Grid interactive low temperature energy storage system with waste cold recovery capability

Abstract

The energy storage system includes at least one refrigerant storage device that includes a subcooling circuit and may be configured to store a loss of evaporation or no loss of evaporation of refrigerant. The system also includes a cryogenic device configured to interact with the power source and a subcooling circuit of the at least one refrigerant storage device. The system also includes a control system configured to control interaction of the cryogenic device with the power source and the at least one refrigerant storage device. The control system is configured to control interaction of the cryogenic device with the power source and the at least one refrigerant storage device according to a plurality of operating modes, including a cooling mode, a passive storage mode, a fuel cell standby mode, and a liquefaction mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a grid-interactive cryogenic energy storage system and a cryogenic energy storage system with waste cooling recovery capability. Background Art

[0002] Typically, data centers rely on grid power to supply sufficient electricity for their operations. Data centers typically require a large amount of power to run the servers and / or other computing resources contained in the data center. Data centers also consume power for other operations, such as security equipment, emergency response equipment (e.g., fire extinguishing equipment), and / or air conditioning units (or other cooling equipment) used to keep servers and / or other computing resources at operating temperatures. Driven by the ever-increasing demand for computing resources and processes, the power footprint of data centers has steadily increased.

[0003] Data centers are often supported by backup power systems to allow data centers to continue operating in the event of grid power interruptions and / or blackouts. Commensurate with the increased data center power footprint, the deployment capacity of backup power generation also needs to increase to maintain high availability of delivered and required power.

[0004] Typically, data centers (and / or other power-intensive operations) rely on diesel generators to supply backup power when grid power is unavailable or insufficient. Diesel generators require fossil fuels to operate, have a large carbon footprint, and typically generate a large amount of undesirable noise. Diesel power generators also require regular test runs to ensure that the generators are operating properly. Grid power also requires fossil fuels to supply electricity. The use of fossil fuels to generate power is a known factor in climate change. In addition, grid power is known to fail in extreme temperatures (such as extremely high or extremely low temperatures).

[0005] Cryogenic power generation has been suggested as a potential backup power source. However, the refrigerant must be stored at very high pressures or very low temperatures to maintain the energy density of the refrigerant. In addition, there are inherent heat losses due to evaporation of the stored refrigerant due to leaks in cryogenic insulation materials. Many existing liquid refrigerant storage tanks have daily evaporation losses of approximately 0.1% to 0.5%. While these losses are low on a daily scale, backup power generation applications require storage of liquid refrigerant on a long-term scale (e.g., months to years). Losing liquid refrigerant to evaporation losses is undesirable because generating liquid refrigerant is expensive in terms of both carbon footprint and power consumption.

[0006] The subject matter disclosed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as described above. Rather, this background is merely provided to illustrate one example technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention discloses an embodiment of a grid-interactive cryogenic energy storage system with waste cold recovery capability. In some embodiments, the cryogenic energy storage system includes at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein at least one refrigerant storage device includes a subcooling loop and can be configured to store refrigerant with or without evaporation losses. The cryogenic energy storage system may additionally include a cryogenic device (cryoplant), which is configured to interact with the subcooling loop of at least one refrigerant storage device and is configured to interact with a power source. The cryogenic energy storage system may also include a control system, which is configured to control the interaction of the cryogenic device with the power source and at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the control system is configured to control the interaction of the cryogenic device with the power source and at least one refrigerant storage device according to a plurality of operating modes. The plurality of operating modes include at least: a cooling mode, a passive storage mode, a fuel cell standby mode, and a liquefaction mode.

[0008] The present invention also discloses a waste cold recovery system including at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein at least one refrigerant storage device includes a subcooling circuit and a refrigerant withdrawal port (withdrawn cryogen). The waste cold recovery system may additionally include a cryogenic device configured to interact with the subcooling circuit of at least one refrigerant storage device, and a control system configured to control the interaction between the cryogenic device and at least one refrigerant storage device. The waste cold recovery system may also include a fuel delivery path configured to extend from the refrigerant withdrawal port to one or more fuel cells, wherein the fuel delivery path is configured to interact with at least one set of thermal energy storage devices to facilitate the recovery of waste cold associated with the vaporization of the refrigerant, which is withdrawn from at least one refrigerant storage device via the refrigerant withdrawal port. In some embodiments, the cryogenic energy storage system and the waste cold recovery system are the same system.

[0009] The present invention further discloses an energy storage system including at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the at least one refrigerant storage device includes a subcooling circuit and is configurable to store refrigerant with or without evaporation losses. The energy storage system additionally includes a cryogenic device in communication with the subcooling circuit of the at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the cryogenic device is configured to interact with a power source. The energy storage system may also include a control system in communication with the cryogenic device and the power source, wherein the control system is configured to control the operation of the cryogenic device and the power source based on at least one metric in the operating cost metric to selectively activate or selectively deactivate the cryogenic device.

[0010] In some embodiments, the operating cost metric includes one or more of the cost of refrigerant, energy usage of the data center, the cost of electricity, the availability of excess electrical energy, the type of energy available, and the cost of evaporative losses. In some embodiments, the control system implements one or more of a plurality of operating modes when one or more aspects of the operating cost metric meet one or more operating thresholds.

[0011] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to serve as an indication of the scope of the claimed subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Various objects, features, characteristics, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and more easily understood from the following description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, all of which constitute a part of this specification. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals may be used to designate corresponding or similar parts in the various drawings, and the various elements depicted are not necessarily drawn to scale, wherein:

[0013] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of an example grid-interactive cryogenic energy storage system with waste cooling recovery capability is shown;

[0014] Figure 1B shows a schematic diagram of another example cryogenic energy storage system;

[0015] Figure 1C A schematic diagram showing the waste cold recovery capability of a cryogenic energy storage system;

[0016] Figure 2 An example refrigerant storage device is shown;

[0017] Figure 3 An example cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0018] Figure 4 Another example cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0019] Figure 5 An example cooling operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0020] Figure 6 An example storage operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0021] Figure 7 An example fuel cell operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0022] Figure 8An example liquefaction operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0023] Fig. 9 Another example cooling operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0024] Fig.10 Another example storage operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0025] Fig.11 Another example fuel cell operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0026] Fig.12 Another example liquefaction operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown; and

[0027] Fig.13 A flow chart depicting actions associated with a fuel cell operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown;

[0028] Fig.14 A flow chart depicting actions associated with a liquefaction mode of operation of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention discloses an embodiment of a grid-interactive cryogenic energy storage system with waste cold recovery capability. In some embodiments, the cryogenic energy storage system includes at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein at least one refrigerant storage device includes a subcooling circuit and can be configured to store refrigerant with or without evaporation losses. The cryogenic energy storage system may additionally include a cryogenic device configured to interact with the subcooling circuit of at least one refrigerant storage device and configured to interact with a power source. The cryogenic energy storage system may also include a control system configured to control the interaction of the cryogenic device with the power source and at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the control system is configured to control the interaction of the cryogenic device with the power source and at least one refrigerant storage device according to a plurality of operating modes. The plurality of operating modes include at least: a cooling mode, a passive storage mode, a fuel cell standby mode, and a liquefaction mode.

[0030] In some embodiments, the cooling mode includes or involves the interaction of the cryogenic device and at least one refrigerant storage device. The interaction may include circulating a working fluid through a subcooling circuit of the cryogenic device and at least one refrigerant storage device to facilitate cooling of the refrigerant stored in the at least one refrigerant storage device. Facilitating cooling of the stored refrigerant includes densification or subcooling of the refrigerant to store thermal energy in the at least one refrigerant storage device. Densification or subcooling of the refrigerant enables storage of the refrigerant in the at least one refrigerant storage device without evaporation losses for at least a period of time associated with the passive storage mode.

