ES2301445A1 - Marine electric power production system and installation method - Google Patents

Abstract

The marine system comprises a floating structure, a device for producing electricity energy through wind or a device for producing electricity energy through waves or device for producing electricity energy through marine currents.

Description

Marine power production system Electrical and installation method.

Object of the invention

The following invention, as expressed in the set forth herein, refers to a marine electrical power production system and method of installation, the system being based on a floating structure buoy type "spar", so that the floating structure itself integrates at least one energy producing device, being able to it is a wind harness device, such as a wind turbine and / or a device to take advantage of the wave energy and / or a device for harnessing the sea currents energy, aiming to obtain electrical energy through wind and / or waves.

Also, this report presents a method for installing the system that allows its uninstallation, repair and subsequent new installation.

Scope

This system describes a system Marine electric power production and installation method, which is of special application for installation at sea harnessing the energy provided by wind and / or waves, being integrated in a single floating buoy structure "spar"

Background of the invention

Floating systems that incorporate a wind turbine on top, as well as systems of energy use of the waves.

Also, in relation to the combination of these technologies there is a patent (JP2002303454) that describes a large floating structure in which many systems are integrated, with object of producing hydrogen and oxygen, through various technologies, including wind and wave energy.

On the other hand, the floating spa "spar" system refers to systems that keep the center of gravity below the center of flotation, thus achieving the desired stability. The basic parts of a "spar" system
include:

1) A superior structure.

2) A top ballast tank ("hard tank ").

3) An intermediate section (configuration cylindrical blind or lattice).

4) A lower ballast tank ("soft tank ").

The upper structure usually consists of a multi-level roof configuration for this get a sufficient work area, minimizing it Cantilever surfaces time.

The upper ballast tank is responsible for provide sufficient buoyancy reserve to support the weight of the other elements, since none of them would have positive buoyancy by itself. The term "hard tank" it comes from the fact that its compartments are sized to withstand all hydrostatic pressure without flooding the same. It is usually divided into 5 or 6 levels of watertight compartments separated by covers and each of these It is further subdivided into another 4 by radial bulkheads.

The tank located at the height of the flotation usually has double hulls or double bulkheads ("cofferdams") to minimize flood volume in case of collision with another ship. In any case, the usual thing is that only the lowest level of tanks is flooded with a variable amount of ballast depending on the loading condition of the platform, leaving the rest empty.

The intermediate section extends from the lower base of the "hard tank" to provide design draft to the structure. In the classic "spar" this was only a extension of the sheet that constitutes the outer lining of the tank superior with hardly any internal structure. The escantillones of this central body are dimensioned from the moment flectors to resist during the phase of adrizamiento after the trailer to the final location point. In a later evolution this central body was replaced by a structure in less heavy lattice and simpler and cheaper construction.

There are other concepts of floating systems, other than "spar", such as, for example, the TLP (Tension Leg Platform) and the semi-submersible.

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The TLP (Tension Leg Platform) is vertically subject, by means of tensions attached to the sea floor, of this form prevents the ascensional movement ("heave") and rotations of the axes contained in the surface plane marina ("pitch and roll")

The semi-submersible is a floating structure with a large deck, from which several columns connect underwater with horizontal floating elements (called pontoons)

Description of the invention

A marine electrical energy production system is described herein, being based on a "spar" buoyant floating structure that maintains the center of gravity below the center of flotation, so that the
Marine electric power production system comprises a floating structure type "spar" in which it integrates:

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a production device of electrical energy through the wind, and / or;

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a production device of electrical energy through the waves, and / or;

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a production device of Electric power through sea currents.

Thus, the proposed system has the advantage of that the different electric power production devices,  independently or combined with each other, they are integrated into a single floating structure type "spar", while presenting a large  simplicity When integrated into a single floating structure type "spar", synergies are obtained, both in construction and in taking advantage of the different components of the integrated devices in it.

The power production device electric through the wind, is defined by a wind turbine.

The power production device electric through the waves, is defined by some generators vertical, which can be linear electric generators, air compression devices that have a generator electric coupled or seawater compression devices or fluids that have a generator coupled to a turbine such as final device

Vertical generators are mounted between two platforms, being able to be electric generators linear or compressors of air, seawater, or other fluid, to water level, consisting of cylindrical elements and their corresponding float movable along it by action of the waves, generating electricity if it is a generator electric or compressing the corresponding fluid if it's Some compressors

The top mounting platform of the vertical generators are at such a height of the water level that the waves do not get to contact him.

The system incorporates a power electronics  (controllers) necessary for the adequacy of the signals generated electric, according to the final application of energy generated.

Also, the production device of Electric power through marine currents is defined by, at least one arm attached to the floating structure below of the water level, equipped with a rotating propeller.

The system can incorporate at least one controller that adapts and integrates the signals of the different system generators, in a single signal.

Likewise, the system can incorporate, in proximity to the floating structure, a fish farm next to the own wave energy use device, allowing to add value to the installation, both Economic as ecological.

