Objectives: The main objective of ELOGOW is to combine recent developments in OWT technology, batteries and hydrogen-based energy storage/conversion systems, and to address one of the most pressing problems of O&G production facilities by reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to the levels ambitiously stated in the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Secondary objectives: 1. An effective offshore wind turbine substructure system with modular energy storage/conversion system for continuous electricity supply to O&G installations. 2. Develop a best-suited battery and hydrogen-based storage / fuel cell system for offshore environment on the Norwegian continental shelf. 3. Develop fast, reliable and robust predictive tools to ensure steady and stable power flow to platforms
Background: Oil and gas (O&G) extraction facilities on the Norwegian continental shelf (NCS) are the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Norway after transport. These facilities are responsible for approximately 27% of the total emission in Norway. Gas turbines are responsible for 66% of this high emissions. To meet Norway's goal to reduce CO2 emissions caused by O&G production on the NCS by at least 2.5 million tons per year from 2030 it is mandatory to reduce, or eliminate, our dependence on the gas turbines by electrification of the O&G platforms.
The most promising approach in electrification efforts is to utilise offshore wind turbines (OWT) and provide the power required for continued operations by converting the vast amount of available wind potential in the offshore environment to electricity. Even though the direct combination of wind turbines and gas turbines (i.e. Hywind Tampen) can provide a steady energy delivery to O&G platforms with reduced gas turbine use, the amount of emission reduction is very limited since such an energy system will require keeping the gas turbines running at idle state almost all the time. When idle, gas turbines continue producing excessive amount of CO2, CO, NOx and other hydrocarbons due to operation in off-design conditions.
ELOGOW combines recent advancements in offshore wind turbine technology, batteries and energy storage/conversion systems to minimise the dependence on gas turbines and only allow them to operate in ?shut down ? start on the fly? mode instead of idle. The project will carry out detailed feasibility studies on each energy source, develop a system simulation model of a typical offshore installation electrified with wind and energy storage/conversion, and develop an autonomous controller and energy management system. ELOGOW will complete concept designs of cost minimised systems to reduce CO2 emissions from gas turbines by 60, 70, 80 and 95%.
Owner of the project: IFE
Participants: IFE, UiO, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre AS, Equinor Energy AS, ConocoPhilips Skandinavia AS, Aibel AS, Energy Valley
Participants from UiO: Paal Engelstad and Lars Bentsen
Financing: Financial support was kindly provided by the Research Council of Norway through the research project ELOGOW (no. 308838)
