ELECTRIC ENERGY GENERATOR WITH THERMAL STORAGE

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The technical field of the invention relates to the production of electrical energy using thermal energy from a thermal energy production source. State of the art

[0002] It is known from the prior art to produce thermal energy and store it in an accumulator for reuse, see for example documents US2011 / 200157 A1 and US2011 / 200158 A1.

[0003] For example, US patent number 9,761,337 B2 describes a device comprising a thermal energy transfer system for diverting a portion of the thermal energy produced by a nuclear reactor system to an auxiliary thermal storage tank. In response to a nuclear reactor system shutdown event (such as a scheduled or emergency shutdown), the energy stored in the tank can be supplied to a nuclear reactor system's energy conversion system to provide power to an electrical grid. Furthermore, excess energy produced by the nuclear reactor system's energy conversion system can be converted into thermal energy by a heating coil for transfer to the tank. The structure of this device has limited flexibility in the context of electrical power generation; indeed, this device only compensates for a simple nuclear reactor shutdown. Object of the invention

[0004] The invention aims to improve the maneuverability of an electrical power generation device comprising a thermal power generation source.

[0005] To this end, the electrical power generation system includes: a thermal energy production source, a first energy converter configured to produce electrical energy using thermal energy, a thermal energy storage system, a second energy converter configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, the second energy converter being arranged to participate, on demand, in the storage of thermal energy in the storage system, a first thermal energy supply configuration to provide thermal energy, from the current production of the thermal energy production source, to the storage system and to the first energy converter, a second thermal energy supply configuration to provide, to the first energy converter, thermal energy from the storage system and thermal energy from the current production of the thermal energy production source.

[0006] Such an electrical power generation system addresses a general technical issue of maneuverability and operational flexibility because it offers several configurations for supplying thermal energy to the first energy converter. This allows the converter to meet different electrical power demands when the thermal energy source is operating. For example, the first configuration can be implemented when the expected electrical power output of the first energy converter can be met by utilizing some of the thermal energy produced by the thermal energy source, while simultaneously allowing another portion of this thermal energy to be used to charge the battery.Furthermore, the second configuration can be implemented when the current thermal energy produced by the thermal energy source is insufficient, on its own, to provide the expected electrical power output of the first energy converter. In this case, the thermal energy stored in the accumulator can be released to provide the necessary supplement, enabling the first energy converter to deliver the required electrical power. Consequently, the current electrical energy production system offers sufficient flexibility to adapt the amount of electrical energy supplied by the first energy converter.

[0007] Another advantage of the energy production device comes from the presence of the second energy converter which can exploit available electrical energy in such a way as to transform it into thermal energy to be stored in the accumulator, this allowing a future release of thermal energy by the accumulator to generate electrical energy via the first energy converter.

[0008] Thus, the electrical energy production device can allow both the storage of thermal energy and the storage of electrical energy, after its conversion into thermal energy, in the same accumulator.

[0009] The electrical power generation device may also include one or more of the following characteristics: the electrical energy production device includes a heat transfer fluid circulation circuit to which the thermal energy production source, the first energy converter and the accumulator are thermally coupled, said circuit being configured to distribute, in the first configuration, the thermal energy from the current production of the thermal energy production source to the first energy converter and to the accumulator, and to distribute, in the second configuration, the thermal energy from the current production of the thermal energy production source and the thermal energy from the accumulator to the first energy converter;The circuit comprises a first part, a second part and a third part, the thermal energy production source being thermally coupled to the first part, the accumulator being thermally coupled to the second part, the first energy converter being thermally coupled to the third part; said heat transfer fluid circulation circuit is a first circulation circuit of a first heat transfer fluid and the electrical power generation device includes: a second circulation circuit of a second heat transfer fluid, the second circuit being configured to pass the second heat transfer fluid through the accumulator; a heat exchanger to carry out heat exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid; the electrical power generation device includes a heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy from the thermal energy generation source to the first heat transfer fluid, the electrical power generation device includes a third circulation circuit of a third heat transfer fluid,the third circuit being configured to pass the third heat transfer fluid through the thermal energy production source to extract thermal energy from this thermal energy production source, the thermal energy production source being a nuclear reactor cooled by the third heat transfer fluid, and the electrical power production device is such that: the heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source to the first heat transfer fluid is arranged so as to allow heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid; or the electrical power production device includes a fourth circulation circuit of a fourth heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger configured to allow heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the fourth heat transfer fluid,The heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source to the first heat transfer fluid is configured to allow heat transfer from the fourth heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid; the electrical power generation device is such that the third heat transfer fluid contains liquid sodium, the first heat transfer fluid is sodium-free and inert with respect to liquid sodium; the first heat transfer fluid contains a eutectic alloy of lead and bismuth; the fourth heat transfer fluid contains liquid sodium; the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit is a first circulation circuit of a first heat transfer fluid, the first heat transfer fluid being a gas; the electrical power generation device includes a heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy generation source to the first heat transfer fluid.The electrical power generation device includes a second circulation circuit for a second heat transfer fluid, the second circuit being configured to pass the second heat transfer fluid through the thermal energy production source to extract thermal energy from this thermal energy production source, and the heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source to the first heat transfer fluid is arranged so as to allow heat transfer from the second heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid, the thermal energy source being a nuclear reactor cooled by the second heat transfer fluid, the second heat transfer fluid comprising liquid sodium, the first heat transfer fluid being a gaseous fluid inert to liquid sodium,The first circuit is configured to allow the passage of the first heat transfer fluid through the accumulator during its charging or the release of thermal energy by the accumulator; the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit is a first circulation circuit of a first heat transfer fluid, the first heat transfer fluid being a gas; the electrical power generation device includes a heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy from the thermal energy generation source to the first heat transfer fluid; the electrical power generation device includes a second circulation circuit of a second heat transfer fluid, the second circuit being configured to pass the second heat transfer fluid through the thermal energy generation source to extract thermal energy from this thermal energy generation source.and the electrical power generation device includes a third circulation circuit of a third heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger configured to allow heat transfer from the second heat transfer fluid to the third heat transfer fluid, the heat exchanger for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source to the first heat transfer fluid being configured to allow heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid, the thermal energy source being a nuclear reactor cooled by the second heat transfer fluid, the second heat transfer fluid comprising liquid sodium, the first heat transfer fluid being a gaseous fluid inert to liquid sodium,The first circuit is configured to allow the passage of the first heat transfer fluid through the accumulator during its charging or the release of thermal energy by the accumulator; the electrical power generation device includes a control module for its operation; the control module is configured to select and implement one of the first and second configurations; the control module is configured to adjust the operation of the electrical power generation device when it adopts an operating configuration chosen from one of the first and second configurations, said adjustment of operation being dependent on an input parameter of the control module; the first energy converter is intended to be connected to an electrical transmission network to supply it with electrical energy produced by said first energy converter.The input parameter is an operating constraint to be applied to the electrical power generation device in order to: satisfy a demand for electrical power to be supplied to the electrical transmission network, or achieve frequency tracking of the electrical transmission network, preferably by appropriately controlling the power consumed from the electrical transmission network by the second energy converter; the first configuration is such that it presents an operating mode in which the second energy converter is in a state of supplying thermal energy so as to participate in charging the accumulator.

[0010] The invention also relates to a method of operating the electrical energy production device as described, the operating method comprising: a thermal energy production stage by the thermal energy production source, an electrical energy production stage by the first energy converter using thermal energy from the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source.

[0011] This operating process may include a step of charging the accumulator using thermal energy from the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source, the accumulator charging step being implemented during the electrical energy production step.

[0012] The operating process may be such that the second energy converter consumes electrical energy, resulting in the production of thermal energy by the second energy converter, with the accumulator being charged using the thermal energy produced by the second energy converter.