Also, the system is susceptible to incorporate a hydrogen production device by water electrolysis, so that with electrical energy produced, and through the appropriate power electronics and a electrolyzer device, pure hydrogen will be obtained for various uses

The pure water that the electrolyser needs to produce hydrogen, can be obtained by incorporating a seawater desalination device, also integrated In the system itself.

In order to generate electricity for self-consumption the system can incorporate photovoltaic panels, allowing it to be autonomous.

Also described herein is a installation method, which also allows and facilitates the system maintenance.

Thus, the installation method is based on the construction of the complete system in port, the subsequent drag in floating of the set to the chosen site and the final subject to the seabed, by chains or other devices anchoring

In addition, the proposed installation method facilitates maintenance and is based on the idea that, in case of serious breakdown, the anchoring devices are released, the system to port and repair work is carried out, subsequently it is taken back to the site and returned to fasten with the anchoring system.

To complement the description that then it will be done, and in order to help a better understanding of the features of the invention is accompanied by the present descriptive report, of a set of planes, in whose figures in an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the more characteristic details of the invention.

Brief description of the designs

Figure 1. Shows a perspective view of an installation of an energy producing system, being based in a floating structure that integrates a "spar" type buoy, and incorporates a wind turbine producing electric power to through the wind

Figure 2. Shows a perspective view of an installation of an energy producing system, being based in a floating structure that integrates a "spar" type buoy, and incorporates an electric power producing device through waves.

Figure 3. Shows a front view of a installation of an energy producing system, based on a floating structure that integrates a "spar" type buoy, and incorporates an electric power producing device through The sea currents.

Figure 4. Shows a perspective view of an installation of an energy producing system, being based in a floating structure that integrates a "spar" type buoy, and incorporates a wind turbine producing electricity through of the wind and a device producing electricity through wave.

Figure 5. Shows a front view of a installation of an energy producing system, based on a floating structure that integrates a "spar" type buoy, and incorporates a wind turbine producing electricity through of the wind and a device producing electricity through wave.

Figure 6. Shows a perspective view of an installation of an energy producing system, being based in a floating structure that integrates a "spar" type buoy, and incorporates a wind turbine producing electricity through of the wind and a device producing electricity through of sea currents.

Figure 7. Shows a perspective view of an installation of an energy producing system, being based in a floating structure that integrates a "spar" type buoy, and incorporates an electric power producing device through the waves and an electric power producing device through of sea currents.

Figure 8. Shows a perspective view of an installation of a global energy producing system, being based on a floating structure that integrates a buoy type "spar", and incorporates a wind turbine, a producing device of electrical energy through the waves and a device electric power producer through sea currents based on arms endowed with propellers.

Figure 9. Shows a detailed view of the outer area of the energy use device of the waves based on vertical generators.

Figure 10. Shows a general outline of the installation, being able to observe a wind turbine and a system of use of the waves, each with its corresponding power electronics

Figure 11. Shows a general scheme of the installation, being able to observe a wind turbine, a system of use of the waves and a common controller for both dispositives.

Figure 12. Shows a schematic detail of the  linear generators with relative movement of the float element respect to the cylindrical body by the action of the waves.

Figure 13. Shows a perspective view of the installation, in which photovoltaic panels are located at the top of the wind turbine.

Figure 14. Shows a perspective view of the installation, with an integrated fish farm next to the system use of the waves.

Figure 15. Shows a schematic detail of the process of converting seawater into hydrogen.

Description of a preferred embodiment

In view of the commented figures and of according to the numbering adopted we can observe how the system Marine electric power production, is based on a structure 1 floating buoy type "spar" that keeps the center of gravity below the center of flotation, whose structure 1 floating integrates at least one energy production device electric, which can be based on a wind turbine 2 that take advantage of the wind and / or an energy production device 3 electric through the waves and / or a production device 12 of electrical energy through marine currents.

In this way, the floating structure type 1 buoy "spar" may mount that or those devices of more convenient energy production according to the conditions environmental and maritime existing at the installation site for Optimum energy efficiency.

Thus, the buoy-type floating structure 1 "spar" can mount a single power producing device electric of the aforementioned or any combination of they.

On the other hand, each of the devices electric power production incorporating structure 1 floating will have its corresponding power electronics (drivers). This power electronics has the mission of adapt the output signal of the corresponding device to the characteristics that the system exit requires.

Thus, by way of example, in a first run practice of the invention, as seen in figure 10 of the designs, each of the energy production devices 2 and 3 through wind and waves, respectively, have of its power electronics 4 and 5, while in a second practical execution, as seen in figure 11 of the designs, individual power electronics for each device 2 and 3 for energy use of wind and waves is replaced by a single controller 15 at the exit of the same, which performs the same signal adaptation function. This is extensible to any combination of devices energy production

In a preferred embodiment the exit of the system can be connected, through a transformer or directly to an electrical evacuation network, according to the voltage to the one that produces electricity with this system.

