NZ626624B2 - A method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system - Google Patents
A method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ626624B2 NZ626624B2 NZ626624A NZ62662412A NZ626624B2 NZ 626624 B2 NZ626624 B2 NZ 626624B2 NZ 626624 A NZ626624 A NZ 626624A NZ 62662412 A NZ62662412 A NZ 62662412A NZ 626624 B2 NZ626624 B2 NZ 626624B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- base
- vessel
- turbine
- dock
- hydroelectric
- Prior art date
Links
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000000414 obstructive Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 125000001145 hydrido group Chemical group *[H] 0.000 abstract 1
- 229940035295 Ting Drugs 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005265 energy consumption Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000605 extraction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003550 marker Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/44—Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices
- B63B2035/4433—Floating structures carrying electric power plants
- B63B2035/4466—Floating structures carrying electric power plants for converting water energy into electric energy, e.g. from tidal flows, waves or currents
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B25/00—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby
- B63B25/002—Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing, trimming; Vessels characterised thereby for goods other than bulk goods
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
- B63B35/003—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B77/00—Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms
- B63B77/10—Transporting or installing offshore structures on site using buoyancy forces, e.g. using semi-submersible barges, ballasting the structure or transporting of oil-and-gas platforms specially adapted for electric power plants, e.g. wind turbines or tidal turbine generators
-
- 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
-
- 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
-
- 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
Abstract
The present invention is concerned with a method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system (12), and a vessel (10) suitable for use in implementing said method. The method allows for placing the base of a hydro electric offshore tidal energy generator in shallow water such that it is easily affixed to a pontoon system without needing to be winched up from a greater depth. The vessel comprises a pair of hulls or pontoons (20) organised in a catamaran fashion, a raised or raisable section (28), which enables the vessel to pass over a portion of a base (16) of the hydroelectric turbine system (12), when located in a flooded dry dock, which portion of the base (16) projects above the water line in the dock. fixed to a pontoon system without needing to be winched up from a greater depth. The vessel comprises a pair of hulls or pontoons (20) organised in a catamaran fashion, a raised or raisable section (28), which enables the vessel to pass over a portion of a base (16) of the hydroelectric turbine system (12), when located in a flooded dry dock, which portion of the base (16) projects above the water line in the dock.
Description
A method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system
Technical Field
The present sure is concerned with a method of orting a hydroelectric turbine system,
and a vessel suitable for use in implementing said method.
Background
The use of renewable forms of energy is currently enjoying unprecedented ty due to various
globally accepted environmental ns. However in order to make a icant impact on global
energy consumption, the scale of deployment of renewable energy projects will require enormous
increases.
While the more well established forms of renewable energy, namely the harnessing of wind and solar
energy, have reached a commercial level of deployment, the more recent exploration of tidal energy
is a relatively new field of endeavour. As with any new technologies, it is necessary to move through
proof of concept, through small scale and then full scale prototype testing before commercial levels
of deployment can be achieved. In addition the cost and complexity of these new technologies must
be reduced in order to render the technology commercially viable. The extraction of energy from
tidal flows is a particularly problematic area, as the technology is deployed at sea, adding a r
layer of complexity to the deployment process. Significant levels of heavy engineering are therefore
required in order to achieve the desired results. It is therefore ble to reduce the cost and
complexity of this phase of the deployment process.
It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to address the above mentioned problem.
Summary
According to a first aspect of the described embodiments, there is ed a method of transporting
a hydroelectric turbine system comprising the steps of:
locating a base of the system in a body of water such that at least a part of the base projects above
the water;
advancing a vessel into a position above the base such that the vessel at least partially nds
the part of the base ting above the water; and
securing the base to the vessel for transport by raising the base against the vessel and securing the
base to the vessel;
transporting the system to a ment site;
releasing the base from beneath the vessel; and
allowing the turbine to pass downwardly through the portal.
In some embodiments, the system comprises the base and a hydroelectric turbine connectable to
the base, the method comprising the step of:
ng the turbine to the base prior to advancing the vessel into a position above the base.
In some embodiments, the system comprises the base and a hydroelectric turbine table to
the base, the method comprising the step of:
securing the turbine to the base once the base has been secured to the vessel.
In some ments, the method ses the step of;
providing a structural portion of the vessel which is raised or raisable above the upwardly ting
part of the base or turbine.
In some ments, the method comprises the steps of:
raising the structural portion from a first position, in which it forms an obstruction to the advancement
of the vessel into position above the base, to a second position permitting the vessel to be advanced
into position above the vessel;
advancing the vessel into position above the vessel; and
lowering the ural portion from the second position to the first position.
In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of:
locating the base in a dry dock;
flooding the dry dock such that the base is partially submerged before advancing the vessel into
position above the base.
ing to a second aspect of described embodiments, there is provided a hydroelectric turbine
system transport vessel comprising a body which defines a portal therein; and at least a portion of
the body being raised or raisable above the waterline in order to permit the passage of a portion of a
base or turbine of the turbine system beneath the body to be located within the portal wherein the
body comprises a pair of hulls spaced apart from, and connected to, one another such as to define
the portal therebetween, and at least one cross member extending between the hulls and defining
the raised or raisable portion of the body, and the at least one cross member is secured to one of the
hulls via an articulated mounting which permits the cross member to be displaced between a first
position, in which it s across the portal and connects to the opposed hull, and a second raised
position ting access to the portal from the exterior of the vessel.
