Search Results (46)

Hydrogen is a potential key component of a carbon-neutral energy carrier and an input to marine industrial processes. This study examines the consequences of coupled hydrogen release and marine environmental factors during floating photovoltaic hydrogen production (FPHP) system failures. A validated three-dimensional numerical model of FPHP comprehensively characterizes hydrogen leakage dynamics under varied rupture diameters (25, 50, 100 mm), transient release duration, dispersion patterns, and wind intensity effects (0–20 m/s sea-level velocities) on hydrogen–air vapor clouds. FLACS-generated data establish the concentration–dispersion distance relationship, with numerical validation confirming predictive accuracy for hydrogen storage tank failures. The results indicate that the wind velocity and rupture size significantly influence the explosion risk; 100 mm ruptures elevate the explosion risk, producing vapor clouds that are 40–65% larger than 25 mm and 50 mm cases. Meanwhile, increased wind velocities (>10 m/s) accelerate hydrogen dilution, reducing the high-concentration cloud volume by 70–84%. Hydrogen jet orientation governs the spatial overpressure distribution in unconfined spaces, leading to considerable shockwave consequence variability. Photovoltaic modules and inverters of FPHP demonstrate maximum vulnerability to overpressure effects; these key findings can be used in the design of offshore platform safety. This study reveals fundamental accident characteristics for FPHP reliability assessment and provides critical insights for safety reinforcement strategies in maritime hydrogen applications. Full article

Excessive reliance on traditional energy sources such as coal, petroleum, and gas leads to a decrease in natural resources and contributes to global warming. Consequently, the adoption of renewable energy sources in power systems is experiencing swift expansion worldwide, especially in offshore areas. Floating solar photovoltaic (FPV) technology is gaining recognition as an innovative renewable energy option, presenting benefits like minimized land requirements, improved cooling effects, and possible collaborations with hydropower. This study aims to assess the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) associated with floating solar initiatives in offshore and onshore environments. Furthermore, the LCOE is assessed for initiatives that utilize floating solar PV modules within aquaculture farms, as well as for the integration of various renewable energy sources, including wind, wave, and hydropower. The LCOE for FPV technology exhibits considerable variation, ranging from 28.47 EUR/MWh to 1737 EUR/MWh, depending on the technologies utilized within the farm as well as its geographical setting. The implementation of FPV technology in aquaculture farms revealed a notable increase in the LCOE, ranging from 138.74 EUR/MWh to 2306 EUR/MWh. Implementation involving additional renewable energy sources results in a reduction in the LCOE, ranging from 3.6 EUR/MWh to 315.33 EUR/MWh. The integration of floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems into green hydrogen production represents an emerging direction that is relatively little explored but has high potential in reducing costs. The conversion of this energy into hydrogen involves high final costs, with the LCOH ranging from 1.06 EUR/kg to over 26.79 EUR/kg depending on the complexity of the system. Full article

Green hydrogen is a promising solution for decarbonizing emission-intensive sectors, with its production through offshore wind energy offering viable opportunities. This study presents a preliminary assessment of the main environmental factors potentially affected by offshore wind and green hydrogen projects in Uruguay’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), where such developments pose environmental challenges that require evaluation, particularly given the limited prior research in Uruguay and Latin America. Through a comprehensive review of international literature and national technical data, the study identifies key interactions between project activities and the physical, biotic, and anthropic environmental components during the development, construction, and operational phases. Using cross-reference matrices and impact categorization, the analysis highlights that activities such as foundation installation, submarine cable deployment, and offshore electrolysis could significantly affect the seabed, underwater noise levels, water quality, and marine biodiversity. The biotic and physical environment were found to be the most frequently impacted. To contextualize these findings, technical information specific to Uruguay’s EEZ was reviewed to identify the most vulnerable regional environmental factors. The results offer a science-based foundation to support early-stage environmental assessments and guide sustainable offshore energy development in the region. Full article

