US20100172698A1 - System and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine - Google Patents

System and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine Download PDF

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Publication number
US20100172698A1
US20100172698A1 US12/595,032 US59503208A US2010172698A1 US 20100172698 A1 US20100172698 A1 US 20100172698A1 US 59503208 A US59503208 A US 59503208A US 2010172698 A1 US2010172698 A1 US 2010172698A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
base
vessel
turbine
beneath
securing
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Abandoned
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US12/595,032
Inventor
James Ives
Paul Dunne
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Openhydro Group Ltd
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Openhydro Group Ltd
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Assigned to OPENHYDRO GROUP LIMITED reassignment OPENHYDRO GROUP LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: DUNNE, PAUL, IVES, JAMES
Publication of US20100172698A1 publication Critical patent/US20100172698A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/264—Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B17/02—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor placed by lowering the supporting construction to the bottom, e.g. with subsequent fixing thereto
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/42—Foundations for poles, masts or chimneys
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02D—FOUNDATIONS; EXCAVATIONS; EMBANKMENTS; UNDERGROUND OR UNDERWATER STRUCTURES
    • E02D27/00—Foundations as substructures
    • E02D27/32—Foundations for special purposes
    • E02D27/52—Submerged foundations, i.e. submerged in open water
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03B—MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B17/00—Other machines or engines
    • F03B17/06—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head"
    • F03B17/061—Other machines or engines using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type, "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" with rotation axis substantially in flow direction
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
    • B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING 
    • B63B35/00—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
    • B63B35/003—Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for for transporting very large loads, e.g. offshore structure modules
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B17/00—Artificial islands mounted on piles or like supports, e.g. platforms on raisable legs or offshore constructions; Construction methods therefor
    • E02B2017/0091—Offshore structures for wind turbines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/916—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure with provision for hoisting onto the structure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/91—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure
    • F05B2240/917—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a stationary structure attached to cables
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2240/00—Components
    • F05B2240/90—Mounting on supporting structures or systems
    • F05B2240/93—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface
    • F05B2240/932—Mounting on supporting structures or systems on a structure floating on a liquid surface which is a catamaran-like structure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F05—INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04
    • F05B—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO WIND, SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS, TO MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS COVERED BY SUBCLASSES F03B, F03D AND F03G
    • F05B2260/00—Function
    • F05B2260/02—Transport, e.g. specific adaptations or devices for conveyance
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30—Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention is concerned with a system and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine, and in particular a system and method which significantly simplifies the transportation of a hydroelectric turbine and associated base to a deployment site, in addition to simplifying the subsequent deployment of the turbine and base to the seabed.
  • harnessing tidal energy does provide its own challenges, in particular with respect to the installation and maintenance of tidal power generators, for example hydro-electric turbines, which by the very nature of the operation of same must be located in relatively fast flowing tidal currents, and more than likely located on the seabed.
  • tidal power generators for example hydro-electric turbines, which by the very nature of the operation of same must be located in relatively fast flowing tidal currents, and more than likely located on the seabed.
  • these turbines must be built on a large scale.
  • the present invention has therefore been developed with a view to simplifying the deployment of hydroelectric turbines, and which system and method allow the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine which has been pre-installed on a base.
  • a hydroelectric turbine deployment system comprising a base and a hydroelectric turbine supportable on the base; a marine vessel adapted to releasably retain, when afloat, the base therebeneath; wherein the vessel is adapted to allow the base to be released and lowered away from, and/or raised under and connected to, the vessel; and in which the base comprises a support which projects, when the base is connected beneath the vessel, upwardly through the vessel; characterised in that the vessel comprises a portal through which the support projects when the base is mounted beneath the vessel and through which the support mounted turbine can pass.
  • the vessel comprises load bearing means adapted to raise and/or lower the base relative to the vessel.
  • the load bearing means comprises one or more winches.
  • the vessel comprises at least a pair of hulls connected together.
  • the system is adapted to enable ballast to be secured to the base when the base is secured beneath the vessel.
  • the vessel is modular.
