Climate change and Sustainable Energy Sources

Ocean to Ocean power cell ? Part 5 ? The wind island ? introduction to Basic design ? rev.1.1

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:51:00 -0600

Multipurpose floating energy cell (MPFEC)

1. Multipurpose floating energy cell (MPFEC) operates at open sea and transforms the energy of wind^* and waves in direct current. The transformation take a place in rotary device laying on water surface and consisting of two counter rotating parts able realize a power up to GWs in a centered DC generator.

2. DC current energy serves cold hydrolysis of water and following liquefaction of H2 and O2 which allows their transportation to any coastal facilities for further transformation.

Such a transportation of energy out of Deep Ocean is cable-free.

3. There are immense storage abilities for energy in such form.

4. The sovereign of energy is water which returns to its initial stage after burning of H2, O2, so the process is closed and ecological.

5. Reasonable size of MPFEC at open sea is 500 to 5000 meters in diameter related to target power output of 2 to 60 GW when Beaufort scale force is 9.

Modular structure of installation and its abilities of free and autonomous floating object allow shortening the erection time and expenses till first run.

Free and autonomous floating of MPFEC ensures finding of optimal positions for production, repair/maintenance and other works.

Large scaled production requires permanent onboard staff.

6. The structure of MPFEC has to sustain to weather anomalies at open sea keeping its functionalities.

7. Large amount of energy output refers MPFES to universal and autonomous water treatment plant applicable to large/small water basins.

Example: Large size MPFES may treat “The great plastic island” at South Pacific in very reasonable time.

Helping in conservation of oceans the floating energy cell may serve long-term marine scientific works.

Large provision of drinking water might be a side application of MPFEC.

^*Wind harvesting is based on VAWT technology.

P&G platforms after Deep Water Horizon - sustainable or not?

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 03:04:00 -0600

P&G platforms after Deep Water Horizon - sustainable or not?

Hundreds of millions years the ocean is running waves and winds and after so long nothing is planted above waters everything plants underwater.

Why P&G platforms do not follow this simple law of nature and do avoid at least half of its sustainability problems?

For sure submersible platform will require other rules of construction and operation.

Platforms might become underwater towns with shape different of current butwinning independence of surface conditions.

Related to above hints why do not apply a dual buoyancy conception to petrol transporters making them submersible and semi submersible train floaters? (See Pelamis)

Second aspect which still endangers P&G platforms is sea bed geological behavior and related anomalies but how the marine species survive those troubles over hundreds millions of years?

What make species different of platforms?

One is confirmative – most creatures of nature floating between seabed and surface are not rigid.

What future features P&G platforms shall posses?

1. Adequate reaction to slow and quick water anomalies

2. Integrating and differentiating ballasts

3. Shock resistant body conception etc.

Ocean - to - Ocean power cell ? Part 3.A ? The wind island ? Scaled models in real waves

Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:38:00 -0600

Ocean - to - Ocean power cell – Part 3.A – The wind island – Scaled models in real waves

Some scaled models of “The wind island” have been tested in the surf of Black Sea this summer.

Main target of tests was to prove the structure and functionality of further prototypes and confirm some trends of development the very large floating platforms – VLFP.

Some particular data out of these tests and their extrapolations follows:

(The results concern VFLP of free floating type.)

1. Minimum diameter of VFLP is related to the size and severity of water basin and varies between 500 and 1000 meters.

2. Cut out wave and wind relates to Beaufort scale force 10-12 depending of floater diameter.

3. Production is out of service after wave of 1,5 times the diameter of floater.

4. Power output for 500 meters floater in case of:

A. Beaufort scale force 6 - 1 GW

B. Beaufort scale force 9 - 2 GW.

The trends of development concerning stability of floaters might be applied to P&G platforms too.

More information about basic functionalities and related advantages is available in case of request.