[0031] In some embodiments, the cryogenic device is not operated during the passive storage mode. In some embodiments, the fuel cell standby mode involves the interaction of at least one refrigerant storage device, the cryogenic device, and one or more fuel cells. In some embodiments, the interaction between at least one refrigerant storage device, the cryogenic device, and one or more fuel cells includes extracting refrigerant from a refrigerant retrieval port of at least one refrigerant storage device and delivering the retrieved refrigerant to one or more fuel cells. The refrigerant is delivered along a fuel delivery path that extends from the refrigerant retrieval port to the one or more fuel cells. In some embodiments, the retrieved refrigerant is vaporized along the fuel delivery path. At least some of the waste cold associated with the vaporization of the refrigerant is recovered by the cryogenic device.

[0032] In some embodiments, the liquefaction mode includes delivering a gaseous refrigerant precursor (pre-cursor) to at least one refrigerant storage device via a refrigerant inlet of the at least one refrigerant storage device. The liquefaction mode may also include circulating a working fluid through a subcooling circuit of the cryogenic device and the at least one refrigerant storage device to facilitate liquefaction of the gaseous refrigerant precursor within the at least one refrigerant storage device.

[0033] The present invention also discloses a waste cold recovery system including at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein at least one refrigerant storage device includes a subcooling circuit and a refrigerant retrieval port. The waste cold recovery system may additionally include a cryogenic device configured to interact with the subcooling circuit of at least one refrigerant storage device, and a control system configured to control the interaction between the cryogenic device and at least one refrigerant storage device. The waste cold recovery system may also include a fuel delivery path configured to extend from the refrigerant retrieval port to one or more fuel cells. The fuel delivery path is configured to interact with at least one set of thermal energy storage devices to facilitate the recovery of waste cold associated with the vaporization of the refrigerant, which is retrieved from at least one refrigerant storage device via the refrigerant retrieval port. In some embodiments, the cryogenic energy storage system and the waste cold recovery system are the same system.

[0034] In some embodiments, at least one of the thermal energy storage devices includes a plurality of elements configured to store waste cold associated with vaporization of the refrigerant. In some embodiments, at least one of the thermal energy storage devices includes one or more heat exchangers of a cryogenic device that can be configured to facilitate transfer of waste cold associated with vaporization of the refrigerant to the cryogenic device.

[0035] The present invention further discloses an energy storage system including at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the at least one refrigerant storage device includes a subcooling circuit and is configurable to store refrigerant with or without evaporation losses. The energy storage system additionally includes a cryogenic device in communication with the subcooling circuit of the at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the cryogenic device is configured to interact with a power source. The energy storage system may also include a control system in communication with the cryogenic device and the power source, wherein the control system is configured to control the operation of the cryogenic device and the power source based on at least one metric in the operating cost metric to selectively activate or selectively deactivate the cryogenic device.

[0036] In some embodiments, the operating cost metric includes one or more of the cost of refrigerant, energy usage of the data center, cost of electricity, availability of excess electrical energy, type of available energy, and cost of evaporation losses. In some embodiments, when one or more aspects of the operating cost metric meet one or more operating thresholds (e.g., when the cost of grid power is sufficiently low or negative, or when data center power usage may not meet a minimum power consumption threshold, when excess renewable energy is available, etc.), the control system implements one or more of the multiple operating modes (e.g., liquefaction mode).

[0037] Benefits, Advantages and Technical Solutions

[0038] The disclosed grid-interactive cryogenic energy storage system with waste cooling recovery capability may provide numerous benefits, advantages, and technical solutions.

[0039] Initially, at least some of the refrigerant storage devices incorporated into the cryogenic energy storage system may include a subcooling circuit to cool and / or liquefy the stored refrigerant. The subcooling circuit may be used to further thicken the stored refrigerant into ice and / or ice slush. The generation of ice and / or ice slush refrigerant may enable virtual energy storage in the form of thermal energy within the refrigerant itself, thereby increasing the overall energy storage capacity of (multiple) cryogenic energy storage systems. In some examples, refrigerant thickening may increase the capacity of the cryogenic energy storage system by approximately 7%. This increased energy storage facilitated by refrigerant thickening may enable at least some of the disclosed systems to store refrigerant for a period of time without evaporation losses or even without the operation of an active cooling system (e.g., a cryogenic device).

[0040] At least some of the disclosed cryogenic energy storage systems include an intelligent control system that can intelligently use available power and / or electricity. For example, when grid power is cheap and / or available grid power is in excess, the control system can intelligently draw power from the grid. Additionally, and / or alternatively, the control system can customize the use of grid power based on the availability of power from renewable energy sources (such as solar and / or wind power). The control system can determine which of a plurality of operating modes to implement and / or when to implement such an operating mode based on at least one operating cost metric.

[0041] In addition, the operating cost metric may include one or more of the cost of refrigerant, energy usage in the data center, the cost of electricity, the availability of excess electrical energy, the type of energy available, and the cost of evaporation losses. For example, when evaluating the cost of electricity and / or the type of energy available, the control system may intelligently include a prediction or forecasting capability. For example, the control system may access weather data and / or weather forecasts. The control system may intelligently incorporate weather data and / or weather forecasts to determine the availability of renewable energy from, for example, a solar panel system. When solar energy is available and / or plentiful, the control system may select an operating mode in an opportunistic manner, such as by overcooling the refrigerant in a manner that causes densification, or by performing refrigerant liquefaction.

[0042] In some instances, the disclosed system is connected to one or more dedicated renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind energy systems. In some implementations, the control system is configured to intelligently implement a switch from drawing grid power to drawing power from the dedicated renewable energy source. The control system can additionally or alternatively be configured to intelligently supplement the grid power with the dedicated renewable energy source based on the availability of the renewable energy source. In addition to or as an alternative to grid power, dedicated renewable power can be utilized to implement at least some of the operating modes discussed herein. By enabling the utilization of renewable energy sources, the intelligent control system can beneficially reduce carbon emissions.

[0043] The disclosed cryogenic energy storage system can also beneficially reduce the need for diesel backup power generators. Specifically, at least some of the disclosed cryogenic energy storage systems are capable of implementing multiple operating modes, such as a power backup mode. The power backup mode utilizes a fuel cell to generate the required energy. The fuel cell utilizes energy-intensive resources, such as refrigerants, rather than diesel. Incorporating a fuel cell as a power backup in the disclosed cryogenic energy storage system can beneficially enable a smooth transition to a backup power source when grid power is unavailable or suddenly becomes unavailable. Using a fuel cell as a backup power can also beneficially reduce or eliminate the noise typically associated with a diesel power generator.

[0044] The disclosed cryogenic energy storage systems can reduce the carbon emissions of, for example, data centers. Because data centers typically operate a large number of servers and may require air conditioning to maintain the appropriate temperature of the servers, data centers can easily consume a large amount of power. Because at least some disclosed cryogenic energy storage systems are able to switch between renewable energy and grid power, the carbon emissions associated with data centers can be reduced.

[0045] In addition, at least some of the disclosed cryogenic energy storage systems are capable of recovering waste cooling (discussed more fully below), which can improve operational efficiencies associated with the disclosed cryogenic energy storage systems (and / or any data center devices, such as by transferring the recovered waste cooling to server systems to improve server cooling, which can reduce the energy requirements of air conditioning typically used with data centers). For example, during a power backup operating mode, waste cooling can be recovered. During the power backup operating mode, refrigerant can be vaporized and transferred from the refrigerant storage device to one or more fuel cells. The one or more fuel cells can be used to provide power to other components of the system. Additionally, and / or alternatively, one or more fuel cells can be used to provide power to the data center. During vaporization, the refrigerant can release cold and thermal energy. The released cold and thermal energy can be recovered by the disclosed system and can be used by other components of the system and / or the data center.

[0046] At least some of the disclosed cryogenic energy storage systems may include a refrigerant storage device, which, beneficially, may be configured to allow for evaporation losses of the stored refrigerant. The cost of evaporation losses may be an operational metric analyzed by the control system when determining which of a plurality of operating modes to run and / or from which power sources to draw energy. When the cost of evaporation losses is less than, for example, the cost of the refrigerant and / or the cost of electricity, the control system may configure the refrigerant storage device to allow for evaporation losses followed by replenishment of the refrigerant. Additionally, and / or alternatively, the refrigerant storage device may be configured for zero evaporation losses, which reduces the cost of replenishing the refrigerant and increases the long-term availability of standby power.

