GB2592832A

GB2592832A - Power generation wind and gravity based

Info

Publication number: GB2592832A
Application number: GB2108707.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Vasilyan Hayk; Naylor Donald; Ghaly Abdulla; King Lee
Original assignee: Hydro Wind Energy Ltd
Current assignee: Hydro Wind Energy Ltd
Priority date: 2021-06-18
Filing date: 2021-06-18
Publication date: 2021-09-08
Also published as: GB202108707D0

Abstract

A subsea energy generation assembly in which a subsea mass, or weight, 108 is raised through the action of a vertical axis wind rotor, or VAWT, 116 working through a gearing system 118 to operate a pulley system 110 with a cable 112; the whole assembly being mounted on a buoy 102 suitable for deployment on a sea, lake or ocean, once raised the mass can be lowered whilst connected to a generator 128 on the buoy in order to generate electrical power. The system may be provided with a clutch that slows the descent of the mass as it approaches the lower extreme of its movement, preferably at a pulley system bottom part 106. The pulley system can comprise multiple parallel cables. The buoy can be stabilised by a sea anchor 124 attached via a tether 126. A subsea power cable 122 transmits the generated power to a substation. Preferably the mass moves across an operating depth of 100-700 m. Also disclosed is use of a sail, such as a high flying kite, to raise the subsea mass which preferably weighs from a few to several hundred kilograms.

Description

SUBSEA ENERGY GENERATION ASSEMBLY AND METHOD

ITCHNICAL FIELD

loll The present disclosure, generally, relates to generating electrical power and more particularly relates to a subsea energy generation assembly harnessing wind energy and gravitational pull to generate electrical power.

BACKGROUND

[2] Dependence on fossil fuel for generating electrical power has increased pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions companies are moving towards renewable energy sources such as wind energy, solar, wave energy, to generate electrical power thereby reducing damage caused by fossil fuels to the environment. Wind energy is utilized to generate electrical power by implementing an offshore wind turbine. Offshore wind turbines are deployed offshore and generate electrical power. With conventional wind turbines the wind is converted directly into electrical energy with inherent inefficiencies. Current designs of wind turbines both on and offshore have reached a plateau in terms of structural and efficiency limitations, and the energy generation from said turbines suffers from intermittency and variability in power output. Further, the turbine blade portions contribute predominantly to power production, while the remaining structure of the wind turbine is used to mechanically support the blades. The larger the diameter of the swept area of the turbine, the greater the power output. However, this is offset by the increased cost of the correspondingly larger rotor and supporting structures. Additionally, any increase in blade size requires increased spacing between turbines.

[3] Wind energy is an intermittent, unpredictable and non-dispatchable energy source, with no direct control of the power output of the turbines, and hence no guarantee of levels of energy generation. Wind forecasts provide some general predictions of output, and long-term analysis of output data provides further information for the grid operators as to the overall energy contribution a turbine, or a wind farm, can make. Although wind is fairly consistent in the long run, short term capacity fluctuations prohibit wind from replacing dependable fossil fuel-based energy systems. This limitation could be overcome if the energy harvested from wind could be combined with natural forces of nature such as gravity to produce a consistent and reliable energy generation assembly. Further, there is a need for the energy harvested from combining the wind energy and gravity to be temporarily stored in a cost-effective manner and released when needed.

SUMMARY

[4] In order to solve the foregoing problem, the present invention provides a subsea energy generation assembly adapted to generate electrical power, the assembly comprising a subsea mass, the subsea mass is adapted to move vertically; the subsea mass is connected to a buoy through a pulley system, wherein the buoy is disposed on surface of a water body, wherein the pulley system is adapted to move the subsea mass; the subsea mass is connected to a vertical axis wind rotor through a gearing system disposed on the buoy, wherein the vertical axis wind rotor is adapted to move the subsea mass from a lower position to a higher position of operating depth by using wind energy; wherein the subsea mass is connected to a generator disposed on the buoy through a cable of the pulley system; the generator is adapted to generate electrical power when the subsea mass is moved from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth.

