They should use the power to disassociate sea water into hydrogen, store it, then have a barge come by and collect it. See the "Sea change" ferry project by the SF port for inspiration.
Weird that this got down voted, what for?
Weird that this got down voted, what for?
I suspect it's because people get a bit tired of every article on infrastructure challenges getting responses along the lines of "They should just do this thing that I just read about that sounds really cool!"
Chances are that the possibility occurred to at least one of the numerous technical experts and professional engineers involved in the project, and there's a reason that's not the favored approach.
Sometimes it's because the linked idea has other complications that aren't actually that much easier to solve than the present complications (hydrogen is notoriously difficult to store, because it's so dang small, and it's pretty volatile too), and sometimes it's because a super cool emerging technology that might become the standard for the future isn't actually ready for large-scale deployment, because people literally just figured out how to make it work (why don't people simply have large batteries in every home to balance out grid loads? It seems like a really good idea!).
Sometimes problems are hard, and as smart as I'm sure you are, I don't know that you're smarter than everyone involved in this project combined.
I did not imply any of that in my comment. I also did not violate any HN guidelines that I'm aware of. You are assuming I'm a bunch of things I'm not, and then acting accordingly. I don't think that's fair.
My comment was applying a classic problem solving technique of combining two problems into one symbiotic solution. Things like using waste heat from industrial processes to heat offices, etc. Check out TRIZ
I am not just some random idiot on reddit, I have deep experience here. I don't really feel the need to explain why or how.
You're also a student. If you're a student and already "very tired " of people (experts, I'm actually an expert in this situation) proposing solutions on a tech chat website. I don't really follow why? Are you an expert in this field? Who are you to judge that this idea came from someone who isnt?
The amount of downvotes shows that it's a common sentiment and this reply is pretty childish I think.
2, 2 downvotes?
Getting outside ideas, outside blood into these kinds of projects is exactly what moves us forward.
I'm a engineer, I've been designing large complex systems for 2 decades and I always welcome and even encourage outside perspectives and folks from other industries lending their advice.
I was just chatting with the head of a robotics automation startup who found some great synergies in the cabinet making industry.
It sounds like you are just tired. It doesn't matter much what your tired of, it sounds like you are tired of all new ideas unless they come from the same old places. That's just exclusionary.
Edit: yes here it is: https://northseawindpowerhub.eu/hydrogen-production-could-ta...
I can easily believe the piping is hideously expensive, likewise the storage, but I find it difficult to believe that the actual electrolysers themselves are expensive, given I built a small one at such a young age I’m not even sure how old I was (single digit, but apart from that, IDK).
Sticking wires in saltwater is cheap.