Offshore wind farms, like their oil platform cousins, have a major logistics problem. Building and maintaining underwater cables from each tower to a grid that then has to get the power back to shore is costly to maintain. While technically possible from deep water, there is substantial power loss while accomplishing that feat.
Would it be more efficient and cost effective in deep water situations to have each wind turbine platform a free standing unit that converts water to hydrogen? The units could be modular, wind turbine, converter, barge terminal, storage unit, etc which would simplify maintenance.
To minimize down time a modular section could be replaced with a spare while undergoing repairs. Better yet, modules could be rotated in and out for routine maintenance rather than taking an entire unit off line.
Modular barges could dock with the platform to haul the hydrogen to a terminal closer to shore. Designed properly the barges would be an integral part of the platform. The combined storage of the platform and the barge could be in excess of 1 months production to allow the unit to operate through storms. They could then move the cargo to an offshore terminal when water conditions were safer.
The central terminal could pump the hydrogen to shore and/or use it to run generators and the power could be sent to shore on a shorter set of cables. A key benefit that this layout would offer would be a more reliable power source. The hydrogen could be stockpiled for periods of low wind or peak power usage.
It also sets up nicely to support hydrogen powered vehicles as an alternative to gasoline. Even the barges could be hydrogen powered.
Discussion on:
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Question on costs verses options.
Posted by Hates Idiots
23rd Apr 2012
Just
In
In
floating wind turbines
Posted by joicehitler
29th Sep
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Question on costs verses options.
Posted by Hates Idiots
23rd Apr 2012
0
Votes
Long electric feeds lossy, not necesarily
We have an AC feed from the mainland of British Columbia to Vancouver Island. Before leaving the mainland it is converted to high voltage DC and then reconverted back to AC on arrival on Vancouver Island. The losses associated with capacitance and inductance coupling into the sea water is averted and the use of high voltage to transport the power means less losses due to resistance. I'm sure that similar methodologies could be incorporated into offshore wind power installations. Where there is a will and a need there is a way.
Posted by radiodog4@...
19th Sep
0
Votes
Great comment on the article
Hates Idiots nailed it on the head with his comment on this article. It sure would seem cheaper and more efficient than underwater cables running to the grid. Hopefully the water to hydrogen idea and transporting it closer to shore for distribution will be looked at.
http://solarpowerenergy1.com/blog/
http://solarpowerenergy1.com/blog/
Posted by wildtky44
25th Apr 2012
-1
Votes
Lotus Notes 8.5.1: Greater Google inteGration
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Posted by michael kors handbags
14th May 2012
0
Votes
Wind still gaining traction...
Just look at what's happening with India and South Africa at the moment:
http://www.renewable-energy-technology.net/wind/south-africa-selects-indian-turbine-firm-develop-138-mw-wind-project
http://www.renewable-energy-technology.net/wind/south-africa-selects-indian-turbine-firm-develop-138-mw-wind-project
Posted by KeithBRIC
25th May
0
Votes
floating wind turbines
whether floating wind turbines are possible in the sea having more waves like Arabian sea
Posted by joicehitler
29th Sep