BACKGROUND

The shipping industry is moving towards greener solutions and exploiting emerging technologies in order to improve the overall efficiency of the vessels and to reduce pollution. Vessels using alternative propulsion systems, such as electric vessels and hybrid vessels, are constantly being developed by the industry. However, batteries required to store, for example, electrical energy for use by the vessels require a lot of space, and also provide very limited operating range with a single charge.

Further, marine pollution and rapid development and decrease in cost of renewable energy are growing interests in the use of alternative energy sources to power vessels. However, vessels may need to travel long distances with no possibilities of refueling or charging their energy storages. In addition, the cost of batteries and the space they require onboard to provide a decent operating range slows down the deployment of renewable energy in the marine industry.

Thus, it would be beneficial to alleviate at least some of these drawbacks.

SUMMARY

According to at least some of the aspects, a solution is provided that enables supplementing energy storages of moving vessels with an autonomous barge without a need for the moving vessel to stop onshore. Further, according to at least some of the aspects, a solution is provided that enables vessels to supplement their energy storages during their voyage, for example, in the middle of an ocean. The solution is beneficial, for example, for vessels using alternative propulsion systems, because the size of their energy storages may be scaled smaller since the energy storages may be supplemented during a voyage. The alternative propulsion systems may be based on, for example, electricity or hydrogen .

According to a first aspect, there is provided an autonomous barge for supplementing a first energy storage of a moving vessel. The autonomous barge comprises a second energy storage configured to store energy; moving means configured to move the autonomous barge in water; location determination means configured to determine a geographical location of the autonomous barge; wireless communication means for enabling wireless data communication; a controller configured to establish, based on data exchanged via the wireless communication means, a geographical location for supplementing the first energy storage of the moving vessel from the second energy storage and to control the autonomous barge to reach the established geographical location; and energy connection means configured to connect the autonomous barge to an energy station for supplementing the second energy storage and to connect to the moving vessel at the established geographical location for supplementing the first energy storage of the moving vessel from the second energy storage.

In an embodiment, the energy connection means comprises at least one of an electric cable or a fuel hose with an attachment member. In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the autonomous barge further comprises attaching means configured to attach the autonomous barge to the vessel and/or to the energy station.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the attaching means comprises at least one of a wire, a rope or suction cups.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the controller is configured to control the autonomous barge to convoy the moving vessel by the autonomous barge when supplementing the first energy storage of the moving vessel .

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the second energy storage comprises at least one of a battery or a fuel tank.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the wireless communication means are configured to receive first data from the moving vessel and second data from the energy station, and the controller is configured to determine, based on the received first and second data and third data associated with the autonomous barge, actions for the autonomous barge for supplementing the first energy storage of the moving vessel from the second energy storage of the autonomous barge.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the first data comprises at least one of an energy level of the first energy storage, route data, speed data, the amount of needed energy, and a geographical location of the moving vessel. In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the second data comprises an energy level of a third energy storage of the energy station.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the third data comprises a geographical location of the autonomous barge and an energy level of the second energy storage of the autonomous barge.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the wireless communication means are configured to receive fourth data comprising at least one of weather data, sea traffic data and sea state data, and the controller is configured to take the fourth data into account when determining the actions for the autonomous barge.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the controller is configured to determine a time of departure and speed for the autonomous barge to reach the moving vessel to supplement the first energy storage .

According to a second aspect, there is provided an apparatus for operating at least one autonomous barge for supplementing a first energy storage of at least one moving vessel. The apparatus comprises at least one memory and at least one processing unit. The at least one memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the apparatus to receive first data from at least one moving vessel comprising the first energy storage, receive second data from at least one energy station comprising a third energy storage, receive third data from at least one autonomous barge comprising a second energy storage, determine, based on the received first, second and third data, a geographical location and actions for the at least one autonomous barge for supplementing the first energy storage of the at least one moving vessel from the second energy storage of the at least one autonomous barge at the geographical location, and instruct the at least one autonomous barge based on the determination for supplementing the first energy storage of the at least one moving vessel.

