Truck carport

Abstract

Truck carport (1) for one or more trucks, comprising a wooden structure (2) with a closed, sealed roof (3), wherein photovoltaic modules (4) are arranged on the roof (3), the truck carport (1) further comprising at least one small wind turbine (5) as well as a battery storage system (6) with one or more accumulators that can be charged by means of the photovoltaic modules (4) and the at least one small wind turbine (5), the truck carport (1) further comprising an electrolyzer (7) for the production of hydrogen and a hydrogen storage facility (8) for the storage of the produced hydrogen, wherein electrical energy for the electrolyzer (7) can be provided by means of the photovoltaic modules (4) and / or the at least one small wind turbine (5) and / or the battery storage facility (6).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a truck carport for one or more trucks. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] The EU's so-called Green Deal aims, among other things, to avoid net greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2), by 2050. In the transport sector, especially regarding truck traffic, the operation of vehicles powered by (molecular) hydrogen (H2) can potentially make a significant contribution to achieving this policy-set goal. The hydrogen can be used to power vehicles with either combustion engines or fuel cells. However, a prerequisite for the targeted greenhouse gas reduction is that the hydrogen is "green," meaning hydrogen produced using electricity from renewable energy sources.

[0003] In addition to the problem of producing green hydrogen in sufficiently large quantities, the transport of the hydrogen produced in this way to the consumer or a filling station is also critical on a large scale due to a lack of suitable infrastructure.

[0004] Decentralized hydrogen production using renewable energies, especially photovoltaics, would therefore be desirable. However, this presents the problem that photovoltaic systems with sufficient output require correspondingly large areas, which are not readily available.

[0005] Of course, the economic aspect cannot be neglected either, as it currently represents a significant obstacle, since typical production costs for 1 kg of green H2 are currently just under EUR 6, and sales prices are considerably higher. For green hydrogen to become economically attractive compared to hydrogen produced using greenhouse gases, for example, by consuming natural gas or coal (so-called blue hydrogen), production costs should, from today's perspective, fall to or preferably below approximately EUR 2 per kg of H2. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the present invention is to create a method for decentralized hydrogen production that intelligently utilizes existing space and takes place close to the actual point of consumption. In particular, the production should be economically attractive compared to hydrogen production that emits greenhouse gases. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] According to the invention, to solve the aforementioned problem, a truck carport for one or more trucks is provided, comprising a wooden structure with a closed, sealed roof, wherein photovoltaic modules are arranged on the roof, the truck carport further comprising at least one small wind turbine and a battery storage system with one or more accumulators that can be charged by means of the photovoltaic modules and the at least one small wind turbine, the truck carport further comprising an electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen and a hydrogen storage system for storing the produced hydrogen, wherein electrical energy for the electrolyzer can be provided by means of the photovoltaic modules and / or the at least one small wind turbine and / or the battery storage system.

[0008] The truck(s), preferably two, can find sufficient space under the roof of the truck carport and are protected from rain or similar elements.

[0009] Due to the typical size of a truck, such a truck carport offers a large area on its roof for photovoltaic modules, which are also known as PV modules, PV panels or solar modules, which in turn creates the possibility of actually being able to produce hydrogen autonomously in practice.

[0010] Suitable photovoltaic modules are generally known. For example, a truck carport for four trucks could have at least 121 photovoltaic modules, each with a peak electrical output of 435 Wp (watts peak), installed on the roof, resulting in a total peak output of 52.635 kWp. This calculation assumes a minimum length of 18.5 m and a minimum width of 14 m for the truck carport and its roof (i.e., at least 3.5 m per truck or per truck parking space).

[0011] The use of wood for a frame or the construction of the truck carport proves to be extremely sustainable, since wood is a renewable raw material and also binds CO2 during its growth due to photosynthesis.

[0012] The combination of photovoltaics with wind power increases the maximum possible electricity generation with the truck carport when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing strongly enough, and evens out the possible electricity generation when the sun is not shining or is fluctuating and the wind is blowing strongly enough.