[0013] The operating process may include a step of releasing thermal energy stored in the accumulator, and the step of producing electrical energy by the first energy converter further uses thermal energy from the thermal energy released by the accumulator to produce said electrical energy.

[0014] The operating process may include a step of adjusting the operation of the electrical power generation device for, in the first configuration or in the second configuration: to satisfy a demand for electrical energy to be supplied to an electrical transmission network, or to perform frequency tracking of the electrical transmission network to which the electrical energy produced by the first energy converter is supplied.

[0015] The operating method may be such that, with the second energy converter being electrically supplied by the electrical transmission network, frequency tracking is ensured by adjusting the electrical power absorbed by the second energy converter.

[0016] Other advantages and features will become clear from the detailed description that follows. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, given only as a non-limiting example and made with reference to the attached drawings listed below. There figure 1schematically represents an electrical power generation device according to a particular embodiment of the invention, said electrical power generation device comprising a thermal power generation source. figure 2 schematically represents the electrical power generation device with a thermal energy production source according to another particular embodiment of the invention. figure 3 schematically represents the electrical energy production system of the figure 2by showing the flow directions of different heat transfer fluids in corresponding circuits, while the electrical power generation device is configured to release energy stored in an accumulator of the electrical power generation device to supplement the thermal energy produced by the thermal energy source within the framework of electrical power generation by an energy converter to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. figure 4 represents the figure 3 for which an energy converter is active to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, thus enabling frequency tracking to balance an electrical grid. figure 5 schematically represents the electrical energy production system of the figure 2by showing the directions of flow of the different heat transfer fluids in the corresponding circuits while the electrical power generation device is in a configuration allowing, from the current output of the thermal power generation source, the charging of the accumulator and the production of electrical power by the converter to convert thermal energy into electrical energy. On this figure 5 The energy converter for converting electrical energy into thermal energy is working. figure 6 represents the figure 5 for which the energy converter for converting electrical energy into thermal energy is inactive. The figure 7 This illustrates yet another way in which the electrical power production system can be implemented. figure 8 schematically illustrates an alternative that simplifies the electrical power production system as illustrated in figures 1, 2 And 7at the level of the battery's charge or the energy released by the battery. The figure 9 represents a variant of the energy production device of the figure 8 .

[0018] In these figures, the same references are used to designate the same elements unless otherwise stipulated. Detailed description

[0019] By "between two values", it is understood that the bounds defined by these two values ​​are included in the range of values ​​considered.

[0020] The electrical energy production device described below proposes a particular arrangement of elements in order to optimize its electrical energy production according to demand, in particular with the help of a thermal energy accumulator.

[0021] According to the present invention, particular examples of its embodiment are illustrated in figures 1 to 9The electrical energy production device 100 comprises: a thermal energy production source 101; a first energy converter 102 configured to produce electrical energy using thermal energy, in particular at least from the thermal energy production source 101 and more particularly from the current production of this thermal energy production source 101; a thermal energy storage 103; a second energy converter 104 configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, the second energy converter 104 being arranged to participate, on demand, in the storage (i.e. the reserving or charging) of thermal energy in the storage 103.

[0022] The electrical energy produced by the first converter 102 corresponds in particular to the electrical energy produced by the electrical energy production device 100. Thus, the first converter 102 may include an alternator enabling the production of the desired electrical energy at the output of the first converter 102.

[0023] The accumulator 103 allows the storage of thermal energy from the thermal energy production source 101, and in particular from the current production of the thermal energy production source 101. The storage of thermal energy in the accumulator 103 corresponds to the charging of the accumulator 103. The accumulator 103 allows thermal energy to be released on demand to the first energy converter 102; this is referred to as discharging the accumulator 103.

[0024] The first energy converter 102, or more specifically the output of this first energy converter 102, is preferably connected to an electrical transmission network 106. This electrical transmission network 106 can be connected to an electrical distribution network.

[0025] The electricity production at the output of the first energy converter 102 corresponds, preferably, to an electricity demand by the electricity transmission network 106 which must be satisfied by the production of the first energy converter 102 for example in order to supply the electricity distribution network.

[0026] The term “electrical distribution network” is preferably understood to mean a network that serves certain consumers.

[0027] The term "electrical transmission network 106" preferably refers to a network suitable for supplying the electricity distribution network or other consumers. The electrical transmission network 106 may be high voltage, for example, ranging from 50kV to 400kV.

[0028] Thus, the appropriate control of the electrical power generation device 100 makes it possible to optimize the electrical power output of the first energy converter 102, for example by allowing the thermal power generation source 101 to operate at its nominal rate constantly so as to supply thermal power to the first energy converter 102, while also allowing, for example: thermal energy storage in the accumulator 103, i.e. the charge of the accumulator 103, when the electricity production at the output of the first energy converter 102 is strictly less than what can be produced by exploiting the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source 101; a return of thermal energy from the accumulator 103 to the first energy converter 102 to allow a supplement of thermal energy to be added to the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source 101 when the electricity production at the output of the first energy converter 102 is strictly greater than what can be produced by exploiting only this current production;thermal energy storage in the accumulator 103 by exploiting thermal energy from the second electrically powered energy converter 104 and thermal energy from the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source 101, this being permitted when the electricity production at the output of the first energy converter 102 is strictly less than what can be produced by exploiting the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source 101 and when electrical energy is available on an electrical supply network 105 to electrically power the second energy converter 104. ;

[0029] The electrical power generation device 100 includes a first thermal energy supply configuration to provide thermal energy, this thermal energy being supplied from the current output of the thermal energy source 101, to the accumulator 103 and the first energy converter 102. The first thermal energy supply configuration allows the accumulator 103 to be charged. The electrical power generation device 100 also includes a second thermal energy supply configuration to provide the first energy converter 102 with thermal energy from the accumulator 103 and thermal energy from the current output of the thermal energy source 101. In the second thermal energy supply configuration, the accumulator 103 is discharged. The thermal energy supplied to the first energy converter 102 enables it to produce electrical energy.Thus, the thermal energy production source 101, the first and second energy converters 102, 104 and the accumulator 103 can act in synergy to optimize and make manageable the production of electricity by the electrical energy production device 100.

[0030] Preferably, the thermal energy source 101 is such that it exhibits a nominal operating regime for which it is sized. Thanks to the electrical energy production device 100, it is not necessary to operate the thermal energy source 101 below its nominal operating regime to meet variations in the electricity demand at the output of the first energy converter 102. Thus, in both the first and second thermal energy supply configurations, the thermal energy source 101 can operate at its nominal thermal energy production regime.

[0031] Current thermal energy production from thermal energy production source 101 means the thermal energy supplied by thermal energy production source 101 and in particular distributed within electrical energy production device 100 by means of a heat transfer fluid passing through thermal energy production source 101.

[0032] The electricity transmission network 106 and the electricity supply network 105 may form a single electricity network or two separate electricity networks. For example, if the electricity transmission network 106 and the electricity supply network 105 are separate, the electricity supply network 105 may be an auxiliary electricity network, for example, supplying energy generated by one or more intermittent sources, such as a wind farm.

[0033] The thermal energy production source 101 can be chosen from, for example, a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor or a fossil fuel power plant such as a coal or lignite plant. These different thermal energy production sources 101 are suitable for the present invention in that each constitutes a slowly variable thermal energy production source, which, combined with the accumulator 103 and the various power supply configurations envisaged for the electrical power generation device 100, provides the desired flexibility / maneuverability. For example, a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor is considered relatively inflexible from the nuclear perspective. A coal-fired power plant has a potentially slow operating dynamic for technical reasons (thermal inertia) or regulatory reasons (number of start-ups / shutdowns, pollution regulations).