[5] According to an example embodiment, the subsea mass is initially placed at the higher position of operating depth.

[6] According to an example embodiment, the subsea mass is moved from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth by controlled gravitational pull.

[7] According to an example embodiment, subsea energy generation assembly further comprises a sea anchor attached to the buoy through a tether, wherein the sea anchor is configured to provide additional balance to the subsea energy generation assembly.

[8] According to an example embodiment, the generator is adapted to transmit the generated electrical power to a substation via a subsea power cable, wherein the subsea power cable connects the generator with the substation.

[9] According to an example embodiment, as the vertical axis wind rotor rotates, the pulley system is adapted to lift the subsea mass in substantially vertical direction towards the surface of the water body.

[10] According to an example embodiment, the subsea mass is connected to a bottom part of the pulley system via a parallel cable.

[11] According to an example embodiment, the operating depth of the subsea energy generation assembly is between 100m -700m.

[12] According to an example embodiment, the vertical axis wind rotor is omni-directional and is adapted to rotate on any direction of wind irrespective of the change in direction of the wind.

[13] According to an example embodiment, the subsea mass is adapted to be connected to a sail replacing the vertical axis wind rotor.

[14] According to an example embodiment, the sail is a high flying kite connected to the buoy via a tether.

10151 According to an example embodiment, the sail exerts a pulling force on the pulley system by using the wind energy to move the subsea mass from the lower position to the higher position of operating depth.

[16] According to an example embodiment, a method for generating electrical power is disclosed. The method includes the steps of deploying a subsea energy generation assembly in a water body, the subsea energy generation assembly comprising a subsea mass, wherein the subsea mass is adapted to move vertically; connecting the subsea mass to a buoy through a pulley system, wherein the buoy is disposed on surface of the water body, wherein the pulley system is adapted to move the subsea mass; connecting the subsea mass to a vertical axis wind rotor through a gearing system disposed on the buoy, wherein the vertical axis wind rotor is adapted to move the subsea mass from a lower position to a higher position of operating depth by using wind energy; connecting the subsea mass to a generator disposed on the buoy through a cable of the pulley system; generating electrical power when the subsea mass is moved from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth.

[17] According to an example embodiment, the method includes placing the subsea mass at the higher position of operating depth initially.

[18] According to an example embodiment, the method includes moving the subsea mass from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth by controlled gravitational pull.

[19] According to an example embodiment, the method includes attaching a sea anchor to the buoy through a tether, wherein the sea anchor is configured to provide additional balance to the subsea energy generation assembly.

[20] According to an example embodiment, the method includes transmitting the generated electrical power to a substation via a subsea power cable, wherein the subsea power cable connects the generator with the substation.

10211 According to an example embodiment, the method includes lifting the subsea mass in substantially vertical direction towards the surface of water body during rotation of the vertical axis wind rotor.

[022] According to an example embodiment, the method includes connecting the subsea mass to a bottom part of the pulley system via a parallel cable.

10231 According to an example embodiment, the method includes connecting the subsea mass to a sail replacing the vertical axis wind rotor.

10241 According to an example embodiment, the method includes exerting a pulling force on the pulley system by the sail under the influence of air flow to move the subsea mass from the lower position to the higher position of operating depth.

[25] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[26] FIG. 1 illustrates an environment representation of a subsea energy generation assembly, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; [27] FIG. 2A-2C shows an exemplary working of the subsea energy generation assembly of FIG. 1, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; [28] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary alternate embodiment of the subsea energy generation assembly configured with a kite, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[29] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details.

[30] Throughout the following description, numerous references may be made regarding servers, services, or other systems formed from computing devices. It should be appreciated that the use of such terms is deemed to represent one or more computing devices having at least one processor configured to or programmed to execute software instructions stored on a computer readable tangible, non-transitory medium or also referred to as a processor readable medium. For example, a server can include one or more computers operating as a web server, data source server, a cloud computing server, a remote computing server or other type of computer server in a manner to fulfill described roles, responsibilities, or functions. Within the context of this document, the disclosed modules are also deemed to comprise computing devices having a processor and a non-transitory memory storing instructions executable by the processor that cause the device to control, manage, or otherwise manipulate the features of the devices or systems.

