Review of Offshore Superconducting Wind Power Generation for Hydrogen Production

Cheng Zhang, Liufei Shen, Xingzheng Wu, Feiyue Shan, Long Chen, Shuai Liu, Zhiqiang Zheng, Litong Zhu, Jinduo Wang and Yujia Zhai ()
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Cheng Zhang: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Liufei Shen: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Xingzheng Wu: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Feiyue Shan: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Long Chen: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Shuai Liu: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Zhiqiang Zheng: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Litong Zhu: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Jinduo Wang: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Yujia Zhai: College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 8, 1-23

Abstract: Green hydrogen plays a vital role in facilitating the transition to sustainable energy systems, with stable and high-capacity offshore wind resources serving as an ideal candidate for large-scale green hydrogen production. However, as the capacity of offshore wind turbines continues to grow, the increasing size and weight of these systems pose significant challenges for installation and deployment. This study investigates the application of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) materials in the generator and the power conducting cables as a promising solution to these challenges. Compared to conventional wind turbines, HTS wind turbines result in significant reductions in weight and size while simultaneously enhancing power generation and transmission efficiency. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of mainstream electrolysis-based hydrogen production technologies and advanced hydrogen storage methods. The main contribution of this research is the development of an innovative conceptual framework for a superconducting offshore wind-to-hydrogen energy system, where a small amount of liquid hydrogen is used to provide a deep-cooling environment for the HTS wind turbine and the remaining liquid hydrogen is used for the synthesis of ammonia as a final product. Through functional analysis, this study demonstrates its potential for enabling large-scale offshore hydrogen production and storage. Additionally, this paper discusses key challenges associated with real-world implementation, including optimizing the stability of superconducting equipment and ensuring component coordination. The findings offer crucial insights for advancing the offshore green hydrogen sector, showing that HTS technology can significantly enhance the energy efficiency of offshore wind-to-hydrogen systems. This research provides strong technical support for achieving carbon neutrality and fostering sustainable development in the offshore renewable energy sector.

Keywords: offshore wind power; HTS wind turbines; hydrogen production; hydrogen storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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