Ampair’s development crew say containerPod, a turn-key power package, includes wind generators, PV arrays, and a back-up diesel generator to ‘rescue’ the system should there be a prolonged bout of poor renewable-generation weather.
UK based Ampair, a small wind-turbine manufacturer, has launched the containerPod range of power devices intended to provide platform power for offshore wind measurements. “Onshore heated met-masts and Lidar installations use some 50 to 200W, and to date we have been able to power these with existing equipment,” says Ampair’s Jeremy Davies. “However, in offshore installations, loads are typically 400W at a minimum, reaching to well over 1kW for periods. The reason for the higher loads is the requirement to power essential navigation lighting and communications equipment on the same platform with the simultaneous use of traditional met-mast and Lidar measurement devices.”
Ampair’s OF4000 containerPod unit is a turn-key power package that includes wind generators, PV arrays, and a back-up diesel generator to ‘rescue’ the system should there be a prolonged bout of poor renewable-generation weather.
The OF4000 powers continuous loads up to 850W for 12 months without need for a support vessel to refuel the unit. “After simulations, we could see that a purely renewable solution just didn’t add up because it required much larger battery banks, larger wind-turbine arrays, and larger solar arrays. These carry a high price, weight, and deck-space premium. From the model, we could see the best efficiency came from a small dc diesel generator that may run 50 to 100 hours a year. By keeping the generator run time low, we still deliver the low-to-no maintenance benefit of a purely renewable-based system, but we can supply power year round in a more cost and size effective package”.
ContainerPod includes a variety of ideas that minimise platform size. For example, a through-deck turbine pole which allows lowering the Ampair 600 wind turbine to chest height. “The system can be configured to power all required loads on a met platform in one single containerised package with the added benefit of providing additional internal real estate for electrical panels,” says Ampair’s David Sharman.
Ampair
www.ampair.com
Filed Under: Energy storage, News, Offshore wind