  • the method comprises, in the step of securing the base, locating the base on the
  • the method comprises the step of securing one or more lifting lines to the base prior to locating the base on the bottom of the body of water.
  • the method comprises, in the step of raising the base into position beneath the vessel, utilizing load bearing means on the vessel.
  • the method comprises the further step of adding ballast to the base subsequent to securing the base beneath the vessel.
  • the method comprises securing the support to the base subsequent to securing the base beneath the vessel.
  • the method comprises the further step of testing various operating parameters of the base and/or turbine at a test location prior to deploying the base at the deployment site.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a base for a turbine standing on a quay
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the base of FIG. 1 having being lowered to the seabed adjacent the quay
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a deployment vessel floating above the base and adjacent the quay
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the vessel of FIG. 3 , following the raising of the base into position directly beneath the vessel;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the vessel and base of FIG. 4 , in which a pair of supports have been secured through the vessel to the base;
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the vessel and the base of FIG. 5 , following the connection of a hydroelectric turbine to the supports;
  • FIG. 7 illustrates the vessel positioned at a deployment site, lowering the base and turbine towards the seabed.
  • FIGS. 6 and 7 there is described and shown a system and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine 10 (only shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 ), which system comprises the use of a base 12 for the turbine 10 , and a vessel 14 to which the base 12 may be coupled, as will be described hereinafter in detail.
  • the system and method of the invention substantially avoids the requirement for the use of heavy lifting equipment in the deployment of the hydroelectric turbine 10 , and thus significantly simplifies the deployment process.
  • the base 12 comprises a triangular frame 16 having three legs 18 , although it will be understood from the following description of the system and method of the invention that the base 12 is an exemplary embodiment and could be of any other shape and/or configuration.
  • the base 12 is positioned on a quay Q beside a body of water W, for example the sea.
  • the base 12 may be transported to the quay Q fully assembled, or more preferably may be assembled on the quay Q from the component parts thereof
  • the base 12 is raised off the quay Q and lowered onto the seabed B adjacent to the quay Q.
  • the frame 12 is relatively lightweight and can be manoeuvred off the quay Q using a relatively small crane (not shown) or the like.
  • a lifting line 20 and associated buoy 22 is connected to each corner of the base 12 , preferably prior to lowering of the base 12 onto the seabed B.
  • the number of lifting lines 20 may be varied depending on the size and shape of the base 12 , or to meet any other operational requirements.
  • the vessel 14 is manoeuvred into position directly above the base 12 , beside the quay Q.
  • the vessel 14 is provided with load bearing means in the form of three winches 24 , to each of which winches 24 one of the lifting lines 20 can be secured.
  • the winches 24 can thus be used to raise the base 12 into a position beneath the vessel 14 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
  • the vessel 14 and/or base 12 may be provided with locking means (not shown) adapted to secure the base 12 to the underside of the vessel 14 once winched into position. The load will therefore be removed from the winches 24 once the base 12 is locked in position.
  • the winches 24 may however serve as this locking means.
  • the vessel 14 in the embodiment illustrated, is comprised of a pair of hulls in the form of pontoons 26 , which are connected to one another by a pair of cross members 28 .
  • the space between the cross members 28 is left empty such as to define a portal 30 in the vessel 14 .
  • the base 12 can therefore be accessed through the portal 30 from above the vessel 14 .
  • a pair of supports 32 are now connected to the base 12 , which work can be undertaken from onboard the vessel 14 .
  • the term “support” is intended to mean any system or mechanism which enables the turbine 10 to be connected to the base 12 in a suitable fashion, and may not necessarily be of the upright nature depicted by the pair of supports 32 illustrated.
  • ballast can be added to the base 12 in order to bring the weight of the base 12 to a level which will allow the base 12 and turbine 10 to sit securely on the seabed under their own weight.
  • this ballast is only added at this stage, the winches 24 do not need to bear this extra load when raising the base 12 into position beneath the vessel 14 .
