades due to action of the wind.

The first source Of electrical energy, i.e. electrical energy generated from wind energy, may be the primary energy source. The second source of electrical energy (which is not directly generated from Wind energy) may be the secondary energy source.

The first source Of eieetrieai energy may be electrical energy generated by the aforementioned generator which generated the electrical energy from wind energp

The second source of electrical energy may be the resource which is provided by the aforementioned equipment.

The second source of electrical energy may thus be provided by an energy storage device, a fuel generator and/or a solar system (i.e. a system which generated electrical energy from solar energy).

In a p#d aspect......the present invention may provide an offshore wind turbine for providing electrical energy to an offshore power consumer, the offshore wind turbine comprising: a generator for generating electrical energf for the power consumer fromisa first energy source, the first energy source being wind energy: and wherein the offshore wind turbine is arranged to generate electrical energy from a second energy source, and wherein the offehore wind turbine is arranged provide the electrical energy generated from the second energy source to the offshore power consumer.

Due to the fact that the offshore wind turbine may be arranged to provide and/or generate electrical from a second energy source, which may comprise an energy storage device, the wind turbine may be able to reliably provide electrical energy to an offshore power consumer, even if there is no Wild or the wind speed is low.

To generate electrical energy from a second energy Source may mean converting a second energy source, such as, solar energy, energy from fuel or energy stored In an energy storage system etc., into eiectrical energy.

The wind turiihe may be arranged to provide a continuous electrical energy output jesg, a guaranteed continuous electrical energy output for a period of time, such is at least one day, one week, one month, one year or a longer period). For example, when there is low wind speed or no wind, the offshore wind turbine (Which may be referred to as an autonomous electrical power generation system) can provide additional power to the offshore consumer from the second energy source. This may be achieved because the offshore wind turbine may be capable of providing efecticai energy from the second energy source.

When the second energy source and/or the Wind turbine comprises an energy storage device, this may be for, at least temporarily, storing the surplus energy generated by the wind turbine generator. The energy storage device may be used to improve the stand-alone electrical grid stability under the transient conditions and it may provide the power as a power generation capacity to the consumer.

The invention may be regarded as being directed to an offshore wind turbine which eompfises equipment (such as one or more of a battep diesel generator, solar panel, water treatment system etc.) tor providing a resource to the consumer and not to an offehore device which comprises both a wind turbine and equipment for providing the resource. Thus the invention may utilize the floating wind turbine Structure. The equipment may be housed by, mounted on, or within the wind turbine structure itself. The wind turbine may b| a floating wind turbine.

The equipment for providing the resource to the consumer may be mounted on the wind turbine;

The equipment for providing the resource to the consumer may be housed within the wind turbine. For example, the equipment, such as an energy storage device, may be physically fitted on the inside of the floating wind turbine.

When the wind turbine is a floating wind turbine, the substructure may be large. For example, for a 6 MW floating wind turbine the substructure may have a diameter of around 15 meters and length of 100 meter. The fixed balance weight might reach around 7000 tons and the water balance weight m ight reach arou nd 2000 tons.

When the wind turbine comprises a balance weight, the equipment for providing the resource to the consumer may provide at least part of the balance weight of the floating wind turbine.

The equipment for providing the resource to the Consumer may be integrated with, and optionaily replace part of, a balance weight system of the floating wind turbine;

The floating wind turbine may be specially designed so that the equipment can be part of the balance weight.

In fact, it was realised that a floating wind turbine may be used to house of mount equipment whicii is used to provide a resource (other than the electrical energy which is generated from wind energy) to an offshore consumer.

The equipment for providing the resource to the consumer may comprise a water treatment system, e g, a seawater treatment system- In this case, the resource may be treated (such as desalinated} Water. The treatment system may provide fresh water which can be used on, or by, the consumer»

The water treatment system may be able to provide from 1 to 100 tons of treated water per hour.

The water treatment system may be any known water treatment system such as water desalination system. The water treatment system may be a multistage flash desalinator. The watertpatment system may be a thermal distillation unit The water treatment system may for example comprise Alfa Laval’s vacuum distillation unit AQUA Blue.

In the water treatment system the water (such as sea water} may be evaporated at around 40 to 60°C in a vacuum of §5 to 95%. The vacuum may he maintained by a brine/air ejector.

The water treatment system may be located within the wind turbine.

The treated water may be regarded as fresh water. The treated water may be used far human consumption on the consumer, machine operation or fresh water injection for a reservoir for example.

The equipment for providing resource to the consumer may be a fish treatment system. This may be a simple fish processing system. The fish processing system may use electric energy to process and cool the fish.

The fish treatment system may Sort, process and/or package the fish.

The fish treatment system may use electrical energy generated on the floating wind turbine (such as in the Wind turbine generator) and/or be housed within the floating wind turbine.