[0034] The thermal energy production source 101 can also be a power plant with intermittent operation due to its source, such as a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant, whose solar source is by definition intermittent. In this case, the objective of the energy production device 100 is not to maintain the thermal energy production source 101 at its nominal operating level, but to smooth the thermal production or adjust the electrical production by storing the surplus thermal energy from the thermal energy production source 101 in the accumulator 103 in order to release it at the appropriate time. Smoothing the thermal production corresponds to averaging, equalizing, or filtering high-frequency variations.

[0035] The sodium-cooled nuclear reactor, due to the choice of sodium as the coolant for its cooling and therefore as the heat transfer fluid for propagating the thermal energy produced by such a nuclear reactor within the electrical power generation system, offers the advantage of being able to achieve fast-spectrum nuclear fissions, paving the way for transmutation and breeder reactors. In the case of a fast spectrum, it is not possible to use the usual coolants for nuclear reactors, namely light or heavy water. Liquid sodium is one of the few candidates that allows for a fast spectrum and offers interesting heat exchange performance. The disadvantage of sodium is its strong interaction with water and air; this will necessitate carefully chosen adaptations, as described below, when the thermal power generation source is such a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor.The sodium-cooled reactor, in combination with the present power generation device 100, can be intended to be part of a power generation fleet connected to the electricity transmission network 106, which may be subject to significant load variation constraints. More precisely, these constraints are divided into frequency following, which corresponds to a rapid adjustment of electricity production by a few percent to balance the electricity transmission network 106, and more substantial load following, which corresponds to a slower but larger-scale adjustment. These load variation constraints are greatly amplified by the massive penetration of intermittent renewable energies (solar, wind) into the electricity transmission network 106.Consequently, all means of production whose output is controllable (that is, for which the operator can decide whether or not to produce, as opposed to weather-dependent means such as solar or wind power) aim to increase their capacity for varying production to meet these load variation constraints. Here, the nuclear reactor forming the thermal energy production source 101 and the associated storage unit 103 allow for high flexibility, i.e., maneuverability, of the production device 100, enabling the production of electricity reliably and variably according to demand.

[0036] For example, using the sodium-cooled nuclear reactor as a source 101 of thermal energy production in the present electrical energy production device 100 allows: to operate the thermal energy production source 101 constantly at its nominal power, to store, via the accumulator 103, the excess thermal energy generated by the nuclear reactor and not used for electricity production by the first energy converter 102, thus ensuring the maneuverability of the electrical energy production device 100.

[0037] Furthermore, here the second energy converter 104 allows electricity from the power grid 106 connected to this second energy converter 104 to be stored by transforming it into thermal energy in order to respond to load variations in the power grid 106 (this is referred to in the field of large-scale electricity storage of the power grid 106 for later release). With such a power generation system 100, it is possible to use a nuclear reactor while benefiting from significant flexibility despite the reactor's considerable inertia in the event of variations in its output.

[0038] The nuclear reactor, preferably sodium-cooled, used as a source of thermal energy production, can be of the following type: used for electricity production and can also combine one or more other functions such as the transmutation of nuclear waste, the cogeneration of electricity and heat, or the generation of other products such as fresh water, small modular reactor (also known by the abbreviation SMR for the English "Small modular reactors") for stationary electricity production.

[0039] Accumulator 103 may contain rock, for example volcanic rock, or contain a structured material such as bricks.

[0040] For example, the accumulator 103 is of the vertical storage type in which the temperature at the bottom of the accumulator 103 is strictly lower than the temperature at the top of the accumulator 103. Of course, other types of accumulator 103 can be used and in this case the circulation of a heat transfer fluid through this accumulator 103 will be adapted according to whether it is desired, by using this heat transfer fluid, to extract thermal energy from the accumulator 103 in order to release it or to store thermal energy in the accumulator 103 as part of its charging.

[0041] Alternatively, the 103 accumulator can be horizontally stored with one side, for example the left, hotter than another side, for example the right.

[0042] In general, regardless of how the accumulator 103 stores thermal energy, the direction of flow of the heat transfer fluid in the accumulator 103 to charge the accumulator is different from the direction of flow of the heat transfer fluid when the accumulator 103 returns heat to this heat transfer fluid.

[0043] Preferably, as shown in figures 1 to 9The first energy converter 102 comprises a turbogenerator unit based on a water-steam cycle (Rankine cycle). Such a turbogenerator unit may include a steam generator 102a responsible for recovering the thermal energy supplied to the first energy converter 102. The turbogenerator unit may also include a water-steam energy conversion circuit 102b (also called a Rankine cycle) optimized for the temperature range to which it is likely to be subjected, according to the sizing and structure of the electrical power generation device 100, taking into account, in particular, the case where the second energy converter 104 is used, which generally widens the temperature range. The advantage of such a first Rankine cycle energy converter 102 is that it allows for electricity production with a water cycle that has reached technological maturity.Moreover, such a first 102 energy converter has the advantage of possessing an optimal level of efficiency for an application involving a sodium-cooled reactor as described below.

[0044] In particular, the first energy converter 102 may include a pump 126 allowing the circulation of a heat transfer fluid in a circuit 127, this circuit 127 belonging to the first energy converter 102 and this circuit 127 being such that the heat transfer fluid passes, during its circulation in the circuit 127, through the steam generator 102a and the water-to-steam energy conversion circuit 102b.

[0045] The second energy converter 104 may include a heating element which, when electrically powered, heats up to generate thermal energy, for example, to charge the accumulator 103 in the first energy supply configuration.

[0046] The second energy converter 104 can also participate in frequency monitoring of the electrical transmission network 106.

[0047] In general, the second energy converter 104 can be in an active state, in which it is supplied with electrical energy and generates thermal energy using this electrical energy, and an inactive state, in which it is not operating and therefore does not consume electrical energy. Specifically, in the first energy supply configuration, the electrical energy production device 100 can be configured to vary the second energy converter 104 between its inactive and active states. This variation may depend on the electrical energy available on the power grid 105 to which it is connected and / or the energy storage requirements of the accumulator 103.Thus, the second energy converter 104 can be used to intentionally charge the accumulator 103 or to relieve the electrical supply network 105.

[0048] The electrical power generation device 100 may include a switch 121 ( figures 1 to 9 allowing for selective: operate the second power converter 104 when switch 121 is closed ( figures 1, 2 , 4 And 5 ): the second energy converter 104 is then in its active state, prevent the operation of the second energy converter 104 when switch 121 is open ( figures 3 , 6 , 7, 8 And 9 ): the second 104 energy converter is then in its inactive state.

[0049] Thus, in the first thermal energy supply configuration, it is possible to: to simultaneously store in the accumulator 103 thermal energy originating, on the one hand, from the thermal energy source 101 and, on the other hand, from the use of available electricity to power the second energy converter 104; in other words, the first thermal energy supply configuration can be such that the second energy converter 104 is in a thermal energy supply state (active state) so as to participate in charging the accumulator 103, this makes it possible to increase the thermal energy storage density in the accumulator 103 as described below, if necessary, in this case the switch 121 can be closed as shown for example the figure 5 , to store in the accumulator 103 thermal energy coming only from the thermal energy source 101, in this case the switch 121 can be opened as shown for example the figure 6 .

[0050] There are two ways to use the second energy converter 104. In the first way, the second energy converter 104 is active in the first configuration and is used to increase the temperature of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the accumulator 103, ultimately increasing the temperature of the accumulator 103 and thus increasing the energy density that can be stored in the accumulator 103. In the second way, when the second energy converter 104 is active in the first configuration, its use allows for faster storage of thermal energy in the accumulator 103 by maintaining the temperature of the heat transfer fluid circulating in the accumulator 103 at its nominal charging value.