  • the adding of ballast at this stage also ensures that when the base 12 is first lifted off the quay Q and lowered to the seabed B, the crane undertaking the lift does not have to bear the weight of the ballast, and so a relatively small crane can be employed.
  • the turbine 10 is now lifted onto the base 12 , and in particular the supports 32 , again using a relatively small crane positioned on the quay Q.
  • the turbine 10 is then secured to the supports 32 and is then ready to be transported to a deployment site out at sea.
  • the turbines will grow in size, and so therefore will the distance between the hulls or pontoons 26 .
  • the winch 24 which is located on the middle of the front cross member 28 will be carrying a significant load, and is not supported.
  • the design of the vessel 14 for larger turbines (or indeed if two or more turbines 10 are to be mounted side by side on a single base 12 ) will take some form other than a catamaran design, for example a tri-maran.
  • the modular nature of the vessel 14 would make such a modification possible and readily achievable.
  • the modular nature of the vessel 14 enables the vessel 14 to be easily dismantled and shipped around the world to the next installation site in the hull of a large cargo ship. This approach may save time as the larger cargo ships are able to travel in far worse conditions than the vessel 14 .
  • the modular approach also means that the vessel 14 could be reconfigured in the future for different shaped bases 12 , i.e. when deploying a larger turbine it may be desirable to widen the distance between the hulls 26 , which could be easily done by lengthening the cross members 28 . This has obvious cost savings as it is not necessary to build a completely new vessel.
  • Another advantage embodied by the shape of the vessel 14 is that it is easy to tow as there is very little resistance, as the cross members 28 are positioned to be out of the water and so only the pontoons 26 are sitting in the water.
  • This design will align itself with the tidal flow compared with an alternate design having the cross members submerged. The latter design will be less streamlined and less likely to be in line with the flow. This is an important feature when deploying the turbine 10 when there is some tide running as when the turbine 10 is lowered, the vessel 14 will be orientated correctly to the tide and so the turbine 10 will be automatically deployed in the correct orientation.
  • the modular approach to the design of the vessel 14 also allows additional equipment to be quickly and easily mounted to the vessel 14 for use during the installation process. Platforms (not shown) supporting such equipment can be easily connected to the vessel 14 using conventional modular connectors (not shown).
  • the base 12 and turbine 10 can be lowered into position. This is a simple process of unwinding the winches 24 which will allow the base 12 to fall away from beneath the vessel 14 . If any locking means (not shown) are provided on the base 12 and/or vessel 14 they will need to be released before unwinding the winches 24 .
  • the portal 30 in the vessel 14 is shaped and dimensioned to enable the turbine 10 to pass downwardly through the portal 30 , and thus the combined turbine 10 and base 12 can be lowered together from the vessel 14 . No further work must then be done in securing the two together when the base 12 has been positioned on the seabed B, thereby greatly simplifying the deployment process. In addition, no lifting equipment such as cranes or the like are required to be operated from onboard the vessel 14 .
  • the connectivity between the base 12 and vessel 14 also allows the above process to be carried out in reverse, in order to allow the base 12 and turbine 10 to be retrieved from the seabed B.
  • the vessel 14 is positioned over and connected to the base 12 , which can then be winched into position beneath the vessel 12 , and securely connected therebeneath for transport back to shore or any other desired location.
  • various tests can be carried out, for example testing/calibration of telemetry sensors (not shown) or the like positioned on the base 12 and/or turbine 10 .
  • the base 12 is winched back into position beneath the vessel 14 , and the turbine 10 is then again positioned above deck of the vessel 14 .
  • the vessel 14 can then be transported to the deployment site as described herein before with reference to FIG. 7 . If this testing reveals any problems with any aspect of the turbine 10 or base 12 , both can quickly be removed from the water W due to being still positioned adjacent the quay Q.
  • the turbine 10 could be released from the base 12 and taken onto the quay for further testing and/or repair.
  • the base 12 could then be left secured beneath the vessel 14 to await the return of the repaired turbine 10 .
  • system of the invention may be used to deploy the base 12 onto the seabed B without the turbine 10 mounted thereto, which would then be subsequently connected to the base 12 by suitable means.
