Floating Power Plant Research Articles

Layout Optimization Process to Minimize the Cost of Energy of an Offshore Floating Hybrid Wind–Wave Farm

Offshore floating hybrid wind and wave energy is a young technology yet to be scaled up. A way to reduce the total costs of the energy production process in order to ensure competitiveness in the sustainable energy market is to maximize the farm’s efficiency. To do so, an energy generation and costs calculation model was developed with the objective of minimizing the technology’s Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) of the P80 hybrid wind-wave concept, designed by the company Floating Power Plant A/S. A Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm was then implemented on top of other technical and decision-making processes, taking as decision variables the layout, the offshore substation position, and the export cable choice. The process was applied off the west coast of Ireland in a site of interest for the company, and after a quantitative and qualitative optimization process, a minimized LCOE was obtained. It was then found that lower costs of ~73% can be reached in the short-term, and the room for improvement in the structure’s design and materials was highlighted, with an LCOE reduction potential of up to 32%. The model serves usefully as a preliminary analysis. However, the uncertainty estimate of 11% indicates that further site-specific studies and measurements are essential.

PV power generation on hydro dam’s reservoirs in Brazil: A way to improve operational flexibility

The combined increase of energy demand and the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere force the power generation to ride by a sustainable path. Photovoltaic conversion is one of the emerging technologies pointing out as a potential source of energy for the coming years. The aim of this study is to propose a sustainable hydro-solar model to substitute the current model of power production in Brazil. The review of floating PV power plants has pointed very small participation of this technology despite the exceptional country’s geophysical condition. The big land extension occupied by solar panels to generate significant amounts of energy suggests the use of open water surfaces for the installation of large PV plants. The expressive amount of flooded areas by Hydro-Electric Power Plant (HEPP) reservoirs was evaluated to identify the potential for the implementation of PV Floating Power Plants (PV-FPP) near the HEPP dams. As a result of this study, the authors had found that by using less than 10% of their surface the HEPP reservoirs in Brazil can accommodate PV-FPP supplying the electricity demand with solar energy during peak irradiation hours while balancing grids with hydro-power during low/no irradiation times, improving the operational flexibility.

Assessment of development effectiveness of solar energy in Russia

Non-renewable fossils are the main source of energy in modern conditions. This method of production and consumption of energy acts as one of the main anthropogenic factors that negatively impact the environment. Besides, limited energy reserves do not guarantee the sustainable development of world energy in the long term. The way out of this situation is using renewable energy sources (RES). Renewable energy sources are one of the promising and innovative areas of energy development. These energy sources allow moving to a new high-quality level of power supply and heat supply of the country and significantly improving the ecological state of settlements. The Russian Federation has all conditions for the implementation of such innovative projects aimed at using renewable energy sources. One of such promising projects is solar energy. The perspective of using solar energy is an almost inexhaustible resource, available everywhere, and also has another advantage high environmental safety. Besides, solar energy is characterized by low indicators in terms of capital and operating costs, a lower cost of electricity compared to traditional energy as well. In this study, the perspectives for the development of solar energy in the Russian Federation are identified. The existing solar capacities in Russia are analyzed, the main developments of solar energy in the country are determined. A model for assessing the economic efficiency of floating power plants is proposed in this paper. These plants make it possible to provide electricity to entire settlements. Having been the study, conclusions are drawn about the prospects of using such power plants as sources of cheap energy and environmental compatibility.

Robust Gain Scheduling Control for Wave Energy Conversion

Enhancing the power performance of wave energy converters is undoubtedly a step required to reduce the cost of energy from this source of renewable energy, thereby making it competitive to other sources of renewable energy. Increasing the power absorption can be achieved by utilizing smart and advanced control algorithms. There are theories for a variety of advanced control algorithms, but few have proved stable and reliable for real applications. An often used, and robust method for practical applications, is to apply a simple gain scheduling controller where the control gains are parameterized in function of the sea state, and not at wave-by-wave level. This paper presents a wave-by-wave adaptive controller, which has proven a robust method that can increase the power absorption performance. The use of the wave by wave adaptive controller is achieved by the identification of the instantaneous fundamental frequency in real time. One numerical procedure to achieve this frequency is using non-linear Kalman filters. But the pitfall of these non-linear filters is their sensitivity to the parameter tuning, which decreases practical usability, reliability and robustness. This paper focuses on two complementary topics. The first topic will tackle the implementation of a reliable filter for the identification of the instantaneous fundamental frequency using a particle filter. The second topic will demonstrate the implementation of the wave-by-wave gain scheduling controller. The case study is a scaled absorber of the Floating Power Plant wave and wind energy converter.