P.S. Structure closest to "The wind island" is Hexicon - http://www.hexicon.eu/

28.09.12 Is the 480 meters diameter of Hexicon enough to put inside 1 GW conventional power plant?

Ice Power Plant ? Part 2 ? Cold and liquid

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 06:32:00 -0600

Ice Power Plant – Part 2 – Cold and liquids

Follow up of “Ice Power Plant – renewable or sustainable energy source”.

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2010/2/9/Ice-Power-Plant--renewable-or-sustainable-energy-source

Ice Power Plant – IPP might provide a huge amount of energy based on sequential change of water phase – liquid-solid-liquid.

Such a returnable process may extend to cold hydrolysis of water where the process water is coming out of ocean - salt or out of ice - sweet.

Some of cold locations where IPP produce oxygen and hydrogen might be close to consumers others away, what has to define the gas transportation method.

For short transport, piping may work but for large distances gas may require condensation.

Condensation of gas within cold locations of IPPs brings the process' energy intensity down.

Site options of liquid gas storage are also impressive.

Offshore energy sources and climate challenge ? Part 4 ? LFP & VLFP - Risk Factor

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 10:48:00 -0600

Offshore energy sources and climate challenge – Part 4– LFP & VLFP - Risk Factor

As per Offshore energy sources and climate challenge – Part 1 – Destruction Factor and Availability Factor

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2012/5/21/Offshore-energy-sources-and-climate-challenge--Part-1--Destruction-Factor-and-Availability-Factor

1. The Destruction Factor (DF) is availability of offshore energy harvesting structures to sustain to severe weather conditions and challenges of climate change.

DF= H (max) X S (max)

Where H (max) is maximum height of waves in (m) before destruction

S (max) is maximum speed of wind in (m/s) before destruction.

2. The Availability factor (AF) is the boundary where production of offshore energy cuts.

AF= H (cut) X S (cut)

Where H (cut) is maximum height of waves before production cuts

S (cut) is maximum speed of wind before production cuts.

Data sheets of large and very large floating platforms (LFP & VLFP) carrying wind turbines contain some information on optimal and critical issues concerning operation and survival modes of constructions.

In regard of trend to install these platforms deeper and deeper in the ocean the prognosis on extreme events become not quite reliable i.e. higher winds and waves than expected may appear.

Underwater waves due to geological anomalies at the seabed are also unpredictable.

Examples for large civil floating platforms are:

Hexicon, Sweden – www.hexicon.eu – platform expected to carry 6 large wind turbines

Shimizu Corporation, Japan – http://windeng.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ishihara/e/ - floating platform supposed to carry 3 large wind turbines

HIPR Wind, Germany – www.hyperwind.eu – platform expected to carry 20 MW turbines.

In case of enough information available on optimal and critical waves and winds the relation DF/AF=RF may provide estimation on technical and financial factor of risk (RF) integrated into concerned structures.

In case of underwater anomalies RF is not applicable till LFP and VLFP are anchored.

Large and very large free floating platforms (LFFP & VLFFP) may fully apply to RF.

I would like to thanks to Mr A. Bossler for his report as per the link below.

http://maine-intl-consulting.com/resources/Floating+Offshore+Wind+Platforms+Consortia+for+web.pdf

P.S. - 20.08.12 - The size of Hexicon is similar to a size of conventional 1 GW TPP.

Shall Hexicon reach such a power output?

Ocean to Ocean power cell ? Part 4 - The Blue factor

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 01:46:00 -0600

Ocean to Ocean power cell – Part 4 - The Blue factor

The water on our planet has an essential ability e.g. to keep life sustainable.

Offshore power industry has targeted wind, waves, tide and others, planning how to get the energy out from them and to carry it to dry land.

How many think how to return energy to the ocean and keep the ocean alive?

The relation between energy taken out from the ocean and the energy given to ocean might be called The Blue Factor – BF.

BF= E _taken/ E _given

There are plans to run large scale offshore power industry in a decade.

