Solar‐wind hybrid energy system to supply electricity for offshore oil and gas platforms in the Caspian Sea: A case study

Abstract

In this research, the environmental feasibility of a hybrid renewable source of wind-solar energy has been assessed and the amount of this energy on offshore oil and gas platforms has been estimated in three basins of the Caspian Sea. Extractable wind-solar energy around the Caspian oil and gas platforms was investigated using the Medium-range Weather Forecast database by applying a resolution of 0.125° and a time step of 6 h for 10 years (2005–2014). The findings showed that the average wind energy in the northern, middle, and southern basins at the height of 10 m are 1.10, 0.89, and 0.43 MWh / m 2 . year ${\rm{\;MWh}}/{{\rm{m}}^2}.{\rm{year}}$ , respectively. Centralnoy field with an average energy of 2.398 MWh/m2.year is the most suitable oil and gas offshore platform for a hybrid application of wind-solar energy. Inkie Moor field has the lowest amount of hybrid energy (1.432 MWh/m2.year) in the Caspian Sea.