In an embodiment, the first data comprises at least one of an energy level of the first energy storage, route data, speed data, the amount of needed energy, and a geographical location of the at least one moving vessel.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the second data comprises a geographical location of the at least one energy station and an energy level of the third energy storage of the at least one energy station.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the third data comprises a geographical location of the at least one autonomous barge and an energy level of the second energy storage of the at least one autonomous barge .

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the at least one memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit, cause the apparatus to receive fourth data comprising at least one of weather data, sea traffic data and sea state data, and the controller is configured to take the fourth data into account when determining the actions for the autonomous barge, and take the fourth data into account when determining the actions for the autonomous barge.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the at least one memory stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit cause the apparatus to determine a time of departure and speed for the at least one autonomous barge to reach the at least one moving vessels to supplement the first energy storage .

According to a third aspect, there is provided an apparatus for supplementing a first energy storage of at least one moving vessel. The system comprises an energy station comprising a third energy storage, an energy generation system and an energy supply station, at least one autonomous barge of the first aspect. The energy station is configured to generate energy with the energy generation system, to store the energy in the third energy storage and to supplement the second energy storage of the at least one autonomous barge from the third energy storage via the at least one energy supply station .

In an embodiment, the third energy storage of the energy station comprises at least one of a battery or a fuel tank .

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the energy station is an offshore energy station.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the system comprises an apparatus of the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for supplementing a first energy storage of at least one moving vessel. The method comprises receiving first data from the at least one moving vessel comprising the first energy storage, receiving second data from an at least one energy station comprising a third energy storage, receiving third data from at least one autonomous barge comprising a second energy storage, determining, based on the received first, second and third data, a geographical location and actions for the at least one autonomous barge for supplementing the first energy storage of the at least one moving vessel from the second energy storage of the at least one autonomous barge at the geographical location, and instructing the at least one autonomous barge based on the determination for supplementing the first energy storage of the at least one moving vessel.

In an embodiment the first data comprises at least one of an energy level of the first energy storage, route data, speed data, the amount of needed energy, and a geographical location of the moving vessel.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the second data comprises a geographical location of the at least one energy station and an energy level of the third energy storage of the at least one energy station.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the third data comprises a geographical location of the at least one autonomous barge and an energy level of the second energy storage of the at least one autonomous barge .

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the method further comprises receiving fourth data comprising at least one of weather data, sea traffic data and sea state data, and taking the fourth data into account when determining the actions for the at least one autonomous barge.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the method further comprises determining a time of departure and speed for the at least one autonomous barge to reach the at least one moving vessel to supplement the first energy storage. According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising program code instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the method of the fourth aspect.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising a computer program comprising program code instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform the method of the fourth aspect .

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided an offshore energy station for supplementing energy storages of vessels. The offshore energy station comprises an energy generation system configured to generate energy for use by the vessels; an energy storage system configured to store the generated energy; and an energy supply station coupled to the storage system and configured to supplement the energy storages of the vessels from the energy storage of the offshore energy station.

In an embodiment, the storage system comprises at least one battery.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the at least one battery is located below the surface of water.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the energy generation system comprises at least one of solar panels, wind turbines, a wave power plant, a current power plant or a nuclear power plant. In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the energy generation system comprises a hydrogen production plant . In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the storage system comprises a fuel tank for hydrogen.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the offshore energy station is a floating energy station.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the offshore energy station is located on an island or a platform. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings :

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an autonomous barge for supplementing a first energy storage of a moving vessel.

FIG. 2A illustrates system and operation of an autonomous barge for supplementing first energy storage of a moving vessel.

FIG. 2B illustrates a system and operation of an autonomous barge for supplementing a first energy storage of a moving vessel.

FIG. 2C illustrates system and operation of an autonomous barge for supplementing first energy storage of a moving vessel. FIG. 2D illustrates system and operation of an autonomous barge for supplementing a first energy storage of a moving vessel.