[31] The embodiments are described herein for illustrative purposes and are subject to many variations. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient but are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure. Further, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. Any heading utilized within this description is for convenience only and has no legal or limiting effect.

10321 FIG. 1 illustrates an environment representation 100 of a subsea energy generation assembly, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The subsea energy generation assembly includes a buoy 102 floating on surface of a water body 104. The water body may be a sea, a lake, and the like. The energy generation assembly includes a subsea mass 108 connected to the buoy 102 through a pulley system 110. The pulley system 110 is adapted to move the subsea mass 108 vertically. The subsea mass 108 may have different weights for example ranging from a few kilograms to several hundred kilograms. The subsea mass 108 is connected to a vertical axis wind rotor 116 through a gearing system 118 disposed on the buoy 102. In addition to being connected with the vertical axis wind rotor 116, the gearing system 118 is connected to a generator 128 disposed on the buoy 102. The generator is connected to the pulley system 110 such that the pulley system 110 acts as a prime mover for the generator 128. The generator 128 is connected to the subsea mass 108 present in the pulley system 110 via a cable 112. The pulley system 110 consists of a bottom part 106 where the subsea mass 108 is connected to the bottom part 106 of the pulley system 110 via a parallel cable 114. The electrical power generated by the generator 128 is transmitted to an electrical substation 120 by a power cable 122. The power cable 122 is a deep sea cable that is deployed at a very high depth so that the cable is not affected by the movement of large ships, fishing boats and the like. The subsea energy generation assembly further includes a sea anchor 124 attached to the buoy 102 through a tether 126, where the sea anchor 124 is configured to provide additional balance to the subsea energy generation assembly. An exemplary working of the subsea energy generation assembly is explained with reference to FIG.2.

[033] FIG. 2A-2C shows an exemplary working of the subsea energy generation assembly of F1G.1, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in F1G.2A, the subsea mass 108 is dropped to an operating depth under the sea in downward direction 202. In an example embodiment, the operating depth is between 100m -700m. The operating depth can be increased or decreased as per energy generation requirements. The subsea mass 108 is initially placed at a higher position of operating depth. When dropped, the subsea mass 108 moves from the higher position of the operating depth to a lower position of the operating depth due to controlled gravitational pull. The gravitational pull is controlled by the pulley system 110 such that the subsea mass 108 avoids a free fall and reaches the bottom part 106 located at the lower position of operating depth. As the subsea mass 108 is connected to the generator 128 through the pulley system 110, the subsea mass 108 enables the pulley system 110 to perform the function of a prime mover for the generator 128 when dropped. Therefore, when the subsea mass 108 is dropped, the prime mover of the generator 128 is moved and electricity is generated by the generator 128. The generated electricity is transferred to the substation 120 through the power cable 122. The generator is configured to stop generating electricity when the subsea mass 108 reaches the bottom part 106 of the pulley system 110. Subsequently, the subsea mass 108 is pulled up as explained with reference to FIG. 2B.

[34] FIG. 2B shows lifting of the subsea mass 108 from the bottom part 106 located at the lower position of operating depth to the higher position of operating depth. Subsequent to reaching the bottom part 106, a clutch (not shown in Figure) present in the gearing system 118 engages the gearing system 118 with the pulley system 110 thereby configuring the subsea mass 108 to be moved in upward direction 204 by the vertical axis wind turbine 116. In addition, the clutch disengages the generator 128 from the pulley system 110. The vertical axis wind turbine 116 is configured to be rotated by wind blowing at a different speeds and direction. The vertical axis wind turbine 116 is designed such that the aerodynamic lift and drag rotates the vertical axis wind turbine 116. In addition, the vertical axis wind turbine 116 is omni-directional 206 and is configured to be rotated by the wind blowing in any direction. In an example embodiment, the vertical axis wind turbine 116 is adapted to rotate at a wind speed between 4m/s to 40m/s in any direction. The vertical axis wind turbine 116 is coupled with the gearing system 118 and is adapted to move the subsea mass 108 from the lower position of operating depth to the higher position of operating depth. Since the generator 128 is disengaged from the pulley system 110, no power is generated when the subsea mass 108 is lifted from the lower position to higher position of operating depth. The subsequent operation of the energy generation assembly is explained with reference to FIG. 2C.