[0047] Cryogenic Energy Storage Systems

[0048] At least some disclosed embodiments include cryogenic energy storage systems that are grid interactive and / or capable of recovering waste cooling. Figure 1A-Figure 1C A schematic diagram of an example cryogenic energy storage system is shown. Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a cryogenic energy storage system 100A is shown, which is configured to interact with a power source. The grid-interactive energy storage system 100A shown includes at least one refrigerant storage device 10, at least one cryogenic device 20, a control system 22, and a power source 32. Figure 1A In the example of , the control system 22 communicates with both the at least one refrigerant storage device 10 and the cryogenic device 20. The cryogenic device 20 receives power from a power source 32. The power source may include grid power, solar and / or wind power, and / or other types. The refrigerant storage device 10 may be configured to receive refrigerant from an external source 61 (e.g., the refrigerant may be delivered via a transport channel, a pipeline, etc.).

[0049] At least one refrigerant storage device 10 is configured to hold and store a refrigerant (hereinafter referred to as Figure 2 ). A refrigerant includes a substance that can be used in cryogenic applications. A refrigerant can include a liquid or a compressed gas. For example, a refrigerant can include air, nitrogen, helium, methane, hydrogen, oxygen, natural gas, and / or other types. A cryogenic device includes a system configured to facilitate cooling of an environment, an object, and / or anything else. For example, a cryogenic device can provide cooling by circulating a working fluid through a circuit. The cryogenic device can be configured to facilitate cooling via the execution of one or more cryogenic cycles, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a Joule-Thomson cycle, a Linde cycle, a reverse Brayton cycle, a Claude cycle, a cascade cycle, and / or other cycles. In Figure 1A In the example of, the cryogenic device 20 circulates a working fluid that is periodically heated to form a warmer liquid, a liquid / vapor mixture, or a warmer gas, and then cooled to form a cooler liquid, a liquid / vapor mixture, or a cooler gas. The cooling of the working fluid can provide a cryogenic liquid, a liquid / vapor mixture, or a gas that can be used to cool a target object or a target environment (e.g., a refrigerant in a refrigerant storage device 10). The temperature and / or enthalpy of the working fluid increases, and it can evaporate during the cooling of the target object / environment, after which the working fluid (e.g., now vaporized) is re-cooled and / or re-condensed to provide a cooler liquid, a liquid / vapor mixture, or a cooler gas. The re-cooled working fluid can then be used to promote cooling the target object / environment through another cycle. The cold air generated by the operation of the cryogenic device 20 can be used immediately (e.g., to cool the refrigerant in the refrigerant storage device 10), or can be stored for later use (e.g., in one or more thermal energy storage devices).

[0050] In some embodiments, the cryogenic energy storage system 100A includes (or communicates with) an electrolyzer 24, a collection of one or more thermal energy storage devices 26, one or more fuel cells 28, and / or one or more data centers 30. In some examples, such as Figure 1A As shown, the cryogenic energy storage system 100A includes one or more external refrigerant sources 61, or is in communication with one or more external refrigerant sources 61. One or more data centers 30 may receive power from a power source 32. Additionally, and / or alternatively, one or more data centers 30 may receive power from one or more fuel cells 28. For example, when power from the power source 32 is unavailable or unreliable, one or more data centers 30 may receive power from one or more fuel cells 28.

[0051] The components of the cryogenic energy storage system (e.g., cryogenic energy storage systems 100A, 100B, 100C, etc.) can interact with each other in various ways, and in some examples, such interactions are at least partially controlled by the control system 22. For example, in some embodiments, the electrolyzer 24 delivers a gaseous refrigerant (or a gaseous refrigerant precursor) to at least one refrigerant storage device 10. The electrolyzer 24 can be powered by a power source 32 (e.g., Figure 1A24 to the power source 32). The gaseous refrigerant may be delivered to the at least one refrigerant storage device 10 via a fuel delivery path and / or via a refrigerant inlet or fill port. The delivered gaseous refrigerant may be liquefied and / or cooled for storage in the at least one refrigerant storage device 10. The gaseous refrigerant may be cooled, liquefied, and / or densified within the refrigerant storage device 10 via operation of the cryogenic device 20. In some examples, the gaseous refrigerant is initially cooled prior to entering the refrigerant storage device 10 by thermal communication with (multiple) thermal energy storage devices 26, which may be cooled via operation of the cryogenic device 20 (e.g., Figure 1A 20, and from the cryogenic device 20 to the refrigerant storage device(s) 10. Figure 1A 20, which may include one or more heat exchangers in the cryogenic device 20). The refrigerant may be stored in at least one refrigerant storage device 10 for days, weeks, months, and / or years. Although the present example focuses on an electrolyzer for providing a gaseous refrigerant or a gaseous refrigerant precursor, other devices may also be used in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0052] As described above, in some embodiments, the control system 22 may be configured to control the interaction between the cryogenic device 20 and the power source 32, such as controlling the selective operation or operation of the cryogenic device 20. Additionally, and / or alternatively, the control system 22 is configured to control the interaction between the cryogenic device 20 and at least one refrigerant storage device 10 (e.g., controlling a valve or port of the refrigerant storage device 10 according to various operating modes).

[0053] In some embodiments, the control system 22 controls the interaction of the cryogenic device 20 and the power source 32, and / or at least one refrigerant storage device 10 according to a plurality of operating modes. As non-limiting examples, a plurality of operating modes may include passive storage, liquefaction, cooling, and power backup. Additional details about the actions and / or processes associated with the various operating modes are provided herein. At least some of the actions and / or processes associated with the various operating modes involve the interaction between the various components of the cryogenic energy storage system, such as the cryogenic device 20, the cryogenic energy storage device 10, the electrolyzer 24, the power source 32, (multiple) fuel cells 28, (multiple) thermal energy storage devices 26, etc. The control system 22 can control the various components of the cryogenic energy storage system (and / or the interaction between the various components) to achieve various operating modes.

[0054] exist Figure 1A In an example of , the control system 22 is configured to implement one or more of a plurality of operating modes based on one or more operating cost metrics. In some embodiments, the operating cost metrics include: the cost of refrigerant; the cost of electricity; energy usage (e.g., energy usage of the data center 30); the type of energy (e.g., solar, wind, grid, etc.); the availability of excess energy on the grid; and the cost of evaporation losses. For example, the control system 22 may activate the liquefaction mode (triggering operation of the electrolyzer 24 to provide gaseous hydrogen to the refrigerant storage device 10, and triggering operation of the cryogenic device to liquefy the gaseous hydrogen within the refrigerant storage device) based on the cost of refrigerant (e.g., in response to determining that the cost of obtaining / transporting alternative refrigerants is high or will be high), the cost of electricity (e.g., in response to determining that the cost of electricity is low or negative or is expected to increase), (multiple) energy usage (e.g., in response to determining that (multiple) data centers 30 require or will require less than nominal power), the type of energy (e.g., in response to determining that solar power is available), the available excess energy (e.g., excess energy in the grid, such as excess solar energy during peak solar hours), etc.

[0055] As another example, the control system 22 may activate a cooling mode to cause the cryogenic device 20 to overcool and / or densify the refrigerant in the refrigerant storage device 10 based on an expected increase in electricity costs during peak periods (e.g., being able to store refrigerant in the refrigerant storage device 10 during peak periods without evaporation losses despite the cryogenic device 20 not operating) and / or based on evaporation loss costs relative to electricity costs to operate the cryogenic device during peak periods. As another example, the control system 22 may implement a passive storage mode based on high electricity costs and / or low evaporation loss costs and / or low refrigerant costs (e.g., alternative refrigerants). In accordance with the present disclosure, the control system 22 may consider (multiple) operating cost metrics alone or in various combinations to determine which operating mode to implement.

[0056] although Figure 1A The control system 22 is shown as a single entity, but in view of the present disclosure, it will be understood that the control system 22 may include any number of control components that may interact with each other (and / or with other entities) to implement the control system functionality disclosed herein. For example, the control system 22 may be at least partially distributed among various components of the cryogenic energy storage system (e.g., cryogenic device, cryogenic storage device, electrolyzer, power source, (multiple) fuel cells, etc.).