FIG 2E illustrates system and operation of an autonomous barge for supplementing first energy storage of a moving vessel. FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for operating an autonomous barge for supplementing a first energy storage of a moving vessel.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for supplementing energy storages of moving vessels with at least one barge.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an offshore energy station according to an embodiment. FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an offshore energy station according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Operating ranges of vessels using emerging technologies as their power source, such as batteries or fuel cells for providing electricity to propulsion systems, are often limited. The operating range can be extended, for example, by increasing the number of batteries and their capacity. However, the batteries may be expensive and they may require a lot of space onboard. Also, in case of fuel cells are used, the fuel cells need hydrogen to produce electricity, and the insufficient hydrogen infrastructure may cause difficulties to refuel once the hydrogen tanks onboard are running out. Moreover, it is not beneficial for a vessel to stop onshore and wait for a refilling of its energy storages. The disclosed solution provides a barge or an autonomous barge for supplementing an energy storage of a moving vessel. Thus, the vessel may continue travelling on its route without the need to stop onshore. Also, emissions may be avoided, as the vessel may not have to change to using more polluting back-up power which may be of conventional or more expensive power sources.

The term "autonomous barge" used herein may refer to a barge that is able to operate autonomously in water without an onboard crew or manual remote control operation. In an embodiment, the autonomous barge can still be remotely supervised, and the control of the barge can be changed from autonomous to remote operation if a need arises.

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an autonomous barge 100 for supplementing a first energy storage of a moving vessel. The autonomous barge 100 may enable the vessel to supplement or fill its energy storage without requiring it to make a stop at an energy supply station or to switch to using alternative source of energy.

In FIG. 1, the autonomous barge 100 comprises a second energy storage 102, moving means 104, energy connection means 106, wireless communication means 110, a controller 112 and location determination means 114. The second energy storage 102 is configured to store energy and it may comprise, for example, one or more batteries and/or one or more fuel tanks. The battery may be configured to store electrical energy. The fuel tank may store hydrogen or conventional fuels, such as ethanol.

The moving means 104 are configured to move the autonomous barge 100 in water. The moving means 104 may refer to an electric propulsion system or alternatively and additionally to a conventional propulsion system. The autonomous barge 100 may also use the energy stored in its energy storage 102 to power its own operations in order to move the autonomous barge 100 in water.

The location determination means 114 are configured to determine a geographical location of the autonomous barge 100. The location determination means 114 may comprise, for example, one or more satellite position system receivers, for example, the Global Positioning System (GPS), Glonass, Galileo etc.

The wireless communication means 110 enable wireless data communication to/from the autonomous barge 100. The wireless communication means 110 may communicate with or provide a connection to, for example, moving vessels, energy stations, a meteorological service, a cloud service, an onshore operator, Internet and/or any other system or network providing data to the autonomous barge 100 or obtaining data from the autonomous barge 100. The wireless communication means 110 may comprise at least one of a short range and/or a long-range transceiver, for example, a satellite communication transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a wireless local area network (WLAN) receiver and/or a mobile communication network transceiver etc.

The autonomous barge 100 may additionally comprise, for example, an Intelligent Awareness (IA) system and an Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) . These systems may comprise a variety of sensors providing data that helps the barge to operate autonomously. For example, the IA system may fuse data from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive overview of the barge's external situation .

The controller 112 is configured to establish, based on data exchanged via the wireless communication means 110, a geographical location for supplementing the first energy storage of the moving vessel from the second energy storage 102 and to direct the autonomous barge 100 to the established geographical location. The controller 112 may comprise, for example, one or more processors or processing units configured to control operations of the autonomous barge 100.

The energy connection means 106 are configured to connect the autonomous barge 100 to an energy station for supplementing the second energy storage of the barge 100 and to connect to the moving vessel at the established geographical location for supplementing the first energy storage of the moving vessel from the second energy storage 102. The energy connection means 106 may comprise, for example, an electric cable and/or a fuel hose, depending, for example, on the form of energy in the second energy storage 102. The energy connection means 106 may further comprise one or more attachment members to connect the cable or hose to the vessel and to the energy station for receiving or supplying energy.