In some embodiments, the vessel is adapted to allow the base to be released and lowered away
from, and/or raised under and connected to, the vessel.
In some embodiments, the base comprises a support which projects, when the base is connected
beneath the vessel, upwardly through the .
In some embodiments, the portal is dimensioned to permit the support d turbine to pass
downwardly therethrough.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a transport vessel for use with a method
according to some ments;
Figure 2 illustrates a front ion of the transport vessel shown in Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a transport vessel for use in performing the method
according to some embodiments;
Figure 4 illustrates a further alternative embodiment of a transport vessel for use in performing the
method of some ments; and
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a dock as an example of a on at which the method of
some embodiments may be performed.
Detailed description of the drawings
Referring now in particular to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings there is illustrated a
transport vessel, generally indicated as 10, for implementing a method of transporting a hydroelectric
turbine system 12 according to some embodiments. The transport vessel 10 is designed, as will be
described in detail after, to reduce the complexity of, and provide a corresponding increase in
the speed of, retrieval of the turbine system 12 from a dock D, for example a flooded dry dock or the
like, for transport to a deployment site. As it will generally be necessary, in order to be commercially
, to deploy farms of the turbine systems 12, it is desirable that the time and complexity taken to
ort the turbine systems 12 from such a dock D to a ment site B reduced.
The turbine system 12 comprises a hydroelectric turbine 14, which is mounted on a sub sea base 16,
as is known in the art. The turbine 14 is preferably secured to the base 16 via a pair of substantially
vertically projecting posts 18 ing upwardly from the base 16. The turbine 14 is then d
between the posts 18 in use.
In order to allow the turbine system 12 to be carried to a deployment site by the transport vessel 10,
it is first necessary to secure the base 16 to the underside of the vessel 10, following which the
turbine 14 can then be mounted to the pair of posts 18. It is therefore necessary to locate the base
16 within the dock D, thereby allowing the transport vessel 10 to be floated into position above the
base 16, wherein the base 16 can then be winched upwardly against the underside of the vessel 10
and secured thereto. Careful alignment is thus required n the base 16 and the transport
vessel 10 before the tion between the two can be made. For commercial levels of production
it is envisaged that a number of the bases 16 would be manufactured in the dry dock D, and once
completed the dock D d in order to enable the vessel 10 to be brought into the dock D and
floated over each base 16 for retrieval and transport out to sea to the required deployment site. The
location of, and alignment with, each base 16, once the dock D has been flooded, is ed by
ng the dock D such that a water line L in the dock D is just below the pair of posts 18. In this
way the posts 18 are visible and can then be used as a marker by which the vessel 10 can be more
quickly d with the base 16. The posts 18 do however, by projecting above the water line L,
pose a risk to the vessel 10 as it approaches.
Thus ing to Figures 1 and 2 the transport vessel 10 comprises a pair of spaced apart pontoons
which are connected to one another via a rear cross beam 22 and a front cross beam 24. While
the rear cross beam 22 preferably extends straight between the pair of pontoons 20, the front cross
beam 24 comprises a pair of uprights 26, one extending upwardly from each pontoon 20, and
connected by a cross member 28. Thus this cross member 28 is in a raised position relative to both
the rear cross beam 22, the water line L, and more particularly the raised posts 18.. The vessel 10
can therefore be advanced along the dock D towards the base 16, with the front cross beam 24
leading, or positioned towards a front of the vessel 10 with respect to the direction of travel. As the
vessel 10 approaches the base 16 and begins to pass over same, the raised cross member 28 will
permit the pair of posts 18, which are projecting above the water line L, to pass beneath the cross
member 28. Once the pair of posts 18 are located within a portal 30 defined between the pontoons
and the rear and front cross beams 22, 24, the vessel 10 is held at that position. The pair of
posts 18, which are clearly visible above the water line L, significantly improve the process of
aligning the vessel 10 above the base 16. At this point the base 16 can be connected via a number
of lines (not shown) to winches (not shown) located on the vessel 10, and the base 16 winched
upwardly into position ly beneath the vessel 10 and d in place. The turbine 14 can then
be mounted to the base 16 via the posts 18, at which point the vessel 10 can then be floated out of
the dock D and transported to the required deployment site.
It is also envisaged that the turbine 14 may be secured to the base 12 prior to the vessel 10 being
advanced into position above the base 12. Where such a sequence is to be employed the vessel 10,
and in particular the shape and dimension of the front cross beam 24, will have to be ed to
allow the base 12 mounted turbine 14 to pass therebeneath.
Referring now to Figure 3 there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of a transport vessel,
lly indicated as 110, adapted to implement the method of transporting a hydroelectric e
system 112 according to some embodiments. In this alternative embodiment like components
having ed like reference numerals, and unless ise stated perform a like function.