[35] As shown in FIG. 2C, after the subsea mass 108 is moved from the lower position of operating depth to higher position of operating depth, the clutch (not shown in figure) disengages the gearing system 118 and engages the generator 128 with the pulley system 110. Subsequently, the subsea mass 108 is dropped from the higher position of operating depth to the lower position of operating depth. The subsea mass 108 is subjected to controlled gravitational pull when moving in downward direction 208 from the higher position of operating depth to the lower position of operating depth. When the subsea mass 108 is moving due to the controlled gravitational pull, the generator 128 coupled with the pulley system 110 generates electricity. The generated electrical power is transferred to the substation 120 located on shore via the power cable 122. The onshore substation 120 is connected to a national grid for power transmission and distribution.

[0361 FIG. 3 shows an exemplary alternate embodiment of the subsea energy generation assembly configured with a kite, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The subsea energy generation assembly utilizes a sail instead of the vertical axis wind turbine 116. The sail is connected to the buoy 102 through the gearing system 118. The subsea mass 108 is adapted to be connected to the sail replacing the vertical axis wind rotor 116. The sail includes a tether 302, and a kite 304. The tether 302 connects the kite 304 with the gearing system 118. Similar to previous embodiments, the clutch disengages the gearing system 118 from the pulley system 110 and engages the generator 128 when the subsea mass 108 is dropped and subjected to controlled gravitational pull. The generator 128 generates electrical power that is transmitted to the substation 120 via the power cable 122. Upon the subsea mass 108 reaching the bottom part 106, the clutch engages the gearing system 118 and disengages the generator 128. Subsequently, the sail exerts a pulling force on the pulley system 110 by using the wind energy to move the subsea mass 108 from the lower position to the higher position of operating depth. The sail is adapted to move in any direction relative to the direction of the wind by using the principles of aerodynamic lift and drag. Further, the sail is maintained at a certain altitude indefinitely thereby enabling the subsea energy generation assembly to lift the subsea mass 108.

[0371 In an embodiment, a method for generating electrical power is disclosed, in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The method comprising the steps of deploying a subsea energy generation assembly in a water body. The subsea energy generation assembly includes a subsea mass 108. The subsea mass 108 is adapted to move vertically. The method includes connecting the subsea mass 108 to a buoy 102 through a pulley system 110. The buoy 102 is disposed on surface of the water body 104. The pulley system 110 is adapted to move the subsea mass 108. The method includes connecting the subsea mass 108 to a vertical axis wind rotor 116 through a gearing system 118 disposed on the buoy 102. The vertical axis wind rotor 116 is adapted to move the subsea mass 108 from a lower position to a higher position of operating depth by using wind energy. The method includes connecting the subsea mass 108 to a generator 128 disposed on the buoy through a cable 112 of the pulley system 110. The method includes generating electrical power when the subsea mass 108 is moved from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth.

[0381 The subsea energy generation assembly described is a combination of wind energy and gravitational force. The subsea energy generation assembly enables converting wind energy into mechanical lift and energy storage. The subsea energy generation assembly is adapted to absorb the volatility of wind energy by using the vertical axis wind rotor 116 and give it back through the gravity based pulley system 110 having the subsea mass 108. Further, the subsea energy generation assembly avoids direct conversion of the wind energy to electricity thereby minimizing volatilities, inefficiencies, and instabilities caused by the wind energy.

