GB2401406A

GB2401406A - Hydroelectric power generator with underground turbine hall fed from bore hole

Info

Publication number: GB2401406A
Application number: GB0310534A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Freel Stevenson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-08
Filing date: 2003-05-08
Publication date: 2004-11-10
Also published as: GB0310534D0

Abstract

A hydroelectric power generator comprises an underground turbine hall with turbine/generator S07, which is fed by water from a water source above via a drilled bore hole. The system includes valves S02, S04 between the water source, cased bore hole S03 and turbine feed line S05, as well as regulator S06 and surface access tunnel for the turbine hall. Power is fed to the national grid via substation S10.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Subterranean Ocean Acquired Hydroelectric Power (SOAHP) This process relates to the production of electricity by using the natural forces contained within any ocean.

The process is similar to existing electricity generating methods. The existing methods however, are limited by location, site selection, environmental restrictions, capital expenditure and various technical challenges.

Conventional Hydroelectric power generating stations are dependent upon a volume of water falling from a set height (the head) on to the blades of a turbine, which rotate the generator to produce electricity. This can also be achieved on a smaller scale, by "Run of River" installations, which utilise water wheels to achieve the same results.

The SOAHP process utilises various elements of the Hydroelectric method, however, the main advantage is the constant supply of a head of water, which can be varied according to the design requirements.

In addition, the SOAHP process employs proven (and adapted) technology from other industries that make the process practical, and available within relatively short time periods.

Refer to attached drawing "Sheet Of 1" for the following technical description.

The diagram represents a section (cut) through the land, ocean and subsurface below.

The letters and numbers are references to the descriptive text, and beginning on the surface of the ocean S01 Illustrates a standard, offshore semi submersible, oil exploration drilling rig. (The Rig) The Rig is designed to drill holes in the earth, (from the surface of the ocean) whilst anchored to the seabed. The hole is drilled through the valve S02, to a pre-designed diameter and depth. The hole is cased with tubular steel, which is cemented in position using existing processes and methods from other applications. S03 represents the "cased hole" section through the subsurface layer.

The valve S04 serves the same purpose as S03, only this time at the seawater inlet to the Subterranean Turbine Hall. The cased hole is then converted to the dual cased turbine feed line S05 and associated control valves, governor and regulators S06.

The combined turbine/generator S07 produces high voltage (grid transmission level) AC electricity, to pre-designed capacities, which is then fed through the control switchgear See, and carried to the surface sub station S10 via cables S09: From here the power is fed into the national grid transmission system.

The Surface Access Tunnel, and Subterranean Turbine Hall present mining and civil engineering challenges that already have known solutions. The convergence, depth and gradient of the installation will be pre-designed, as will the valves, turbines and generators.

The installed capacity of "Water to Wire" units is realistically unlimited, as the inlet cased holes can be arranged and drilled to suit the pre-designed requirements.

1. A method of providing Hydroelectric Power without the use of a Dam, Mountain, Elevated Terrestrial Location or River.

2. The production of electrical energy, power and electricity as in claim 1, without the use of pumped i storage elevated dam systems.

3. The provisions of Claim 1 using the natural energy of the oceans without aid from wind, wave or currents.

4. The process as described in the attached drawings and description, utilising proven oilfield technology and equipment in reverse. Such as BOP valves and Cased Holes.

5. The name of the sub surface power station as a Subterranean Ocean Acquired Hydroelectric Power Station.

6. The access tunnel and subterranean turbine hall to house and access all the equipment and systems to provide the claim in claims.

Claims

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

Subterranean Ocean Acquired Hydroelectric Power (SOAHP I Claim 1. A method of providing Hydroelectric Power without the use of a Dam, Mountain, Elevated Terrestrial Location or River, or any other artificial source of primary water storage, and comprising of a turbine, a turbine hall located under the sea bed at some distance from the land, in the region of existing coastal power stations, a hole drilled through the ocean floor and into the turbine hall at some depth below, the hole to be lined with steel tubing known as the casing, (cased hole), cemented in place, and a specialised pressure control valve fitted on the said casing at the sea bed and a similar valve fitted on the opposite end of the casing, at the entrance of the subterranean turbine hall located directly below at some depth, a pumped return system for the tail race or discharged waler from the turbine, and electrical cables to carry the power to the surface through the access tunnel and connect to the main electrical grid network.
2. The production of electrical energy power and electricity as in claim 1, by placing turbines in a turbine hall, constructed under ground and under the ocean floor, located at a distance and depth offshore away from the land, accessed by a tunnel from the land, commencing near the vicinity of existing coastal power stations.
3. The production of electrical energy, power and electricity as in claim land 2, by locating turbines in line with the vertical flow of water through the cased hole described in 1 above and in the accompanying drawings, on to the blades of the vertically mounted turbine located in the subterranean turbine hall, thereby applying rotational torque and force to the turbine blades, creating enough force to drive a coupled electrical generator.
4. The provisions of all the previous Claims using the natural energy of the oceans without aid from the wind, waves or ocean currents, the flow (head) of water being introduced and controlled by specialised pressure control valves situated on both ends of the cased hole, the opening of which will cause the seawater above to flow into the cased hole, and down into the turbine inlet supply piping and onto the rotating blades (vanes).
5. The provisions of all the previous claims above using the process as described in the attached drawings and description, using an offshore drilling rig to drill, case and cement the hole, and install the specialised pressure control valve on the sea bed.
6. The provisions of all the previous claims above, whereby the location of the drilled and cased hole shal] intersect the location of the turbine hall and turbines, by using 'measurement while drilling' techniques and global satellite positioning surveys.
7. The provisions of all the previous claims above by using an access tunnel commencing on the land and, mined under the sea and outwards away from the land to an area to be constructed and described as the subterranean turbine hall, which will house and give access to all the equipment and systems necessary to meet these claims.
8. The provisions of all the previous claims above to be known as Subterranean Ocean Acquired Hydroelectric Power Station.