A Case-Study for the Reduction of CO2 Emissions in an Offshore Platform by the Exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources Through Innovative Technologies Coupled with Energy Storage

Energy storage is entering in the energy distribution supply chain due to the global goal of achieving carbon neutrality in human activities, especially those related to energy production. Renewable energies integrated with energy storage play an important role in this framework [1]. The purpose of the study is to evaluate through simulations the impact of new renewable energy technologies in a microgrid to minimize fossil fuels consumption. The case study considers a hybrid microgrid including: a gas microturbine, organic photovoltaic panels (OPV), a point absorber wave energy converter, a vanadium redox flow battery and a load. The microgrid is placed in an offshore hydrocarbon plant near the northern coast of Australia. Firstly, Australian meteorological data have been studied and three seasons identified (named ST1, ST2 and ST3). Then a correlation has been established between meteorological data and OPVs performances, analyzing data collected on OPVs panels installed. This relationship has been used to assess OPVs potential production at the site of interest. Similar correlation was made between the performances of a wave energy converter placed in the Adriatic Sea and the wave power matrix, to determine a suitable power data reference for the potential production of a wave energy converter to the Australian coast. Finally, the behavior of the microgrid was modeled. Different scenarios have been considered and the best one with optimal meteorological conditions enables lead to drastically decrease of the use of gas micro turbine resulting in lowest CO2 emissions. In fact, the consumption of natural gas has been summarized as follow: Season 1 (ST1): during this season the load is entirely fed by the renewable sources and by the battery, with consequent zeroing of the daily consumption of natural gas. Season 2(ST2): the battery is charged from 09:00am to 07:00pm with the exceeding power from the renewable sources. This configuration involves a daily natural gas consumption of 10.73 Sm3/d, which is equivalent to 987.16 Sm3/ ST2 (accounting for 92 days). Season 3(ST3): the battery is charged from 09:00am to 07:00pm with the exceeding power from the renewable sources. This configuration involves a daily natural gas consumption of 6.58 Sm3/d, which is equivalent to 1006.74 Sm3/ ST3 (accounting for 120 days). The avoided CO2 emissions are 2062 tons/year. This case study showed how the new renewable technologies, such as organic photovoltaics and wave energy converter, coupled with a long duration storage system, can be conveniently applied in sites with limited space for the decarbonization purpose of an offshore platform.