[0013] Suitable small wind turbines, sometimes also called small wind energy systems, are well-known and typically have a rated power output of 50 kW to 100 kW. For example, small wind turbines with a rated power output of 80 kW and a rotor hub height of approximately 15 m are commercially available.

[0014] At least one small wind turbine is assigned to the truck carport and does not necessarily have to be mechanically connected to the truck carport.

[0015] The fact that the battery storage system or its accumulators can be charged using the photovoltaic modules and at least one small wind turbine naturally implies the presence of known electronic components, such as at least one charge controller and the like, as well as the presence of corresponding electrical lines, which are also known.

[0016] The battery storage, in turn, allows for the compensation of fluctuations in electricity production due to daily (night / day for photovoltaics), weather and annual variations, so that the electrolyzer can be operated practically continuously.

[0017] Suitable battery storage systems of sufficient size, for example 500 kWh, are known and commercially available.

[0018] The battery storage unit is assigned to the truck carport and does not necessarily have to be mechanically connected to the truck carport.

[0019] Suitable electrolyzers are also known and commercially available, for example with a maximum electrical power of 1 MW to produce nominally 450 kg of H2 per day (i.e. in 24h).

[0020] The electrolyzer is assigned to the truck carport and does not necessarily have to be mechanically connected to the truck carport.

[0021] The dimensions of the truck carport can be adjusted accordingly to the electrolyzer's output. For the example of an electrolyzer with an electrical output of 1 MW, a truck carport for 64 trucks could be designed, meaning it would need to be at least 18.5 m long and 224 m wide to operate the electrolyzer. Using the photovoltaic modules mentioned above, a peak output of 842.16 kWp is achieved. With two of the small wind turbines mentioned above, each with a rated output of 80 kW, slightly more than 1 MW can be provided under suitable light and wind conditions. It should also be noted that the commercially available electrolyzer mentioned in this example can be operated even if less than its maximum electrical output of 1 MW is supplied; specifically, just 20% of the maximum electrical output is sufficient for continuous operation of the electrolyzer.

[0022] Taking into account the current costs for the commercially available photovoltaic modules, battery storage and electrolyzer mentioned as examples, production costs currently amount to EUR 2.10 per kg H2 - without taking into account any subsidies!

[0023] Space for such truck carports in the dimensions given as examples is already readily available in many places, namely at motorway service areas throughout Europe. This means the existing space simply needs to be utilized. The existing parking spaces will not be obstructed, but merely covered, which is certainly an advantage for users in terms of weather protection.

[0024] Regarding the aforementioned hydrogen storage system, it should be noted that this is also a known and commercially available technology, and the hydrogen storage system can also be integrated into the electrolyzer. Depending on the storage type, any necessary peripheral equipment, such as a compressor for compressed gas storage, may be included, whereby pressures of typically 350 bar to 700 bar can be generated using the aforementioned compressor. Such compressors are known and commercially available.

[0025] The hydrogen storage unit is assigned to the truck carport and does not necessarily have to be mechanically connected to the truck carport.

[0026] The fact that the hydrogen storage facility is intended for storing the produced hydrogen implies the presence of the necessary and known lines from the electrolyzer to the hydrogen storage facility, etc.

[0027] The fact that the electrical energy for the electrolyzer can be provided by means of the photovoltaic modules and / or the at least one small wind turbine and / or the battery storage implies the presence of necessary and known electronic components, such as a corresponding control system and the like, as well as the presence of corresponding electrical lines, which are also known.

[0028] The weather protection provided by the sealed roof offers users an advantage over uncovered parking spaces, as mentioned, since the truck(s) and their drivers are reasonably protected from the elements. In a preferred embodiment of the truck carport according to the invention, the battery storage system and / or the electrolyzer are arranged under the roof, preferably in an end area of ​​the truck carport parallel to a longitudinal direction or a transverse direction perpendicular to it. This ensures a certain degree of weather protection for the battery storage system and / or the electrolyzer, which has a beneficial effect on their reliability.