[0057] Figure 1B Another schematic diagram of a cryogenic energy storage system 100B is shown. Figure 1BAs shown in the example of, the cryogenic energy storage system 100B includes at least one refrigerant storage device 10, at least one external refrigerant source 61, at least one cryogenic device 20, and a control system 22. The working fluid circulates through the cryogenic device 20 and is heated and cooled periodically. The control system 22 interacts with both the at least one refrigerant storage device 10 and the cryogenic device 20. In some embodiments, the control system 22 controls the interaction between the cryogenic device 20 and the at least one refrigerant storage device 10. The control system 22 can control the interaction between the cryogenic device 20 and the at least one refrigerant storage device 10 according to a plurality of operating modes and / or at least one operating cost metric.

[0058] Figure 1C A schematic diagram of the waste cooling recovery capability of the cryogenic energy storage system 100C is shown. As used herein, waste cooling refers to cold air (e.g., thermal energy) generated by heating the refrigerant pursuant to its use in association with a fuel cell. For example, waste cooling can be generated during vaporization of the refrigerant in preparation for use of the vaporized refrigerant in a fuel cell (e.g., to provide power to the data center(s) 30). Waste cooling is typically lost (or wasted) to the external environment (e.g., ambient air or water).

[0059] At least some of the disclosed cryogenic energy storage systems have the ability to recycle at least some of this waste refrigeration. Figure 1C In the example of , the stored liquid refrigerant is extracted from at least one refrigerant storage device 10 via a refrigerant retrieval port. The refrigerant is delivered to one or more fuel cells 28 via a fuel delivery path. The fuel delivery path is configured to interact and thermally communicate with a collection 26 of one or more thermal energy storage devices. The thermal energy storage device 26 can be, for example, a plurality of solid components (e.g., dense and / or porous metal and / or non-metallic structures), and / or utilize a liquid or gaseous thermal energy storage medium (e.g., a fluid with phase change properties). In some examples, one or more heat exchangers of the cryogenic device 20 can operate as (multiple) thermal energy storage devices configured to facilitate waste cold recovery.

[0060] When refrigerant is delivered to one or more fuel cells 28 via a fuel delivery path, the refrigerant is gasified. When the refrigerant is gasified, waste cold is generated. A collection of one or more thermal energy storage devices is configured to capture and recycle this waste cold. For example, the thermal energy storage device 26 can be, for example, a plurality of elements that absorb and retain cold energy. Additionally, and / or alternatively, the thermal energy storage device 26 can be, for example, a heat exchanger of the cryogenic device 20. The heat exchanger of the cryogenic device 20 can facilitate the retention of the recovered waste cold in the cryogenic device 20. For example, when the cryogenic device 20 is subsequently operated, the cryogenic device 20 can be more efficient due to the recovered waste cold. For example, in some instances, after the waste cold is recovered, the cryogenic device 20 can be regarded as "pre-cooling", thereby requiring less input power or work to initially bring the working fluid to a desired state and / or temperature to facilitate cooling (e.g., cooling of the refrigerant in the refrigerant storage device 10). This functionality can enable the cryogenic device 20 to operate for a shorter period of time while still achieving the same amount of cooling, thereby further reducing the power consumption of the cryogenic device 20.

[0061] Figure 1A-Figure 1C The devices / systems shown in may include various additional components or sub-components, at least some of which will be described in greater detail below (e.g., storage devices, processors, sensors, valves, etc.).

[0062] Figure 2 shows a method for storing low temperature energy such as Figure 1A-Figure 1C An example schematic diagram of a refrigerant storage device 10 of the system 100A-100C) shown in FIG. Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , the refrigerant storage device 10 includes a refrigerant inlet or charging port 11 , a refrigerant outlet or retrieval port 12 , a subcooling circuit 13 , a gas outlet 16 , and an internal storage tank 17 . Figure 2 In the example of FIG. 1 , the vapor path 14 extends from a cold vapor outlet 15 connected to an internal storage tank 17 to a gas outlet 16 exposed to the ambient environment. The vapor path 14 can allow the refrigerant storage device 10 to retain the cold gas associated with the refrigerant evaporation for an extended period of time (e.g., as opposed to immediately venting the refrigerant evaporation to the ambient environment). The refrigerant storage device 10 stores a liquid refrigerant 18 and a gaseous or vapor refrigerant 19. The refrigerant storage device 10 can be configured to store liquid and gaseous refrigerants 18, 19 with or without evaporation losses.

[0063] As used herein, evaporation losses refer to refrigerant that evaporates and is lost to the external environment (i.e., outside the refrigerant storage device 10) due to the heating and vaporization of the liquid refrigerant. Since the cryogenic liquid must be maintained at extremely low temperatures (e.g., around -150°C or below), evaporation losses are typically caused by heat transfer from the surrounding environment to the refrigerant storage device 10. Occasionally, the cost of evaporation losses is low compared to the cost of operating the cryogenic energy storage system (e.g., during peak grid energy usage / cost hours). In this case, the refrigerant storage device 10 can be configured to allow at least some evaporation losses of the stored liquid refrigerant (e.g., to avoid causing the cryogenic device 20 to cycle via the control system 22). Additionally, and / or alternatively, when the cost of replacing the refrigerant is high relative to the cost of cooling the existing refrigerant, the refrigerant storage device 10 can be configured to eliminate evaporation losses and act as a zero evaporation loss refrigerant storage device 10 (e.g., cycling the cryogenic device via the control system 22).

[0064] The subcooling circuit 13 is configured to be able to transfer heat from the refrigerant (whether liquid 18 or gas 19) within the internal storage tank 17 to the working fluid circulating through the subcooling circuit 13, thereby cooling the refrigerant within the internal storage tank 17. The working fluid circulating through the subcooling circuit 13 can be part of a different fluid circuit, or can be part of the same fluid circuit as the working fluid of the cryogenic device 20. In some examples, one or more heat exchangers are interposed between the subcooling circuit 13 and the single fluid circuit of the cryogenic device 20 to facilitate the transfer of heat from the subcooling circuit 13 to the cryogenic device 20. The one or more heat exchangers can be part of the subcooling circuit 13 and / or part of the cryogenic device 20. Therefore, the subcooling circuit 13 can liquefy and / or densify the refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage device 10. For example, when the gaseous refrigerant 19 is delivered to the refrigerant storage device 10 (e.g., via the refrigerant inlet 11), the subcooling circuit 13 can liquefy the gaseous refrigerant 19 to form the liquid refrigerant 18. In some embodiments, the subcooling circuit 13 is capable of thickening the liquid refrigerant to produce "ice slush" or at least partially solid refrigerant within the refrigerant storage device 10 (e.g., thereby storing thermal energy within the refrigerant itself and being able to store the refrigerant without evaporation losses for at least a period of time, even during periods when the cryogenic device 20 is not operating).

[0065] Figure 3 An example of a cryogenic energy storage system 300 is shown. Figure 1A-Figure 1C Similar to the cryogenic energy storage systems 100A-100C of the present invention, the cryogenic energy storage system 300 includes at least one refrigerant storage device 10 and a cryogenic device 20A (conceptually corresponding to the cryogenic device 20 discussed above). Figure 3In the example of FIG. 1 , the cryogenic device 20A is a reverse turbine-Brayton-type cryogenic device, but other types of cryogenic devices may also be utilized in accordance with the present disclosure. The cryogenic device 20A is in thermal communication with the subcooling circuit 13 of the refrigerant storage device 10. For example, the cryogenic device 20A may be in thermal communication with the subcooling circuit 13 via one or more heat exchangers 51, which facilitates the delivery of heat from the subcooling circuit 13 to the cryogenic device 20A. The cryogenic device 20A receives power from a power source such as Figure 1A-Figure 1C A power source 32 and / or fuel cell(s) 28 are shown receiving power.