The offshore floating wind turbine may treat water (such as sea water) to provide fresh water. The fresh water may be used as part of the water of the balance weight

The offshore floating wind turbine may also comprise a water tank for storing the treated water, i.e. the equipment for providing the resource to the consumer may comprise a water tank. The tank may be used to store at least some of the treated water bffpre it is provided to the consumer.

The offshore floating Wind turbine may not comprise a tank for storing the treated water, instead the fresh water may be accommodated within the water balance of the floating wind turbine.

The present invention may provide an offshore wind turbine for providing treated water to a consumer, the offshore wind turbine comprising: a generator fOr generating electrical energy from Wind energy; and a Water treatment system for treating water. The wind turbine may be a floating Wind turbine. The consumer may be an offshore consumer. The water treatment system may be housed within the floating wind turbine,

The electrical energy generated from wind energy may be used p power the water treatment sptirfl,

The: Wind turbine may not comprise an electrical storage system, e g. for providing electrical energy to the consumer. Whether the wind turbine comprises an electrical energy storage system for providing electrical energy to the consumer depends on the needs of the offshore consumer.

The equipment for providing the resource to the consumer may comprise an energy storage device; such as a battery pack.

The offshore Wine) turbine may he arranged to provide and/or generate the resource simultaneously or subsequently to, generating electrical energy from the wind energy.

When the resource comprises electricai energy generated from a second energy source, the second energy source may be used to generate electricai energy which supplements the electrical energy generated from wind. The second energy source may be relied on when the wind speeds are lo# or zero. The second energy source may be used to generate supplementary electrical energy when the wind turbine is operating below its rated wind speed.

The second energy source may be used to generate supplementary electrical energy when the power consumption of the consumer is greater than the amount of poiyer which can be supplied from the wind energy alone:.

The offshore Win# turbine may only generate electrical energy from the second energy source When no electricai energy is being generated from wind energy

Th| second energy source may he an energy source different to the wind energy sOurCe.

The second energy source may be a renewable energy source, such Us solar energy, wave energy, biofuel or geothermal energy. This can allow the wind turbine to be environmentally friendly despite the feet that it is arranged to generate eieetfieai energy from a second energy source- The offshore wind turbine may be a “green” power-generation unit.

The second energy source may not he Wave energy.

The second energy sourc e may be energy stored in an energy storage device,

The second energy source may be a non-reneWable energy source;: For example t|e non-renewable energy source may be a fossil fuel, Such as gas or diesel.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise one or more tanks for storing the second energy source, such as fossil fuel, e.g. diesel or gas* or biofuel. The offshore wind turbine may house a fuel tank which contains fuel such as diesel, gas, or biofuel,

The second energy source may comprise a plurality of energy sources such as solar energy* fuel, ereigy stored in a battery ©te. When Ihe second energy source comprises a plurality of energy sources, this: may alternatively be referred as second, third, fourth etc. energy sources.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise one or more second generators for generating electrical energy from the second energy source.

The second generator(s) may for example comprise one or more solar photovoltaic cells and/or one or more fuel (e g. diesel), heat or pressure driven generators. The second generator may comprise an engine, such as an internal combustion engine, heat engine or thermal expansion engine driven by burning fuel, heat or a thermal energy potential, and an electrical generator which is driven by theengine. The engine may be a reciprocating engine of 0 tprbine engine.

The second generator may be a fuel cell.

The offshore wind turbine may be arranged to generate electrical energy from a plurality of different secondary energy sources, The secondary energy SOUfees may comprise both renewable energy sources and non-renewable energy sources.

The Offshore wind turbine may for example comprise two or more of a Solar system, such as a photovoltaic cell, a diesel generator and an energy storage system. This can allow the offshore wind turbine to reliably provide poWer with minimal impact from the environmental conditions.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise a support structure. The support structure may comprise a tower, transition piece and/or foundation. For example, the tower may be supported by the foundation.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise a nacelle. The nacelle may be provided on the support structure, such as on the tower. The nacelle may house an electrical generator. The nacelle may also house the electronics associated with the generator This electrical generator may be the generator which is suitable for generating electrical energy for the power consumer from wind eneigp

The generator (and optionally its associated electronics) may be located in the support structure, such as in the foundation of the support structure.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise a rotor. The wind turbine may comprise only one rotor; For example, the floating wind turbine may consist of a sypporf structure which supports a single rotor which is turned by the wind.

The rotor may be connected to the generator such that when fie rotor rotates the generator can produce electrical energy. The rotor may comprise a plurality of blades; such as three blades. The rotor blades may for example be 4© to 100 metres long, such as about 75 meters long. This may, for example, be for a 6 MW wind turbine blade.