[0029] The length of a truck carport can be measured parallel to its longitudinal direction, and its width parallel to its transverse direction. Accordingly, the transverse direction can also be referred to as the "width direction".

[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the truck carport according to the invention, the truck carport includes at least one hydrogen refueling station for refueling a motor vehicle, in particular a truck, with hydrogen. The hydrogen refueling station is fluidically connected to the hydrogen storage system to provide the hydrogen for its operation. Accordingly, hydrogen-powered trucks can be refueled directly at or in the immediate vicinity of the production site, generating revenue and making the truck carport even more economically attractive. Transporting hydrogen over long distances is therefore unnecessary, and a corresponding costly infrastructure is not required. Of course, the produced hydrogen can also be made available to other consumers, particularly those in the transport sector.They can be sold, for example for airplanes or locomotives.

[0031] The fluidic connection between the hydrogen storage tank and the hydrogen refueling station naturally implies all necessary lines and, if applicable, electrotechnical components, in particular circuits, control units, pumps, and the like. The hydrogen refueling station is in any case associated with the truck carport and does not necessarily have to be mechanically connected to it.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the truck carport according to the invention, the carport includes at least one charging station for an electric car, wherein the at least one charging station is electrically connected to the battery storage system in order to provide electrical energy from the battery storage system for the operation of the at least one charging station. Electrically powered vehicles can thus be charged on site without the need for costly additional infrastructure, in particular underground cables from a transformer connected to the general power grid to the charging station.

[0033] In turn, the charging made possible by this allows money to be earned, which makes the truck carport even more attractive from an economic point of view.

[0034] The electrical connection between the battery storage system and the charging station naturally includes all necessary wiring and, if applicable, electrotechnical components, particularly circuits, control units, and the like. The charging station is associated with the truck carport and does not necessarily have to be mechanically connected to it. In particular, solutions are conceivable where the charging station is deliberately located separately from the truck carport, for example, to improve accessibility for electric vehicles at motorway service areas or to adapt to local customs that, for instance, require a spatial separation of cars and trucks.

[0035] Regarding the economic aspect of truck carports, reference should also be made to the Austrian Fuel Ordinance and the national implementations of EU Directive 2018 / 2001 of 11 December 2018 "on promoting the use of energy from renewable sources." In particular, these regulations aim to compel companies that use fossil fuels in road transport (typically petroleum companies) to reduce CO2 emissions and, at the same time, motivate them to generate electricity using renewable energy sources. In Austria, this is implemented by allowing producers of electricity from renewable energy sources to have the CO2 savings from the amount of electricity supplied to electric vehicles credited four times towards their CO2 reduction target compared to the use of biofuels. This is intended to motivate these companies to increasingly rely on electricity and to help develop a charging infrastructure.This fourfold crediting is also possible for so-called renewable fuels, which include hydrogen produced using so-called renewable energies. This means that the truck carport according to the invention represents an economically attractive option, particularly for the aforementioned companies that transport fossil fuels on the road.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the truck carport according to the invention, the carport includes a cistern that is fluidically connected to the electrolyzer to supply water for the electrolyzer. At least one gutter is provided that is fluidically connected to the cistern, preferably via drainage piping, to allow rainwater from the roof to be fed into the cistern. This further increases the self-sufficiency of the truck carport according to the invention, since at least some of the water required for hydrogen production can also be supplied on-site free of charge.

[0037] As usual, the cistern does not have to be located underground, but can also be an above-ground, covered collection container for the water.

[0038] The fact that the cistern is fluidically connected to the electrolyzer naturally implies the presence of corresponding pipes and any necessary electrical circuits, control units, pumps, and the like. Likewise, one or more filters, which are known per se, may be provided upstream and / or downstream of the cistern to sufficiently purify the collected water for hydrogen production via the electrolyzer. The cistern is associated with the truck carport and does not necessarily have to be mechanically connected to it.

