WO2017045030A1 - Procédé et appareil pour déployer des générateurs de puissance entraînés par l'énergie marémotrice - Google Patents

Procédé et appareil pour déployer des générateurs de puissance entraînés par l'énergie marémotrice Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017045030A1
WO2017045030A1 PCT/AU2016/050866 AU2016050866W WO2017045030A1 WO 2017045030 A1 WO2017045030 A1 WO 2017045030A1 AU 2016050866 W AU2016050866 W AU 2016050866W WO 2017045030 A1 WO2017045030 A1 WO 2017045030A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
supporting structure
power generators
underwater power
buoyancy
supporting
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2016/050866
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Phil Brown
Original Assignee
Worleyparsons Services Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2015903819A external-priority patent/AU2015903819A0/en
Application filed by Worleyparsons Services Pty Ltd filed Critical Worleyparsons Services Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2017045030A1 publication Critical patent/WO2017045030A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B9/00—Water-power plants; Layout, construction or equipment, methods of, or apparatus for, making same
    • E02B9/08—Tide or wave power plants
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B21/00—Tying-up; Shifting, towing, or pushing equipment; Anchoring
    • B63B21/50—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
    • B63B21/502—Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers by means of tension legs
    • 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
    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/40—Use of a multiplicity of similar components
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2270/00—Control
    • F05B2270/10—Purpose of the control system
    • F05B2270/18—Purpose of the control system to control buoyancy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to supporting structures for water- driven power generators. It has been designed primarily for use in the deployment of tide-driven turbines.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a means of deploying tidal energy turbines which at least partially addresses these concerns.
  • a supporting structure for underwater power generators the supporting structure being of variable buoyancy, the supporting structure being moveable between a first buoyancy state whereby the supporting structure is arranged to float, and a second buoyancy state whereby the supporting structure is arranged to sink.
  • the supporting structure is arranged to sink in a controlled fashion.
  • the second buoyancy state may be sufficient to sink the supporting structure to a seabed. Alternatively, it may be sufficient to sink the supporting structure part way from a sea surface to the seabed.
  • the underwater power generators are tidal power generators, preferably tidal turbines.
  • the underwater power generators may be Schottel turbines or similar.
  • the supporting structure includes at least one variable buoyancy chamber.
  • the first buoyancy state may correspond to the chamber being substantially filled with air, and the second buoyancy state may correspond to the chamber being substantially filled with a ballast material such as water.
  • the supporting structure may include two buoyancy chambers.
  • the supporting structure may be generally elongate, with one buoyancy chamber located at each elongate end.
  • Each buoyancy chamber may include feet arranged to support the supporting structure on a seabed in the second buoyancy state.
  • the supporting structures may include anchors.
  • the anchors may be of variable buoyancy, with a first buoyancy state allowing them to remain fixed to the supporting structure, and a second buoyancy state allowing them to sink to the seabed.
  • the anchors may be connected to the supporting structure by cables.
  • the cables may be arranged to maintain in tension.
  • the supporting structure may include a supporting frame extending between the two buoyancy chambers.
  • the supporting frame may be formed using a trussed arrangement.
  • a plurality of underwater power generators may be suspended from the supporting frame.
  • each underwater power generator is moveable between a deployed position located beneath the supporting frame and a maintenance position at or above the supporting frame.
  • Elevation means may be provided, arranged to move each underwater power generator between its deployed position and its maintenance position.
  • the elevation means is arranged to rotate relative to the supporting frame, such that the maintenance position may be rotated at 90° to the deployed position.
  • a method for deploying underwater power generators including the steps of locating power generators onto a supporting structure being of variable buoyancy; arranging the supporting structure in a first buoyancy state whereby the supporting structure is arranged to float; moving the supporting structure to a water surface position above a desired location; moving the supporting structure into a second buoyancy state whereby the supporting structure is arranged to sink; and sinking the supporting structure to the desired location.
  • the desired location may be on the seabed. Alternatively, the desired location may be beneath the water surface but above the seabed.
  • the sinking is done in a controlled fashion.