The rotor may be provided on the support structure, such as on the tower. The rotor may comprise a shaft. The shaft may be connected to the generator for generating electrical energy for the power consumer from wind energy. The generator may be connected to the rotor by any known means such as a reduction gearbox, by direct connection to the electrical generator or hydraulic transmission etc.

The support structure may be long pri comparison to the width). At least a portion of the support structure, Such as the tower, may be approximately cylindrical in cross section.

The tower may be located above the water line in use.

When the offshore wind turbine is a floating wind turbine, the floating wind turbine may comprise a buoyant body. The buoyant body may form part of the foundation on which the tower is located or supported. In other words, the fourifapn may comprise a buoyant body. This may be a large buoyant body.

The buoyant body may bo a platform or raft-like structure. Alternatively, the buoyant body may be a "spar buoy" type structure. Such a structure may provide an elongate buoyant foundation.

The spar buoy may have a length which is significantly longer than its width. The spar buoy may be arranged to, in use, float in an upright position, i.e. with the length being vertical or near vertical relative to the plane of the body of water.

The foundation arid tower may be a unitary structure. A transition piece may be located between the foundation and the tower, i.e. the transition piece may be part of the unitary structure.

Alternatively, the offshore wind turbine may comprise a foundation with a tower mounted thereon.

The floating wind turbine may be arranged so that it can be used in a water depth of about 100 miters to about 700 meters. This may be in the case that the floating wind turbine is a large floating wind turbine for use with a large consumer. When the floating wind turbine is a small floating wind turbine for use with a small consumer, the floating wind turbine may be arranged so that it can be used in a water depth less than 100 meters.

The support structure of the offshore wind turbine may have a diameter (for example at its widest point) of about 1 to 30m, 10 to 20 m, such as aboutI Sm. These may for example be the typical dimensions for a 6 MW floating wind turbine.

The support structure may be up to 30dm in height, such as about SO to 250m, 100 to 200m high or about 175m.

In the Oise Of the spar buoy type fioatihg Structure the operation draft (i.e. the draft of the support structure below the water line) may be about 50 to 150m or about 100m. For example, a 6 MW wind turbine may have a diameter of 15 m and length of 100 m,

The size of the wind turbine may depend on tie consumer and what is supplied from the wind turbine to the consumer.

When the offshore wind turbine is a loatihg wind turbine, the wind turbine may comprise a balance weight. The balance weight mape referred to as ballast. The balance weight may be a large balance weight (for example, a 6 MW wind turbine may have a balance weight more than 8000 tons), The balance weight may be used to help keep the wind turbine upright, i.e, in a position in which the Wind turbine can operate to generate electrical energy from wind energy, and/or reduce movement of the wind turbine.

The balance weight m|y comprise one or more of permanent ballast, fixed ballast, water ballast (e.g. flexible water ballast in which the water volume can be increased by pumping water into the tower and in which the water volume can be reduced by pumping water out of the tower), and equipment for providing the resource to the consumer. For example, the equipment may be components which are used to generate electrical energy from a second energy source, such as an energy storage device, secondary generators, the associated electronics, andfbr fuel tanks. The equipment, such as components which are used to generate eleotficp energy from a second energy source, may be used as ballast, i.e. as balance Weight, in the offshore floating Wind turbine.

The equipment for providing the resource to the consumer may be housed within the support structure, such as tower, transition piece or foundation, of the wind turbine.

In the case of the spar buoy type floating structures equipment for providing the resource to the consumer may be housed within the operation draft.

When the wind turbine is a floating wind turbine, the offshore wind turbine may be tethered to the sea bed via one or more mooring lines which may be provided with anchors, or attached to the sea bed with one or more articulated (hinged) legs, for examps, in order to hold them at their desired installation sites.

When the floating wind turbine is anchored by means of mooring lines, the arrangement may comprise three mooring lines. Each mooring line may comprise chain and/or spiral strand wire elements.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise a controller. The controller may be arranged to control the offshore wind turbine.

The controller may control the provision of the resource and/or electrical energy generated by the wind turbine generator to the power consumer.

For example, in the case when the resource comprises electrical energy generated from a second energy source, the power output of the offshore wind turbine may be monitored, and if the power output is lower than a certain level (e g. a desired or required level), the controller may cause the offshore wind turbine to generate electrical energy flom a second energy source Which is provided to the consumer.

The controller may control the charging of the energy storing device.

Individual control systems may be provided for the wind turbine generator, the equipment and/or the consumer. These control systems may be connected and/or integrated so that they can be used to optimise the provision of the resource and/or energy generated from wind from the wind turbine to the consumer.

The controller may receive input of the power required by the consumer and control the wind turbine, e.g. by controlling the wind turbine to generate electrical energy from a second energy source which is provided to the consumer, if the required power is greater than that which can be supplied from the wind source alone.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise a iarge standard commercial wind turbine.

