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Review of Offshore Superconducting Wind Power Generation for Hydrogen Production

Author

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  • Cheng Zhang

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Liufei Shen

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Xingzheng Wu

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Feiyue Shan

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Long Chen

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Shuai Liu

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Zhiqiang Zheng

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Litong Zhu

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Jinduo Wang

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China)

  • Yujia Zhai

    (College of Electrical and Information Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
    Engineering Research Center of Power Transmission and Transformation Technology, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, China
    Institute of Electrical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng Zhang & Liufei Shen & Xingzheng Wu & Feiyue Shan & Long Chen & Shuai Liu & Zhiqiang Zheng & Litong Zhu & Jinduo Wang & Yujia Zhai, 2025. "Review of Offshore Superconducting Wind Power Generation for Hydrogen Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:1889-:d:1630355
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sun, Yanwei & Ai, Hongying & Li, Ying & Wang, Run & Ma, Renfeng, 2024. "Data-driven large-scale spatial planning framework for determining size and location of offshore wind energy development: A case study of China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 367(C).
    2. Barter, Garrett E. & Sethuraman, Latha & Bortolotti, Pietro & Keller, Jonathan & Torrey, David A., 2023. "Beyond 15 MW: A cost of energy perspective on the next generation of drivetrain technologies for offshore wind turbines," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 344(C).
    3. Jiaxin Guo & Yao Zheng & Zhenpeng Hu & Caiyan Zheng & Jing Mao & Kun Du & Mietek Jaroniec & Shi-Zhang Qiao & Tao Ling, 2023. "Direct seawater electrolysis by adjusting the local reaction environment of a catalyst," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(3), pages 264-272, March.
    4. Adrian Odenweller & Falko Ueckerdt & Gregory F. Nemet & Miha Jensterle & Gunnar Luderer, 2022. "Probabilistic feasibility space of scaling up green hydrogen supply," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 7(9), pages 854-865, September.
    5. Muhammad Aziz & Agung Tri Wijayanta & Asep Bayu Dani Nandiyanto, 2020. "Ammonia as Effective Hydrogen Storage: A Review on Production, Storage and Utilization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-25, June.
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