Safety-zone layout design for a floating LNG-Fueled power plant in bunkering process

The use of natural gas (NG) as an energy source is increasing. This paper studies the safety-zone layout design of a floating power plant fueled by NG. Hazards from the unwanted release of liquefied NG (LNG) in bunkering or NG in operation always exist, and it is thus important to reduce the associated risk to an acceptable level. One engineering technique used to reduce this risk involves the design of a safety zone to prevent and minimize exposure to unwated release of LNG or NG that may occur during the bunkering process. Industry practices are available for the design of the layout of such safety-zones, but their applicability to floating power plants is uncertain, and a more intuitive approach is required. The objective of this study is to discuss the challenges of establishing safety zones on floating power plants by reviewing and comparing existing industrial practices and to propose a hybrid approach for the design of a safety-zone layout. The applicability of the proposed hybrid approach is discussed with an applied example.

A Preliminary Risk Assessment on the Development of a Small-Scaled Floating Power Plant

Abstract This paper introduces a preliminary risk assessment method carried out on a newly developed floating power plant. The small-scale floating power plant has been developed to provide electric power for areas on demand, and this is a kind of a new concept system which is not clearly classified in the maritime industry. To grant the feasibility for this novel system design, a set of risk assessment activities is essentially required, and in this context, a hazard identification (HAZID) study is conducted at the very early stage of the plant design. The aims of this HAZID study are to verify the inherent safety of the initial plant design and to provide any recommendations on the next design stages. For this purpose, the potential hazards are identified in view of personnel, structural, and asset effects in association with the operation of the power plant and all the identified hazards and relevant risks are assessed with the defined criteria using a simple risk matrix. As a result, the risk or safety level of the conceptual plant design is estimated, and some design changes are suggested to give a better balance between the safety and the cost of the plant system. Overall, this paper shows how the primitive risk assessment techniques are utilized as a practical engineering tool in the development of the marine system.

Introduction of New Generation MOSS Type LNG Carrier with Hybrid Propulsion Plant and Its Application to Floating Power Plant

Introduction of New Generation MOSS Type LNG Carrier with Hybrid Propulsion Plant and Its Application to Floating Power Plant

LNG to Power in the Romanian port of Constanta

Nowadays, the raising of the global living standard are changing the lifestyle of each individual, which also leads to increased consumption of goods and services. The factors mentioned, directly affect shipping and cruising activities. These two types of activities are classified as major pollutant makers within ports, near urban residences, caused by the combustion of fuel in large auxiliary engines to provide the power needed to operate the systems specific to the two types of ships. In this context, our objective is to find solutions such as the one presented in this study. They have emerged as a scenario for the sizing of an onshore or a floating power plant using Liquefied Gas Natural (LNG) for the port of Constanta in Romania, which is considered to be the largest port of the European Union in the Black Sea.

The development of conceptual options to the construction of ice-resistant floating wind power plants

This paper addresses the conceptual engineering solutions for a Marine Floating Power Plant which uses the Wind energy and is designed to supply electrical power to Russian Arctic coastal and island territory. The analysis of different types current Wind Turbines (WT) made a basis for a construction configuration for sea based Arctic Marine Floating Wind Power Plants and helped define the main wind, wave and ice loads influencing Marine Floating Wind Power Plants in Arctic conditions. Also, different types of Marine Floating Wind Power Plant substructures were analyzed. Numerical modelling of the behavior of the considered conceptual options of Marine Floating Wind Power Plants was carried out. Strength analysis of substructures for Arctic offshore wind power plant options in question has been performed.

Validation of a Tool for the Initial Dynamic Design of Mooring Systems for Large Floating Wave Energy Converters

Mooring of floating wave energy converters is an important topic in renewable research since it highly influences the overall cost of the wave energy converter and thereby the cost of energy. In addition, several wave energy converter failures have been observed due to insufficient mooring systems. When designing these systems, it is necessary to ensure the applicability of the design tool and to establish an understanding of the error between model and prototype. The present paper presents the outcome of an experimental test campaign and construction of a numerical model using the open-source boundary element method code NEMOH and the commercial time-domain mooring analysis tool OrcaFlex. The work used the wind/wave energy converter Floating Power Plant as a case study, which is defined as a large floating structure with a passive mooring system. The investigated mooring consists of a three-legged turret system with synthetic lines, and it was tested for both operational and extreme events. In order to understand the difference between the model and experimental results, no tuning of the model was done, besides adding drag elements with values found from a simplified methodology. This resembles initial design cases where no experimental data are available. Generally good agreement was found for the tensions in the lines when the drag element was applied, with some overestimation of the motions. The main cause of difference was found to be underestimation of linear damping. A model was tested with additional linear damping, and it illustrated that a final analysis needs to use experimental data to achieve the best results. However, the analyses showed that the investigated model can be used without tuning in initial investigations of mooring systems, and it is expected that this approach can be applied to other similar systems.