[0066] Figure 3 Also shown is a fuel delivery path 34A extending from the refrigerant outlet or retrieval port 12. For example, the fuel delivery path 34A may extend to one or more fuel cells (e.g., see Figure 1A , Figure 1C , Figure 7 and Fig.11 ). The refrigerant can be vaporized along the fuel delivery path 34A toward one or more fuel cells to enable the (multiple) fuel cells to generate power (e.g., to provide power to the (multiple) data centers 30 and / or the cryogenic device 20A). The fuel delivery path 34A can be in thermal communication with a collection of one or more thermal energy storage devices. In some embodiments, the collection of one or more thermal energy storage devices can be a plurality of elements configured to retain and / or store thermal energy. As a non-limiting example, the plurality of elements can be metal blocks or heat exchangers that are configured to absorb and / or store cold thermal energy in accordance with a waste cold recovery process. As another example, the collection of one or more thermal energy storage devices can be implemented as one or more gravel layers. In some instances, the one or more thermal storage devices in communication with the fuel delivery path 34A include a collection 53A of heat exchangers of the cryogenic device 20A, so that the waste cold generated by the vaporization of the refrigerant through the fuel delivery path 34A is recovered by the collection 53A of heat exchangers in the cryogenic device 20A to improve the operating efficiency of the cryogenic device 20A (as described above with reference to Figure 1C discussed).

[0067] Figure 4 Another example cryogenic energy storage system 400 is shown. The cryogenic energy storage system 400 corresponds conceptually to Figure 3 Although the cryogenic energy storage system 400 implements a different type of cryogenic device 20B, the cryogenic energy storage system 300 of FIG. Figure 4In the example shown, the cryogenic device 20B is a Claude liquefaction-type cryogenic device, although other types of cryogenic devices may also be utilized. The cryogenic device 20B may additionally include a working fluid dewar 36. The working fluid dewar 36 may include a working fluid that circulates through the cryogenic device 20B while generating cooling. The cryogenic device 20B is in direct fluid communication with the subcooling circuit 13 of the refrigerant storage device 10. The cryogenic device 20B is powered from a power source (such as Figure 1A-Figure 1C A power source 32 and / or fuel cell(s) 28 are shown receiving power.

[0068] The cryogenic energy storage system 400 also includes a fuel delivery path 34B extending from the refrigerant outlet or retrieval port 12 toward the one or more fuel cells. The fuel delivery path 34B interacts with the heat exchanger 53B of the cryogenic device 20B to facilitate the cryogenic device 20B to recover waste cold generated by the vaporization of the refrigerant and transported to the one or more fuel cells via the fuel delivery path 34B.

[0069] Any refrigerant may be utilized in conjunction with the disclosed cryogenic energy storage system, such as, but not limited to, the examples of air, nitrogen, methane, hydrogen, oxygen, natural gas, combinations thereof, and / or other refrigerants.

[0070] Operation Mode

[0071] Figure 5 An example cooling operation mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown. As shown, the cryogenic device 20A is a reverse Brayton-turbo cycle. The cryogenic device 20A circulates the working fluid through the cryogenic device 20A during the cooling process. The working fluid also circulates through Figure 5 The subcooling circuit 13 shown. The circulation of the fluid in Figure 5 Circulation of the working fluid through the cryogenic device 20A and the cooling circuit 13 facilitates active cooling of the subcooling circuit 13 by the cryogenic device 20A (depicted using block arrows 40 ), which in turn results in cooling, liquefaction, and / or densification of the refrigerant within the refrigerant storage device 10 .

[0072] The cryogenic device 20A may receive power from a power source 32, such as Figure 1AAs shown. The power source 32 can be grid power or one or more dedicated renewable energy sources. The control system 22 can determine whether the cryogenic device 20A is powered by grid power or by one or more dedicated renewable energy sources. For example, when grid power is cheap (e.g., at night), the cryogenic device 20A can draw power from the grid to promote refrigerant cooling. Because the subcooling circuit 13 and the cryogenic device 20A promote liquefaction and / or densification, this cheap power can be "stored" in the tank.

[0073] In some examples, as the subcooling circuit 13 densifies the liquid refrigerant stored in the refrigerant storage device 10, the liquid refrigerant can become slush and / or ice, thereby allowing for "virtual" storage of additional thermal energy within the refrigerant itself. In some examples, densifying the liquid refrigerant in this manner increases the energy storage capacity of the refrigerant storage device 10, such as by up to 1%, up to 2%, up to 3%, up to 4%, up to 5%, up to 6%, up to 7%, up to 8%, up to 9%, up to 10%, or up to any amount. In at least one example, refrigerant densification can increase the energy storage capacity of the refrigerant storage device by approximately 7%, as shown in the example calculation provided in Table 1 below, which calculates the energy storage capacity gain achieved by hydrogen densification as a portion of the H2 energy (6.98%).

[0074] Table 1: Capacity gain when using densified hydrogen

[0075]

[0076]

[0077] This densification can allow the refrigerant to remain stored without evaporation losses for at least a period of time during which the cryogenic device 20A is not operated. This densification can at least partially reduce the subsequent power requirements of the cryogenic device to maintain the storage of refrigerant within the refrigerant storage device 10 without evaporation losses (e.g., reduce the amount of operation time of the cryogenic device required to maintain the storage of refrigerant without evaporation losses, at least for a period of time).

[0078] Figure 6 An example passive storage operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown. In some embodiments, during the passive storage operating mode, the cryogenic device 20A will be in a non-operating state. Whether the cryogenic device 20A is in a non-operating state can be determined and controlled by the control system 22. For example, the cryogenic device 20A may be in a non-operating state due to excessive cost of electricity. Additionally, and / or alternatively, the cryogenic device 20A may not operate due to exhaustion and / or unavailability of power.

[0079] In some instances, configuring the refrigerant storage device 10 to allow for evaporation losses may be preferred or necessary, such as where the cost of evaporation losses (e.g., the cost of refrigerant to replace the evaporating refrigerant) is favorable relative to the cost of electricity (e.g., during peak hours). The vaporized refrigerant 19 may be slowly exhausted from the vapor outlet 15, through the vapor path 14, and exhausted from the gas outlet 16 (the path of the vaporized refrigerant is in Figure 6 Liquid refrigerant 18 may be replenished (eg, via purchase or liquefaction).

[0080] Figure 7 An example fuel cell or power backup operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system that recovers waste cold is shown. Figure 7 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the cryogenic device 20A is a reverse Brayton-turbo cycle. Liquid refrigerant is withdrawn from the refrigerant withdrawal port 12. The withdrawn refrigerant is delivered along the fuel delivery path 34A ( Figure 7 The path extends from the refrigerant retrieval port 12 to one or more fuel cells 28. The one or more fuel cells 28 are configured to receive the refrigerant and serve as a power backup when grid power is unavailable. For example, the one or more fuel cells may provide power to one or more data centers 30 (e.g., see Figure 1A ) and / or low temperature device 20A provides power.

[0081] exist Figure 7 In the example, the fuel delivery path 34A is in thermal communication with the cryogenic device 20A via a collection 53A of heat exchangers of the cryogenic device 20A to facilitate waste cooling recovery (e.g., the collection 53A of heat exchangers captures cold air generated by vaporization of the refrigerant along the fuel delivery path 34A to at least partially improve the operating efficiency of the cryogenic device 20A).

[0082] For example, when the cryogenic device 20A is subsequently operated, the cryogenic device 20A is started in a colder state than when the set 53A of heat exchangers of the cryogenic device 20A is not recovering the generated waste cold. In some examples, by starting in a colder state, the cryogenic device 20A can operate more efficiently and, beneficially, require less power to operate.

[0083] Whether the cryogenic energy storage system enters a fuel cell or power backup mode of operation may be controlled by the control system 22 (eg, by processing and / or evaluating at least one operating cost metric as discussed herein).

[0084] Figure 8An example liquefaction operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown. The control system 22 may determine whether to implement the liquefaction operating mode based on at least one operating metric. For example, when energy costs are low or negative, it may be prudent to utilize power from the grid to liquefy the refrigerant to be stored in the refrigerant storage device 10.