  • system and method of the present invention provide a simplified yet highly efficient means of deploying a hydroelectric turbine 10 , and minimises the requirement for heavy lifting equipment, eliminating the need for the use of such equipment on board the vessel 14 , in particular at the deployment site.

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with a system and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine, and comprises a base and vessel beneath which the base can be secured, and to which base, from above deck, a hydroelectric turbine can be secured to the base and subsequently released with the base from the vessel.

Description

    FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention is concerned with a system and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine, and in particular a system and method which significantly simplifies the transportation of a hydroelectric turbine and associated base to a deployment site, in addition to simplifying the subsequent deployment of the turbine and base to the seabed.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Due to the environmental damage which has been inflicted on the planet as a result of the burning of fossil fuels, renewable energy has finally begun to be given significant attention, with many projects being developed around solar energy, wind energy, and tidal power. Of these alternative forms of energy, tidal power is arguably the most attractive, given that tidal flows are entirely predictable and constant, unlike wind or solar energy which are relatively intermittent and therefore less dependable.
  • However, harnessing tidal energy does provide its own challenges, in particular with respect to the installation and maintenance of tidal power generators, for example hydro-electric turbines, which by the very nature of the operation of same must be located in relatively fast flowing tidal currents, and more than likely located on the seabed. In addition, in order to be economically viable these turbines must be built on a large scale.
  • As a result the turbines and associated bases/supports are large and cumbersome components, and require significant heavy lifting and transport equipment in order to achieve deployment. The use of such heavy lifting equipment is normally a hazardous undertaking, and is rendered even more dangerous when this equipment is operated at sea under difficult and unsteady conditions.
  • The installation process is further complicated by an increasing shortage in the market of suitable vessels and equipment to perform such drilling work and the extreme danger of engaging divers in high tidal flow sites.
  • The present invention has therefore been developed with a view to simplifying the deployment of hydroelectric turbines, and which system and method allow the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine which has been pre-installed on a base.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hydroelectric turbine deployment system comprising a base and a hydroelectric turbine supportable on the base; a marine vessel adapted to releasably retain, when afloat, the base therebeneath; wherein the vessel is adapted to allow the base to be released and lowered away from, and/or raised under and connected to, the vessel; and in which the base comprises a support which projects, when the base is connected beneath the vessel, upwardly through the vessel; characterised in that the vessel comprises a portal through which the support projects when the base is mounted beneath the vessel and through which the support mounted turbine can pass.
  • Preferably, the vessel comprises load bearing means adapted to raise and/or lower the base relative to the vessel.
  • Preferably, the load bearing means comprises one or more winches.
  • Preferably, the vessel comprises at least a pair of hulls connected together.
  • Preferably, the system is adapted to enable ballast to be secured to the base when the base is secured beneath the vessel.
  • Preferably, the vessel is modular.
  • According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of
  • deploying a hydroelectric turbine comprising the steps of;
  • securing a base for the turbine beneath a vessel;
  • securing the turbine to a support of the base which projects upwardly through the vessel;
  • transporting the vessel to a deployment site;
  • releasing the base from beneath the vessel;
  • characterised in that in the step of releasing the base from beneath the vessel, allowing the turbine to pass through the vessel.
  • Preferably, the method comprises, in the step of securing the base, locating the base on the
  • bottom of a body of water;
  • positioning the vessel above the base;
  • and raising the base into position beneath the vessel.
  • Preferably, the method comprises the step of securing one or more lifting lines to the base prior to locating the base on the bottom of the body of water.
  • Preferably, the method comprises, in the step of raising the base into position beneath the vessel, utilizing load bearing means on the vessel.
  • Preferably, the method comprises the further step of adding ballast to the base subsequent to securing the base beneath the vessel.
  • Preferably, the method comprises securing the support to the base subsequent to securing the base beneath the vessel.
  • Preferably, the method comprises the further step of testing various operating parameters of the base and/or turbine at a test location prior to deploying the base at the deployment site.