The Lebanese Electricity Woes: An Estimation of the Economical Costs of Power Interruptions

This paper contributes to the political and scientific debate surrounding the economic costs entailed by the regular power cuts in Lebanon. Examining the data on electricity consumption that was produced by onshore and offshore power plants, this paper estimates the economical costs of power interruptions in Lebanon over the period 2009–2014. Based on 700 USD/MWh, representing the average value of lost load (VOLL) in that period, results indicate that electricity shortages continue to render significant transfers of wealth to the detriment of economy and society as a whole. Over the period 2009–2014, the total losses for the Lebanese economy reached 23.23 billion USD. Just as importantly, some evidence suggests a sharp decline in the economical costs of power interruptions with the inception of the two floating power plants in 2013. The results are crucial for the decision makers to identify the economic efficiency of alternative measures to enhance the security of the Lebanese electricity supply.

Integrating a full carbon capture scheme onto a 450 MW e NGCC electric power generation hub for offshore operations: Presenting the Sevan GTW concept

Sevan Marine and Siemens have developed a floating power plant – entitled Sevan GTW (gas-to-wire) – based on Sevan’s cylindrical platform and Siemens’ SCC-800 combined cycle, and SINTEF has adapted a post-combustion CO 2 capture process for on board integration including compression and preconditioning of the CO 2. Main emphasis has been placed on developing an optimised conceptual design within the structural constraints, and assessing how efficient the capture unit may be operated in consideration of the dynamic behaviour induced by the sea on the absorber and desorber columns via the floating carrier. The rational behind this technology selection is the urgency in making appropriate steps for a quick start for remote power generation at sea with the inclusion of CCS to serve offshore oil and gas operations. This calls for modular power blocks made up by high efficient combined power cycles with post-combustion exhaust gas cleaning. From this point of view a system with four absorption columns and one desorber unit has been determined based on structured packing material. The capture process has been integrated with the power cycle in due consideration of the sea forces. It is shown that a permanent tilt becomes more important than periodic movements provided the harmonic periods are kept within a certain level (<20 s). Operational conditions and constraints vis-à-vis movements and trimming of the floater have been addressed and discussed with reference to available literature. This also includes the liquid hold-up and gas–liquid interfacial area in the absorption columns linked with tilting. Optimisation reveals that a reboiler duty of 3.77 GJ/ton CO 2 would result in the lowest capture cost. With a energy penalty of 9%-points the Sevan GTW concept presents itself as a realistic concept deemed to be within reach today.

Electrifying Rural Guatemala: Central Policy and Rural Reality

Towards the end of the 20th century Guatemala embarked on an ambitious rural electrification plan: central planners in the Ministry of Energy and Mines hope to connect 90% of homes to the national electricity grid by 2004. Energy for the increased demand comes from floating power plants anchored in Guatemala's Pacific port, a new coal-fired power plant, and numerous small-scale hydroelectric plants. So far, rural electrification, in terms of connected households, has proceeded to plan. However, the success of the rural electrification program belies energy realities and the development needs of rural Guatemala. Data from in-depth interviews and household surveys in Ixcán, Guatemala, show that rural residents prefer other forms of development—like the introduction of potable water, or improved schooling. Electricity, farmers state, only provides rural families with a few hours of light at night because they cannot afford to pay for appliances or for increased consumption of electricity. Fieldwork in rural areas also reveals that the introduction of electricity will not change patterns of firewood consumption; firewood is the basic survival fuel for most rural Guatemalans. Development funds may be better spent on locally run and organized forestry initiatives to ensure reliable sources of firewood for the future.

Model Experiments on Waves and Nearshore Currents around Floating Wave Power Plant in Coastal Waters in Comparison with Detached Breakwater

The role of a floating wave power plant in the environmental control of coastal waters for coastal fisheries is discussed. An experimental investigation was carried out into the physical characteristics, i.e. waves and wave induced nearshore current around a model of a floating wave power plant on an inclined bottom in comparison with a model of a detached breakwater. The results are summarised as follows: (1) The floating wave power plant can be utilised for environmental conservation and the progress of coastal fisheries to create calm sea areas, improve water quality, control nearshore currents and provide power for aeration and dipping out of bottom waters. (2) The calm water area behind the floating power plant model where wave transmission ratio is less than 0.5 in three dimensional condition is almost the same as behind the detached breakwater. (3) The calm water area becomes wider near the shore line as the bottom slope becomes more gentle. (4) The reflected wave height at the front of the floating power plant model is much smaller than the detached breakwater. (5) Circulating current on free surfaces from the centre of the model to the outer side of the floating power plant model is dominant near water surface, it is dominant from the outer side to the centre of the model of the detached breakwater. In particular, strong currents toward the shore line just behind the floating wave power plant model was observed. (6) Water exchange near the floating wave power plant model is larger than the detached breakwater. It becomes larger as the bottom slope becomes more gentle for both models.

Floating power plants feasibility studied

Two studies of the feasibility of large floating electric power plants using ocean temperature differences to provide energy for use on land have been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).The design concepts to be analyzed in the research are for plants of 100 Mw or larger. Although power usage varies widely, a 100‐Mw plant might satisfy the needs of residential customers in a city of 300,000 to 400,000 population.

Floating power plant supplies antwerp with emergency power

Floating power plant supplies antwerp with emergency power