The transport vessel 110 again comprises a pair of pontoons 120 connected by a rear crossbeam
(not visible) and a front crossbeam 124. However unlike the previous embodiment, the front
crossbeam 124 extends ly between the pontoons 120. However, a hinge 30 is provided
between one end of the crossbeam 124 and the respective pontoon 120. This hinge 30 permits the
front crossbeam 124 to be displaced between a first position in which the crossbeam 124 extends
substantially horizontally between the pontoons 120, and a second or raised position as illustrated in
Figure 3. The transport vessel 110 is preferably provided with suitable mechanical/hydraulic
apparatus (not shown) in order to effect displacement of the front eam 124 between the raised
and lowered positions. It will however be appreciated that this displacement could be effected by an
external source such as a crane (not shown) or the like located at the dock D.
Thus the vessel 110 can be advanced towards the base 116, and on approach the front crossbeam
124 can be raised from the first position into the second or elevated position. In this position the
vessel 110 can be advanced over the base 116, with the raised crossbeam 124 permitting the
passage of the posts 118 into a portal 130 defined between the pontoons 120 and the eam
124. At this point the front crossbeam 124 can be displaced back into the lowered position, and the
end opposite the hinge 30 secured to the respective pontoon 120 in order to provide ural
integrity to the vessel 110. As before the base 116 can then be raised and secured into position
directly beneath the vessel 110, and a turbine 114 then secured thereto for ort to the desired
deployment site.
As with the first embodiment, it is envisaged that prior to the vessel 110 being advanced above the
base 116 the turbine 114 may be secured thereto.
Referring now to Figure 4 there is illustrated a further ative embodiment of a transport ,
lly indicated as 210, for transporting a hydroelectric turbine system 212 to a deployment site.
In this r embodiment like ents have been accorded like reference numerals, and unless
otherwise stated perform a like function.
The vessel 210 comprises a pair of pontoons 220 connected by a rear (not shown) and a front
crossbeam 224. In order to permit the vessel 210 to pass over upwardly extending posts ( not
shown) of the base (not shown), a pair of suitably dimensioned and positioned channels 40 are cut
or otherwise formed in the cross member 224. These channels 40 may or may not be closable by
means of suitable inserts or panels 42. Thus as the vessel 210 is advanced towards the upright
posts (not shown), the panels 42, if in position, are removed in order to expose the channels 40. The
vessel 210 can then be advanced such that the posts pass through the ls 40 and into a portal
(not shown) defined between the pontoons 220 and crossbeams. The panels 42 can then be
replaced in order to increase the structure and integrity of the crossbeam 224.
As with the previous embodiments, the base (not shown) can then be winched into position directly
beneath the vessel 210, and a hydroelectric turbine (not shown) secured thereto for transport to the
ment site. It will thus be appreciated that the method and vessel 10, 110, 210 of the described
ments icantly reduces the time taken, and the complexity, in mounting the hydroelectric
turbine system to the vessel 10, 110, 210 for transport to a deployment site. This is particularly
beneficial when deploying a number of the turbine systems, for example as would be required when
ishing a farm of hydroelectric turbines.
Claims (6)
1. A method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system comprising the steps of: locating a base of the system in a body of water such that at least a part of the base projects above 5 the water; advancing a vessel into a position above the base such that the vessel at least partially surrounds the part of the base projecting above the water; securing the base to the vessel for transport by g the base against the vessel and securing the base to the ; 10 transporting the system to a deployment site; releasing the base from beneath the vessel; and allowing the turbine to pass downwardly through the portal.
2. A method according to claim 1 in which the system comprises the base and a hydroelectric 15 turbine connectable to the base, the method comprising the step of: securing the turbine to the base prior to advancing the vessel into a position above the base.
3. A method according to claim 1 in which the system comprises the base and a hydroelectric turbine connectable to the base, the method comprising the step of: 20 securing the turbine to the base once the base has been secured to the vessel.
4. A method according to any one preceding claim comprising the step of; providing a structural portion of the vessel which is raised or raisable above the upwardly projecting part of the base or turbine.
5. A method according to claim 4 comprising the step of: raising the structural portion from a first on, in which it forms an obstruction to the advancement of the vessel into position above the base, to a second position permitting the vessel to be ed into on above the vessel; 30 advancing the vessel into position above the vessel; and lowering the structural portion from the second on to the first on.
6. A method according to any one preceding claim comprising the steps of: ng the base in a dry dock; 35 flooding the dry dock such that the base is partially submerged before advancing the vessel into position above the base. *7 20
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP11195019.2A EP2607225B1 (en) | 2011-12-21 | 2011-12-21 | A method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system |
EP11195019.2 | 2011-12-21 | ||
PCT/EP2012/076103 WO2013092676A1 (en) | 2011-12-21 | 2012-12-19 | A method of transporting a hydroelectric turbine system |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ626624A NZ626624A (en) | 2016-10-28 |
NZ626624B2 true NZ626624B2 (en) | 2017-01-31 |
Family
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