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a base for a turbine standing on a quay;
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the base of FIG. 1 having being lowered to the seabed adjacent the quay;
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a deployment vessel floating above the base and adjacent the quay;
  • FIG. 4 illustrates the vessel of FIG. 3, following the raising of the base into position directly beneath the vessel;
  • FIG. 5 illustrates the vessel and base of FIG. 4, in which a pair of supports have been secured through the vessel to the base;
  • FIG. 6 illustrates the vessel and the base of FIG. 5, following the connection of a hydroelectric turbine to the supports; and
  • FIG. 7 illustrates the vessel positioned at a deployment site, lowering the base and turbine towards the seabed.
    •  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is described and shown a system and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine 10 (only shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), which system comprises the use of a base 12 for the turbine 10, and a vessel 14 to which the base 12 may be coupled, as will be described hereinafter in detail. The system and method of the invention, as will become apparent, substantially avoids the requirement for the use of heavy lifting equipment in the deployment of the hydroelectric turbine 10, and thus significantly simplifies the deployment process.
  • In the embodiment illustrated the base 12 comprises a triangular frame 16 having three legs 18, although it will be understood from the following description of the system and method of the invention that the base 12 is an exemplary embodiment and could be of any other shape and/or configuration. In order to begin deployment, the base 12 is positioned on a quay Q beside a body of water W, for example the sea. The base 12 may be transported to the quay Q fully assembled, or more preferably may be assembled on the quay Q from the component parts thereof
  • Referring then to FIG. 2, the base 12 is raised off the quay Q and lowered onto the seabed B adjacent to the quay Q. At this point the frame 12 is relatively lightweight and can be manoeuvred off the quay Q using a relatively small crane (not shown) or the like. A lifting line 20 and associated buoy 22 is connected to each corner of the base 12, preferably prior to lowering of the base 12 onto the seabed B. The number of lifting lines 20 may be varied depending on the size and shape of the base 12, or to meet any other operational requirements.
  • Referring now to FIG. 3, the vessel 14 is manoeuvred into position directly above the base 12, beside the quay Q. The vessel 14 is provided with load bearing means in the form of three winches 24, to each of which winches 24 one of the lifting lines 20 can be secured. The winches 24 can thus be used to raise the base 12 into a position beneath the vessel 14, as illustrated in FIG. 4. It will of course be appreciated that any other functional equivalent to the winches 24 could be employed, and indeed the number of winches 24 and the positions thereof may be varied as required. The vessel 14 and/or base 12 may be provided with locking means (not shown) adapted to secure the base 12 to the underside of the vessel 14 once winched into position. The load will therefore be removed from the winches 24 once the base 12 is locked in position. The winches 24 may however serve as this locking means.
  • It can be seen that the vessel 14, in the embodiment illustrated, is comprised of a pair of hulls in the form of pontoons 26, which are connected to one another by a pair of cross members 28. The space between the cross members 28 is left empty such as to define a portal 30 in the vessel 14. The base 12 can therefore be accessed through the portal 30 from above the vessel 14. Thus referring to FIG. 5 a pair of supports 32 are now connected to the base 12, which work can be undertaken from onboard the vessel 14. As used herein, the term “support” is intended to mean any system or mechanism which enables the turbine 10 to be connected to the base 12 in a suitable fashion, and may not necessarily be of the upright nature depicted by the pair of supports 32 illustrated.
  • As the base 12 is now safely secured beneath the vessel 14, if required ballast can be added to the base 12 in order to bring the weight of the base 12 to a level which will allow the base 12 and turbine 10 to sit securely on the seabed under their own weight. As this ballast is only added at this stage, the winches 24 do not need to bear this extra load when raising the base 12 into position beneath the vessel 14. The adding of ballast at this stage also ensures that when the base 12 is first lifted off the quay Q and lowered to the seabed B, the crane undertaking the lift does not have to bear the weight of the ballast, and so a relatively small crane can be employed.
  • Turning then to FIG. 6, the turbine 10 is now lifted onto the base 12, and in particular the supports 32, again using a relatively small crane positioned on the quay Q. The turbine 10 is then secured to the supports 32 and is then ready to be transported to a deployment site out at sea.