The wind turbine may be an upwind or a downwind wind turbine.

The wind turbine may be a horizontal axis or a vertical axis Wind turbine.

The wind turbine may be combined with other types of power generation units.

When the equipment comprises an energy storage device, the energy storage device may be for providing electrical energy to the consumer. For example, the energy storage device may be arranged to provide electrical energy for the power consumer. This may be used when the first energy sources, f.e. wind energy , cannot le used to generate sufficient electrical energy for the needs of the power consumer.

The energy storage device may comprise one or more electrical batteries. This may be referred to as a battery pack.

The energy storage device may comprise one or more eieetricai capacitor banks.

The energy storage device may comprise an inertia flywheei. in this case the flywheel may be supported by magnetic bearings or gas bearings for example.

The energy storage device may comprise one or more pressure vessels.

The energy storage device may comprise one or mop thermal energy storing devices.

The energy storage device may comprise a vessel for storing hydrogen from electrolysis of water.

The energy storage device may comprise any energy domain capacitance or inertia element, such as electrical chemical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or thermal.

The offshore wind turbine may be arranged to generate electrical energy from wind energy and/or another energy source such as fuel or solar energy, and store the energy in the energy storage device.

This means that even if sufficient electrical energy for tie needs of the consumer cannot be generated at a particular time fpm other energy sources the offshore wind turbine can still be used to provide additional energy to the consumer.

The energy storage device may be located in the support structure of the wind turbine. For example, the energy Storage device may be located in (such as housed within) the foundation, tower and/or transition piece of the wind turbine.

The equipment, such as an energy storage device may be attached to the outside of the wind turbine.

The equipment, such as an energy storage device, may be housed within a container and/or a purpose built containment structure. Such a container or containment structure may be attached to the wind turbine such as being mounted on the support structure of the wind turbine.

The energy storage device may be housed in a location Which is subsea.

The energy storage device may provide balance weight in the support structure of the wind turbine. This balance weight may be used to help keep the wind turbine upright.

Fir example, using the energy storage device to provide at least some of the balance weight might be particularly useful in the ease of a floating wind turbine. The energy storage device may replace some of the ballasting provided ih the floating wind turbine.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise a boat landing platform, in this case, at least some of the equipment, such as solar photovoltaic cells, if present may be provided at the boat landing platform. M least some of the equipment, such as solar photovoltaic cells, may be provided about the support structure of tie wind turbine; This equipment m ay be mounted on the wind turbine.

The wind turbine generator (of a secondary generator which may be pa# of She eqUipmenti may be may be located ih the support structure of the wind turbine. For example, the generator may be located in (such as housed within) the foundation of the wind turbine.

The generator (or a secondary generator) may be housed in a ideation which is subsea.

The generator and/or equipment may provide balance weight in the support structure Of the wind turbine. This balance weight may he used to help keep the wind turbine upright.

For example, using the generator and/or equipment to provide at least some of the balance Weight may be particularly useful in the case of a floating wind turbine. The generator may replace some of the ballasting provided in the floating wind turbine.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise equipment, such as a second generator, which is for generating electrical energy from a Second energy source. This equipment may be used as part of the balance weight Of the Offshore wind turbine. This equipment may be located in the support structure, such as the lower Substructure of the support structure. The lower substructure may be part of the support structure which is beneath the water line in use,

When the offshore wind turbine comprises two or more generators, one generator may be located on the support structure (sueh as at the top of the tower) and the otherfs) may be located in the support structure of the wind turbine, such as in the foundation and/of below the water level.

Ih this ease, the generator oh the support structure may be the wind turbine generator for generating electrical energy from wind energy and the generator ih the support structure may le a generator for generating electrical energy from the second energy source.

When the offshore wind turbine comprises a fuel tank, water tank, water treatment system and/or fish treatment system, these components may be located in the support structure of the wind turbine. Fir example, these components may be located in (such as housed within) the foundation of the wind turbine:

These components may be housed in a location which is subsea.

These components may provide balance weight in the support structure of the wind turbine. This balance weight may be used to help keep the wind turbine upright.

For example, using these components to provide at leaslsome of the balance weight might be particularly useful in the case of a floating w:nd turbine. These components may replace some of the ballasting provided in the floating wind turbine.

The offshore wind turbine may be a single (e.g. self-contained) unit. The offshore wind turbine may be arranged fb generate electrical energy from wind and from a second energy source.

The consumer may be externa! or remote from the floating wind turbine.

The power consumer may be separate from the floating wind turbine. For example the power consumer may be a separate unit.

The offshore wind turbine may be fully integrated with the consumer.

The consumer may be mounted on the offshore wind turbine.