[0051] To improve the operational flexibility of the electrical power generation device 100, the first thermal power supply configuration can be such that it has an operating mode in which the second energy converter 104 is in a thermal power supply state so as to participate in charging the accumulator 103. Of course, the first thermal power supply configuration can also be such that it has an operating mode in which the second energy converter 104 is at rest.

[0052] Furthermore, in the second thermal energy supply configuration, the second energy converter 104 can be in the active state, as shown for example in figure 4 with switch 121 closed or may be in the inactive state as shown for example in figure 3 with switch 121 open. figure 4This allows for frequency tracking of the electrical transmission network 106 when the electrical supply network 105 for powering the second energy converter 104 is the electrical transmission network 106. This will be described in more detail below. In other words, the second thermal energy supply configuration can be such that it has an operating mode in which the second energy converter 104 is in a thermal energy supply state. Of course, the second thermal energy supply configuration can also be such that it has an operating mode in which the second energy converter 104 is stopped.

[0053] Alternatively, instead of switch 121, it is possible to control the flow of a heat transfer fluid, for example using a suitable circuit, passing through the accumulator 103 to charge it so that this heat transfer fluid only passes into the second energy converter 104 when the second energy converter 104 is active and the first thermal energy supply configuration is implemented.

[0054] Preferably, the electrical power generation device 100 comprises a heat transfer fluid circulation circuit 107, also referred to as the first heat transfer fluid circulation circuit 107 in the following description, to which are thermally coupled: the thermal energy generation source 101, particularly for supplying thermal energy to said heat transfer fluid; the first energy converter 102, particularly for receiving thermal energy transported by said heat transfer fluid; and the accumulator 103. This has the advantage of making the electrical power generation device 100 compact by using a single circuit 107 configured for: In the first thermal energy supply configuration, the thermal energy from the current production of the thermal energy production source 101 is distributed to the first energy converter 102 and to the accumulator 103. In the second thermal energy supply configuration, the thermal energy from the current production of the thermal energy production source 101 and the thermal energy from the accumulator 103 are distributed to the first energy converter 102. Another advantage of such a first circuit 107 is that it allows, through relatively simple modifications, the accumulator 103 and the second energy converter 104 to be connected to an existing thermal energy production source 101, thus implementing the present invention without having to construct an entirely new installation to form the electrical energy production device 100.

[0055] The first circuit 107 is visible at figures 1 to 9 In figures 1 to 6 , 8 and 9 The first circuit 107 does not pass through the thermal energy production source 101, preferably for safety reasons, when this thermal energy production source 101 is a nuclear reactor. Thus, in figures 1 to 6 , 8 and 9 One or more additional circuits may be used to ensure thermal coupling between the thermal energy production source 101 and the first circuit 107. Where possible, particularly when the thermal energy production source 101 is not a nuclear reactor, the first circuit 107 may pass through the thermal energy production source 101 as shown in figure 7 .

[0056] In order to properly recover thermal energy (and thus ensure the corresponding thermal coupling), the first energy converter 102 may include a heat exchanger through which the first heat transfer fluid flows, thermally coupling the first heat transfer fluid to the first energy converter 102. If applicable, this heat exchanger ensures thermal coupling between the first heat transfer fluid and water circulating in the turbo-alternator unit described above to generate steam via the steam generator 102a. This steam generator 102a then includes the heat exchanger mentioned in this paragraph.

[0057] It follows from the foregoing that there is a need to adapt the first circuit 107, to which the thermal energy production source 101, the first energy converter 102, and the accumulator 103 are thermally coupled. Preferably, this need can be met by having this first circuit 107 comprise first, second, and third parts 108, 109, and 110. The thermal energy production source 101 is thermally coupled to the first part 108, in particular to allow heat to be supplied to the first heat transfer fluid of the first circuit 107. The accumulator 103 is thermally coupled to the second part 109, in particular so that this thermal coupling allows heat to be supplied to the first heat transfer fluid during energy release from the accumulator 103, or heat to be extracted from the first heat transfer fluid during the charging of the accumulator 103.The first energy converter 102 is thermally coupled to the third section 110, specifically to allow heat to be extracted from the first heat transfer fluid of the first circuit 107, thus enabling the operation of this first energy converter 102. For example, in the first thermal energy supply configuration, a portion of the first heat transfer fluid circulates in the second section 109 in parallel with the third section 110. For example, in the second thermal energy supply configuration, a portion of the first heat transfer fluid circulates in the second section 109 in parallel with the first section 108.In fact, the circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the first and third parts 108, 110 can always be in the same direction, while the circulation of the heat transfer fluid in the second part 109 can be alternately in two opposite directions depending on whether the accumulator 103 is charging (first thermal energy supply configuration) or returning thermal energy to the first energy converter 102 (second thermal energy supply configuration).

[0058] For example, the direction of flow of the first heat transfer fluid in the second part 109 can be defined by a pump 122 ( figures 1 to 9 ) with reversible suction and discharge, or of two pumps with reversed direction of operation and each able to be activated selectively, this or these pumps 122 being integrated into the second part 109.

[0059] For example, the direction of circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the first and third parts 108, 111 can be ensured by a pump 123 ( figures 1 to 9 ) integrated for example into the first part 108.

[0060] In particular, the first, second, and third parts 108, 109, 110 of the first circuit 107 each have a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end opposite said first longitudinal end. The first longitudinal ends of the first, second, and third parts 108, 109, 110 are connected to each other at a first connection point 119, and the second longitudinal ends of the first, second, and third parts 108, 109, 110 are connected to each other at a second connection point 120.

[0061] It follows from the foregoing that there is a need to find a simple and effective solution for thermal coupling between the accumulator 103 and the circuit 107, which forms the first circulation circuit of the first heat transfer fluid. This is particularly important to prevent the first heat transfer fluid from passing through the accumulator 103. Indeed, if the first heat transfer fluid were to pass through the accumulator 103, it could lead to compatibility issues, impurities, or pressure loss. Impurity problems could be related to the degradation of the material of the accumulator 103 (for example, brick or rock). These impurities would then contaminate the first heat transfer fluid if it were to pass directly through the accumulator 103.The pressure loss problem may be related to the pressure drop of this first heat transfer fluid; therefore, using a dedicated heat transfer fluid to pass through the accumulator 103 is more suitable. Examples of this solution are illustrated in [reference]. figures 1 to 7To achieve such thermal coupling, the electrical power generation device 100 may include a second circuit 111 for circulating a second heat transfer fluid. This second circuit 111 is configured to allow the second heat transfer fluid to pass through the accumulator 103. In other words, the second circuit 111 passes through, and may be partially delimited by, the accumulator 103 to allow the second heat transfer fluid to circulate within it. Furthermore, the electrical power generation device 100 includes a heat exchanger 112 (also called the first heat exchanger 112) to perform heat exchange between the first and second heat transfer fluids. Thus, the first heat exchanger 112 can be traversed by both the first and second heat transfer fluids to enable heat exchange between these two fluids.In other words, the second circuit 111 allows the second heat transfer fluid: - either to provide thermal energy to be stored in the accumulator 103, this thermal energy to be stored being transferred from the first heat transfer fluid to the second heat transfer fluid in the first heat exchanger 112, . either to extract thermal energy from the accumulator 103, this extracted thermal energy then being transferred to the first heat transfer fluid via the first heat exchanger 112.

[0062] Preferably, it is the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid at the inlet of the accumulator 103 that determines whether thermal energy is supplied to or extracted from the accumulator 103. Naturally, the accumulator 103 is designed to accept a maximum permissible temperature of the second heat transfer fluid passing through it, adapted to the components of the energy production device 100. The direction of flow of the second heat transfer fluid is then chosen, in particular, for reasons of constraints and efficiency of use of the accumulator 103. Thus, where applicable, the second circuit 111 may advantageously include a reversible pump 113 ( figures 1 to 7 allowing the direction of circulation of the second heat transfer fluid to be chosen, for example according to the thermal energy supply configuration to be implemented chosen from the first thermal energy supply configuration and the second thermal energy supply configuration.