Let’s put a BF label on every offshore power device/ facility and then compete.

Offshore energy sources and climate challenge - Part 3 ? Vestas vs. Technip

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 06:37:00 -0600

Offshore energy sources and climate challenge - Part 3 – Vestas vs. Technip

There are two new floating wind turbines on test run in European waters:

1. Wind Float by Vestas

http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/pilot-floating-wind-power-project-seeks-eu-funds

http://www.principlepowerinc.com/images/PrinciplePowerWindFloatBrochure.pdf

Wind Float of Vestas has an extreme total weight of 1200 tons which supposes to reduce the tilting effect coming due to high gravity center and asymmetric structure of float. Additional seabed anchoring supposes to help too.

Asymmetric tilting with high gravity center may put most of mechanical and electrical elements at extreme conditions and quick aging in case of heavy storm. The risk to move an anchor is also considerable.

2. Vertiwind by Technip

http://www.renewbl.com/2011/01/19/vertiwind-floating-wind-turbine-prototype-to-be-installed-in-french-waters.html

http://eetweb.com/wind/slug-vertiwind-o214/

Vertiwind of Technip has at least two conceptual advantages than Wind Float: symmetric structure and much lower gravity center so the tilting negative effects suppose to be much less considerable and the risk of moving the anchors too.

Who will win the one year competition: Vestas with its funny way of development or Technip by adding of one more advantage to its Vertiwind?

At the past the wind mills have been reaching their goals very easily and in respect of conservation.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/50/Windmill_Talcy_2007.jpg/752px-Windmill_Talcy_2007.jpg

P.S. - 27.06.12 Hywind is coming back on field this time in deep waters of Maine.

http://www.energycentral.com/news/en/25037577/Company-planning-deep-water-wind-project-holds-open-house-in-Boothbay?

What we really have: Loss or profit against the wind?

Offshore energy sources and climate challenge P-2 Blades' crash and the towers distorted at random

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 03:10:00 -0600

Offshore energy sources and climate challenge - Part 2 - Blades’ crash and the towers distorted at random

Crashing the blades is a typical problem of shore wind turbines, while offshore turbines work in more hazardous conditions and rarely face that problem.The problem usually occurs in the farther part of the blade when it has the minimum potential energy of its cycle e.g. at the bottom of its course rotation.

At this specificposition the bladeis reaching themaximum of its complex load composed bygravity, driving moment, groundturbulence, electrostatic chargeetc.

When spinning, the blade is carrying a high positive static charge, while the tower is negatively charged.Out of that potential differencean attraction effect appears between the blade and the tower.

This effect simultaneously and repeatedly increases the outward from the blade rotation centre and the pulling out from the tower.

In addition to that the tower is creating onemore stretchingchallengefor blades by essentially changing the air stream at its bottom.

So far the conditions are mostly the same with offshore wind turbines but whydooffshore blades crash less often then shore ones?

What is the difference?

I would say the dust and the additional static chargethat comes from it. Dust is rather less common over the sea.

Shore high windscarry a lot of extra dustwhich results in a positively charged electrostatic pillowto dohitthe blade at its potentially criticalbottom position. This additional load greatly contributes, in my opinion, to the higher probability of shore blades crashing.

The complete transition process supposes to be a topic of other release.

Let’s come back to solutions.

There are a couple of standard solutions on how to reduce or eliminate above described extra static load on shore blades but the most effective way to spin wind turbines at higher frequency during increased wind loads is a new style of development.

For example: After fixing the general problems of bladesby standard and non-standard solutions they may spin with frequency triple than current. Then what about the towers?

One thing about the towers, they might stay straight against the wind but not like now.

Here we go to set against the wind ? new development style - “The towers distorted at random”.

See the nature: Distorted trees remain after the gale.

What would be the future for shore and offshore HAWTs and VAWTs depends of our imagination.