The inherent randomness and intermittency of offshore renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, pose significant challenges to the stable and secure operation of the power grid. These fluctuations directly affect the performance of grid-connected systems, particularly in terms of harmonic distortion and load response. This paper addresses these challenges by proposing a novel harmonic control strategy and load response optimization approach. An integrated three-winding transformer filter is designed to mitigate high-frequency harmonics, and a control strategy based on converter-side current feedback is implemented to enhance system stability. Furthermore, a hybrid PI-VPI control scheme, combined with feedback filtering, is employed to improve the system’s transient recovery capability under fluctuating load and generation conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed control algorithm, based on a transformer-oriented model, effectively suppresses low-order harmonic currents. In addition, the system exhibits strong anti-interference performance during sudden voltage and power variations, providing a reliable foundation for the modulation and optimization of offshore wind–solar coupled hydrogen production power supply systems. Full article

The aim of the present work is to assess the wind and hydrogen production capacity of the Black Sea basin from a spatial point of view, by using reanalysis data that covers a 10-year interval (2015–2024). Based on the ERA5 data it was possible to highlight the general distribution of the wind resources at 100 m height, with more consistent resources being noticed in the region of the Azov Sea or in the north-western sector of the Black Sea, where average values of 8.3 m/s are expected. Taking into account that at this moment in the Black Sea area there are no operational offshore wind farms, several generators ranging from 3 to 15 MW were considered for assessment. In this case, from a single turbine, we can expect values in the range of 11.04 GWh (3 MW system) and 89 GWh (15 MW system), respectively. As a next step, the electricity generated from each wind turbine was used to highlight the hydrogen production of several electrolysers systems (or PEMs). The equivalent number of PEMs was identified, and in some cases it was noticed that some devices will not reach their full capacity, while for smaller PEMs a single 10 MW wind turbine could support the operation of almost four modules. Regarding hydrogen output, a maximum of 1560 tons/year can be expected from the PEMs connected to a 15 MW wind turbine. Full article

Brazil has emerged as one of the global leaders in adopting renewable energy, standing out in the implementation of onshore wind energy and, more recently, in the development of future offshore wind energy projects. Onshore wind energy has experienced exponential growth in the last decade, positioning Brazil as one of the countries with the largest installed capacity in the world by 2023, with 30 GW. Wind farms are mainly concentrated in the northeast region, where winds are constant and powerful, enabling efficient and cost-competitive generation. Although in its early stages, offshore wind energy presents significant potential of 1228 GW due to Brazil’s extensive coastline, which exceeds 7000 km. Offshore wind projects promise greater generating capacity and stability, as offshore winds are more constant than onshore winds. However, their development faces challenges such as high initial costs, environmental impacts on marine ecosystems, and the need for specialized infrastructure. From a sustainability perspective, this article discusses that both types of wind energy are key to Brazil’s energy transition. They reduce dependence on fossil fuels, generate green jobs, and foster technological innovation. However, it is crucial to implement policies that foster synergy with green hydrogen production and minimize socio-environmental impacts, such as impacts on local communities and biodiversity. Finally, the article concludes that by 2050, Brazil is expected to consolidate its leadership in renewable energy by integrating advanced technologies, such as larger, more efficient turbines, energy storage systems, and green hydrogen production. The combination of onshore and offshore wind energy and other renewable sources could position the country as a global model for a clean, sustainable, and resilient energy mix. Full article