[0063] For example, when the accumulator 103 is of the vertical storage type as described above, the pump 113 of the second circuit 111 causes the circulation of the second heat transfer fluid so as to make it pass through the accumulator 103 by entering from the bottom of the accumulator 103 and exiting from the top of the accumulator 103 in order to extract thermal energy from the accumulator 103 ( figures 3 and 4 ), either so as to make it pass through the accumulator 103 by entering from the top of the accumulator 103 and exiting from the bottom of the accumulator 103 in order to accumulate / store thermal energy in the accumulator 103 ( figures 5 and 6 ).

[0064] Preferably, the second circuit 111 adopts the form of a closed loop.

[0065] The second energy converter 104 is preferably thermally coupled to the second circuit 111, for example to heat the second heat transfer fluid circulating in the second circuit 111 when the electrical power generation device 100 is in its first thermal power supply configuration. figures 1 to 7 , the second converter 104 is mounted to the second circuit 111 on a portion of this second circuit 111 linking the first heat exchanger 112 and the accumulator 103 so that the second heat transfer fluid can pass through the second energy converter 104.

[0066] The second heat transfer fluid is preferably air. Air is particularly suitable for thermal storage / release of a 103 accumulator, for example, containing rock or a structured material such as bricks.

[0067] This second heat transfer fluid is preferably inert with respect to the first heat transfer fluid in order to avoid harmful chemical reactions in the event of a leak between the first and second heat transfer fluids, particularly at the level of the heat exchanger 112 which ensures heat exchange between these first and second heat transfer fluids.

[0068] The electrical power production device 100 may also include a heat exchanger 114 (also called a second heat exchanger 114 and, for example, visible in figures 1 to 6 , 8 And 9to transfer thermal energy from the thermal energy production source 101, particularly from the current production of this thermal energy production source 101, to the first heat transfer fluid. The advantage of having such a second heat exchanger 114 is that the heat transfer fluid directly extracting heat from the thermal energy production source 101 does not pass through the first energy converter 102, thus improving safety, especially when the thermal energy production source 101 is a nuclear reactor. For example, this allows the first heat transfer fluid, which is preferentially inert to both the water used in the first energy converter 102 and the heat transfer fluid passing through the thermal energy source 101, to be interposed between the water used in the first energy converter 102 and the heat transfer fluid passing through the thermal energy source 101.

[0069] The presence of the second heat exchanger 114 implies that the electrical power production device 100 includes, in particular according to the implementations of the figures 1 to 6 A third circuit 115 circulates a third heat transfer fluid. This third circuit 115 may include a pump 124 for circulating the third heat transfer fluid within it. The third circuit 115 is configured to pass the third heat transfer fluid through the thermal energy production source 101 to extract thermal energy from this source. In other words, the third circuit 115 passes through the thermal energy production source 101. In this case: The heat exchanger 114, for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source 101 to the first heat transfer fluid, is arranged to allow heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid ( figure 1), in this case the heat exchanger 114 can be traversed by the first and third heat transfer fluids to allow said transfer of thermal energy, or the electrical energy production device 100 includes a fourth circuit 116 for the circulation of a fourth heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger 117 configured to allow heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the fourth heat transfer fluid (the third and fourth heat transfer fluids can then pass through the heat exchanger 117 to allow heat exchange between the third and fourth heat transfer fluids),The heat exchanger 114, for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source 101 to the first heat transfer fluid, is configured to allow heat transfer from the fourth heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid (the fourth and first heat transfer fluids can then pass through the heat exchanger 114 to allow heat exchange between the first and fourth heat transfer fluids). See, for example, in this regard, the... figures 2 to 6 .

[0070] This has the advantage of allowing the first heat transfer fluid and the first energy converter 102 to be kept away from the thermal energy production source 101 to avoid contaminating this first heat transfer fluid, particularly when the thermal energy production source 101 is a nuclear reactor cooled by the third heat transfer fluid that passes through the nuclear reactor.

[0071] When the fourth circuit 116 is present, it may include a pump 125 allowing the circulation of the fourth fluid in the fourth circuit 116 ( figures 2 to 6 ).

[0072] According to a particular embodiment, the source 101 of thermal energy production is the nuclear reactor cooled by the third heat transfer fluid containing liquid sodium; specifically, the third heat transfer fluid is liquid sodium. The first heat transfer fluid is sodium-free and inert with respect to liquid sodium. For example, this presents the technical advantage, within the framework of the embodiment of the figure 1to allow heat exchange within the second heat exchanger 114 between the third and first heat transfer fluids while preventing a reaction between the first and third heat transfer fluids, particularly in the event of leaks in the second heat exchanger 114 through which the first and third heat transfer fluids pass. Furthermore, this is generally applicable to the implementation of the figures 1 to 6 The use of a first inert heat transfer fluid containing liquid sodium has the advantage of forming a physical barrier between the liquid sodium and the water in the first energy converter, since the first heat transfer fluid is free of liquid sodium. Naturally, this first heat transfer fluid is also inert to the heat transfer fluid, i.e., the water, of the first energy converter.

[0073] Liquid sodium, used as a heat transfer fluid, can reach temperatures between 500°C and 600°C.

[0074] A particular example of a first heat transfer fluid that is inert with respect to liquid sodium and especially suitable for the application of the present invention may include a liquid metal. Preferably, the first heat transfer fluid comprises a eutectic alloy of lead and bismuth. Such a first heat transfer fluid containing lead and bismuth is particularly suitable for recovering heat from a heat transfer fluid containing liquid sodium through a heat exchanger while remaining inert with respect to the liquid sodium. Alternatively, the first fluid may be pure liquid lead.

[0075] In the case where the electrical power generation device 100 includes the fourth circuit 116 as described above, the fourth heat transfer fluid preferably consists of liquid sodium. The fourth heat transfer fluid can be liquid sodium. This offers the following technical advantages: the fourth and third heat transfer fluids are of the same type or identical, thus allowing efficient heat exchange between these fourth and third heat transfer fluids in the third heat exchanger 117, the fourth circuit 116 makes it possible to form a physical barrier between the first heat transfer fluid and the third heat transfer fluid passing through the nuclear reactor to limit the risks of radioactive contamination of the first heat transfer fluid.

[0076] When the fourth circuit 116 is not present ( figure 1Although the safety of the nuclear reactor power generation device 100 as a source 101 of thermal energy production is reduced, this improves the overall efficiency of the power generation device 100 by limiting the number of heat exchangers between the nuclear reactor core and the first energy converter 102, and thus limiting thermal pinching. Thermal pinching occurs when two heat transfer fluids exchange heat via a corresponding heat exchanger. Thermal pinching is therefore an irreversible phenomenon that reduces the potential of a heat transfer fluid for conversion into mechanical or electrical energy.

[0077] THE figures 3 to 6 illustrate the 100 electrical energy production device of the type of figure 2Arrows have been added to the various circuits to indicate the direction of flow of the heat transfer fluids within these circuits. The flow principles described below can also be applied, adapted to the structures of electrical power generation devices. Figures 1 , 7 , 8 And 9 .

[0078] Thus, in figures 3 and 4 The second thermal energy supply configuration can be such that: Upon exiting the second heat exchanger 114, the first heat transfer fluid circulating in the first part 108 is directed to be injected, with the first heat transfer fluid circulating in the second part 109 at the exit of the first heat exchanger 112, into the third part 110. Following its injection into the third part 110, the first heat transfer fluid circulates so as to pass through the first energy converter 102 and is then divided to be injected respectively into the first part 108 upstream of the second heat exchanger 114 according to the direction of flow of the first heat transfer fluid in the first part 108 and into the second part 109 upstream of the first heat exchanger 112 according to the direction of flow of the first heat transfer fluid in the second part 109.