  • the method may include the further step of ballasting the supporting structure to the seabed.
  • the method may include the further step of including anchors on the supporting structure, and then lowering the anchors to the seabed when the supporting structure is in the desired location above the seabed.
  • the anchors may be of variable buoyancy, and the method may include the step of moving the anchors into a second buoyancy state whereby they are arranged to sink to the seabed.
  • a supporting structure for underwater power generators having a supporting frame and a plurality of underwater power generators suspended from the supporting frame, each underwater power generator being moveable between a deployed position located beneath the supporting frame and a maintenance position at or above the supporting frame.
  • Elevation means may be provided, arranged to move each
  • underwater power generator between its deployed position and its maintenance position.
  • supporting frame including at least one supporting foot arranged for contact with a seabed, the supporting foot including a plurality of expandable members, the members being hollow and arranged to be filled with a curable material, such that when filled the expandable members generally conform to the shape of the seabed.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective of a tidal turbine support being an underwater power generator supporting structure in accordance with the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a plan view of the tidal turbine support of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is an elevation of the tidal turbine support of Figure 1 , shown in a deployed position;
  • Figure 4 is an end view of the tidal turbine support of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 5 is an enlarged portion of the end portion of Figure 4.
  • Figure 6 is an alternative foot for use in the tidal turbine support of Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the foot of Figure 6 shown during deployment
  • Figure 8 is a cross sectional view of the foot of Figure 9 shown following deployment
  • Figure 9 is an elevation of a tidal turbine support similar to that of Figure 1 , shown during deployment in deep water;
  • Figure 10 is an end view of the tidal turbine support of Figure 9.
  • the tidal turbine support 10 is generally elongate, having an elongate frame 12 extending between two supporting towers 14.
  • the elongate frame 12 is generally rectangular in cross section, and is formed from steel pipes arranged in a truss. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the elongate frame 12 is 7.5m wide, 10m high and in the order of 80m long.
  • Each of the supporting towers 14 includes a body portion 18 which is generally vertical, in use, with two foot portions 20 extending from a base of the body portion 18 in a transverse direction.
  • Each body portion 18 is generally rectangular prismatic in shape, with a face having a height of about 28m, and a width of 7.5m. The arrangement is such that the elongate frame 12 can be mounted to an upper portion of a face of each body portion 18. Each body portion 18 has a depth of about 5m.
  • Each foot portion 20 tapers away from the body portion to an outer width of about 10m.
  • the foot portion has a length (measured away from the body portion 18) of about 12m, and a depth of about 5m.
  • Each supporting tower 14 is hollow.
  • the total volume of each supporting tower 14, comprising the volume of the body portion 18 and both of its foot portions 20, is in the order of 2000m 3 .
  • the tidal turbine support 10 shown in the drawings has seven tidal turbines 22 spaced along the elongate frame 12 between the two supporting towers 14; and two further turbines 23, each further turbine 23 located on a respective extension portion 24 of the elongate frame 12 positioned on the outside of the supporting towers 14.
  • the tidal turbines 22, 23 are mounted to the frame 12 by elevation means in the form of movable rods 26, which are formed from steel pipes.
  • the rods 26 are vertically movable relative to the frame 12, such that the tidal turbines 22 are moveable in a vertical direction between a raised position close to the frame 12; and a deployed position relatively spaced beneath the frame 12.
  • the rods 26 are also arranged to pivot about the frame 12, such that the tidal turbines 22 can be rotated about the frame 12 into a maintenance position where they extend laterally from a top of the frame 12.
  • the supporting towers 14 represent buoyancy chambers for the tidal turbine support 10.
  • the supporting towers 14 include means (not shown) to selectively allow the towers 14 to fill with air or to fill with water or other ballast materials.
  • the tidal turbine support 10 When the supporting towers 14 are filled with air, the tidal turbine support 10 is in a first buoyancy state whereby the tidal turbine support overall is less dense than water, and is arranged to float.
  • the weight of the tidal turbine support increases by a significant amount (which in the case of water could be in the order of several hundred tonnes). This moves the tidal turbine support 10 into a second buoyancy state whereby the tidal turbine support overall is more dense than water, and is arranged to sink.
  • the tidal turbine support 10 In order to deploy the tidal turbine support 10, it is maintained in the first buoyancy state. The tidal turbine support 10 can then be towed on the water surface to a location immediately above its desired seabed position.