Further, the energy connection means 106 may comprise an automatic connection system to connect to the energy station or to the moving vessel. Further, the energy connection means 106 may comprise one or more sensors to locate correct connection points at the energy station or the moving vessel. Further, the energy connection means 106 may comprise a system for transferring the cable or hose from the autonomous barge to the moving vessel and then back to the autonomous barge 100 after the charging process is over. The autonomous barge 100 may also comprise arrangements or systems for supporting the cable or hose between the autonomous barge 100 and the vessel. In an embodiment, the autonomous barge 100 may also comprise attaching means 108 configured to attach the autonomous barge 100 to the vessel and/or to the energy station. The attaching means 108 may comprise, for example, a rope or a wire for towing the autonomous barge 100 behind the vessel or alongside the vessel. For this purpose, the autonomous barge 100 may contain, for example, an automatic rope/wire transfer equipment. The wire or rope may also be used to keep the autonomous barge 100 in place while located at the power station. The attaching means 108 may also comprise, for example, suction cups for attaching to the energy station or for attaching the autonomous barge 100 alongside the vessel. The autonomous barge 100 may also travel alongside or behind the vessel as self-propelled, using the moving means 104, thus convoying the vessel. While travelling in the convoy mode, the energy connection means 106 may be connected to the vessel without any tension, for example, using an automatic tension control in a winch. In the convoy mode, the barge may keep its position constant in relation to the vessel automatically. A Dynamic Positioning (DP) system and an Autonomous Navigation System (ANS) automatically communicate between the barge and main vessel. Both the vessel and the autonomous barge may be equipped with various sensors to enable autonomous operation.

In an embodiment, the wireless communication means 110 may be configured to receive first data from the moving vessel and second data from the energy station. The controller 112 may be configured to determine, based on the received first and second data and third data associated with the autonomous barge 100 actions for the autonomous barge 100 for supplementing the first energy storage 206 of the moving vessel 204 from the second energy storage of the autonomous barge 100. The first data may comprise, for example, at least one of an energy level of the first energy storage, route data, speed data, the amount of needed energy, and a geographical location of the moving vessel. The second data may comprise an energy level of a third energy storage of the energy station. The third data may comprise a geographical location of the autonomous barge 100 and an energy level of the second energy storage of the autonomous barge. Thus, the autonomous barge itself may be arranged to determine an optimal operation for supplementing the first energy storage of the moving vessel from the second energy storage 102.

Further, in one embodiment, the wireless communication means 110 are configured to receive fourth data comprising at least one of weather data, sea traffic data and sea state data, and the controller 112 is configured to take the fourth data into account when determining the actions for the autonomous barge 100. The controller 112 may also be configured to determine a time of departure and speed for the autonomous barge 100 to reach the moving vessel to supplement the first energy storage.

FIGS. 2A-2E illustrate a system 208 and operation of an autonomous barge 100 for supplementing first energy storages 206 of moving vessels 204.

In FIG. 2A, the system 208 comprises an energy station 200 comprising a third energy storage 202, an energy generation system 210, an energy supply station 212 and at least one autonomous barge 100. The energy station 200 is configured to generate energy with the energy generation system 210, store the generated energy in the third energy storage 202 and supplement the second energy storage 102 of the autonomous barge 100 via the energy supply station 212. The autonomous barge 100 may connect to the energy station 200 with the energy connection means 106 in order to receive energy. The autonomous barge 100 may have been moored to the energy station 200, and the autonomous barge 100 may comprise attachment means 108 to keep the autonomous barge 100 still at the energy station 200.

In some embodiments, the energy station 200 may be located offshore, for example, near sea routes. In another embodiment, it may be located onshore near sea routes. Further, the generated energy may be in the form of electrical energy and it may have been produced using, for example, solar panels, wind turbines, wave power or nuclear power. The energy sources may be also used to produce hydrogen using, for example, electrolysis or photolysis. Although the energy storages 102, 202, 206 are illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2E as batteries, they may be also fuel tanks, or any other suitable storages or solutions for storing energy.

In FIG. 2B, the autonomous barge 100 has started to move towards a moving vessel 204 to supplement the first energy storage 206 of the vessel 204 at an established geographical location. Dashed arrows in FIGS 2B-2D illustrate the direction of movement of the autonomous barge 100 and the vessel 204. The autonomous barge 100 may have received via the wireless communication means 110 first data from the vessel 204 and second data from the energy station 200. The controller (112) may be configured to determine, based on the received first and second data and third data associated with the autonomous barge 100, actions for the autonomous barge 100 for supplementing the first energy storage 206 of the moving vessel 204 from the second energy storage 102 of the autonomous barge 100.