[0079] In figures 3 and 4, the second heat transfer fluid circulates so as to pass through the accumulator 103 from bottom to top to recover thermal energy stored in the accumulator 103 in order to transfer it to the first energy converter 102 via the first heat transfer fluid.

[0080] In figures 5 and 6 showing an example of the implementation of the first thermal energy supply configuration during the operation of the electrical energy production device 100, the first heat transfer fluid circulates as follows: The first heat transfer fluid circulating in the first part 108 is directed out of the second heat exchanger 114 until it is divided and injected into the second part 109 of the first circuit 107 and into the third part 110 of the first circuit 107. The first heat transfer fluid circulating in the second part 109 of the first circuit passes through the first heat exchanger 112 and is then injected into the first part 108 of the first circuit 107 towards the second heat exchanger 114. The first heat transfer fluid circulating in the third part 110 of the first circuit 107 passes through the first energy converter 102 and is then injected into the first part 108 of the first circuit 107 towards the second heat exchanger 114. figures 5 and 6The second heat transfer fluid circulates so as to pass through the accumulator 103 from top to bottom to charge it with thermal energy transferred to the second heat transfer fluid from the first heat transfer fluid via the first heat exchanger 112. figures 5 and 6 , the second heat transfer fluid passes through the second energy converter 104 which is either active ( figure 5 ) to supply heat to the second heat transfer fluid after its passage through the first heat exchanger 112 but before its passage through the accumulator 103, i.e. inactive ( figure 6 ).

[0081] In one particular embodiment, the first heat transfer fluid can be a gas, preferably one that does not interact with sodium and water. Nitrogen, helium, and noble gases can be considered as the gases forming the first heat transfer fluid. A mixture of the aforementioned gases can also be considered as the first heat transfer fluid.

[0082] If the first heat transfer fluid is a gas, this allows it to interact directly with the accumulator 103 to store or release thermal energy. Therefore, using a gas as the first heat transfer fluid can simplify the electrical power generation device 100, enabling it to exhibit the characteristics described previously without the second circuit 111 described above, and thus without the second heat exchanger 112 (visible in figures 1 to 7 ).

[0083] THE figures 8 And 9This simplified architecture shows the first circuit 107, which allows the first heat transfer fluid to pass directly through the accumulator 103. The first heat transfer fluid is then a gas. Preferably, the second part 109 of the first circuit 107 passes through the accumulator 103 to allow for its charging or the release of thermal energy to the first heat transfer fluid by the accumulator 103. According to this simplified architecture, the electrical power generation device 100 can then include a second circuit 115 for circulating a second heat transfer fluid. This second circuit 115 is configured to pass the second heat transfer fluid through the thermal energy generation source 101 to extract thermal energy from this source. Thus, the second circuit 115 passes through the thermal energy generation source 101.The electrical power generation device 100 includes the heat exchanger 114 for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source 101 to the first heat transfer fluid, said heat exchanger 114 being arranged so as to permit heat transfer from the second heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid (in this case the first and second heat transfer fluids can pass through the heat exchanger 114 to permit heat exchange from the second heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid as shown in the diagram). figure 9 According to another implementation, in figure 8The electrical energy production device 100 includes: a third circuit 116 for circulating a third heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger 117 configured to allow heat transfer from the second heat transfer fluid to the third heat transfer fluid (in this case the third and second heat transfer fluids can pass through the heat exchanger 117 to allow heat exchange from the second heat transfer fluid to the third heat transfer fluid); and the heat exchanger 114 for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source 101 to the first heat transfer fluid is configured to allow heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid (in this case the third and first heat transfer fluids can pass through the heat exchanger 114 to allow heat exchange from the third heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid).This presents in particular the advantages described in connection with the presence of circuit 115, or of circuit 115 and circuit 116, within the framework of the . figures 1 to 6Here, the second energy converter 104 can be directly coupled to the first circuit 107 to, if necessary, heat the first fluid circulating in the second section 109. Of course, here the thermal energy source 101 is the nuclear reactor cooled by the second heat transfer fluid, the second heat transfer fluid containing liquid sodium (the second heat transfer fluid can be liquid sodium), the first heat transfer fluid being a gaseous fluid inert to liquid sodium. The first circuit 107 is configured to allow the passage of the first heat transfer fluid through the accumulator 103 during its charging or during the release of thermal energy by the accumulator 103. The second circuit 115 can include a pump 124 for circulating the second heat transfer fluid. If necessary, the third circuit 116 can include a pump 124 for circulating the third heat transfer fluid.

[0084] In the case where the first heat transfer fluid is a gas, it may be possible to place a gas turbine in the first circuit 107 in order to generate electricity by exploiting the circulation of the gas.

[0085] It has been described above how the different configurations for supplying thermal energy to the electrical power generation device 100 can improve its flexibility and maneuverability, allowing it to adapt to different situations. To enable this adaptation, the electrical power generation device 100 can advantageously include a control module 118 (visible in figures 1 to 9 ), also called a monitoring device, of its operation. Such a control module 118 is specifically configured to select and implement one of the first and second thermal energy supply configurations in order to ensure the desired flexibility.

[0086] For example, the control module 118 can determine whether the electrical transmission network 106 connected to the output of the first energy converter 102 is in a period of low demand, particularly for electrical energy, or in a period of high demand, particularly for electrical energy, from which it follows that in a period of low demand, the control module 118 places the electrical energy production device 100 in its first thermal energy supply configuration and that in a period of high demand the control module 118 places the electrical energy production device 100 in its second thermal energy supply configuration.

[0087] Even in a specific thermal energy supply configuration, the operation of the electrical energy production device 100 can be preferably adapted to further improve its flexibility. This can be achieved by the control module 118, which is configured to adjust the operation of the electrical energy production device 100 when it adopts an operating configuration chosen from one of the first and second thermal energy supply configurations. This adjustment of operation is dependent on an input parameter of the control module 118.

[0088] Since the first energy converter 102 is intended to be connected to the electrical transmission network 106 to supply this electrical transmission network 106 with electrical energy produced by the first energy converter 102, the input parameter can be an operating constraint to be applied to the electrical energy production device 100 for: To meet the demand for electrical energy to be supplied to the electricity transmission network 106 by the first energy converter 102, in particular by appropriately controlling the thermal power supplied to or drawn from the accumulator 103, or to perform frequency tracking of the electricity transmission network 106, preferably by appropriately controlling the power consumed from the electricity transmission network 106 by the second energy converter 104, this can be achieved when the electrical energy supply device 100 is in the first thermal energy supply configuration or in the second thermal energy supply configuration. These operating constraints have the advantage of providing services adapted to the transmission network 106.

[0089] The electrical transmission network 106 must be balanced to function properly; it is then said to be operating at its operating frequency. However, it is possible for this electrical transmission network 106 to become unbalanced over time, and it is then necessary to react quickly to rebalance it. The technique for balancing the electrical transmission network 106 is called frequency tracking. Frequency tracking consists of a moderate but very rapid variation in the electrical power supplied by the first power converter 102 to the electrical transmission network 106 to which it is connected in order to balance this electrical transmission network 106. By "moderate variation in the electrical power supplied," we mean, for example, a variation of plus or minus 2.5% to plus or minus 7%.By "very fast", it is understood, for example, that the time required to obtain this variation when requested is between 30 seconds and 2 minutes.

[0090] To perform frequency tracking of the electrical transmission network 106 while the electrical power generation device 100 is operating during periods of low demand, i.e., in its first thermal energy supply configuration, the control module 118 can maintain the second energy converter 104 in the active state in this first thermal energy supply configuration so that it contributes to charging the accumulator 104 and adjusts the heating power of the second energy converter 104 up or down to respond very quickly to a frequency tracking constraint of the electrical transmission network 106.

