Energy storage, engineered for offshore
A modular system combining efficient near-isothermal conversion, independently scalable power and capacity, and a long, predictable lifetime without cycling degradation, using the ocean as a natural heat sink while keeping seawater outside the system.
Discover 5 key reasons to store energy offshore
Co-located offshore storage optimises energy behind the meter, uses offshore space efficiently, eases grid landing constraints, reduces curtailment and harnesses the ocean as a natural heat sink.
1
Behind-the-Meter Optimisation
By placing energy storage systems offshore, behind the metering point, wind farms can optimize the timing and market for selling energy. This setup allows for strategic decisions on when and where to sell energy, maximizing revenue streams.
Additionally, co-located storage enables wind farms to participate in different markets, enhancing their overall market flexibility and profitability by 10-30%, which was confirmed in a FLASC and Siemens Energy market study [1].
2
Offshore Multi-Use
Storing energy offshore supports the concept of multi-use, allowing for the integration of additional technologies and activities within the same space as the wind farm. This can include floating solar, wave energy, hydrogen production, or even aquaculture. Such multi-use approaches make more efficient use of the ocean space, which is increasingly becoming a regulatory requirement, as seen in the upcoming Dutch offshore wind tenders [2].
FLASC is actively exploring this concept in the Offshore4Sure project.
3
Minimise Impact At Landing Point
Developing large energy storage systems onshore, at the cable landing point, can be challenging due to space constraints in congested areas (e.g. Port of Rotterdam) or environmental concerns in pristine locations.
By storing energy offshore, these challenges are avoided, optimising power delivery at the generation site and easing integration into the onshore grid without the need for additional onshore infrastructure at the cable landing points [3].
4
Reduce Curtailment
Offshore energy storage helps reducing curtailment, which occurs when the onshore grid cannot receive power from offshore due to constraints.
By storing energy offshore, wind farms can continue generating power even when the onshore grid is congested, storing the excess energy and delivering it when the grid can accommodate it. This ensures continuous operation and reduces wasted energy [4].
5
The Ocean as an Ally
The marine environment offers unique advantages for energy storage technologies. For instance, the ocean can be used as a heat sink, improving the efficiency of processes like compression and expansion in energy storage systems.
This natural feature can enhance the performance and efficiency of offshore energy storage compared to land-based systems which was verified in the FLASC prototyping process [5].