As an example, the first data may indicate that a vessel 204 is passing nearby, or about to pass, and the vessel's 204 energy storage 206 has a low level of energy. The first data may also identify a geographical location at which the autonomous barge 100 should meet with the vessel 204. The "vessel nearby" may refer to a vessel within an operating range of the autonomous barge 100. The controller 112 arranged in the autonomous barge 100 may be configured to determine the optimum time of departure and speed for the autonomous barge 100 to reach the vessel 204 at the established geographical location. The controller 112 may also take into account data also from other data sources, for example, a meteorological service, a cloud service, an onshore operator, Internet and/or any other system or network when determining the optimum time of departure and speed for the autonomous barge 100.

Instead of the autonomous barge 100, the first, second and third data may have been received by the energy station 200. The energy station 200 may comprise a controller to determine the optimum time of departure and the speed based on the first, second and third data and the third data associated with the autonomous barge 100. The energy station 200 may then send information to the autonomous barge 100 to control the autonomous barge 100 to reach the established geographical location at a specified time.

In FIG. 2C the autonomous barge 100 has reached the moving vessel 204 at the established geographical location. The autonomous barge 100 may be connected to the moving vessel 204 with the energy connection means 106 for supplementing the first energy storage 206 of the vessel 204. The autonomous barge 100 may be also connected to the vessel 204 with attachment means 108, such as a rope, a wire or suction cups. In an example, the autonomous barge 100 may be towed behind the vessel 204 or alongside the vessel 204 using the attachment means 108. Alternatively, the autonomous barge 100 may travel behind or alongside the vessel 204 on a convoy mode using the moving means 106.

In FIG. 2D, the autonomous barge 100 has finished supplementing the first energy storage 206 of the moving vessel 204. The operation of the autonomous barge 100 may have been optimized so that the autonomous barge 100 still has enough energy left in the second energy storage 102 for its own use to return back to the energy station 200. The vessel 204 may then continue on its route. In some embodiments, the autonomous barge's 100 operation may be optimized to divide its available energy for more than one vessel before returning back to the energy station 200.

In FIG. 2E, the autonomous barge 100 has returned back to the energy station 200. The autonomous barge 100 may connect to the third energy storage 202 of the energy station 200 with the energy connection means 106 and may start receiving energy to supplement its second energy storage 102 via the energy supply station 212. Once refilled, the autonomous barge 100 may wait for a next vessel which needs supplementing of its energy storage. Alternatively, the autonomous barge 100 may be controlled to travel to a standby location that is close to one or more common sea routes.

FIG. 3 illustrates an apparatus for operating an autonomous barge 100 for supplementing a first energy storage 206 of a moving vessel 204.

The apparatus 300 comprises at least one memory 302 configured to store program instructions and at least one processing unit or processor 304 configured to execute the program instructions stored in the at least one memory 302. The at least one memory 302 stores program instructions that, when executed by the at least one processing unit 304 cause the apparatus 300 to receive first data from at least one moving vessel 204 comprising the first energy storage 206, receive second data from at least one energy station 200 comprising the third energy storage 202, receive third data from at least one autonomous barge 100 comprising the second energy storage 102, determine, based on the received first, second and third data, a geographical location and actions for the at least one autonomous barge 100 for supplementing the first energy storage 206 of the at least one moving vessel 204 from the second energy storage 102 of the autonomous barge 100 at the geographical location, and instruct the autonomous barge 100 based on the determination for supplementing the first energy storage 206 of the moving vessel 204.

In some embodiments, the first data from the at least one vessel 204 may comprise at least one of energy level of the first energy storage 202, route data, speed data, the amount of needed energy, energy storage system design, and current geographical location of the vessel. The storage system design may affect on how fast the energy storage of the vessel may be supplemented, for example, due to restrictions of supply currents.

