Our Technology
MAETEC has developed a floating ocean wind turbine that captures and stores wind energy. Unlike conventional wind turbines, MAETEC has utilized hydrogen as an energy carrier and a means of energy storage. This is achieved by integrating several technologies to convert the wind into hydrogen gas as a source of fuel. The wind turbine to hydrogen concept has also been researched at the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL). To date, no other integrated system exists that can effectively accomplish producing a high yield of hydrogen gas at a low cost. MAETEC Engineering has designed and developed exactly such a system, the MAETEC Ocean Energy Capture System. The system's integrated technology and ability to store energy makes it unique. Initial tests indicate that it will outperform existing wind turbine systems at a much lower cost. In addition, the energy storage components of the system offer a cost effective alternative "battery" for other renewable energy technologies. This represents an additional market opportunity for MAETEC from the same technology base.
How it works
The Ocean Energy Capture System (OECS) captures and converts wind energy into electricity for water electrolysis. Electrolysis separates the constituent parts of water into hydrogen and oxygen according to the chemical formula: 2H2O -> 2H2 + O2. The hydrogen and oxygen are collected in gas chambers inside the buoy and transferred to shore via pipeline for consumption on land. Once on land, the stored hydrogen can be used to generate electricity on demand, or it can be distributed for clean transportation fuel or industrial gas applications. Both offer viable market and revenue opportunities for MAETEC.
There are five main components of the OECS: the Wind Turbine, the Floating Buoy, the Electrolyzer, the Gas Transfer System, and the Shore Energy Delivery Equipment.
1. Wind Turbine
MAETEC's wind turbine is an innovative approach in capturing wind energy. The turbine is specifically designed to be mounted on a floating buoy and addresses the mechanical and corrosive challenges at sea. The eight-bladed design is 118 feet in diameter, 12 feet wide, and is made from composite materials to ensure durability in the marine environment. The MAETEC wind turbine design is also unique because it utilizes a specialized drive system designed to withstand the harsh sea conditions. The turbine is directly connected to a commercially available marine generator unit, located in the ballast of the floating buoy.
2. Floating Buoy
The floating buoy provides the platform and houses the technology components for wind turbine and marine generator, the electrolyzer and buoy gas chambers. Comprised of composite materials, the floating buoy is suited for the corrosive marine environment. The 14 foot diameter tank exceeds 100 feet in length and is heavily ballasted with approximately 70 tons to remain upright during operational wind speeds; similar to a sailing ship with a very deep keel. The floating design is advantageous because it allows the buoy to be placed further off-shore where wind speeds are stronger and more sustained than land based or shallow water counterparts. This also allows the buoy to be placed beyond the horizon where it will not interfere with the pristine beauty of coastal areas. Furthermore, buoys placed at sea will preserve valuable real estate. The buoy component of the OECS is 260 feet in height, top of turbine to bottom of buoy. The buoy is designed for protection against extreme storm surges, as it can be submerged during typhoon strength winds and refloated using technology similar to that employed by submarines. The buoy must operate at a minimum depth of 300 feet, because of the need for submersion. Finally, the buoy is tethered to a helical pier anchor system that is embedded into the sea floor. The buoy is free to move about and will rotate to always face the wind directly, but will not wander from its permanent mooring. This design eliminates the need for a complicated rotating axis on the turbine head as found on the standard fixed mast systems. The design also allows for far greater torque loads from an eight-blade arrangement than the tradition three-blade systems.
3. Electrolyzer
The electrolyzer is located inside the ballast of the buoy and uses the electrical current generated by the wind turbine unit to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. MAETEC's unique approach to the electrolyzer design focuses on reliability and robustness for operation in harsh marine conditions. MAETEC's engineering iteratively improved their unique design through intensive prototyping and re-engineering with a constant focus on improved efficiencies, simplicity of design and cost effectiveness. As a result, MAETEC has developed a unique, cost effective and highly efficient electrolyzer. MAETEC is actively filing patents for its electrolyzer design.
4. Gas Transport System
Hydrogen and oxygen gases, produced by the electrolyzer inside the buoy, are collected in the buoy's gas chambers and transported to shore via high density polyethylene (HDPE) piping at pressures naturally created during the production process. The technology is similar to gas lines, employed by the oil and gas industry, for transporting natural gas produced at offshore production facilities. The system is weighted to the sea bed with concrete anchors.
5. Shore Energy Delivery System
Once the hydrogen and oxygen gases have been piped to shore, a shore station with a generator can then convert the hydrogen and oxygen into electricity. This electrical power generation can be achieved by using an internal combustion engine coupled to an alternator (similar to a diesel powered generator) or by using a hydrogen fuel cell. The fuel cell operates in reverse of the electrolyzer by recombining hydrogen and oxygen to produce water and a direct electrical current. The fuel cell can be tied to existing power grids through readily available switch gear. MAETEC is currently developing its own robust and cost effective hydrogen fuel cell utilizing many of the design principles derived from its electrolyzer. In the interim, MAETEC has partnered with a Singapore firm, ZECA Powers, to initially supply us with fuel cells needed for electrical power production.