Edwin van Drunen, MD of H2SEA, was interviewed on Dutch television for the program Building the Future about the possibilities of hydrogen and how this can play an important part in the Energy Transition.
H2SEA carries out assessment on monopile based structures for hydrogen WTG
In co-operation with Delft University of Technology, H2SEA has carried out a structural assessment of monopile-based support structures for offshore hydrogen WTG’s (Wind Turbine Generators).
One of the main questions during the assessment was if decentral hydrogen production on a monopile-based support structure of an offshore wind turbine would be structurally feasible.
The goal of the research was to define the differences in support structure geometry and assess the changes in the design methodology of an offshore wind turbine support structure, including a decentralized hydrogen production platform. Looking into future developments, a 15 MW reference turbine was selected for a water depth of 45 m in the F3 sector of the North Sea.
To obtain platform mass, dimensions, and rotational inertia, all required systems were selected, listed and an optimised platform layout and mass estimation were made. For the design of the platform support beams, gravitational loads and extreme wind gust loads were taken into account. The selection of the support structure concept was performed using a multi-criteria analysis.
For fatigue assessment, an analytical fully dynamical model was constructed in Maple. The structure was simulated by the equations of motions, including airy wave force, rotor damping, topside and platform mass and rotational inertia, embedded length, and homogeneous soil stiffness. The Maple model was used to simulate dynamic behavior of both structures, determine first and second natural frequency, and present displacements and overturning moments in these two mode shapes.
Finally, a fatigue damage calculation including 500 combinations of wave height and period is performed, for a 25-year lifetime.
If you are considering decentral hydrogen production at sea, please contact us and we will be glad to help you with smart and well thought-out designs.
H2SEA develops hydrogen pipeline strategy for NGT & NOGAT
For pipeline system operators NGT (NoordGasTransport) and NOGAT (Northern Offshore Gas Transport), H2SEA has developed a strategy to repurpose existing offshore pipeline infrastructure for hydrogen transport to shore.
H2SEA carried out the strategy study together with the consulting firm Guidehouse. specialized a.o. in energy transition and Enersea, experts in offshore engineering.
The NGT infrastructure consists of almost 500 km of pipeline from the UK North Sea border to the Dutch reception facilities in Uithuizen, greater Eemshaven area. NOGAT owns and operates 250 km of pipeline running North to South on the North Sea, landing in Den Helder. The NOGAT infrastructure has a connection with Denmark and Germany. By joining forces, NGT and NOGAT aim to facilitate offshore hydrogen production and can achieve this by making (parts) of their own gas pipeline infrastructure ready for hydrogen transport. This while still serving existing and future gas producers.
H2SEA and Enersea investigated the phasing out of natural gas production over time and a phased reservation of pipeline sections for hydrogen transport to shore.
H2SEA’s scope was the assessment of the production phasing whereas Enersea’s specifically focused on the flow assurance and potential fatigue loading of the system which were assessed and found suitable for long-life application.
The offshore hydrogen backbone NGT and NOGAT are planning to create, can be connected to the already envisaged onshore hydrogen backbone in Eemshaven and Den Helder areas.
“Repurposing (of parts) of our combined assets has enormous environmental benefits,” says Mr Ron Hagen, Managing Director at NGT. “There is no impact on the vulnerable ecosystems of the North Sea and the Wadden Sea. The infrastructure is already positioned right in the middle of future offshore wind park areas for hydrogen.”
Mr Hans Janssen, Managing director of NOGAT continues: “Our combined infrastructure can be hydrogen-ready and operational before 2030. It can facilitate bringing hydrogen production from the already planned pilot plants of 100 MW and 500 MW by Dutch Authorities to shore. In total, both pipelines can accommodate about 10-14 GW of offshore wind and will accelerate the energy transition and contribute to achieving the climate goals.”
Visit our stand at World Hydrogen Summit Rotterdam
H2SEA will be exhibiting at the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam on 10 and 11 May. Visit our stand D05 in hall 6 and learn all about the breakthroughs we have achieved in the field of offshore hydrogen production and the demonstration projects in which we are participating.
Let’s catch up and see how we can help you with your hydrogen challenges. We serve great coffee, refreshments and tasty bites on our stand!
H2SEA achieves breakthrough in off-grid offshore hydrogen production
A key challenge in Green Offshore Hydrogen production is maintaining the stability of the power system where the Hydrogen Production System is supplied from an Offshore Wind Park without a grid connection. Future wind farms dedicated to Hydrogen Production will not have grid connections and cannot rely on the grid to provide inertia and maintain grid stability. The low-inertia grid makes the system sensitive to disturbances which may lead to instability.
H2SEA was asked by a client to develop solutions for the increasing need of offshore, off-grid system stability. Although future Wind Turbine Generators (WTG) are believed to be grid-forming, current WTG’s are not.
Three potential solutions were developed by H2SEA and have been analysed in an Electro Magnetic Transient (EMT) study together with high voltage engineering specialist Enersynt.
The preferred solution showed feasibility using conventional Wind Turbine Generators in a system with grid-forming converters and Energy Storage. Although H2SEA’s solution already works with a reduced Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the future ambition is to design without.
H2SEA and sister engineering company Enersea, will continue its own research programme and research on behalf of clients to find smart and cost-saving solutions for offshore hydrogen production.
Visit us @ Offshore Energy ‘22
H2SEA and sister company Enersea will be exhibiting together at the Offshore Energy Exhibition and Conference in the RAI in Amsterdam on 29 & 30 November.
Meet us in hall 1, booth 1.541 and we’ll be happy to update you on our hydrogen projects and initiatives.
During the past year, H2SEA has been awarded the feasibility study for the hydrogen platform concept design and engineering for the H₂opZee demonstration project. In this project H2SEA will advise on all aspects of the design considerations for electrical, processing, utilities, technical safety, structure and its effects on constructability and installation methodology.
Next to this, H2SEA has entered into an interesting partnership with a green hydrogen producer & supplier.
We would love to tell you all about it and see if we can be of assistance with your hydrogen project.
Neptune Energy and RWE award hydrogen feasibility study for platform design to H2SEA for H₂opZee
Consortium partners Neptune Energy & RWE, have awarded H2SEA the feasibility study for the hydrogen platform concept design and engineering for their H₂opZee demonstration project.
In H₂opZee, the feasibility of producing green Hydrogen at sea, powered by offshore wind is being investigated. Different scenarios for producing green hydrogen at sea will be explored, including options for transporting the green hydrogen to shore through a pipeline.
H2SEA will advise on all aspects of the design considerations for electrical, processing, utilities, technical safety, structure and its effects on constructability and installation methodology.
H2SEA’s sister company Enersea has been awarded with the pipeline concept design for the feasibility phase of this project.
More information on LinkedIn and the Neptune Energy website.
50 MW Hydrogen Platform for Wind Park
Building upon our concepts and using the latest technology selections, we have supported the buisness case with studies, design and cost estimation for hydorgen conversion in an new wind park development. The study has been completed in close cooperation with a wind park developer and a hydorgen operator early 2022.
Visit us at World Hydrogen 2022 Summit and Exhibition in Rotterdam NL
Our first activities were initiated over two years ago and now we are proud to be represented at the first exhibition. Please visit us at the World Hydrogen 2022 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The Summit and Exhibition is organised in the Ahoy buildings located on the Ahoyweg 10 in Rotterdam.