The offshore wind turbine may comprise an outlet. The outlet may be for providing resource, from offshore wind turbine to the consumer. When the resource is eiectribil energy generated on the wind turbine the outlet may be a power outlet. This power outlet may bp for providing both the first source of electrical energy and the second source of electrical energy to the consumer.

Transmission lines, e>g. power transmission lines, may be connected to the offshore wind turbine for allowing the provision of the resource to an external (|e. remote or separate) consumer.

In the ease of the consumer being a large power consumer, the wind turbine may be capable of providing 0.1 MW to 100MW. This may he for a long term or a Short term operation.

The wind turbine may be adapted to be used in water depths of 50 to 1000m. Several of the wind turbines described herein may be used together to provide power to a Single power consumer.

In the CSSe gf the consumer being a small power consumer, the wind turbines may be capable Of providing 1kW to 100kW (there; may be no fuel power generation unit). This may be for a long term or a short term operation.

The wind turbine may be adapted to be used In water depths of 10 to 1000m

The Wind turbine may be up to 10m In height, such as 1 to 5m or about 2m. The support; structure Of the wind turbine may be (fjiigj. at its largest point) 0.1 to 1m, e.g. about 0)5m ih diameter.

The wind tUrbfrie may for example be capable of providing about 1kW to 100MW, e.g. 1 to 10MW, about 4 to 8MW or about ©MW. The capacity of the wind turbine wiil depend on its intended use and the expected needs of the consumers

When the power consumer is a small electrical power consumer, the wind turbine may oniy be capable of providing up to about 1000 W.

The Wind turbine generator may be capable of generating a! least 3 MW, e.g. about ©MW, and the offshore wind turbine may be arranged to generate at least 1MW, ergi up to about 3MW, from the (one or more) second energy source.

When the average wind speed is 9m/$ the electrical average load may be about 3 MW

The offshore wind turbine may be designed to provide electrical energy for a short-term operation. The offshore wind turbine may be designed to provide electrical energy for a long-term operation.

The offshore wind turbine may be the sole power source for the consumer. Alternatively, the wind turbine may provide supplementary power, i.e. the electrical energy from the wind turbine may be in addition to electrical energy produced by, or on* the consumer.

The wind turbine may be arranged to be movable. Thus, the wind turbine can provide resource, such as electrical energy, in one location for a consumer for a period of time, before being moved to a second location to provide the resource to a different power consumer.

In one example, the offshore wind turbine may be a floating wind turbine with a spar buoy support structure, wherein the floating wind turbine comprises a second generator for generating electrical energy from a second energy source, which may be a non-renewable energy source, and the second generator is housed within the spar buoy support structure. The second generator may be used as part of the balance weight/ballast of the floating wind turbine.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention may provide a spar buoy floating wind turbine for providing electrical energy to a power consumer, the loating wind turbine comprising a first generator for generating electrical energy for the power consumer from wind energy, and a second generator for generating electrical energy from a second energy source for the power consumer, wherein the second generator is housed within the floating structure and provides at least some of the balance weight of the spar buoy floating wind turbine.

In a TOh aspect, the present invention may provide a floating wind turbine for providing electrical energy te a power consumer, the floating Wind turbine composing a first generator for generating electrical energy for the power consumer from Wind energy, and an energy storage device for providing electrical energy for the power consumer. The floating wind turbine may be spar budy type floating wind turbine. The energy storage device for providing electrical energy to the power consumer may be integrated with the floating wind turbine, eg. housed within and/or electrically connected to the other components of the floating wind turbine. The energy storage device may be housed within the floating structure and may provide at least some of the balance weight of the spar buoy floating wind turbine.

The wind turbine generator may be mounted towards the top of the floating structure.

The offshore wind turbine may be adapted for operation under harsh

Offshore conditions,

The offshore wind turbine may integrate two or mere of diesel-power generation, solar power generation, an energy storage system, a water treatment system and a fish treatment system within the floating wind turbine.

The offshore wind turbine may be referred to as an autonomous floating power-generation unit or an autonomous floating wind-power unit.

Tie present invention may provide a spar buoy floating wind turbine for providing electrical energy to an offshore power consumer, the loating Wind turbine comprising a wind turbine generator for generating electrical energy for the power consumer from wind energy , an energy storage device for providing electrical energy for the power consumer and a fuel (e.g. diesel) generator for providing eleetrical energy for the power consumer, The energy storage device and/or the fuel generator may be housed within the floating structure and may provide at (east some Of the balance weight of the spar buoy floating wind turbine;

In this base, thefoating wind turbine may be designed to be used in water depths of 1Θ to 1000m, it may be arranged to produce 0.1 MW to 10MW and/or it may be used to provide power to a large offshore power consumer.