Help in text edition: Simeon Azarov

Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”

Faculty of Physics, Dept. NE student

Offshore energy sources and climate challenge ? Part 1 ? Destruction Factor and Availability Factor

Mon, 21 May 2012 06:00:00 -0600

In regard of accelerating climate change and anomalies the offshore power industry may have to re-estimate its performance and global resources.

What is the meaning to throw investments and to spoil resources for something which may simply disappear?

Here are some hints:

1. The Destruction Factor (DF) is availability of offshore energy harvesting structures to sustain to severe weather conditions and challenges of climate change.

DF= H (max) X S (max)

Where H (max) is maximum height of waves before destruction

S (max) is maximum speed of wind before destruction.

2. The Availability factor (AF) is the boundary where production of offshore energy cuts.

AF= H (cut) X S (cut)

Where H (cut) is maximum height of waves before production cuts

S (cut) is maximum speed of wind before production cuts.

3. There is one more sustainability factor related to exploring the offshore energy sources – preparedness of staff e.g. what physical, mental and psychic loads have to sustain the staff in charge of development, production, erection and run of offshore energy sources?

P.S. 25.06.12 The third factor might be called HF - human factor and to have estimation as follows:

HF= N (p) / N (d)

where N (p) is the number of people trained and willing to perform within the offshore power sector

N (d) is the number of devices installed at offshore.

NPP ? Part 2 ? Remote NPPs - Transfer of energy

Tue, 15 May 2012 23:10:00 -0600

From previous article “NPP – cooling of melting core” the surrounding water might be used for emergency cooling/ flooding of melting core.

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2012/1/9/NPP--emergency-cooling-of-melting-core

Same water transferred to liquid hydrogen and oxygen may work as a buffer load during operation i.e. the NPP will not need to change its optimal load essentially.

What would be the opportunities of such a power structure?

1. Stored liquid gases will cover the peak demands running a lateral H2 power station.

2. The liquid gases may go any destination for local use. To run H2 to a liquid and back is considering almost the same energy but remaining O2 becomes a bonus able to cover transportation costs to H2 power stations.

3. The potentially low cost of liquid gases transport establishes an opportunity to build up new NPPs far away from civil and industrial areas which reduces the risk for population and increases the level of security.

4. Instead of long and expensive state/interstate grid lines and related losses of electricity transportation micro-grids might be connected to local H2 power stations.

5. Turning water to liquid gases the reactor has one more chance for cooling.

Nuclear power sector – May it have a safe future on high mountains or remote islands producing an extremely large amount of sustainable and ecological fuels?

Gale generators ? Part 4 ? Storage system

Tue, 15 May 2012 00:24:00 -0600

From previous article “Three – the most sustainable wind harvester” comes a hint to Cyber three.

Cyber three has to work at large variety of weather conditions harvesting wind energy then a hurricane energy amount might give more than take.

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2011/8/28/Gale-generators--Part-3--Tree--the-most-sustainable-wind-harvester

The extreme quantities of wind energy which “The shell”, “Tornado catchers” and “The cyber three” might harvest will need of quickly responding storage system.

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2011/1/31/Gale-generators--Part-1--The-shell

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2011/5/12/Gale-generators--Part-2--Tornado-catchers

Transfer of water to liquid oxygen and hydrogen would be an answer to such a need.

So, how much water we have to prepare for shore wind energy storage?

Ocean - to - Ocean power cell ? Part 3 ? The wind island

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:50:00 -0600

Ocean - to - Ocean power cell – Part 3 – The wind island

The risk related to offshore wind projects remains considerably high.

Opposite of existing offshore wind projects all the ocean species are living in homeostasis with the ocean.

The way of success in developing, building up and running of large scaled offshore wind projects might be the one which follows those principals of homeostasis.

Growing the fish is a very sustainable process since hundreds millions of years so the string “How the fish is growing" supposes to be the thesis of new sustainable offshore wind conception - The wind island.