[0391 Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind of one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawing. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawing describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the present disclosure. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

WE CLAIM: 1. A subsea energy generation assembly adapted to generate electrical power, the assembly comprising a subsea mass (108), the subsea mass is adapted to move vertically; wherein the subsea mass (108) is connected to a buoy (102) through a pulley system (110), wherein the buoy (102) is disposed on surface of a water body (104), wherein the pulley system (110) is adapted to move the subsea mass (108); wherein the subsea mass (108) is connected to a vertical axis wind rotor (116) through a gearing system (118) disposed on the buoy (102), wherein the vertical axis wind rotor (116) is adapted to move the subsea mass (108) from a lower position to a higher position of operating depth by using wind energy; wherein the subsea mass (108) is connected to a generator (128) disposed on the buoy through a cable (112) of the pulley system (110); wherein the generator (128) is adapted to generate electrical power when the subsea mass (108) is moved from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth.
2. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subsea mass (108) is initially placed at the higher position of operating depth.
3. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 1-2, wherein the subsea mass (108) is moved from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth by controlled gravitational pull.
4. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprises a sea anchor (124) attached to the buoy (102) through a tether (126), wherein the sea anchor (124) is configured to provide additional balance to the subsea energy generation assembly.
5. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generator (128) is adapted to transmit the generated electrical power to a substation (120) via a subsea power cable (122), wherein the subsea power cable (122) connects the generator (128) with the substation (120)
6. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 1-3, wherein as the vertical axis wind rotor rotates, the pulley system (110) is adapted to lift the subsea mass (108) in substantially vertical direction towards the surface of the water body (104).
7. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 1-3, wherein the subsea mass (108) is connected to a bottom part (106) of the pulley system (110) via a parallel cable (114).
8. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the operating depth of the subsea energy generation assembly is between 100m -700m.
9. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the vertical axis wind rotor (116) is omni-directional and is adapted to rotate on any direction of wind irrespective of the change in direction of the wind.
10. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subsea mass (108) is adapted to be connected to a sail replacing the vertical axis wind rotor (116).
11. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sail is a high flying kite (304) connected to the gearing system (118) disposed on the buoy (102) via a tether (302).
12. The subsea energy generation assembly as claimed in claim 10-11, wherein the sail exerts a pulling force on the pulley system (110) by using the wind energy to move the subsea mass (108) from the lower position to the higher position of operating depth.
13. A method for generating electrical power, the method comprising the steps of deploying a subsea energy generation assembly in a water body ( I 04), the subsea energy generation assembly comprising a subsea mass (108), wherein the subsea mass (108) is adapted to move vertically; connecting the subsea mass (108) to a buoy (102) through a pulley system (110), wherein the buoy (102) is disposed on surface of the water body (104), wherein the pulley system (110) is adapted to move the subsea mass ( I 08); connecting the subsea mass (108) to a vertical axis wind rotor (116) through a gearing system (118) disposed on the buoy (102), wherein the vertical axis wind rotor (116) is adapted to move the subsea mass (108) from a lower position to a higher position of operating depth by using wind energy; connecting the subsea mass (108) to a generator (128) disposed on the buoy through a cable (112) of the pulley system (110); generating electrical power when the subsea mass (108) is moved from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13 including placing the subsea mass (108) at the higher position of operating depth initially.
15. The method as claimed in claim 13-14, including moving the subsea mass (108) from the higher position to the lower position of operating depth by controlled gravitational pull.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13-15, including attaching a sea anchor (124) to the buoy (102) through a tether (126), wherein the sea anchor (124) is configured to provide additional balance to the subsea energy generation assembly.
17. The method as claimed in claim 13-16, including transmitting the generated electrical power to a substation (120) via a subsea power cable 022), wherein the subsea power cable (122) connects the generator (128) with the substation (120).
18. The method as claimed in claim 13-17, including lifting the subsea mass (108) in substantially vertical direction towards the surface of water body (104) during rotation of the vertical axis wind rotor (116).
19. The method as claimed in claim 13-18, including connecting the subsea mass (108) to a bottom part (106) of the pulley system (110) via a parallel cable (114).
20. The method as claimed in claim 13-19, including connecting the subsea mass (108) to a sail replacing the vertical axis wind rotor (116).
21. The method as claimed in claim 13-20, including exerting a pulling force on the pulley system (110) by the sail under the influence of air flow to move the subsea mass (108) from the lower position to the higher position of operating depth.