Wind Turbine with a Virtual Hydrogen Battery

Abstract

An apparatus for converting mechanical energy from wind to fluid-fuel energy is an offshore wind-turbine apparatus. Electrical energy generated by the turbine is used in an electrolysis process to convert sea water to fluid fuel. The fuel may be stored in tanks beneath the water surface or on the ocean floor.

Claims

1. A method for producing electricity using a virtual hydrogen battery, the method comprising: generating electricity with an offshore fluid turbine; and powering an electrolyzer with said electricity; and separating hydrogen from water with said electrolyzer; and storing said hydrogen; and powering an electrolyzer with said stored hydrogen; and producing electricity with said electrolyzer.

2. The method for producing electricity using a virtual hydrogen battery of claim 1 further comprising: distributing said hydrogen in sub-sea storage container to land based electrolyzer and electricity distribution apparatus.

3. The method for producing electricity using a virtual hydrogen battery of claim 1 further comprising: distributing said hydrogen in sub-sea storage container to a sea faring vessel.

4. The method for producing electricity using a virtual hydrogen battery of claim 1 further comprising: distributing said hydrogen in sub-sea storage container to land-based electric energy production apparatus; and producing electric energy; and distributing said electric energy to an energy grid.

5. The method for producing electricity using a virtual hydrogen battery of claim 1 further comprising: generating electricity by way of said electrolyzer and said hydrogen stored in said sub-sea container; and distributing said electricity to an energy grid.

6. A method for producing electricity using a virtual hydrogen battery, the method comprising: generating electricity with an offshore fluid turbine supporting a rotor with a lattice structure supported by shallow draft floats; and distributing at least a first portion of said electricity to a land-based energy grid; and powering an electrolyzer with at least a second portion of said electricity; and separating hydrogen from water with said electrolyzer; and storing said hydrogen in a sub-sea storage container; and powering said electrolyzer with said stored hydrogen; and distributing a second portion of said electricity to said land-based energy grid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 2 is diagram thereof.

DESCRIPTION

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example embodiment 100. A wind turbine 110 floats on the ocean surface 124. The turbine 110 is moored to the ocean floor by mooring apparatus 120. Electrical energy generated by the wind turbine is used to convert water to hydrogen in an electrolyzer 112. Hydrogen is transferred along conduit 114 to a storage container 116, located at least 500 M beneath the ocean surface 124, on the ocean floor 122. In some embodiments a storage container 116 may be a series of culvert pipes containing a bag or bladder. 117. One skilled in the art understands that a bag or bladder prevents diffusion of the stored gas into water. One skilled in the art also understands that a series of such storage modules may be capped off at both ends.

[0017] In one embodiment, hydrogen in a storage container 116 may be sent back to the electrolyzer (also referred to as a fuel cell) 112 to convert the hydrogen to electricity so as to supply electricity to a grid when the wind velocity is low. In combination, an electrical connection from the wind-turbine electrical-generating apparatus, to a grid, coupled with an electrical connection from a fuel cell to the grid, provides uninterrupted electrical power regardless of wind conditions.

[0018] One skilled in the art understands that a hydrogen fuel cell produces electricity from hydrogen. One skilled in the art also understands that a wind turbine and a tidal turbine may be interchanged for the purpose of the disclosure. The functional characteristics of a wind turbine may be replaced by the functional characteristics of a water turbine. For clarity, the disclosure refers to a wind turbine.

[0019] A conduit 119 transfers electricity to a land-based grid connection. By managing electrical energy produced by the wind turbine 110 and by the electrolyzer 112, a continuous supply of electrical energy is provided.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting the flow of fuel and energy in the systems depicted in FIG. 1. A wind turbine 110 generates electricity for fuel production in a fuel cell 112. Produced fuel, such as hydrogen, may be stored in a sub-sea storage container 116 that is economical if deep water is available to keep the gas compressed. Gaseous fuel in the sub-sea storage container 116 may be used to produce electricity in a fuel cell 112 based on the turbine 110. Electricity produced by the wind turbine 110 and by the fuel cell 112 on the turbine is transferred to a grid connection 119.

[0021] The example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limiting.