As the core region of global steel production and consumption, the zero-carbon transition of China, Japan, and South Korea is crucial for global climate goals and industrial chain sustainability. Hydrogen-based direct reduction iron (H-DRI) production, powered by renewable energy, is a promising pathway for reducing carbon emissions. This study compares the competitive dynamics of hydrogen-based steel production in China, Japan, and South Korea, with a particular focus on the levelized cost of energy (LCOE), levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH), and levelized cost of steel (LCOS) as key metrics for evaluating the economic viability of green hydrogen-based steel production. And then compares and analyzes the competitiveness of China, Japan, and South Korea in hydrogen-based steel production, focusing on the role of green hydrogen and renewable energy in shaping the future steel industry. This study examines the impact of technological advancements, resource endowments, and policy support on H-DRI production. It highlights the importance of offshore wind power in Japan and South Korea, where its development plays a key role in reducing the cost of green hydrogen production and providing a stable electricity supply for H-DRI production. However, the high capital expenditures (CAPEXs) and labor costs associated with offshore wind power in these countries make importing relevant technologies and products from China a more cost-effective option. This study also explores the strategic importance of international cooperation and technology transfer, emphasizing the potential for China, Japan, and South Korea to strengthen bilateral collaboration in green hydrogen and H-DRI technologies. Such cooperation supports the region’s steel decarbonization efforts and enhances its global competitiveness. The integration of offshore wind power and hydrogen production technologies offers new opportunities for energy cooperation in East Asia, with China playing a key role in providing low-cost green energy solutions. Full article

The global transition towards clean energy sources is becoming essential to reduce reliance on conventional fuels and mitigate carbon emissions. In the future, the clean energy storage landscape, green hydrogen, and green ammonia (powered by renewable energy sources) are emerging as key players. This study explores the prospectives and feasibility of producing and storing offshore green hydrogen and green ammonia. The potential power output of Hornsea one and Hornsea two winds farms in the United Kingdom was calculated using real wind data. The usable electricity from the Hornsea one wind farm was 5.83 TWh/year, and from the Hornsea two wind farm, it was 6.44 TWh/year, harnessed to three different scenarios for the production and storage of green ammonia and green hydrogen. Scenario 1 fulfil the requirement of green hydrogen storage for flexible ammonia production but consumes more energy for green hydrogen compression. Scenario 2 does not offer any hydrogen storage which is not favourable in terms of flexibility and market demand. Scenario 3 offers both, a direct routed supply of produced hydrogen for green ammonia synthesis and a storage facility for green hydrogen storage. Detailed mathematical calculations and sensitivity analysis was performed based on the total energy available to find out the energy storage capacity in terms of the mass of green hydrogen and green ammonia produced. Sensitivity analysis in the case of scenario 3 was conducted to determine the optimal percentage of green hydrogen going to the storage facility. Based on the cost evaluation of three different presented scenarios, the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH) is between USD 5.30 and 5.97/kg, and the levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) is between USD 984.16 and USD 1197.11/tonne. These prices are lower compared to the current UK market. The study finds scenario 3 as the most appropriate way in terms of compression energy savings, flexibility for the production and storage capacity that depends upon the supply and demand of these green fuels in the market, and a feasible amount of green hydrogen storage. Full article

Offshore wind energy is increasingly considered a vital resource to contribute to the renewable energy future. This renewable energy can be converted to clean energy alternatives such as hydrogen and ammonia via power-to-x technologies, enabling storage, energy security, and decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors. This study assesses the techno-economic feasibility of integrating offshore wind energy with hydrogen and ammonia production as sustainable energy carriers and their transportation via pipelines or shipping. The methodology incorporates Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysis for hydrogen production, seawater desalination, and the Haber–Bosch process for ammonia production. Offshore transport scenarios are compared to evaluate their cost-effectiveness based on distance and electrolyzer capacity. Results show the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH₂) ranges from EUR 6.7 to 9.8/kg (EUR 0.20–0.29/kWh), and the levelized cost of ammonia (LCOA) ranges from EUR 1.9 to 2.8/kg (EUR 0.37–0.55/kWh). Transportation costs vary significantly with distance and electrolyzer capacity, with levelized cost of transport (LCOT) between EUR 0.2 and 15/kg for pipelines and EUR 0.3 and 10.2/kg for shipping. Also, for distances up to 500 km, pipeline transport is the most cost-effective option for both hydrogen and ammonia. Despite high production costs, economies of scale and technological improvements can make offshore hydrogen and ammonia a promising means for a sustainable energy future. Full article