In some embodiments, the second data may comprise a geographical location of the at least one energy station 200 and an energy level of the third energy storage 202 of the at least one energy station 200. The apparatus 300 may use the second data when determining whether the at least one autonomous barge 100 is able to supplement the second energy storage sufficiently before or after supplementing the first energy storage of the moving vessel, and how much time it takes. In some embodiments, the third data may comprise a geographical location of the at least one autonomous barge 100 and/or an energy level of the second energy storage 102 of the at least one autonomous barge 100.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 may be configured to receive data also from other data sources, such as data on weather, sea traffic and sea state, and to take this data into account when determining the actions for the autonomous barge 100. For example, if weather conditions are difficult, it may have an effect on speed and energy consumption of the autonomous barge and/or vessel .

In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 may be configured to determine an optimum operation for the at least one autonomous barge 100 to supplement the second energy storage 102 of the autonomous barge 100 from the third energy storage 202 of a nearest energy station 200 and/or an optimum time of departure, speed, and a geographical location for supplementing the first energy storage 206 of the moving vessel 204. The optimization may be determined in order to minimize time, sea voyage distance, and/or other parameters to meet certain performance indicators, such as cost, revenue, energy and customer satisfaction.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 may be configured to estimate the time it takes for the autonomous barge 100 to charge the vessel 204, the time to travel to the vessel 204 and back to the energy station 200. The estimation may take into account at least one of vessel characteristics, the amount of needed energy, weather, sea state etc. If the autonomous barge 100 does not have enough energy, it may be guided back to the energy station 200 to supplement its second energy storage 102. In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 is configured to ensure that all vessels can be sufficiently charged. If not, the apparatus 300 may then provide input how the vessels can change, for example, speed and/or route to minimize the impact from the lack of charging capacity. As an example, the apparatus 300 may be configured to guide some vessels to speed up and some to slow down to ensure that there are not too many vessels that need to be charged simultaneously. In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 may be configured to advice vessels before they leave port if there is a risk that there is not sufficient charging capacity for the vessels.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 may be configured to receive data from multiple autonomous barges 100 and possibly also from multiple energy stations 208 and determine an optimum operation for each autonomous barge 100. This way, supplementing the first energy storages of the moving vessels may be operated more efficiently and it can be ensured that the capacity provided by the autonomous barges 100 is optimally used to serve the vessels. For example, there may be multiple energy stations having multiple autonomous barges along a sea route or routes. The apparatus 300 may optimize the operation of the autonomous barges 100 to supplement the first energy storages of the moving vessels along the route at optimal locations taking account the data provided by the vessel, distances and energy levels of second energy storages of all autonomous barges, energy levels of the third energy storages 202 of the energy stations 200 and data obtained from other external data sources .

In an embodiment, the apparatus 300 may also provide instructions to vessels, for example, to change speed and/or a route to minimize an impact from a lack of energy when the autonomous barge 100 is not able to provide sufficient amount of energy to the vessel when needed, or if there are multiple vessels demanding for a refill simultaneously.

The apparatus 300 may be arranged or configured in an autonomous barge 100, an energy station 200, or in an entity communicatively connected via a communication network to the autonomous barge, the energy station and the vessel, for example, a server or a cloud entity.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method for supplementing a first energy storage of at least one moving vessels with at least one autonomous barge according to an embodiment.

At 400, first data is received from the at least one moving vessel 204 comprising a first energy storage 206. The received data from moving vessels may comprise energy levels of the first energy storages, route data, speed data, the amounts of needed energy by the moving vessels 204, storage system design data and geographical locations of the moving vessels.

At 402 second data is received from at least one energy station 200 comprising a third energy storage 202. The second data may comprise, for example, a geographical location of the at least one energy station 200 and an energy level of the third energy storage 202 of the at least one energy station 200.

At 404 third data is received from at least one autonomous barge 100 comprising a second energy storage 102. The third data may comprise a geographical location of the at least one autonomous barge 100 and an energy level of the second energy storage 102 of the at least one autonomous barge 100. At 406, based on the received data, optimum operation for the at least one autonomous barge to supplement the first energy storages of the moving vessels is determined. Determining the optimum operation may comprise determining instructions for the at least one autonomous barge to supplement the second energy storage from the third energy storage of a nearest energy station and/or optimum time of departure, speed, and a geographical location for connecting to the moving vessel to supplement the first energy storage.

At 408, the at least one autonomous barge 100 is instructed based on the determination for supplementing the first energy storage 206 of the at least one moving vessel 204.