The present invention may provide a spar buoy floating wind turbine for providing electrical energy to a power consumer, the: floating wind turbine comprising a wind turbine generator for generating electrical energy for the power consumer from wind energy, an energy storage device for providing electrical energy for the power consumer and a solar system for providing electrical energy for the power consumer; The energy storage device may be housed within the floating structure and may provide at least some of the balance weight of the spar bypy floating wind turbine. in this case, the floating wind turbine may bedesigned to be used in water depths of 10 to 1000m, it may be arranged to produce 1 kW to 100kW and/or it may be used to provide power to a small offshore power consumer.

The present invention may provide a spar buoy floating wind turbine for providing electrical energy and treated water to a consumer, the floating wind turbine comprising a wind turbine generator for generating electrical energy (which may be for the consumer) from wind energy, an energy storage device for providing electrical energy (which may be for the consumer), a fuel generator Hr providing electrical energy (which may be for the consumer), and a water treatment system (which may be for providing treated water to the consumer). The energy storage deyice, fuel generator and/or water treatment system may be housed within the floating structure and may provide at least some of the balance weight of the spar buoy floating wind turbine.

In this case, the floating wind turbine may be designed to be used in Water depths of 10 to 1000m, it may be arranged to produce 0.1 MW to 10MW, it may oe used to provide treated Water to a consumer, and/or it may be used to provide power to a large power consumer.

The present invention may provide an offshore wind turbine for providing treated water to a consumer, the Wind turbine comprising a wind turbine generator for generating electrical energy from wind energy, and a water treatment system; for providing treated water to the consumer. The wind turbine generator may be used to generate electrical which is used to power the water treatment system and/or provided to the consumer.

The offshore wind turbine may be a floating wind turbine such as a spar buoy floating wind turbine.

The water treatment system may be housed within the support structure of the floating wind turbine and may provide at least some of the balance weight of the spar bupy floating wind Turbine*

The present invention may provide a system which comprises the above described wind turbine and the above described consumer.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention may also provide a method of providing a resource to a consumer, the method comprising;; providing an offshore wind turbine for providing a resource to a power consumer, the offshore wind turbine comprising: a generator for generating electrical energy Tom wind energy;; and equipment for providing the resource to the consumer, Wherein the resource is a resource other than electrical energy.

The method may comprise providing the above described offshore wind turbine. The wind turbine provided may comprise one or more of the above described optional features.

The method may comprise operating the Offshore wind turbine.

The method may comprise using the generator to generate electrical energy for the consumer from wind energy. The method may comprise generating electrical energy from a second energy source (which is not wind energy). This may be achieved by using the equipment.

The method may comprise providing electrical energy generated from the Wind energy and electrical energy generated from the second energy source from the offshore wind turbine to a power consumer

The method may comprise treating water using the equipment. The method may comprise providing treated water to a consumer.

Any number (Ng. two or more) of the above described epianal features may be combined in an embodiment. Further, any one or more of the above described opional features may be combined with any of the above described aspects of the invention.

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic of a first wind turbine;

Figure 2 is a schematic of a second wind turbine;

Figure 3 is a schematic of a third wind turbine;

Figure 4 is a schematic of $ fourth wind turbine;

Figure 5 is a schematic of a fifth wind turbine; and

Figure 6 is a schematic of a system comprising a wind turbine.

The exemplary wind turbines 1 shewn in Figures 1 to 5 are spar buoy type floating wind turbines, although the wind turbines could be any type of floating wind turbine or a fixed foundation wind turbine for use offshore.

In each example shown in Figures 1 to 5, the Wind turbine 1 comprises a Support structure 2. The support structure 2 comprises a tower 4, a transition piece 5 and a foundation 6 on which the tower 4 is mounted via the transition piece 5.

The portion of the foundation 6 which is below the water line 8 may be referred to as the lower substructure.

Within the foundation 6 there is balance weight 7 which is used to help keep the floating wind turbine 1 upright. The balance weight comprises permanent ballast, fixed ballast and water ballast in addition to other components housed within the foundation 6 which are discussed in more detail below. A nacelle 10 is located on the tower 4. The nacelle 10 houses a wind turbine generator for generating electrical energy from wind energy. Attached to the nacelle 11 is a plurality of rotor blades 12. The action of the wind may cause the rotor blades 12 to turn which, by means of the generator housed in the nacelle 10, can generate electrical energy from wind energy. This electrical energy may be provided to a consumer 20 and/or be used: to power equipment housed within the Wind turbine 1.

The floating Wind turbine 1 is also arranged to provide a resource to the consumer 20, wherein the resource is a resource other than electrical energy which has been generated from wind energy. The resource may be provided by equipment which is housed within the foundation 6 of the floating wind turbine 1.

This equipment may comprise one or more of a fuel (such as diesel) generator 16, an energy storage system 18, a solar system 22, a treatment system 24 such as a water treatment system or a fish treatment system.

