Abstract
This article introduces to the idea to deploy offshore power hub platforms with connected floating wind turbines, including short-term (battery) energy storage on the platform and long-term (hydrogen) energy storage located subsea. These energy hubs can provide low-carbon heat and electric power to offshore off-grid customers, which as of today are clusters of offshore oil&gas production facilities, but they might in the future as well serve other offshore customers like deep sea mining facilities and offshore charging and/or hydrogen supply stations for electric vessels. Such a hub approach can significantly reduce the emissions offshore, as it can replace today's fossil-fuel-based gas turbines. In the light of the tremendous plans for offshore wind power in Europe, it can also help to avoid electric transmission system investments and transmission losses if a part of the offshore wind power is used locally. In addition, it can provide a great arena for the floating wind power industry to mature, where it does not need to compete with bottom-fixed wind turbines (due to deep waters) and where a local market with higher electricity prices can be accessed.