METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COLLECTING STORAGE MEDIUM FOR OFFSHORE POWER GENERATION ENERGY

Abstract

In a method for transferring a storage medium of power generation energy loaded by a power generation float to a collection base, a power generation float is connected to both sides of a deck part, a power generation float is moved to a collection base, a deck part straddles a long bank projecting on a water surface along a water channel through which a hull can pass along a quay wall of a collection base, a power generation float is anchored in a state where one of the hulls enters a water channel, a hull on at least one side of the deck part is separated from the deck part, and a storage medium capable of storing energy is connected on a side where the hull of the deck part is separated, and the float leaves with the hulls connected to both sides of the deck part.

Claims

1. A method for transferring, to a collection base, a storage medium that stores energy generated by a power generation float in a floating offshore wind power generation system and is loaded on the power generation float, the power generation float having a twin-hull structure in which two parallel hulls are connected on both sides of a deck part, the storage medium being loaded on one of the hulls, the method comprising: a first process of moving the power generation float to the collection base; a second process of mooring the power generation float in a state in which the deck part of the power generation float straddles a long bank protruding from a water surface while a water channel through which the hull of the power generation float is passable is located between the long bank and a quay wall of the collection base, and one of the hulls of the power generation float enters the water channel; a third process of detaching, from the deck part of the power generation float, the hull on at least one side of the deck part; a fourth process of advancing the deck part on the long bank; a fifth process of connecting another hull loaded with a storage medium having capacity to store energy to the side of the deck part from which the hull has been detached; and a sixth process of causing the power generation float to leave in a state in which the hulls are connected to both the sides of the deck part.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising a seventh process of transferring, to the collection base, the storage medium loaded on the hull detached from the deck part in the third process.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: in the third process, only the hull on one side of the power generation float is detached from the deck part; and in the fourth process, the deck part is advanced on the long bank by advancing the other hull connected to the deck part.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: in the third process, the hulls on both sides of the power generation float are detached from the deck part; and in the fourth process, only the deck part is advanced on the long bank.

5. A system configured to transfer, to a collection base, a storage medium that stores energy generated by a power generation float in a floating offshore wind power generation system and is loaded on the power generation float, the power generation float having a twin-hull structure in which two parallel hulls are detachably connected on both sides of a deck part, the storage medium being loaded on one of the hulls, the collection base including a long bank protruding from a water surface while a water channel through which the hull of the power generation float is passable is located between the long bank and a quay wall of the collection base, the deck part of the power generation float being configured to advance while straddling the long bank, the system comprising: means for detaching, from the deck part of the power generation float, the hull on at least one side of the deck part when the power generation float is moored in a state in which the deck part straddles the long bank and one of the hulls of the power generation float enters the water channel; means for advancing, on the long bank, the deck part from which the hull on the at least one side has been detached; and means for connecting another hull loaded with a storage medium having capacity to store energy to the side of the deck part from which the hull has been detached, wherein the power generation float having the other hull connected to the deck part is configured to leave the collection base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Features, advantages, and technical and industrial significance of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like signs denote like elements, and wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a power generation float used in recovery of a storage medium for offshore wind power generation according to the present embodiment;

[0033] FIG. 1B is a schematic plan view of a power generation float used in recovery of a storage medium for offshore wind power generation according to the present embodiment;

[0034] FIG. 1C is a schematic plan view of a storage medium collection base for use in recovering an offshore storage medium according to the present embodiment;

[0035] FIG. 1D is a schematic cross-sectional view of a storage medium collection base for use in recovering an offshore power storage medium according to an embodiment;

[0036] FIG. 2A is a plan view of a collection base that schematically illustrates a process of replacing the hull of a power generation float of a twin-hull ship configuration according to the present embodiment;

[0037] FIG. 2B is a plan view of a collection base that schematically illustrates a process of replacing the hull of a power generation float of a twin-hull ship configuration according to the present embodiment;

[0038] FIG. 2C is a plan view of a collection base that schematically illustrates a process of replacing the hull of a power generation float of a twin-hull ship configuration according to the present embodiment;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a collection base schematically illustrating a process of replacing a hull of a power generation float of a catamaran ship structure according to another aspect of the method according to the present embodiment;

[0040] FIG. 4 is a plan view of a collection base schematically illustrating a process of replacing a hull of a power generation float of a catamaran ship structure according to another aspect of the method according to the present embodiment;

[0041] FIG. 5A is a plan view of a collection base schematically illustrating a process of exchanging the hull of a power generation float of a catamaran structure in yet another aspect of methods according to the present embodiment; and

[0042] FIG. 5B is a plan view of a collection base schematically illustrating the process of replacing the hull of a power generation float of a catamaran structure in yet another aspect of methods in accordance with the present embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0043] The disclosure will now be described in detail in accordance with some preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: In the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same parts.