[0085] like Figure 8 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the electrolyzer 24 supplies gaseous refrigerant (or gaseous refrigerant precursor) via a fuel delivery path 34C. The fuel delivery path 34C extends from the electrolyzer 24 to the refrigerant inlet 11 of the refrigerant storage device 10. The refrigerant inlet 11 may be the same port as the refrigerant retrieval port 12 (see FIG. 1 ). Figure 7 Alternatively, the refrigerant inlet port 11 may be different from the refrigerant retrieval port 12 (see Figure 2 In some embodiments, the fuel delivery path 34C is connected to Figure 7 The fuel delivery path 34A is the same as shown. In some embodiments, the fuel delivery path 34C may be different from Figure 7 The fuel delivery path 34A.

[0086] The supplied gaseous refrigerant from the electrolyzer 24 is cooled and liquefied through the operation of the cryogenic device. For example, Figure 8 The fuel delivery path 34C is shown interacting with the set 53A of heat exchangers of the cryogenic device 20A to facilitate initial cooling of the gaseous refrigerant prior to entering the refrigerant storage device 10. The refrigerant is further cooled and / or liquefied within the refrigerant storage device via operation of the subcooling circuit 13 of the refrigerant storage device 10 and the cryogenic device 20A (the movement of the working fluid and the gaseous refrigerant in the refrigerant storage device). Figure 8 1 and 2. The liquefied refrigerant is stored in the refrigerant storage device 10. The subcooling circuit 13 of the refrigerant storage device 10 is in thermal communication with the cryogenic device 20A. As shown, the cryogenic device 20A is a reverse Brayton-turbo cycle. During the liquefaction operation mode, the cryogenic device 20A extracts heat from the subcooling circuit 13 via, for example, one or more heat exchangers. When the gaseous refrigerant is supplied to the refrigerant storage device 10, the delivered heat cools and liquefies the gaseous refrigerant.

[0087] Fig. 9 Another example cooling operation mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown, which is conceptually similar to the above reference Figure 5 The example cooling operation mode discussed. As shown in the figure, Fig. 9The cryogenic device 20B is a Claude liquefaction cryogenic device, which includes a working fluid dewar 36. The working fluid dewar 36 keeps the working fluid circulating through the cryogenic device 20B during the refrigeration / cooling process. The working fluid circulating through the cryogenic device 20B also circulates through the subcooling circuit 13 (the circulation of the fluid is Fig. 9 ) The circulation of the working fluid through the subcooling circuit 13 provides the necessary cooling within the refrigerant storage device 10 to liquefy any evaporated refrigerant contained within the refrigerant storage device 10. Additionally, and / or alternatively, the cooling may be used to densify the liquid refrigerant contained in the refrigerant storage device 10 to at least partially solidify the liquid refrigerant and form a refrigerant ice slurry (e.g., at the subcooling circuit). This in turn reduces the enthalpy of the refrigerant in the tank and allows the tank to operate without active cooling and evaporation losses until the refrigerant temperature reaches the saturated vapor temperature at atmospheric pressure. As discussed above, such densification may facilitate "virtual" storage of additional thermal energy within the refrigerant itself, thereby increasing the overall storage capacity of the refrigerant storage device.

[0088] and Figure 5 Similar to the cryogenic device 20A of FIG. 1 , the cryogenic device 20B may receive power from a power source 32 such as Figure 1A as shown in .

[0089] Fig.10 Another example passive storage operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown, which is conceptually similar to the above referenced Figure 6 The passive storage mode of operation discussed.

[0090] Fig.11 Another example fuel cell operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system for recycling waste cold is shown, which is conceptually similar to the above referenced Figure 7 The fuel cell operation mode discussed. Fig.11 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the cryogenic device 20B is a Claude liquefaction cycle. Liquid refrigerant is withdrawn from the refrigerant withdrawal port 12. The withdrawn refrigerant is sent or delivered along the fuel delivery path 34B (at Fig.11 The fuel delivery path extends from the refrigerant retrieval port 12 to one or more fuel cells 28. The one or more fuel cells 28 are configured to receive the refrigerant and serve as a power backup when grid power is unavailable. For example, the one or more fuel cells may provide power to one or more data centers 30 (see, for example, Figure 1A ).

[0091] exist Fig.11In an example of , the fuel delivery path 34B is in thermal communication with the cryogenic device 20B via the set 53B of heat exchangers of the cryogenic device 20B to facilitate waste cold recovery (e.g., the set 53B of heat exchangers captures cold air generated by vaporization of the refrigerant along the fuel delivery path 34B to at least partially improve the operating efficiency of the cryogenic device 20B). For example, when the cryogenic device 20B is subsequently operated, the cryogenic device 20B is started in a colder state than when the set 53B of heat exchangers of the cryogenic device 20B does not recover the generated waste cold. In some examples, by starting in a colder state, the cryogenic device 20B operates more efficiently and, beneficially, requires less power to operate.

[0092] Fig.12 Another example liquefaction operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown, which is conceptually similar to the above referenced liquefaction operating mode. Figure 8 The liquefaction operation mode discussed. Fig.12 As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , the electrolyzer 24 is supplied with gaseous refrigerant (or gaseous refrigerant precursor) via a fuel delivery path 34D. The fuel delivery path 34D extends from the electrolyzer 24 to the refrigerant inlet 11 of the refrigerant storage device 10 (the fuel delivery path 34D also interacts with the set 53B of the heat exchanger of the cryogenic device 20B). The refrigerant inlet 11 may be the same port as the refrigerant retrieval port 12 (see FIG. 1 ). Fig.11 Alternatively, the refrigerant inlet port 11 may be different from the refrigerant retrieval port 12 (see Figure 2 In some embodiments, the fuel delivery path 34D is connected to Fig.11 In some embodiments, fuel delivery path 34D may be different from Fig.11 The fuel delivery path 34B.

[0093] The supplied gaseous refrigerant from the electrolyzer 24 is liquefied by the operation of the cryogenic device 20B, which circulates the working fluid through the subcooling circuit 13 to cool and / or liquefy the gaseous refrigerant (the movement of the working fluid and the gaseous refrigerant is Fig.12 The liquefied refrigerant is stored in the refrigerant storage device 10. As shown in the figure, the cryogenic device 20B is a Claude liquefaction cycle.

[0094] As discussed in this article, Fig.13A flow chart depicting actions associated with a fuel cell operating mode of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown. Action 1302 includes passing refrigerant through a refrigerant retrieval port along a fuel delivery path extending from a refrigerant retrieval port to one or more fuel cells, thereby providing vaporized refrigerant within the fuel delivery path. The refrigerant retrieval port may be connected to a refrigerant storage device. The fuel delivery path may extend from the refrigerant retrieval port to the one or more fuel cells. As the retrieved refrigerant flows along the fuel delivery path, the refrigerant may vaporize. The vaporization of the refrigerant may generate waste cooling.

[0095] Act 1304 includes capturing waste cooling associated with vaporization of the refrigerant via one or more thermal energy storage devices in thermal communication with the fuel delivery path. The recovered waste cooling can be used for any suitable purpose (e.g., cooling data center components). In some examples, the one or more thermal energy storage devices are associated with a cryogenic device that is configured to actively cool the contents of a refrigerant storage device (e.g., a refrigerant storage device connected to a refrigerant retrieval port), and the recovered waste cooling can contribute, at least in part, to improving the operating efficiency of the cryogenic device.

[0096] Fig.14 A flow chart depicting actions associated with a liquefaction mode of operation of a cryogenic energy storage system is shown. Action 1402 includes circulating a working fluid through a cryogenic device to cool a subcooling loop at least partially located within a refrigerant storage device. Action 1404 includes using an electrolyzer to produce a gaseous refrigerant. Action 1406 includes delivering the gaseous refrigerant to the refrigerant storage device via a fuel delivery path. Action 1408 includes liquefying the gaseous refrigerant within the refrigerant storage device via operation of the cryogenic device to cool the subcooling loop. In some instances, the fuel delivery path is also a fuel delivery path associated with retrieving refrigerant from the refrigerant storage device to operate one or more fuel cells. In some instances, the cryogenic device is also configured to prevent evaporation losses to facilitate long-term storage of refrigerant within the refrigerant storage device. In some instances, the same cryogenic energy storage system is configured to perform Fig.13 The actions shown and Fig.14 Action shown.