Thus, the floating wind turbine may be able to provide electrical energy Which has not been generated from wind energy or riot been generated in the wind turbine generator attached to the rotor 12 to the consumer 12. The floating wind turbine 1 may also be able to provide treated water and/or food to the consumer 2f.

The floating wind turbine 1 shown in Figure 1 comprises a fuel (such as diesel) generator 16 and an energy storage system 18, The fuel generator 16 and energy storage system 18 may be able to provide electrical energy to a consumer which is additional to electrical energy generated from Wind by the wind turbine generator.

This floating wind turbine 1 Cap be an autonomous power-supply system. This floating wind turbine 1 may be able to provide 0.1 MW to TOMW and may be used in a water depth 10 to 1000 m.

In the floating wind turbine 1 shown in Figure 2, the equipment comprises only an energy storage system 18. The energy storage system 18 may be used to Store energy generated by the wind turbine generator from wind energy. The energy storage system 18 may be used to provide supplemental power to a consumer 20, for example when the wind speed is low or the consumer 20 temporarily requires more electrical than can be provided from the wind turbine generator alone.

In the floating wind turbine 1 shown in Figure 3, the equipment comprises a solar system 22 (such as a plurality of photovoltaic cells) and a battery storage system 18.

The solar photovoltaic cells 22 can act as generators to generate electrical energy tom solar energy. These solar photovoltaic cells 22 may be located about the support structure of the floating wind turbine 1.

This floating wind turbine 1 can be an autonomous power-supply system. This floating wind turbine 1 may be able to provide 1 kW to 100 kW and may be used in a water depth 10 to 1000 m.

In the floating wind turbine 1 shown in Figure 4, the equipment comprises an energy storage system 18, a fuel generator 16, and a treatment system 24, The energy storage system 18 may be used to store energy generated by the wind turbine generator from wind energy. The energy storage system 18 and/Of the fuel generator 18 may be used to provide supplemental power to a consumer 2¾ for example when the wind speed is low or the consumer 20 temporarily requires more electrical than can be provided from the wind turbine generator alone.

The treatment system 24 may, for example, be used to desalinate seawater. The treatment system 24 may be used to provide a resource such as heated water or food for the consumer 20. The treatment system 24 may be powered iy the wind turbine generator, the fuel generator 16 and/or the energy storage system 18.

The wind turbine generator and/or the fUe! generator 16 may be used to provide the energy which is stored in the energy storage system 18.

The floating wind turbine 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4 is arranged to generate electrical energy from a further second energy source (further to The wind energy used by tie; wind turbinegenerator) which can be provided to the consumer, T'nis is achieved using a fuel generator 16 (such as a diesel generator), an energy storage device 18 and/or a solar system 22. Although not shown, the floating wind turbine 1 may also house a fuel tank which contains fuel used in the fuel generator 16. The floating wind turbine may also comprise a treatment storage tank for storing products such as water which have been treated in the treatment system 24.

The energy storage device 18 maf be One or more batteries. These batteries 18 can be used to store energy converted from wind energy and/or the second energy source by the wind turbine 1. These batteries 18 can also be used; to provide electrical energy to the consumer W,

Although not shown, the floating wind turbine 1 can have an outlet which can deliver a resource and/or electrical energy generated from wind energy from the wind turbine 1 to the consumer 20. The electrical energy delivered to the power consumer via the power outlet may be generated from wind energy, generated from the second energy source (which may comprises solar energy and fuel or the energy storing device 18). Thus wind turbine 1 may be able to reliably provide electrical energy to the power consumer even if the wind speed is low or zero.

The equipment, (which may comprise one of more of a fuel (such as diesel) generator 16, an energy storage system 18, and a treatment system 24 such as a water treatment system or a fish treatment system) can be used as part of the balance weight of the floating wind turbine 1.

Figure 5 shows a floating wind turbine 1 in which the equipment comprises only a treatment system 24.

The wind turbine generator may generate electrical energy from wind energy which is used to power the treatment system 24. The treatment system 24 may provide a resource, such as treated water or food, to a consumer 20.

The treatment system 24 (such as a water treatment system or a fish treatment system) can be used as part of the balance weight of the floating wind turbine 1. Although not shown; the equipment may also comprise a Storage tank for storing treated products, such as desalinated water.

Figure 6 shows schematically the overall system comprising the wind turbine 1 and the consumer 2ii The wind turbine comprises the wind turbine generator 26 which is housed in a nacelle 10. Wind energy H may be converted tb electrical energy in the wind turbine generator 26. This eieetncaf eno gy may be provided to the consumer 20 via transmission line 34.

As discussed above, the wind turbine 1 may comprise one or more of an energy storage system 18, diesel generator 16 and a solar power generator system 22.