[0039] The truck carport according to the invention can, of course, be combined with one or more further truck carports that do not have their own electrolyzer, hydrogen storage, battery storage, or small wind turbine. Accordingly, an arrangement is provided according to the invention that comprises at least one truck carport according to the invention and at least one further truck carport for one or more trucks, wherein the at least one further truck carport has a wooden structure with a closed, sealed roof, with photovoltaic modules arranged on the roof to provide electrical energy for the electrolyzer of the at least one truck carport and / or for the battery storage of the at least one truck carport.

[0040] The roof of at least one other truck carport can be connected to the roof of at least one other truck carport, especially seamlessly, or it can be spaced apart from it.

[0041] The photovoltaic modules of at least one other truck carport generate electricity that can power the battery storage and / or electrolyzer of that carport. This naturally implies the presence of appropriate electrical wiring and associated electrotechnical or electronic components, which are known in themselves.

[0042] Analogous to the above, in a preferred embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, the arrangement is designed for at least 40, preferably at least 50, and particularly preferably at least 60 trucks. This means that the at least one truck carport and the at least one further truck carport of the arrangement together provide space for the aforementioned number of trucks, which implies correspondingly large roof areas available for the photovoltaic modules of the at least one truck carport and the at least one further truck carport. As explained above, the photovoltaic modules of the at least one further truck carport, together with the photovoltaic modules of the at least one truck carport and the at least one small wind turbine of the at least one truck carport, can thus ensure sufficient electrical power for the operation of a typical electrolyzer.

[0043] The truck carport according to the invention can, of course, also be combined with one or more car carports that do not have their own electrolyzer, hydrogen storage, battery storage, or small wind turbine. Such car carports can, for example, be used to cover parking spaces intended for cars at motorway rest areas without sacrificing space for the vehicles. Accordingly, the invention provides an arrangement comprising at least one truck carport according to the invention and at least one car carport for multiple cars, wherein the at least one car carport has a wooden structure with a closed, sealed roof, and photovoltaic modules are arranged on the roof to provide electrical energy for the electrolyzer of the at least one truck carport and / or for the battery storage of the at least one truck carport.

[0044] The photovoltaic modules of at least one car carport generate electricity that can power the battery storage and / or electrolyzer of at least one truck carport. This naturally implies the presence of appropriate electrical wiring and associated electrotechnical or electronic components, which are known per se.

[0045] Analogous to the above, the invention provides a parking area, in particular a motorway parking area, comprising one or more truck carports and / or one or more arrangements according to the invention. A motorway parking area is defined as a parking area at a motorway rest stop or service area.

[0046] Similarly, in a preferred embodiment of the parking lot according to the invention, the one or more truck carports include at least one truck carport designed for at least 40, preferably at least 50, and particularly preferably at least 60 trucks. As explained above, the photovoltaic modules and the small wind turbine of the at least one truck carport thus provide sufficient electrical power for the operation of a typical electrolyzer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

[0047] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. The drawing is exemplary and is intended to illustrate the inventive concept, but in no way to restrict or even exhaustively represent it.

[0048] It shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a truck carport according to the invention WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0049] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a truck carport 1 according to the invention for two trucks. Accordingly, the length of the truck carport 1 measured in a longitudinal direction 14 is at least 18.5 m and the width of the truck carport measured in a transverse direction 15 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 14 is at least 7 m.

[0050] The truck carport 1 comprises a wooden structure 2 with a closed, sealed roof 3, on which 3 photovoltaic modules 4 are arranged. Due to the aforementioned minimum dimensions of the truck carport 1 – and thus of the roof 3, which, due to a certain inclination to the horizontal on the one hand and a certain overhang over the wooden structure 2 on the other, actually has somewhat larger dimensions than specified – at least sixty typical photovoltaic modules 4, each with a peak electrical power of 435 Wp, can be arranged on the roof 3, resulting in a total peak electrical power of the photovoltaic modules 4 of 26.1 kWp in the illustrated embodiment.

