Buoyant energy - balancing wind power and other renewable in Europe's oceans

Abstract

Buoyant Energy is a new approach to store electrical energy offshore and at a decentralised location, based on the well established technologies of pumped-storage hydro-power. The following work focuses on the basic concept and discusses some of the key features addressed. The unique adaptability and important synergies with other offshore activities are discussed. A basic cost assessment estimates the life cycle costs in order to demonstrate the economic feasibility. Finally, a case study evaluates the effects of integrating deep offshore wind balanced by Buoyant Energy units in a central Mediterranean archipelago ́s electricity generating system.