Regarding the system of exploitation of waves, as can be seen, for example in figures 2 and 9, will consist of vertically arranged generators, located between a upper platform 8 and a lower platform 9.

These generators can be linear from direct power generation or air compression systems with a second stage of air expansion, and generating electricity, or seawater / fluid compression systems with a generator electric coupled to a turbine in its final phase.

In figure 9 you can see a detail of the vertical layout generators, which are constituted by a central axis 6, which extends between the two platforms 9 and 8 lower and upper, respectively, and of a float 7 with smaller extension, which through its relative movement (ascending descending) generates electricity in the case of linear generator or compresses air / liquids / fluids in the case of compression system

The upper platform 8 should be at a determined height of the water surface 10 so as not to be never hit by the waves, due to the great load they would have What to endure in such a case.

Because of this, between the upper platform 8 and the lower platform 9 will have to be a certain distance in order to avoid the impacts, which will be given according to the oceanographic conditions of each site, which implies that this whole area will have a structural function, and by Therefore, it will have to be calculated accordingly.

The system will have funding means 11 for the positioned, in order not to undergo significant changes in the location of the system.

As indicated in one embodiment practice a device 12 can be integrated energy of the currents (as can be seen in figure 3) of such that 2 symmetrically placed devices are arranged with respect to the floating structure, and arranged under level 10 of water, as well as photovoltaic panels 13 that generate electricity for the system's own consumption, as can be seen in figure 13.

In a preferred embodiment, a fish farm 14 next to the energy production system 3 through waves, which allows to add value to the installation, both economic and ecological.

In addition, a production system can be added of hydrogen by electrolysis, as seen in the Figure 15 of the designs, so that with electricity produced, and through the appropriate power electronics and a electrolyzer device, pure hydrogen is obtained for various applications.

Pure water, which needs the electrolyser 16 to produce hydrogen, it can be obtained by a device 17 desalination (desalination plant) of seawater integrated into of the entire global system.

As a preferred embodiment, it is also described an installation method, by which the system maintenance in question.

The installation method is based on the construction of the complete system in port, the subsequent drag in floating of the set to the chosen site and the final subject to the seabed, by chains 11 or other means of anchoring

Likewise, through the proposed method, facilitate maintenance, since, in case of breakdown serious, the funding means are released, the system is dragged to port and repair work is carried out, subsequently takes you back to the site and restrains with the funding means.

Claims (13)

1. Marine electrical energy production system, being based on a floating spar "spar" structure that keeps the center of gravity below the center of flotation, characterized in that the marine electrical energy production system comprises a floating structure (1 ) type "spar" in which it is integrated:

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a production device (2) of electrical energy through the wind, and / or;

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a production device (3) of electrical energy through the waves, and / or;

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a device (12) of electric power production through the currents Marine

2. Marine electrical energy production system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (2) for producing electrical energy through the wind is defined by a wind turbine. 3. Marine electrical energy production system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (3) for producing electrical energy through waves is defined by at least one linear electric generator and / or an air turbine and / or a turbine of seawater and / or a turbine of a particular fluid. 4. Marine electrical power production system, according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the vertical generators (6-7) are mounted between two platforms (8-9), being able to be a linear electric generator or air compressors, at the water level, constituted by cylindrical elements (6) and their corresponding float (7) movable along 61, by the action of the waves, generating electricity if it is an electric generator or compressing air if it is air compressors, seawater compression or other fluids. 5. Marine electrical power production system, according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper mounting platform (8) of the vertical generators (6-7) is at such a height as the level (10) of the water that the waves do not reach to contact M. 6. Marine electrical energy production system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the device (12) for producing electrical energy through sea currents is defined by at least one arm integral to the floating structure below the level (10) of water, equipped with a rotating propeller. 7. Marine electrical power production system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system incorporates at least one controller that adapts and integrates the signals of the different generators of the system into a single signal. 8. Marine electrical power production system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system incorporates a fish farm (14) next to the floating device itself. 9. Marine electrical energy production system according to claim 1, characterized in that the system incorporates a device (16) for producing hydrogen by means of water electrolysis. 10. Marine electrical energy production system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system incorporates a seawater desalination device (17), obtaining pure water, for certain applications, such as hydrogen production. 11. Marine electrical energy production system, according to claim 1, characterized in that the system incorporates photovoltaic panels (13) that provide electrical energy for the different control, instrumentation, recording and data transmission systems. 12. Method of installation of the marine system for the production of electrical energy, according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the system is built entirely in port, then it is dragged in flotation to the chosen location, and, finally, it is attached to the seabed with funding means (11). 13. Method of installation of the marine system for the production of electric energy, according to claim 12, characterized in that in the case of a serious breakdown, the anchoring means (11) are released, the system is floated to the port, the work is carried out of repair, and, finally, it is taken back to the site and it is restrained with the means (11) of anchorage.