[0051] In the illustrated embodiment, the truck carport 1 includes a small wind turbine 5 with a rated output of 80 kW and a rotor hub height 17 of approximately 15 m. The hub height 17 is measured in a third direction 18, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 14 and the transverse direction 15, and represents the distance of the rotor hub 19 from the ground. The small wind turbine 5 is attached to the truck carport 1 and, in the illustrated embodiment, is also mechanically connected to it via a support block 20. The small wind turbine 5 is anchored in the support block 20, and part of the wooden structure 2 is also supported by the support block 20.

[0052] The truck carport 1 further includes a battery storage system 6 with one or more accumulators, which can be charged by means of the photovoltaic modules 4 and the small wind turbine 5, or are charged by means of the photovoltaic modules 4 and the small wind turbine 5 when there is sunshine and wind. The corresponding electrical wiring and electrotechnical or electronic components, which are known per se, are of course present but are not shown for the sake of clarity. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery storage system 6 has a storage capacity of 500 kWh.

[0053] The truck carport 1 further comprises an electrolyzer 7 for the production of hydrogen (H2) and a hydrogen storage tank 8 for storing the produced hydrogen. Electrical energy for the electrolyzer 7 can be provided by the photovoltaic modules 4 and / or the at least one small wind turbine 5 and / or the battery storage tank 6. The battery storage tank 6, the electrolyzer 7, and the hydrogen storage tank 8 are associated with the truck carport 1 but do not necessarily have to be mechanically connected to it. Corresponding, known elements for the operation and interaction of the hydrogen storage tank 8, the electrolyzer 7, the battery storage tank 6, the photovoltaic modules 4, and the small wind turbine 5, such as electrical cables, lines for the hydrogen, and electrotechnical or electronic components, are of course present but are not shown for clarity.

[0054] The electrolyzer 7, for example, can have a maximum electrical output of 1 MW to nominally produce 450 kg of H2 per day. To ensure a sufficiently large amount of electrical energy can be generated, an arrangement (not shown) can be provided that includes the truck carport 1 and a number of additional truck carports, each for one or more trucks. Each of these additional truck carports has a wooden structure with a closed, sealed roof, on which photovoltaic modules are arranged to provide electrical energy for the electrolyzer 7 of truck carport 1 and / or for the battery storage system 6 of truck carport 1. This naturally implies the presence of appropriate electrical wiring and associated electrotechnical or electronic components, which are known per se but are not shown.According to the electrical power of the electrolyzer 7, the arrangement is designed for a certain minimum number of trucks, preferably for at least sixty trucks, which are accommodated by the truck carport 1 and the other truck carports.

[0055] In the illustrated embodiment, the truck carport 1 includes a cistern 11 which is fluidically connected to the electrolyzer 7 to supply water for the electrolyzer 7. A roof gutter 12 is provided which is fluidically connected to the cistern 11 via a drainage pipe 13 (indicated by dashed lines) to allow rainwater from the roof 3 to flow into the cistern 11. This further increases the self-sufficiency of the truck carport 1, as the water required for hydrogen production can also be at least partially supplied on-site – free of charge.

[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the truck carport 1 includes a hydrogen refueling station 9 for refueling a motor vehicle, in particular a truck, with hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen refueling station 9 is fluidically connected to the hydrogen storage 8 in order to be able to provide the hydrogen for the operation of the hydrogen refueling station 9.

[0057] Accordingly, hydrogen can be produced entirely on-site and used for refueling without the need for costly infrastructure measures such as H2 pipelines. In this sense, production takes place at the point of consumption.

[0058] Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the truck carport 1 includes a charging station 10 for an electric car, wherein the charging station 10 is electrically connected to the battery storage 6 in order to provide electrical energy from the battery storage 6 for the operation of the charging station 10. Electrically powered vehicles can thus be charged on site without the need for costly additional infrastructure, in particular underground cables from a transformer connected to the public power grid to the charging station 10.

[0059] Finally, in the illustrated embodiment, the battery storage unit 6, the electrolyzer 7, the hydrogen storage unit 8, the hydrogen refueling station 9, the charging station 10, and the cistern 11 are arranged under the roof 3, in an end section of the truck carport 1 parallel to the longitudinal direction 14, thus providing weather protection for the aforementioned components. Accordingly, the truck carport 1 can also be dimensioned longer than the 18.5 m specified above, particularly in the longitudinal direction 14.