Configuration of the Power Generation Float

[0044] In the offshore wind power generation system to which the present embodiment is applied, a catamaran-structured power generation float 10 as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B is used. The power generation float 10 is connected to both sides of the deck part 14 in a state in which the hulls 12 and 13 are arranged in parallel, and a bridge or deck room 16 in which the power generation system 15 is installed is formed on the deck part 14. The power generation system 15 may be of any type, but typically may be a kite-type power generation system that converts wind energy into electric energy and recovers the electric energy when raising the kite 15a flying above. The resulting electric energy may then be stored in a storage medium HT loaded on the hull 12, 13 in any manner. More specifically, in one embodiment, the obtained electric energy is converted into hydrogen energy (chemical energy of hydrogen molecules) by the production of hydrogen gas by a water decomposition reaction. Energy may be stored by compressing or liquefying the hydrogen gas holding energy and storing the hydrogen gas in a reservoir as a storage medium HT. In another embodiment, the resulting electric energy may be charged to the battery as a storage medium HT to store the energy. It should be noted that storage of energy from the power generation system to the storage medium HT may typically be carried out by automatically actuating the machinery without human intervention.

Configuration of Storage Medium Collection Base

[0045] In the present embodiment, the storage medium HT loaded on the hulls 12 and 13 storing the energy generated by the power generation float 10 in the offshore wind power generation system is transported to the collection base 20 installed on the ocean or the land at a timely time. As schematically illustrated in FIGS. 1C and 1D, the collection base 20 basically includes a base body 22 protruding from the water surface WL where the storage medium HT is accumulated, and a long bank 23 protruding from the water surface WL. The long bank 23 may be positioned with the water channel holder 25a so as to define the water channel 25 so that the hulls 12 and 13 of the power generation float 10 can enter between the long bank and the quay wall 22a of the base body 22. Further, in the long bank 23, as will be described later, a hull fixture 24a, a device (not shown) for releasing the connection between the deck part 14 and the hull 12 or 13, a hull fixture 24b, and a device (not shown) for connecting the deck part 14 and the hull 12a or 13b may be provided. The hull fixture 24a holds the hull 12 or 13 to disconnect the hull 12 or 13 from the deck part 14 when the hull 12 or 13 of the power generation float 10 enters the water channel 25. The hull fixture 24b holds another hull 12a or 13a to couple another hull 12a or 13a to the deck part 14 from which the hull 12 or 13 is disconnected. Further, a rail 24 for sliding or sliding the deck part 14 may be provided on the upper surface of the long bank 23. On the other hand, in the base body 22, when the hulls 12 and 13 are anchored in the water channel 25, a storage medium transfer machine 26 such as a crane for transferring the storage medium HT loaded on the hulls 12 and 13 to the storage space of the base body 22 may be provided. The base body 22 and the long bank 23 may be of a landing type or a floating type.

Replacement of the Hull of the Power Generation Float

[0046] In the offshore wind power generation system as the object of the present embodiment, the power generation float 10 moves to a place where better power generation is possible, and performs power generation. The storage medium HT is energized. After that, the power generation float 10 moves to the collection base 20 in a timely manner, and lowers the energy-stored storage medium HT to the collection base 20. The power generation float 10 is loaded with a storage medium HT that is either energy storage capable or empty, and is moved back to a location where power generation can be performed. The power generation float 10 performs power generation and storage of energy in the storage medium HT. It is envisioned to repeat this cycle. In this case, in order to recover more energy, as described in the Summary section, it is preferable that the time for the power generation float 10 to stay in the collection base 20 for transfer of the storage medium HT loaded thereon to the collection base 20 is shortened, and the time for the power generation float 10 to be able to generate power is as long as possible. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the time during which the power generation float 10 stays in the collection base 20 is shortened by taking advantage of the advantage that the power generation float 10 has a twin hull structure. When the power generation float 10 arrives at the collection base 20, the hull 12, 13 of the power generation float 10 on which the energy-stored storage medium HT is loaded is separated from the deck part 14 and left in place. On the other hand, another hull 12a, 13a is connected, which is loaded with a storage medium HT that is energy storage capable or empty. The power generation float 10 is moved to a place where power generation can be performed again. That is, in the present embodiment, the collection base 20 executes replacement of the storage medium HT in which the energy of the power generation float 10 is accumulated from the hulls 12 and 13 to another hull 12a, 13a in which the storage medium HT in which the energy can be stored or is empty is loaded. According to this configuration, after the collection base 20 arrives, the power generation float 10 can start without requiring the time for transferring the storage medium HT in which the energy is accumulated from the hulls 12 and 13 to the collection base 20 and the time for transferring the storage medium HT in which the energy can be accumulated or empty from the collection base 20 to the hulls 12 and 13. As a result, the power generation time can be increased.