Renewable energy technologies have become an increasingly important component of the global energy supply. In recent years, photovoltaic and wind energy have been the fastest-growing renewable sources. Although oceans present harsh environments, their estimated energy generation potential is among the highest. Ocean-based solutions are gaining significant momentum, driven by the advancement of offshore wind, floating solar, tidal, and wave energy, among others. The integration of various marine energy sources with green hydrogen production can facilitate the exploitation and transportation of renewable energy. This paper presents a mathematics-driven analysis for the simulation of a technical model designed as a generic framework applicable to any location worldwide and developed to analyze the integration of solar energy generation and green hydrogen production. It evaluates the impact of key factors such as solar irradiance, atmospheric conditions, water surface flatness, as well as the parameters of photovoltaic panels, electrolyzers, and adiabatic compressors, on both energy generation and hydrogen production capacity. The proposed mathematics-based framework serves as an innovative tool for conducting multivariable parametric analyses, selecting optimal design configurations based on specific solar energy and/or hydrogen production requirements, and performing a range of additional assessments including, but not limited to, risk evaluations, cause–effect analyses, and/or degradation studies. Enhancing the efficiency of solar energy generation and hydrogen production processes can reduce the required photovoltaic surface area, thereby simplifying structural and anchoring requirements and lowering associated costs. Simpler, more reliable, and cost-effective designs will foster the expansion of floating solar energy and green hydrogen production in marine environments. Full article

Renewable energy production is one of the pillars of the decarbonization process for the electricity system. The use of hydrogen can also contribute to the decarbonisation of industrial sectors such as chemicals, steel production, heavy industry, and long-distance transports. In Italy, a significant growth in wind and photovoltaic production is already foreseen by 2030. After that date, a wide deployment of offshore wind is expected with a significant decrease in cost. In a medium-long term scenario, with the massive expansion of renewable energy systems and the growing demand for hydrogen across multiple sectors, it is conceivable that some large-scale offshore wind farms (OWFs) could be exclusively dedicated to on-site green hydrogen production, thereby mitigating the impact on the electrical grid and simultaneously increasing hydrogen availability. This study reports the methods, assumptions, and results of a technical–economic analysis carried out for green hydrogen production from dedicated OWFs in two Italian offshore sites, one in Sicily and one in the Adriatic Sea. Despite the high uncertainty associated with carrying out this type of assessment for emerging technologies, the levelized costs obtained for dedicated offshore wind energy (approximately 70–80 EUR/MWh) and green hydrogen (approximately 5–6 EUR/kg) are in line with corresponding sector studies. Moreover, the simplified methodological approach developed is useful to analyse and compare other marine areas and different system configurations. Full article

Green hydrogen plays a vital role in facilitating the transition to sustainable energy systems, with stable and high-capacity offshore wind resources serving as an ideal candidate for large-scale green hydrogen production. However, as the capacity of offshore wind turbines continues to grow, the increasing size and weight of these systems pose significant challenges for installation and deployment. This study investigates the application of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials in the generator and the power conducting cables as a promising solution to these challenges. Compared to conventional wind turbines, HTS wind turbines result in significant reductions in weight and size while simultaneously enhancing power generation and transmission efficiency. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of mainstream electrolysis-based hydrogen production technologies and advanced hydrogen storage methods. The main contribution of this research is the development of an innovative conceptual framework for a superconducting offshore wind-to-hydrogen energy system, where a small amount of liquid hydrogen is used to provide a deep-cooling environment for the HTS wind turbine and the remaining liquid hydrogen is used for the synthesis of ammonia as a final product. Through functional analysis, this study demonstrates its potential for enabling large-scale offshore hydrogen production and storage. Additionally, this paper discusses key challenges associated with real-world implementation, including optimizing the stability of superconducting equipment and ensuring component coordination. The findings offer crucial insights for advancing the offshore green hydrogen sector, showing that HTS technology can significantly enhance the energy efficiency of offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems. This research provides strong technical support for achieving carbon neutrality and fostering sustainable development in the offshore renewable energy sector. Full article