[0097] Operational cost metrics

[0098] As discussed herein, the control system 22 can process, analyze, and / or evaluate at least one operating cost metric when determining and / or implementing one of a plurality of operating modes. In some embodiments, the control system 22 can include or comprise a computer or computer system (described in more detail below). The operating cost metric can include or be based on one or more of the cost of refrigerant, energy usage of the data center, the cost of electricity, the availability of excess electrical energy, the type of energy available, and the cost of evaporation losses.

[0099] For example, the cost of electricity can include the time of day when electricity is needed, a utility contract that can specify the cost of electricity (per kilowatt-hour), and a utility contract that can specify the amount of electricity that a cryogenic device or data center needs to consume. The cost of electricity and / or the availability of excess electrical energy can be based on regularly updated data accessible to entities associated with the operation of the cryogenic energy storage system described herein (e.g., a data stream provided or enabled by a utility company). The operating cost metric can be based on current / current operating cost(s) and / or expected operating cost(s) (e.g., based on the above and / or other factors). For example, the current operating cost can include the current electricity cost based on a real-time electricity cost data feed, while the expected operating cost can include expected future costs or predicted future electricity costs based on expected changes in utility contracts, pre-changes in weather (e.g., affecting excess solar or wind energy), expected changes in data center power consumption, etc.

[0100] The type of available energy may include whether the energy is from a renewable energy source (a directly connected renewable energy source or a grid-connected renewable energy source). The type of available energy may also include predictive components or factors, such as weather data and / or weather forecasts. For example, when a clear, cloudless day is forecasted, the control system 22 may obtain this information and configure or prepare to configure the cryogenic device 20 to draw power from a solar energy source. The type of available energy may also include geographic elements, such as whether the cryogenic energy storage system is located in a location where renewable energy is prevalent (e.g., whether it is grid-connected) or in a location where renewable energy is scarce.

[0101] The cost of the refrigerant may include transportation and / or piping costs to deliver the refrigerant to the cryogenic energy storage system. The transportation and / or piping costs may also include weather data and / or weather forecasts. For example, when a day is predicted to be particularly hot (e.g., 100° F), the cost of the refrigerant may be high due to potential refrigerant losses during transportation.

[0102] The energy usage of a data center may include the number of servers operating at the data center, queued computing tasks, current or expected traffic, etc. Additionally, or alternatively, the energy usage of a data center may include the number of air conditioning units used by the data center to maintain the servers at operating temperatures, and / or other aspects of the data center that consume power (e.g., safety systems, fault protection systems such as fire suppression systems, etc.). The availability of excess power from the grid may include the number of users drawing power from the grid at any given time period, time of day, and / or based on other factors such as temperature.

[0103] Additional Terms & Definitions

[0104] While certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail with reference to specific configurations, parameters, components, elements, etc., these descriptions are illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention.

[0105] Furthermore, it should be understood that for any given element or component of the described embodiments, any possible alternatives listed for that element or component can generally be used alone or in combination with each other, unless implicitly or explicitly stated otherwise.

[0106] In addition, unless otherwise indicated, the numerals used in the specification and claims to represent quantities, components, distances, or other measured values ​​should be understood to be optionally modified by the term "about" or its synonyms. When the terms "approximately", "roughly", "substantially", etc. are used in conjunction with a specified quantity, value, or condition, it can be understood that the deviation from the specified quantity, value, or condition is less than 20%, less than 10%, less than 5%, less than 1%, less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01%. At a minimum, and without attempting to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be interpreted in light of the number of reported significant figures and by applying common rounding techniques.

[0107] Any headings and sub-headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the description or the claims.

[0108] It should also be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" do not exclude plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, an embodiment referring to a singular referent (e.g., "a widget") may also include two or more such referents. Similarly, plural forms do not exclude singular referents.

[0109] It will also be understood that the embodiments described herein may also include characteristics and / or features (e.g., components, parts, members, elements, components, and / or parts) described in one or more separate embodiments, and are not necessarily strictly limited to the features explicitly described for that particular embodiment. Therefore, the various features of a given embodiment may be combined with other embodiments of the present disclosure and / or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the disclosure of certain features associated with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure should not be interpreted as limiting the application or inclusion of the described features to a particular embodiment. On the contrary, it should be understood that other embodiments may also include such features.

[0110] Additional implementation details

[0111] The principles disclosed herein can be implemented in various formats. For example, the various techniques discussed herein can be performed as methods including various actions for achieving specific results or benefits. In some instances, the techniques discussed herein are represented in the form of computer executable instructions, which can be stored on one or more hardware storage devices. The computer executable instructions can be executed by one or more processors to implement (or configure the system to implement) the disclosed techniques. In some embodiments, the system can be configured to send computer executable instructions to a remote device to configure the remote device to implement the disclosed techniques.

[0112] Systems and / or components of systems for implementing the disclosed embodiments (e.g., control system(s) 22, cryogenic devices(s) 20, cryogenic storage devices(s) 10, data centers(s) 30, etc.) may include various components or sub-components, such as, as non-limiting examples, processor(s), memories, sensor(s), actuator(s), I / O systems(s), communication systems(s), etc.

[0113] The processor(s) may include one or more collections of electronic circuitry including any number of logic units, registers, and / or control units to facilitate the execution of computer-readable instructions (e.g., instructions forming a computer program). Such computer-readable instructions may be stored in a memory. The memory may include physical system memory, and may be volatile, non-volatile, or some combination thereof. In addition, the memory may include local storage, remote storage (e.g., accessible via communication system(s) or otherwise), or some combination thereof.

[0114] In some implementations, the processor(s) may include or be configurable to execute any combination of software and / or hardware components operable to facilitate processing using machine learning models or other artificial intelligence based structures / architectures. For example, the processor(s) may include and / or utilize hardware components or computer executable instructions that are operable to implement functional blocks and / or processing layers, which, as non-limiting examples, may be configured in the form of: single-layer neural networks, feedforward neural networks, radial basis function networks, deep feedforward networks, recurrent neural networks, long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, gated recurrent units, autoencoder neural networks, variational autoencoders, denoising autoencoders, sparse autoencoders, Markov chains, Hopfield neural networks, Boltzmann machine networks, restricted Boltzmann machine networks, deep belief networks, deep convolutional networks (or convolutional neural networks), deconvolutional neural networks, deep convolutional inverse graph networks, generative adversarial networks, liquid state machines, extreme learning machines, echo state networks, deep residual networks, Kohonen networks, support vector machines, neural Turing machines, and / or other forms.

[0115] In some instances, actions that may be performed by the system or its components may rely, at least in part, on (multiple) communication systems for receiving information from (multiple) remote systems, which may include, for example, separate systems or computing devices, sensors, and / or other components. The (multiple) communication systems may include any combination of software or hardware components that are operable to facilitate communication between components / devices within the system and / or with components / devices outside the system. For example, the (multiple) communication systems may include ports, buses, or other physical connection devices for communicating data, information, and / or commands with other devices / components (e.g., the control system 22 may include (multiple) communication systems for enabling data, information, and / or command communications with various other components of the cryogenic energy storage system). Additionally, or alternatively, the (multiple) communication systems may include systems / components that are operable to communicate wirelessly with external systems and / or devices via any suitable (multiple) communication channels, such as Bluetooth, ultra-wideband, WLAN, infrared communications, and / or other systems / components as non-limiting examples.

[0116] The system may include or communicate with sensor(s). Sensor(s) may include any device for capturing or measuring data representing a perceptible or detectable phenomenon. As non-limiting examples, sensor(s) may include one or more light sensors / detectors, microphones, thermometers, barometers, magnetometers, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and / or other devices.