(1) When Replacing the Hull One by One

[0047] More specifically, in a configuration in which one hull of the power generation float 10 is replaced, first, (i) the power generation float 10 is moved to the collection base 20 as illustrated in FIG. 2A. (ii) One hull 12 enters the water channel between the base body 22 and the long bank 23, and the power generation float 10 is anchored in a state where the deck part 14 straddles the long bank 23. Here, as shown in FIG. 2B, the (iii) hull 12 is separated from the deck part 14, and the (iv) hull 13 and the deck part 14 are advanced. In addition, another hull 12a, 13a loaded with an energy-accumulating or empty storage medium HT is moved to the arrival position of the deck part 14 in the long bank 23. Thereafter, (v) the deck part 14 and the hull 12a are connected. Thus, the (vi) power generation float 10 starts from the collection base 20. On the other hand, in the hull 12 separated from the deck part 14, the storage medium loaded thereon is transferred to the base body 22 by the storage medium transfer machine 26. Thereafter, an energy storable or empty storage medium HT may be loaded onto the hull 12 and then waited for a power generation float to arrive at the collection base.

[0048] Further, in the case of replacing the hull of the power generation float 10 one by one on both sides of the power generation float 10, in one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the collection base 20 in which the long banks 23 are provided on both sides of the base body 22 may be configured. In this case, when the power generation float 10 arrives at the collection base 20, (a) the deck part 14 is anchored in a state of straddling the one long bank 23. (b) One hull 12 is disconnected and the deck part 14 and the other hull 13 are advanced. (c) Another hull 12a is connected to the decoupled hull of the deck part 14. Thereafter, (d) the power generation float 10 anchors in a state in which the deck part 14 straddles the other long bank 23. (e) The other hull 13 is disconnected and the deck part 14 and the other hull 12a are advanced. (f) Another hull 13a is connected to the decoupled hull of the deck part 14. Thus, the power generation float 10 in which the hulls on both sides are replaced starts from the collection base 20.

[0049] Further, in the case of another embodiment in which the hull of the power generation float 10 is replaced one by one on both sides of the power generation float 10, as shown in FIG. 4, two sets of base bodies 22 and a long bank 23 may be installed. In this case, when the power generation float 10 arrives at one collection base 20, (a) the deck part 14 is anchored in a state of straddling the one long bank 23. (b) One hull 12 is disconnected and the deck part 14 and the other hull 13 are advanced. (c) Another hull 12a is connected to the decoupled hull of the deck part 14. Thereafter, the power generation float 10 moves to the other collection base 20, and (d) the power generation float 10 anchors in a state where the deck part 14 straddles the long bank 23 of the other collection base 20. (e) The other hull 13 is disconnected and the deck part 14 and the other hull 12a are advanced. (f) Another hull 13a is connected to the decoupled hull of the deck part 14. Thus, the power generation float 10 in which the hulls on both sides are replaced starts from the other collection base 20.

[0050] In both cases of FIGS. 3 and 4, in the hulls 12 and 13 separated from the deck part 14, the storage medium loaded thereon is transferred to the base body 22 by the storage medium transfer machine 26. Thereafter, an energy-accumulating or empty storage medium HT may be loaded into the hull 12, 13 and then waited for a power generation float to arrive at the collection base.

(2) Replacement of Both Hulls at the Same Time

[0051] In a configuration in which the hulls 12 and 13 on both sides of the power generation float 10 are replaced at the same time, in one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, a configuration in which the base body 22 is installed on both sides of one long bank 23 may be used as the collection base 20. In this case, when the power generation float 10 arrives at the collection base 20, (a) the deck part 14 berths in a state straddling the long bank 23. (b) Both sides of the hull 12, 13 are disconnected and the deck part 14 is advanced alone. (c) A hull 12a, 13a is connected to both sides of the deck part 14 where the hull is separated, and starts from the collection base 20.

[0052] Further, in another aspect of the configuration in which the hulls 12 and 13 on both sides of the power generation float 10 are simultaneously replaced, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, a configuration 23a in which the base body 22 and the long bank 23 are integrated may be used. When the power generation float 10 arrives at the collection base 20, (a) the deck part 14 berths over the long bank 23a. (b) Both sides of the hull 12, 13 are disconnected and the deck part 14 is advanced alone. (c) A hull 12a, 13a is connected to both sides of the deck part 14 where the hull is separated, and starts from the collection base 20.

[0053] Thus, according to the configuration of the present embodiment described above, the power generation float 10 can immediately start when the hull is replaced in the collection base 20, and thus it is possible to take more power generation time and power generation amount. The present embodiment is advantageous in that the power generation time and the amount of power generation can be increased, and is also advantageous in a case where a power generation float equipped with a power generation system other than a kite-type power generation system is used, and such a case also falls within the scope of the present embodiment.

[0054] While the above description has been made in connection with embodiments of the present disclosure, many modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art. The disclosure is not limited to the embodiments illustrated above, but may be applied to various devices without departing from the inventive concept.