  • the supporting towers 14 can then be filled with ballast material, moving the tidal turbine support 10 into the second buoyancy state and allowing it to sink in a controlled fashion onto the seabed 30. This is shown in Figure 3.
  • each turbine 22 is located with their axes of operation oriented in a transverse direction relative to the elongate direction of the frame 12. In a typical deployment, each turbine has a diameter of 10m, and is located in its deployed position with its centre about 5 - 10m above the seabed 30.
  • Electricity generated by the turbines 22 may be fed to the shore by means of an umbilical line 42, passing along the seabed to a 'J-tube' 44 located within one of the supporting towers 14. It is envisaged that an electrical connecting line is located along the frame 12, with electrical connections to each of the turbines 22 being located on the frame in a location designed to stay above the water line 32
  • pumps are used to empty the support towers 14 and to return the tidal turbine support 10 to its first buoyancy state, allowing it to float to the surface.
  • the turbine 22 can be raised and rotated via its moveable rod 26. It is anticipated that this action can be achieved from the gantry platform 40. It will be appreciated that this will raise the turbine 22 above the water line 32, allowing maintenance to be conducted in dry conditions.
  • FIG. 6 An alternative foot 50 (which may also form part of the foot portion 20) is shown in Figures 6 to 8.
  • the alternative foot 50 has an outer casing 52, which is open on a bottom side 54.
  • the alternative foot has a plurality of expandable bladders 56 inside.
  • the expandable bladders 56 are elongate, extending from one end of the casing 52 to the other.
  • the embodiment shown has five to seven parallel expandable bladders 56 spaced across the casing 52.
  • the expandable bladders 56 are fixed to an upper inner surface of the casing 52, opposite the open bottom side 54. This can be seen in Figure 7.
  • the foot 50 is lowered to the seabed 30 with the bladders 56 in an unexpanded condition, as shown in Figure 8.
  • the outer perimeter of the bottom side 54 will rest on the seabed 30. When the seabed is rocky or uneven, only a portion of this perimeter will be in contact with the seabed 30.
  • the expandable bladders 56 are then filled with a curable material, such as a grout or cement. This causes them to expand, and to fill the inside of the casing 52. A free lower surface of each bladder 56 will directly contact the seabed 30. Due to the flowable nature of the uncured grout, the free lower surface will conform to the shape of the seabed.
  • a curable material such as a grout or cement
  • the foot 50 will remain in contact with the seabed 30, with the load of the tidal turbine support 10 being distributed over the full area of the expanded bladders 56. It is anticipated that this will promote stability.
  • means can be provided to fill the bladders 56 with a grout supplied via grout line from the sea surface. They may be arranged to fill sequentially, or else arranged to fill concurrently.
  • the tidal turbine support 10 is to be positioned in deeper water, for instance in the order of 40m to 100m, it may not be feasible to have the foot portions 20 located on the seabed 30 while maintaining the frame 12 close to the surface of the water.
  • FIG. 9 An alternative arrangement is shown in Figures 9 and 10, where the tidal turbine support 10 includes anchors in the form of detachable buoyancy cans 70.
  • the detachable buoyancy cans 70 can be transported in a first buoyancy condition (for instance, air filled) latched to the foot portions 20 of the tidal turbine support 10.
  • a first buoyancy condition for instance, air filled
  • the buoyancy cans 70 can be moved to a second buoyancy condition (for instance, filled with water), and the latch released.
  • buoyancy cans 70 can then sink to the seabed 30.
  • a tension leg cable 72 extends between each buoyancy can 70 and its associated foot portion 20.
  • the tension leg cable 72 acts to maintain the tidal turbine support 10 in its required position at or near the water surface.
  • the tension leg cables 72 are arranged to stay in tension, even as the buoyancy of the tidal turbine support 10 alters the degree of tension in the leg cables 72 between high and low tide.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Oceanography (AREA)
  • Other Liquid Machine Or Engine Such As Wave Power Use (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une structure de support de turbine marémotrice. La structure possède deux états de flottaison, à savoir un état qui permet à la structure de flotter et un état qui l'amène à plonger à une profondeur souhaitée. Ceci est rendu possible grâce à la fourniture de chambres de flottabilité qui peuvent être sélectivement remplies d'air ou d'eau.
PCT/AU2016/050866 2015-09-18 2016-09-16 Procédé et appareil pour déployer des générateurs de puissance entraînés par l'énergie marémotrice WO2017045030A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2015903819A AU2015903819A0 (en) 2015-09-18 Method and apparatus for deploying tide driven power generators
AU2015903819 2015-09-18
AU2015905126 2015-12-11
AU2015905126A AU2015905126A0 (en) 2015-12-11 Method and apparatus for deploying tide driven power generators