[0117] In addition, the system may include or communicate with (multiple) I / O systems. (Multiple) I / O systems may include any type of input or output device, such as but not limited to a touch screen, a mouse, a keyboard, a controller, a speaker, and / or other devices as non-limiting examples. For example, (multiple) I / O systems may include a display system, which may include any number of display panels, optical devices, laser scanning display components, and / or other components. In view of the present disclosure, it will be understood that in some instances, (multiple) sensors may be used as (multiple) I / O systems.

[0118] As discussed in more detail below, the disclosed embodiments may include or utilize a special-purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware. The disclosed embodiments also include physical and other computer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executable instructions and / or data structures. Such computer-readable media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer system. A computer-readable medium that stores computer-executable instructions in the form of data is one or more "physical computer storage media" or "hardware storage devices." A computer-readable medium that only carries computer-executable instructions but does not store computer-executable instructions is a "transmission medium." Therefore, by way of example and not limitation, the current embodiments may include at least two distinct computer-readable media: a computer storage medium and a computer transmission medium.

[0119] Computer storage media (also known as "hardware storage devices") are computer-readable hardware storage devices such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, RAM-based solid-state drives ("SSD"), flash memory, phase-change memory ("PCM"), or other types of memory, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other media that can be used to store desired program code in the form of computer-executable instructions, data, or data structures in hardware and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

[0120] A "network" may include one or more data links that can transport electronic data between computer systems and / or modules and / or other electronic devices. When information is transmitted or provided to a computer via a network or another communication connection (hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired and wireless), the computer correctly views the connection as a transmission medium. The transmission medium may include a network and / or data links, may be used to carry program code in the form of computer executable instructions or data structures, and may be accessed by general or special computers. The above combinations are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0121] Furthermore, upon reaching various computer system components, program code means in the form of computer executable instructions or data structures may be automatically transferred from a transmission computer readable medium to a physical computer readable storage medium (or vice versa). For example, computer executable instructions or data structures received over a network or data link may be cached in RAM within a network interface module (e.g., a "NIC") and then ultimately transferred to computer system RAM and / or to a less volatile computer readable physical storage medium in the computer system. Thus, computer system components that also (or even primarily) utilize transmission media may include computer readable physical storage media.

[0122] Computer executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data that cause a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, or a special purpose processing device to perform a certain function or group of functions. For example, computer executable instructions can be binary code, intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, or even source code.

[0123] The disclosed embodiments may include or utilize cloud computing. Cloud models may consist of various characteristics (e.g., on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pools, rapid elasticity, measurable services, etc.), service models (e.g., software as a service (“SaaS”), platform as a service (“Pass”), infrastructure as a service (“IaaS”), and deployment models (e.g., private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, hybrid cloud, etc.).

[0124] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced in a network computing environment with many types of computer system configurations, including personal computers, desktop computers, notebook computers, message processors, handheld devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile phones, PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, wearable devices, etc. The present invention can also be practiced in a distributed system environment, where multiple computer systems (e.g., local and remote systems) linked by a network (by a combination of hardwired data links, wireless data links, or hardwired and wireless data links) perform tasks. In a distributed system environment, program modules can be located in local and / or remote storage devices.

[0125] Alternatively or additionally, the functions described herein may be performed at least in part by one or more hardware logic components. For example, but not limited to, exemplary types of hardware logic components that may be used include field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), program application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), application specific standard products (ASSPs), systems on chips (SOCs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and / or other types.

[0126] As used herein, the terms "executable module," "executable component," "component," "module," or "engine" may refer to a hardware processing unit or a software object, routine, or method that can be executed on one or more computer systems. The various components, modules, engines, and services described herein may be implemented as objects or processors (e.g., as separate threads) that execute on one or more computer systems.

[0127] It will also be understood how any feature or operation disclosed herein can be combined with any one or combination of other features and operations disclosed herein. Additionally, the content or features of any one of the accompanying drawings can be combined or used in combination with any content or features used in any other accompanying drawings. In this regard, the content disclosed in any one of the accompanying drawings is not mutually exclusive, but can be combined with content from any other accompanying drawings.

Claims

1. An energy storage system, comprising: at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the at least one refrigerant storage device comprises a subcooling circuit, and wherein the at least one refrigerant storage device is configurable to store refrigerant; a cryogenic device configured to interact with the subcooling circuit, wherein the cryogenic device is further configured to interact with a power source; as well as A control system configured to control the cryogenic device and the at least one refrigerant storage device according to a plurality of operating modes, the plurality of operating modes comprising: a cooling mode, a passive storage mode, a fuel cell backup mode, and a liquefaction mode.

2. An energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the cooling mode includes an interaction between the cryogenic device and the at least one refrigerant storage device, and the interaction includes circulating a working fluid through the cryogenic device and the subcooling circuit to promote cooling of the refrigerant stored in the at least one refrigerant storage device.

3. The energy storage system of claim 2, wherein the circulation of the working fluid through the cryogenic device and the subcooling circuit densifies or subcools the refrigerant to store thermal energy within the at least one refrigerant storage device.

4. The energy storage system of claim 3, wherein the densification or subcooling of the refrigerant enables storage of the refrigerant within the at least one refrigerant storage device without evaporation losses for at least a period of time associated with the passive storage mode.

5. The energy storage system of claim 4, wherein the passive storage comprises not operating the cryogenic device during the at least one period of time.

6. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the fuel cell backup mode includes interaction of the at least one refrigerant storage device, the cryogenic device, and one or more fuel cells.

7. The energy storage system of claim 6, wherein the interaction of the at least one refrigerant storage device, the cryogenic device, and the one or more fuel cells comprises: extracting the refrigerant from a refrigerant retrieval port of the at least one refrigerant storage device; as well as The retrieved refrigerant is delivered to the one or more fuel cells along a fuel delivery path extending from the refrigerant retrieval port to the one or more fuel cells.

8. The energy storage system of claim 7, wherein the withdrawn refrigerant vaporizes along the fuel delivery path.

9. The energy storage system of claim 8, wherein at least some of the waste cooling associated with the gasification is recovered by the cryogenic device.

10. The energy storage system of claim 1, wherein the liquefaction mode comprises: delivering a gaseous refrigerant precursor to the at least one refrigerant storage device via a refrigerant inlet port of the at least one refrigerant storage device; as well as A working fluid is circulated through the cryogenic device and the subcooling circuit to facilitate liquefaction of the gaseous refrigerant precursor within the at least one refrigerant storage device.

11. A waste cold recovery system, comprising: at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the at least one refrigerant storage device comprises a subcooling circuit and a refrigerant retrieval port; a cryogenic device configured to interact with the subcooling circuit of the at least one refrigerant storage device; a control system configured to control said interaction of said cryogenic device and said at least one refrigerant storage device; as well as a fuel delivery path configured to extend from the refrigerant retrieval port to one or more fuel cells, wherein the fuel delivery path is configured to interact with at least one set of thermal energy storage devices to facilitate recovery of waste refrigeration associated with vaporization of refrigerant retrieved from the at least one refrigerant storage device via the refrigerant retrieval port.

12. The waste cold recovery system of claim 11, wherein at least one set of the thermal energy storage devices includes a plurality of elements configured to store the waste cold associated with vaporization of the refrigerant.

13. A waste cold recovery system according to claim 12, wherein at least one set of the thermal energy storage devices includes one or more heat exchangers of the cryogenic device, and the one or more heat exchangers of the cryogenic device are configured to facilitate the transfer of the recovered waste cold associated with the vaporization of the refrigerant to the cryogenic device.

14. The waste cold recovery system of claim 13, wherein the waste cold recovered via the one or more heat exchangers of the cryogenic device contributes to the efficiency of one or more operations performed via the cryogenic device subsequent to the recovery of the waste cold.

15. An energy storage system comprising: at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the at least one refrigerant storage device comprises a subcooling circuit, and wherein the at least one refrigerant storage device is configurable to store refrigerant; a cryogenic device in thermal communication with the subcooling circuit of the at least one refrigerant storage device, wherein the cryogenic device is configured to interact with a power source; as well as A control system in communication with the cryogenic device and the power source, wherein the control system is configured to control operation of the cryogenic device to selectively activate or selectively deactivate the cryogenic device based on an operating cost metric.

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