Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-135
https://doi.org/10.5194/wes-2024-135
29 Oct 2024
 | 29 Oct 2024
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal WES.

Backup power supply for a hydrogen-producing offshore wind turbine – a technology comparison

Linus Niklaus, Paul Rothe, Johannes Liebertseder, and Martin Doppelbauer

Abstract. Hydrogen is an important energy carrier for the transition of the energy sector towards decarbonization. An attractive option for its sustainable production are independent offshore wind farms that include all systems for the hydrogen production directly on the wind turbine platform. However, these systems face a challenge in maintaining a constant electric power supply on the turbine platform during periods of calm winds as they are not connected to the onshore electrical grid. This study evaluates and compares different technologies for a backup power supply on the wind turbine platform. Due to the limited energy storage capacities of battery systems and thus, short energy bridging times, systems are investigated that make use of the platform-produced hydrogen to generate electricity and consequently provide long bridging times. Three different backup power supply systems are investigated: A fuel cell system combined with a battery storage system (H2-FC+BS) as well as a hydrogen internal combustion engine with and without a battery storage system (H2-ICE+BS and H2-ICE). These systems are examined in terms of efficiency (hydrogen consumption), lifetime, robustness, maintenance requirements, space consumption, and costs. The results suggest that the hybrid system of a hydrogen combustion engine with an accompanying battery storage unit provides an optimal solution, offering a balanced compromise between efficiency, robustness, and minimized maintenance demands.

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Linus Niklaus, Paul Rothe, Johannes Liebertseder, and Martin Doppelbauer

Status: open (until 05 Dec 2024)

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Linus Niklaus, Paul Rothe, Johannes Liebertseder, and Martin Doppelbauer
Linus Niklaus, Paul Rothe, Johannes Liebertseder, and Martin Doppelbauer

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Short summary
Both fuel cells and combustion engines can be used to supply hydrogen-producing offshore wind turbines with electrical energy in the event of a wind outage. A simulative comparison in combination with a qualitative assessment considering the maritime boundary conditions showed that the combination of an internal combustion engine and a battery storage system is the most suitable for this purpose. This system provides high energy efficiency with the necessary robustness on the high seas.
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