  • It is envisaged that as this turbine based technology matures, the turbines will grow in size, and so therefore will the distance between the hulls or pontoons 26. However, the winch 24 which is located on the middle of the front cross member 28 will be carrying a significant load, and is not supported. It is thus envisaged that the design of the vessel 14 for larger turbines (or indeed if two or more turbines 10 are to be mounted side by side on a single base 12) will take some form other than a catamaran design, for example a tri-maran. The modular nature of the vessel 14 would make such a modification possible and readily achievable.
  • In addition, the modular nature of the vessel 14 enables the vessel 14 to be easily dismantled and shipped around the world to the next installation site in the hull of a large cargo ship. This approach may save time as the larger cargo ships are able to travel in far worse conditions than the vessel 14. The modular approach also means that the vessel 14 could be reconfigured in the future for different shaped bases 12, i.e. when deploying a larger turbine it may be desirable to widen the distance between the hulls 26, which could be easily done by lengthening the cross members 28. This has obvious cost savings as it is not necessary to build a completely new vessel.
  • Another advantage embodied by the shape of the vessel 14 is that it is easy to tow as there is very little resistance, as the cross members 28 are positioned to be out of the water and so only the pontoons 26 are sitting in the water. This design will align itself with the tidal flow compared with an alternate design having the cross members submerged. The latter design will be less streamlined and less likely to be in line with the flow. This is an important feature when deploying the turbine 10 when there is some tide running as when the turbine 10 is lowered, the vessel 14 will be orientated correctly to the tide and so the turbine 10 will be automatically deployed in the correct orientation.
  • The modular approach to the design of the vessel 14 also allows additional equipment to be quickly and easily mounted to the vessel 14 for use during the installation process. Platforms (not shown) supporting such equipment can be easily connected to the vessel 14 using conventional modular connectors (not shown).
  • Referring to FIG. 7, once the vessel 14, base 12 and turbine 10 have been positioned above the deployment site the base 12 and turbine 10 can be lowered into position. This is a simple process of unwinding the winches 24 which will allow the base 12 to fall away from beneath the vessel 14. If any locking means (not shown) are provided on the base 12 and/or vessel 14 they will need to be released before unwinding the winches 24. The portal 30 in the vessel 14 is shaped and dimensioned to enable the turbine 10 to pass downwardly through the portal 30, and thus the combined turbine 10 and base 12 can be lowered together from the vessel 14. No further work must then be done in securing the two together when the base 12 has been positioned on the seabed B, thereby greatly simplifying the deployment process. In addition, no lifting equipment such as cranes or the like are required to be operated from onboard the vessel 14.
  • The connectivity between the base 12 and vessel 14 also allows the above process to be carried out in reverse, in order to allow the base 12 and turbine 10 to be retrieved from the seabed B. The vessel 14 is positioned over and connected to the base 12, which can then be winched into position beneath the vessel 12, and securely connected therebeneath for transport back to shore or any other desired location.
  • It is preferable, prior to transporting the turbine 10 to the deployment site, that various tests are undertaken on the turbine 10 and the base 12 while positioned adjacent to the quay Q. Thus referring to FIG. 6, once the turbine 10 has been secured to the base 12, the base 12 and turbine 10 are lowered to the seabed B, while the vessel 14 remains adjacent the quay Q. The lifting lines 20 are left secured between the base 12 and vessel 14 while the base 12 is positioned on the seabed B, in order to allow the base 12 and turbine 10 to be quickly and easily retracted into position beneath the vessel 14 for transport to the deployment site illustrated in FIG. 7. When the base 12 is positioned on the seabed B, various tests can be carried out, for example testing/calibration of telemetry sensors (not shown) or the like positioned on the base 12 and/or turbine 10. Once said testing has been completed, the base 12 is winched back into position beneath the vessel 14, and the turbine 10 is then again positioned above deck of the vessel 14. The vessel 14 can then be transported to the deployment site as described herein before with reference to FIG. 7. If this testing reveals any problems with any aspect of the turbine 10 or base 12, both can quickly be removed from the water W due to being still positioned adjacent the quay Q. Indeed if there is only a problem with some aspect of the turbine 10, then the turbine 10 could be released from the base 12 and taken onto the quay for further testing and/or repair. The base 12 could then be left secured beneath the vessel 14 to await the return of the repaired turbine 10.