The method illustrated above may be performed by the apparatus 300 discussed above, the autonomous barge 100, the energy station 200, or an entity communicatively connected via a communication network to the autonomous barge 100, the energy station 200 and the vessel 204, for example, a server or a cloud entity.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an offshore energy station 500 according to an embodiment.

In FIG. 5, the offshore energy station 500 comprises an energy generation system 502 configured to generate energy for use by vessels, a storage system 504 configured to store the generated energy, and an energy supply station 506 coupled to the storage system 504 and configured to supplement the energy storages of the vessels from the storage system 504 of the offshore energy station 500. The energy generation system 502 may comprise at least one of solar panels, wind turbines, a wave power plant, a current power plant, a hydrogen production plant or a nuclear power plant to generate power .

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of an offshore energy station 500 according to an embodiment.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the energy generation system 502 may comprise renewable energy sources to produce energy. The use of renewable energy sources enables generating energy locally without a need to transport fuel to the energy station. Hence the cost of energy is reduced due to the use of energy provided by the nature. The energy source may comprise, for example, at least one of solar panels, wind turbines, a wave power plant, a current power plant, a hydrogen production plant or a nuclear power plant to generate power. If multiple alternative energy generation sources are used, this enables ensuring that the storage system 504 may be supplied with energy steadily. As an example, during nights when solar panels are not producing energy, wind turbines may be operable.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the storage system 504 may comprise batteries configured to store electrical energy generated by the energy generation system 502. The batteries may form battery packs, and the battery packs may have enough capacity to fully charge an energy storage 602 of a vessel 600. In an example, the batteries may be located below the surface of water to keep the temperature low for ideal battery operation. Hence, no additional cooling system is needed .

When the vessel 600 needs to charge its energy storage 606 during a voyage, the vessel 600 may navigate to the offshore energy station 500 and recharge its energy storage 602 via an energy supply station 506. The energy supply station 506 may comprise a dock and a charging cable. The charging cable may be configured to provide current such that the vessel may fully fill its energy storage as fast as possible.

Although the example of FIG. 6 illustrates that the offshore energy station 500 provides electrical energy for use by the vessel 600, also other forms of energy may be used additionally or instead. For example, the storage system 504 may comprise a fuel tank for storing hydrogen. The hydrogen may be generated locally by the energy generation system 502 comprising a hydrogen production plant using, for example, electrolysis or photolysis. Photolysis refers to direct solar water splitting, in which light energy is used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Due to the current insufficient hydrogen infrastructure, providing offshore energy stations 500 for supplementing hydrogen tanks of, for example, hybrid vessels, may be highly valuable and increase the utilization of hydrogen as a power source in the marine industry.

In an embodiment, the offshore energy station 500 may be a floating power plant. The offshore energy station 500 may have been moored to the ocean and kept in place with anchors. Moreover, the energy station 500 may be transferable and relocatable if required.

According to another embodiment, the offshore energy station 500 may be built on an island or a platform to a suitable location, for example, near sea routes or on the coast of the main land.

The disclosed aspects and embodiments may provide at least one of the following advantages or effects. The energy cost for operating vessels may be reduced as the energy may be produced and supplied near the place of need with energy provided by the nature using, for example, renewable energy sources. Further, the vessels do not need to head to a shore in order to supplement their energy storages. Also, an investment cost of building vessels in general may be reduced. For example, a battery capacity of a vessel may be reduced when the vessel is able stop and charge its batteries during a voyage .

The exemplary embodiments and aspects of the invention can be included within any suitable device, for example, including, servers, workstations, capable of performing the processes of the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments may also store information relating to various processes described herein.

Example embodiments may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The example embodiments can store information relating to various methods described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like. One or more databases can store the information used to implement the example embodiments. The databases can be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The methods described with respect to the example embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the methods of the devices and subsystems of the example embodiments in one or more databases.

All or a portion of the example embodiments can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose processors, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the example embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and/or software art(s) . Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the example embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the software art. In addition, the example embodiments can be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art(s) .

The components of the example embodiments may include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings and for holding data structures, tables, records, and/or other data described herein. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer- readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like. While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiments may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus- function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures .

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole, in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that the disclosed aspects/embodiments may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.