The energy storage device 18 may store energy which has been converted from Wind energy 36 by the wind turbine generator 2§l Energy may be provided from the wind turbine generator 28 to;the energy storage system 18 via line 38.

The energy storage system 18 may be arranged to provide electnO|} energy to the transmission line via fine 40. Also, energy from the soiar power generator system 22 and/or the diesel generator 16 may be stored in the energy storage system 18 as shown by line 40.

The solar power generation system 22 may convert energy from the sun (i.e. solar energy) 41 to electrical energy which is provided via line 42 to the energy storage system 18 and/or the transmission line 34.

The diesei generator 16 may convert fuel frOrl a fuel source 44 to electrical energy. This electrical energy may be provided via line 46 to the transmission line §4 and/or the energy storage device 18.

The Wind turbine 1 may also comprise components 24 for generating other resources which can be provided to the consumer 2Θ via a second transmission line 48. The components 24 may for example comprise sea water treatment equipment 50 for providing fresh water to t|e consumer 20 and/or fish processing equipment 52 for providing a fish product to the consumer 20.

The components 24 may receive power via line 54 from one or more of the Wind turbine generator 26, the energy storage system 18, the soiar power generation system 22 and the diesei generator 16.

Claims

CLAIMS;..

1. An offshore wind turbine for providing a resource to an offshore consumer, the offshore vwind turbine comprising: a generator for generating electrical energy from wind energy; and equipment for providing a resource for an offshore consumer; wherein the resource is a resource Other than electrical energy which has been generated from wind energy. I, An offshore wind turbine according to claim 1, wherein the offshore wind turbine is a floating wind turbine.
3. An offshore wind turbine according to claim 2, Wherein the offshore Wind turbine is a spar buoy floating wind turbine*
4. An offshore wind turbine according to claim % 2 or 3, Wherein the offshore wind turbine comprises balance weight and the equipment is at least some of the balance weight of the offshore wind turbine.
5. An offshore wind turbine according to any preceding claim, wherein the equipment is housed within a support structure of the floating wind turbine.
6. An offshore Wihf turbine according to any preceding claim, wherein the equipment for providing the resource for the offshore consumer comprises one or more of a treatment system, an energy storage device, a fuel generator, or a solar system.
7. An offshore wind turbine aeCOrdihg to any preceding claim, wherein the equipment for providing the resource to the offshore consumer comprises a water treatment system and the resource comprises treated water;
8. An Offshore wind turbine according to any preceding claim, wherein the resource comprises electrical energy generated from an energy source which is not wind energy· i. Ah Offshore wind turbine according to any preceding claim, wherein the; equipment comprises an energy storage devise which is for providing eiectriea! energy to the offshore consumer. 1Θ. An offshore vyind turbine according to ciaim 8 or 9, wherein the floating wind turbine is arranged to provide at least a predetermined minimum amount of electrical power fof the consumer for at least predetermined period of time.
11. An offshore wind turbine for providing electrical energy to an offshore power consumer, the floating offshore wind turbine being arranged to provide: a first source of electrical energy for the offshore power consumer, the first source of eiectriea! energy being generated from wind energy, and a second source of eiectriea! energy for the offshore power consumer, the second source of electrical energy being generated from an energy source which is not wind energy.
12. An offshore wind turbine for providing electrical energy to an offshore power consumer, the offshore wind turbine comprising: a generator for generating eiectriea! energy for the offshore power consumer from a first energy source, the first energy source being wind energy; wherein the offshore wind turbine is arranged to generate electrical energy from a second energy source, and wherein the offshore wind turbine is arranged provide the electrical energy generated from the second energy source to the offshore power consumer.
13. A spar buoy floating wind turbine for providing electrical energy to an offshore power consumer, the floating wind turbine comprising: a first generator for generating electrical energy for the offshore power consumer from wild energy, and equipment for generating electrical energy from a second energy; source for the offshore power consumer, wherein the equipment is housed within the floating Structure and provides at least some of the balance weight of the spar buoy floating wind turbine. 14;A floating wind turbine for providing electrical energy to an Offshore power consumer, the loating wind turbine comprising: a first generator for generating electrical energy for the offshore power consumer from wind energy, and an energy storage device for providing electrical energy for the offshore power consumer.
15. An offshore wind turbine for providing treated water to an offshore consumer, the Wind turbine comprising a wind turbine generator for generating electrical energy from wind energy, and a water treatment system for providing treated water to the offshore consumer. 16; A method of providing a resource to an offshore consumer, the method Comprising: providing an offshore wind turbine for providing a resource to an offshore consumer, the offshore wind turbine comprising: a generator for generating electrical energy from Wind energy; and equipment for providing the resource to the offshore consumer, wherein the resource is a resource other than electrical energy.
17. A method of providing a resource to an offshore consumer, wherein the offshore Wind turbine is the wind turbine of any of claims 1 to 15.