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2017045030A1 true WO2017045030A1 (fr) 2017-03-23

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/AU2016/050866 WO2017045030A1 (fr) 2015-09-18 2016-09-16 Procédé et appareil pour déployer des générateurs de puissance entraînés par l'énergie marémotrice

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2017045030A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019086877A1 (fr) * 2017-11-02 2019-05-09 Inyanga-Tech Limited Appareil et procédé
WO2021249453A1 (fr) * 2020-06-10 2021-12-16 杭州林黄丁新能源研究院有限公司 Dispositif de production d'énergie à fort courant de marée et plateforme d'assemblage associée
CN116215783A (zh) * 2023-05-04 2023-06-06 上海海事大学 一种基于张拉整体结构的海上浮体装置

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB148767A (en) * 1919-07-11 1921-05-12 Johan Store Method of casting objects of concrete or the like below the water level
GB1147434A (en) * 1965-04-07 1969-04-02 Tech Inc Const Method and apparatus for forming concrete bodies
US3922012A (en) * 1974-02-28 1975-11-25 Harry Herz Power generator
JPS6327625A (ja) * 1986-07-22 1988-02-05 Taisei Corp 水中構造物の基礎施工方法
WO2007053824A2 (fr) * 2005-10-31 2007-05-10 Harry Edward Dempster Generation d'energie a partir de courants sous-marins
US20070231072A1 (en) * 2006-01-04 2007-10-04 Jennings Clifford A Submersible tethered platform for undersea electrical power generation
WO2014076477A2 (fr) * 2012-11-13 2014-05-22 Sustainable Marine Energy Limited Ensemble turbine pouvant être entraînée par l'eau en mouvement
WO2014205603A1 (fr) * 2013-06-28 2014-12-31 Tidal Harness Limited Plate-forme pour turbines marémotrices

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB148767A (en) * 1919-07-11 1921-05-12 Johan Store Method of casting objects of concrete or the like below the water level
GB1147434A (en) * 1965-04-07 1969-04-02 Tech Inc Const Method and apparatus for forming concrete bodies
US3922012A (en) * 1974-02-28 1975-11-25 Harry Herz Power generator
JPS6327625A (ja) * 1986-07-22 1988-02-05 Taisei Corp 水中構造物の基礎施工方法
WO2007053824A2 (fr) * 2005-10-31 2007-05-10 Harry Edward Dempster Generation d'energie a partir de courants sous-marins
US20070231072A1 (en) * 2006-01-04 2007-10-04 Jennings Clifford A Submersible tethered platform for undersea electrical power generation
WO2014076477A2 (fr) * 2012-11-13 2014-05-22 Sustainable Marine Energy Limited Ensemble turbine pouvant être entraînée par l'eau en mouvement
WO2014205603A1 (fr) * 2013-06-28 2014-12-31 Tidal Harness Limited Plate-forme pour turbines marémotrices

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2019086877A1 (fr) * 2017-11-02 2019-05-09 Inyanga-Tech Limited Appareil et procédé
JP2021508017A (ja) * 2017-11-02 2021-02-25 インヤンガ−テック リミテッドＩｎｙａｎｇａ−Ｔｅｃｈ Ｌｉｍｉｔｅｄ 装置および方法
WO2021249453A1 (fr) * 2020-06-10 2021-12-16 杭州林黄丁新能源研究院有限公司 Dispositif de production d'énergie à fort courant de marée et plateforme d'assemblage associée
US11585061B2 (en) 2020-06-10 2023-02-21 Hangzou Lhd Institute Of New Energy, Llc Large tidal current energy generating device and assembly platform thereof
CN116215783A (zh) * 2023-05-04 2023-06-06 上海海事大学 一种基于张拉整体结构的海上浮体装置

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