[0091] To perform frequency tracking of the electrical transmission network 106 while the electrical power generation device 100 is operating during periods of high demand, i.e., in its second thermal power supply configuration. The control module 118 can maintain, in the second thermal power supply configuration, the second energy converter 104 in the active state at a minimum heating power compatible with frequency tracking (namely, for example, 7% of the nominal power of the electrical power generation device 100, i.e., the nominal power output of the first energy converter 102, when the electrical power generation device 100 is in its second thermal power supply configuration).Thus, when the control module 118 receives frequency tracking calls, it is possible to interrupt the operation of the second energy converter 104 (switching to its inactive state temporarily) or to increase the operating power of the second energy converter 104 in order to contribute to balancing the electrical transmission network 106.

[0092] In figures 1 to 9The control module 118 is schematically represented by a square. This control module 118 is preferably adapted to control components, for example pumps allowing the circulation of heat transfer fluids, where applicable, to selectively place the second energy converter 104 either in its active state or in its inactive state, where applicable, to control the direction of circulation of the second heat transfer fluid in the second circuit 111 for example by controlling the operation of the pump 113, and where applicable to control the direction of circulation of the first heat transfer fluid in the second part of the first circuit 107 for example by controlling the operation of the pump 122.

[0093] Thus, the control module 118 can include all the necessary software and hardware means to enable it to integrate logic to choose the most suitable of the first and second thermal energy supply configurations to implement and, if necessary, adjust the operation of the thermal energy supply configuration that it implements.

[0094] The pumps described can be controlled by the control module 118 to adjust their flow rate.

[0095] It follows from all that has been described above that the invention also relates to a method of operating the electrical energy production device 100 as described.

[0096] For example, such an operating method for the electrical power generation device 100 may include a stage of thermal energy production by the thermal energy generation source 101 and a stage of electrical energy production by the first energy converter 102 using thermal energy from the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy generation source 101. This is illustrated, for example, in figures 3 to 6 . Such an operating method has the advantage of offering 100% maneuverability of the electrical energy production device.

[0097] The operating process may include a step of charging the accumulator 103 using thermal energy from the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source 101. Thus, this charging step of the accumulator 103 is implemented during the electrical energy production step, particularly when the electrical energy production device 100 is in its initial thermal energy supply configuration. This allows for the exploitation of a surplus of thermal energy to charge the accumulator 103. This is illustrated as an example in figures 5 and 6 In this case, the first thermal energy supply configuration is implemented by the operating process.

[0098] Of course, in order to improve the charging of the accumulator 103, the charging stage of the accumulator 103 can use thermal energy from the second energy converter 104 to charge the accumulator 103 preferably if electrical energy is available to be stored in thermal form in the accumulator 103. In other words, the second energy converter 104 can consume electrical energy, for example electrical energy supplied to it by the electrical supply network 105, in particular formed by the electrical transmission network 106, from which results the production of thermal energy by the second energy converter 104, the accumulator 103 being charged using the thermal energy produced by the second energy converter 104 and energy from the thermal energy production source 101.

[0099] To improve the maneuverability of the electrical power generation device 100, the operating process may include a step of releasing thermal energy stored in the accumulator 103, and the electrical power generation step by the first energy converter 102 further uses thermal energy from the thermal energy released by the accumulator 103 to produce said electrical energy. This is particularly evident in figures 3 and 4 In this case, the second thermal energy supply configuration is implemented by the operating process.

[0100] Advantageously, the operating process includes a step of adjusting the operation of the electrical power production device 100 for, in the first thermal power supply configuration or in the second thermal power supply configuration: to satisfy a demand for electrical energy to be supplied to the electrical transmission network 106. This has the advantage of being able to control electrical production thanks to the maneuverability of the electrical production device 100, or to perform frequency tracking of the electrical transmission network 106 to which the electrical energy produced by the first energy converter 102 is supplied.

[0101] Preferably, within the operating procedure, with the second energy converter 104 being electrically powered by the electrical transmission network 106, frequency tracking is achieved by adjusting the electrical power absorbed / consumed by the second energy converter 104 for its operation. This solution allows frequency tracking, in the first thermal energy supply configuration and / or in the second thermal energy supply configuration, using the available second energy converter 104: frequency tracking is then easy to implement without having to fundamentally modify the structure of the energy production device 100.

[0102] Various operating scenarios of the electrical power generation device 100 of the type of figure 2 for which: Source 101 of thermal energy production is a sodium-cooled nuclear reactor, the first heat transfer fluid is a lead-bismuth eutectic alloy Pb-Bi, the second heat transfer fluid is air, the third and fourth heat transfer fluids are each liquid sodium, the third heat transfer fluid being the liquid sodium cooling the nuclear reactor.

[0103] In the first scenario, the power generation device 100 is used during a period of low demand, for example, at night. During this period of low demand, the electrical power supplied to the electricity transmission network 106 by the first power converter 102 is reduced because the demand on the electricity transmission network 106 is lower and the price of electricity is moderate. In this case, the first power converter 102 may include the steam generator; this steam generator and the associated Rankine cycle can then operate at a reduced level. In this first scenario, the thermal power of the thermal power generation source 101 is nominal, for example, 1500 MW (MW for Megawatt); the nuclear core is then said to be operating at its nominal level. Only a portion of the thermal power, for example, 750 MW, is extracted at the first power converter 102.The remaining thermal power, i.e. 750 MW, is extracted at the first heat exchanger 112 to be stored in the accumulator 103. For this: . The first heat transfer fluid has a first flow rate in the first part 108 of the first circuit 107, the first heat transfer fluid has a second flow rate in the second part 109 of the first circuit 107, the first heat transfer fluid has a third flow rate in the third part 110 of the first circuit 107, and the second and third flow rates are strictly less than the first flow rate. In this case, a fraction of the first heat transfer fluid circulates in a bypass, or "by-pass" in English, of the first energy converter 102.

[0104] The flow of the second heat transfer fluid in the first heat exchanger 112 is counter-current to the flow of the first heat transfer fluid in this first heat exchanger 112. The second heat transfer fluid, heated in the first heat exchanger 112, enters the accumulator 103 from the top, transfers its heat to the solid elements (e.g., rock or bricks) inside the accumulator 103, and exits the accumulator 103 at a temperature strictly lower than its inlet temperature.

[0105] According to this first case: The temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its outlet from the second heat exchanger 114 is 515°C, the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its inlet to the second heat exchanger 114 is 310°C, the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its inlet to the first heat exchanger 112 is 515°C, the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its outlet from the first heat exchanger 112 is 330°C, the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its inlet to the first energy converter 102 is 515°C, the temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its outlet from the first energy converter 102 is 285°C, the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid at its outlet from the first heat exchanger 112 is 505°C, the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid at its inlet to the first heat exchanger 112 is 320°C,The flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid in the first part 108 of the first circuit 107 is 50460 kg / s, the flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid in the second part 109 of the first circuit 107 is 28000 kg / s, the flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid in the third part 110 of the first circuit 107 is 22460 kg / s, the flow rate of the second heat transfer fluid is 3800 kg / s.

[0106] This first case is an example of maintaining the nominal operation of the thermal energy production source 101 while ensuring the charging of the accumulator 103.