The real wind island has to:

1. Float free

2. Resist to all climate challenges

3. Provide predictable energy output to consumers based on enormous quantity of deep ocean energy transferred to liquid hydrogen and oxygen supplies to shore power plants/consumers.

P.S. Follow up is on: http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2012/9/21/Ocean--to--Ocean-power-cell--Part-4--The-wind-island--Scaled-models-in-real-waves

NPP ? emergency cooling of melting core

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:50:00 -0600

Artificial basin located NPP

Whole the NPP facilities to be located at the bottom of spherical concave water basin and surrounded of oval protection wall. The protected area has to be wall sectioned.

Such conception offers following opportunities of emergency cooling the melting core:

1. Gravity falling water

2. Flooding of facilities– by section, unit or complete.

3. The spherical concave bottom concrete slab together with protection walls might resist to large variety of challenges.

4. In case of disaster most of contamination stays inside the section, unit or basin opposite the floating reactors.

Ocean ? to - Ocean power cell ? Part 2 - The cell of Blue city

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:44:00 -0600

Ocean – to - Ocean power cell – Part 2 - The cell of Blue city

The energy produced by Ocean - to - Ocean power cell may serve existence of human habitat in shallow and later on in deep waters. This habitat might become the cell of future Blue cities.

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2010/4/7/OceantoOcean-power-cell

The target of Blue cities is to create huge human colonies in Deep Ocean living on and restoring the ocean resources.

Basic features of the cell:

Shape and structure:

A. Cone body – umbrella type with 10-80 degrees steepness range.

B. Weights balance: 10% above water/ 90% underwater.

C. Above and underwater facilities. Protected underwater space.

Size and crew:

A. Minimum: Deck 200 sq. m. for 6 - 12 people.

B. Maximum: social related.

Disposition of facilities:

A. Above water: The Shell + Sunshine carousel + Wave carousel*, air navigation systems, sails.

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2011/1/31/Gale-generators--Part-1--The-shell

http://www.energyblogs.com/green2green/index.cfm/2011/1/14/Sunshine-carousel

B. Under water: OTEC, hydrolysis, human habitats, labs, stores, underwater navigation systems.

Motion: Pulse motors, sails.

Buoyancy:

A. Ability to sink (in case of heavy storms or other)

B. Ability to raise on pontoons (when passing shallow waters or other)

Rescue and repair:

A. Rescue module

B. Flexible pontoon system (in help of quick motion, repairs and others)

Sources of energy: waves, wind, solar, OTEC, H2, bio generators, deep water stream generators**

Storage of energy: H2, batteries, compressed air.

Destination:

A. Hydrolysis where O2 is for ocean, H2 - for energy.

B. Reproduction of ocean species/surroundings; food planting.

C. Desalination based on OTEC - http://www.lockheedmartin.com/products/OTEC/

D. Human habitat

E. Lab works

F. Ability to joint other cells.

*Wave carousel – the consecutive work of units which oppose the waves and consist of buy, spring and piston.

** Deep water stream generator works in deep water streams or by up and down motion based on consecutive negative and positive buoyancy.

P.S. 04.12.11 Aspects on buoyancy: water spider, iceberg, medusa.

Gale generators ? Part 3 - Tree ? the most sustainable wind harvester

Sun, 28 Aug 2011 14:24:00 -0600

Gale generators – Part 3 - Tree – the most sustainable wind harvester

The life of tree is based on circulation of gases, liquids and photosynthesis. The tree circulation itself needs of sun shining and wind.

In order to survive over the millions years of evolution the tree became the most successful and sustainable harvester of wind.

Let’s make a calculation on how much wind energy harvested the forestry at US east cost during hurricane Irene and how much harvested all there disposed wind generators.

What would be the difference – millions of times?

Might the efficiency of tree in harvesting of wind energy to lead to new conception of sustainable wind generators?