[0060] The truck carport 1 or the arrangement (not shown) can be located on an existing parking space, in particular a motorway parking space, so that practically no additional space is needed for the production of hydrogen - and of course electricity - with the production taking place decentrally and essentially at the point of consumption. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 truck carport 2. Wooden construction 3 roof 4 photovoltaic modules 5 small wind turbines 6 battery storage 7 Electrolyzer 8 hydrogen storage 9 hydrogen filling stations 10 charging stations 11 Cistern 12 Gutter 13 Drainage piping 14 Longitudinal direction 15 transverse direction 16 Rotor 17 Hub height 18 Third direction 19 hub 20 support block QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 2018 / 2001

[0035]

Claims

[1] Truck carport (1) for one or more trucks, comprising a wooden structure (2) with a closed, sealed roof (3), wherein photovoltaic modules (4) are arranged on the roof (3), the truck carport (1) further comprising at least one small wind turbine (5) and a battery storage unit (6) with one or more accumulators that can be charged by means of the photovoltaic modules (4) and the at least one small wind turbine (5), the truck carport (1) further comprising an electrolyzer (7) for generating hydrogen and a hydrogen storage unit (8) for storing the generated hydrogen, wherein electrical energy for the electrolyzer (7) can be provided by means of the photovoltaic modules (4) and / or the at least one small wind turbine (5) and / or the battery storage unit (6). [2] Truck carport (1) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the battery storage unit (6) and / or the electrolyzer (7) is / are arranged under the roof (3), preferably in an end region of the truck carport (1) seen parallel to a longitudinal direction (14) or a transverse direction (15) normal thereto. [3] Truck carport (1) according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized by that the truck carport (1) comprises at least one hydrogen filling station (9) for filling a motor vehicle, in particular a truck, with hydrogen, wherein the hydrogen filling station (9) is fluidly connected to the hydrogen storage device (8) in order to be able to provide the hydrogen for the operation of the hydrogen filling station (9). [4] Truck carport (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat the truck carport (1) comprises at least one charging station (10) for an electric car, wherein the at least one charging station (10) is electrically connected to the battery storage device (6) in order to be able to provide electrical energy from the battery storage device (6) for the operation of the at least one charging station (10). [5] Truck carport (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the truck carport (1) comprises a cistern (11) which is fluidically connected to the electrolyzer (7) in order to be able to provide water for the electrolyzer (7), wherein at least one gutter (12) is provided which is fluidically connected to the cistern (11), preferably via a drainage piping (13), in order to be able to supply rainwater from the roof (3) to the cistern (11). [6] Arrangement comprising at least one truck carport (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and at least one further truck carport for one or more trucks, wherein the at least one further truck carport has a wooden construction (2) with a closed, sealed roof (3), wherein photovoltaic modules (4) are arranged on the roof (3) in order to provide electrical energy for the electrolyzer (7) of the at least one truck carport (1) and / or for the battery storage (6) of the at least one truck carport (1). [7] Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized by that the arrangement is designed for at least 40, preferably for at least 50, particularly preferably for at least 60, trucks. [8] Arrangement comprising at least one truck carport (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and at least one car carport for several cars, wherein the at least one car carport has a wooden construction (2) with a closed, sealed roof (3), wherein photovoltaic modules (4) are arranged on the roof (3) in order to provide electrical energy for the electrolyzer (7) of the at least one truck carport (1) and / or for the battery storage (6) of the at least one truck carport (1). [9] Parking lot, in particular motorway parking lot, comprising one or more truck carports (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 and / or one or more arrangements according to one of claims 6 to 8. [10] Parking space according to claim 9, characterized by that the one or more truck carports (1) comprise at least one truck carport (1) which is designed for at least 40, preferably for at least 50, particularly preferably for at least 60, trucks.

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