  • It is envisaged that the system of the invention may be used to deploy the base 12 onto the seabed B without the turbine 10 mounted thereto, which would then be subsequently connected to the base 12 by suitable means.
  • It will therefore be appreciated that the system and method of the present invention provide a simplified yet highly efficient means of deploying a hydroelectric turbine 10, and minimises the requirement for heavy lifting equipment, eliminating the need for the use of such equipment on board the vessel 14, in particular at the deployment site.

Claims (13)

1. A hydroelectric turbine deployment system comprising a base (12) and a hydroelectric turbine (10) supportable on the base (12); a marine vessel (14) adapted to releasably retain, when afloat, the base (12) therebeneath; wherein the vessel (14) is adapted to allow the base (12) to be released and lowered away from, and/or raised under and connected to, the vessel (14); and in which the base (12) comprises a support (32) which projects, when the base (12) is connected beneath the vessel (14), upwardly through the vessel (14); characterised in that the vessel (14) comprises a portal (30) through which the support (32) projects when the base (12) is mounted beneath the vessel (14) and through which the support mounted turbine (10) can pass.
2. A hydroelectric turbine deployment system according to claim 1 in which the vessel (14) comprises load bearing means (24) adapted to raise and/or lower the base (12) relative to the vessel (14).
3. A hydroelectric turbine deployment system according to claim 2 in which the load bearing means (24) comprises one or more winches (24).
4. A hydroelectric turbine deployment system according to claim 1 which the vessel (14) comprises at least a pair of hulls (26) connected together.
5. A hydroelectric turbine deployment system according to claim 1 in which the system is adapted to enable ballast to be secured to the base (12) when the base (12) is secured beneath the vessel (14).
6. A hydroelectric turbine deployment system according to claim 1 which the vessel (14) is modular.
7. A method of deploying a hydroelectric turbine (10) comprising the steps of;
securing a base (12) for the turbine (10) beneath a vessel (14);
securing the turbine (10) to a support (32) of the base (12) which projects upwardly through the vessel (14);
transporting the vessel to a deployment site;
releasing the base from beneath the vessel;
characterised in that in the step of releasing the base from beneath the vessel, allowing the turbine to pass through the vessel.
8. A method according to claim 7 comprising, in the step of securing the base (12), locating the base (12) on the bottom of a body of water;
positioning the vessel (14) above the base (12);
and raising the base (12) into position beneath the vessel (14).
9. A method according to claim 8 comprising the step of securing one or more lifting lines (20) to the base (12) prior to locating the base (12) on the bottom of the body of water.
10. A method according to claim 8 or 9 comprising, in the step of raising the base (12) into position beneath the vessel (14), utilizing load bearing means (24) on the vessel (14).
11. A method according to claim 7 comprising the further step of adding ballast to the base (12) subsequent to securing the base (12) beneath the vessel (14).
12. A method according to claim 7 comprising securing the support (32)to the base (12) subsequent to securing the base (12) beneath the vessel (14).
13. A method according to claim 7 comprising the further step of testing various operating parameters of the base (12) and/or turbine (10) at a test location prior to deploying the base (12) at the deployment site.
US12/595,032 2007-04-11 2008-04-11 System and method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine Abandoned US20100172698A1 (en)

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EP20070007402 EP1980670B1 (en) 2007-04-11 2007-04-11 Method for the deployment of a hydroelectric turbine
PCT/EP2008/002869 WO2008125285A2 (en) 2007-04-11 2008-04-11 A system and method for the deployment of a tidal turbine

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KR (1) KR101445324B1 (en)
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CA (1) CA2683680C (en)
DE (1) DE602007001582D1 (en)
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