The transition to a low-carbon future necessitates innovative approaches to renewable energy deployment, particularly in the marine environment, where abundant resources remain underutilized. This paper explores the potential of hybrid renewable energy systems and green hydrogen production to address the energy challenges faced by Very Small Islands (VSIs). These islands heavily rely on imported fossil fuels, making them vulnerable to global price fluctuations and contributing to economic instability and environmental degradation. Offshore floating platforms present a transformative opportunity by harnessing marine renewable resources, integrating wind, solar, and wave energy to maximize energy production while minimizing land use conflicts. Green hydrogen, produced through the electrolysis of seawater, powered by these renewable sources, offers a sustainable alternative for decarbonizing transportation, particularly in the maritime sector. The study aims to assess the feasibility of converting small conventional passenger vessels to hydrogen propulsion and evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental impacts of deploying offshore platforms for hydrogen production. By examining these aspects, this research contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable energy solutions for island communities and provides actionable insights into implementing renewable hydrogen-based maritime transport. Full article

The coupling of offshore wind energy with hydrogen production involves complex energy flow dynamics and management challenges. This study explores the production of hydrogen through a PEM electrolyzer powered by offshore wind farms and Lithium-ion batteries. A digital twin is developed in Python with the aim of supporting the sizing and carrying out a techno-economic analysis. A controller is designed to manage energy flows on an hourly basis. Three scenarios are analyzed by fixing the electrolyzer capacity to meet a steel plant’s hydrogen demand while exploring different wind farm configurations where the electrolyzer capacity represents 40%, 60%, and 80% of the wind farm. The layout is optimized to account for the turbine wake. Results reveal that when the electrolyzer capacity is 80% of the wind farm, a better energy balance is achieved, with 87.5% of the wind production consumed by the electrolyzer. In all scenarios, the energy stored is less than 5%, highlighting its limitation as a storage solution in this application. LCOE and LCOH differ minimally between scenarios. Saved emissions from wind power reach 268 ${\mathrm{kton}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2}$/year while those from hydrogen production amount to 520 ${\mathrm{kton}}_{{\mathrm{CO}}_2}$/year, underlying the importance of hydrogen in hard-to-abate sectors. Full article

In order to solve the problem of large-scale offshore wind power consumption, the development of an offshore wind power hydrogen supply chain has become one of the trends. In this study, 10 feasible options are proposed to investigate the economics of an offshore wind hydrogen supply chain for offshore hydrogen refueling station consumption from three aspects: offshore wind hydrogen production, storage and transportation, and application. The study adopts a levelized cost analysis method to measure the current and future costs of the hydrogen supply chain. It analyses the suitable transport modes for delivering hydrogen to offshore hydrogen refueling stations at different scales and distances, as well as the profitability of offshore hydrogen refueling stations. The study draws the following key conclusions: (1) the current centralised wind power hydrogen production method is economically superior to the distributed method; (2) gas-hydrogen storage and transportation is still the most economical method at the current time, with a cost of CNY 32.14/kg, which decreases to CNY 13.52/kg in 2037, on a par with the cost of coal-based hydrogen production using carbon capture technology; and (3) at the boundaries of an operating load factor of 70% and a selling price of CNY 25/kg, the offshore hydrogen refueling station. The internal rate of return (IRR) is 21%, showing good profitability; (4) In terms of the choice of transport mode for supplying hydrogen to the offshore hydrogen refueling station, gas-hydrogen ships and pipeline transport will mainly be used in the near future, while liquid organic hydrogen carriers and synthetic ammonia ships can be considered in the medium to long term. Full article