[0107] In a second scenario, the electrical power generation device 100 is used during a period of high demand, for example, during the day, when the electrical power to be supplied to the electricity transmission network 106 by the first power converter 102 is at its maximum because demand is high and the price of electricity is higher. The thermal power of the nuclear reactor remains nominal, for example, at 1500W, so the reactor core operates at its nominal level. The direction of flow of the second heat transfer fluid is reversed to recover energy from the accumulator 103 compared to its direction of flow in the first scenario: the second "cold" heat transfer fluid, introduced at the bottom of the accumulator 103, heats up within the accumulator 103 and exits hot at the top of the accumulator 103. The heat from the second heat transfer fluid is transferred to the first heat transfer fluid via the first heat exchanger 112.The direction of flow of the first heat transfer fluid in the second part 109 of the first circuit 107 is opposite to its direction of flow in the first case, directing it from the outlet of the first heat exchanger 112 towards the first energy converter 102. In another formulation, the second part 109 of the first circuit 107 is in parallel with the second heat exchanger 114. The energy carried by the second part 109 of the first circuit 107 at the outlet of the first heat exchanger 112 is added to that coming from the second heat exchanger 114. The thermal power received by the first energy converter 102 corresponds to the sum of the thermal power of the thermal energy production source (1500 MW) and the thermal power delivered by the storage tank (375 MW in this example).In this second case, the first energy converter 102 may include the steam generator and the Rankine cycle which operate at a high level so as to transfer to the Rankine cycle the thermal power from the nuclear core and the accumulator 103.

[0108] According to this second case: The temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its outlet from the second heat exchanger 114 is 515°C. The temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its inlet to the second heat exchanger 114 is 310°C. The temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its inlet to the first heat exchanger 112 is 310°C. The temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its outlet from the first heat exchanger 112 is 495°C. The temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its inlet to the first energy converter 102 is 511°C. The temperature of the first heat transfer fluid at its outlet from the first energy converter 102 is 310°C. The temperature of the second heat transfer fluid at its outlet from the first heat exchanger 112 is 320°C. The temperature of the second heat transfer fluid at its inlet to the first heat exchanger 112 is... 505°C,The flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid in the first part 108 of the first circuit 107 is 50460 kg / s, the flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid in the third part 111 of the first circuit 107 is 64460 kg / s, the flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid in the second part 109 of the first circuit 107 is 14000 kg / s, the flow rate of the third heat transfer fluid is 1900 kg / s.

[0109] The flow rates mentioned are mass flow rates.

[0110] In the first and second cases above, the power values ​​indicated correspond to: an assumption of variation of electricity production between 40% of the nominal of this electricity production by the electrical energy production device 100 and 100% of the nominal of this electricity production by the electrical energy production device 100 between the period of low demand for which 750 MW of thermal power is supplied to the first energy converter 102 and the period of high demand for which 1875 MW of thermal power is supplied to the first energy converter 102, a constant nominal core power of the nuclear reactor producing a thermal power of 1500 MW, a duration of low demand period of 8 h, a duration of high demand period of 16 h.

[0111] For this, the thermal storage capacity of the accumulator 103 must be 6 GWh (GWh for gigawatt-hour) for an accumulator 103 whose temperature varies between 320°C and 505°C. The storage volume of this accumulator 103 is in this case on the order of 70,000 m³.

[0112] The third and fourth cases are now described. In the third case, the accumulator 103 is also charged using the second energy converter 104. The fourth case involves energy recovery from the accumulator 103, which has been previously charged under the conditions of the third case. For these third and fourth cases, it is necessary that the second heat transfer fluid and the accumulator 103 be compatible with a higher temperature and that it be possible to electrically heat either the accumulator 103 directly or the second heat transfer fluid. Such a second heat transfer fluid can be air heated by heating elements of the second energy converter 104. This allows for energy consumption, particularly from the electrical transmission network 106, which then supplies the second energy converter 104 with electrical energy.

[0113] For these third and fourth cases, the accumulator 103 can have, as in the first and second cases, a storage volume of approximately 70,000 m³, but allowing for the storage of more thermal energy if the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid at the inlet of the accumulator 103 is increased compared to the first case, while maintaining a temperature of 320°C for the second heat transfer fluid at the outlet of the accumulator. If the second heat transfer fluid is at 600°C at its inlet to the accumulator 103, the thermal storage capacity of the accumulator 103 is increased to 9.2 GWh (instead of 6 GWh for the first case). If the second heat transfer fluid is at 900°C at its entry into the accumulator 103, this capacity is increased to 18.8 GWh for the same storage volume of the accumulator 103. Thus, the use of the second energy converter 104 makes it possible to increase the energy density of the accumulator 103 for the same storage volume of the latter.

[0114] Thus, in the third case, the characteristics of the electrical energy production device 100 can be identical to those described for the first case, with the sole difference that the second energy converter 104, by consuming 410 MW of electrical power from the electrical transmission network 106, raises the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid to 600°C at its inlet to the accumulator 103. Over a period of 8 hours, the operation of the second energy converter 104 allows for the storage of 3.2 GWh more than in the first case, for the same storage volume of the accumulator 103.

[0115] This third case corresponds to a situation in which the electrical energy production device 100 operates during periods of low demand and there is surplus electrical energy available on the electrical transmission network 106.

[0116] Thus, this third case offers the following advantages compared to the first case: increasing the energy density of the accumulator 103, possibility of carrying out massive storage of electricity, in the form of thermal energy, with a view to its resale at an advantageous price without increasing the size of the accumulator 103 and by reusing an existing electrical installation with a minimal investment consisting of the addition of one or more electrical pins.

[0117] The fourth case corresponds to a situation in which the electrical power generation device 100 operates during a period of high demand, following the third case. For this fourth case, the differences with the second case are that: The flow rate of the second heat transfer fluid is increased to 1940 kg / s, which allows the temperature of the second heat transfer fluid to reach 600°C at its inlet to the first heat exchanger 112. The first heat transfer fluid has a temperature of 590°C at its outlet from the first heat exchanger 112. The first heat transfer fluid has a temperature of 531°C at its inlet to the first energy converter 102. The accumulator 103 allows 580 MW of thermal power to be delivered to the first energy converter 102, which is added to the 1500 MW of thermal power supplied by the current production of the thermal energy production source 101. Therefore, 2080 MW of thermal power are available to the first energy converter 102 to produce electrical energy to be injected into the electrical transmission network 106.The flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid in the second part 108 of the first circuit 107 is 14300 kg / s, the flow rate of the first heat transfer fluid in the third part 109 of the first circuit 107 is 64760 kg / s.

[0118] Thus, under the conditions described above, the fourth case allows, in comparison with the second case: an increase in the temperature of the second fluid at its outlet the accumulator 103 and therefore an increased increase in the electrical power produced by the electrical energy production device 100, an increase in the efficiency of the first energy converter 102 for the entire steam-to-electricity conversion, indeed providing more thermal power to the first energy converter 102 by subjecting it to a higher temperature allows for a higher efficiency, an increase in the electrical power produced during "peak hours" when the demand for electricity is high, which may allow either selling more electricity at more attractive prices or reducing the size of the accumulator while maintaining the same output power.

[0119] Furthermore, the third and fourth cases allow the second energy converter 104 to be used by activating or deactivating it quickly to allow it to respond to rapid demands, enabling it to perform frequency tracking of the electrical transport network 106 into which the first energy converter 102 injects the electrical energy it produces.

[0120] The present invention finds an industrial application in the generation of electrical energy to be injected into the, that is to say, to supply to the, electrical transport network 106.

[0121] Of course, what applies to the electrical energy production device 100 can apply to its operating process, and conversely, what has been described in the context of the operating process can apply to the electrical energy production device 100.

[0122] Preferably, the described electrical power generation system allows for large-scale electricity storage using installations (Rankine cycle) that operate continuously, in a modulated manner, instead of operating intermittently throughout the day. This improves the efficiency of the electrical power generation system because it can operate for longer periods, thus offering a potential financial benefit. It also eliminates the need for frequent shutdowns and restarts of the power generation system.

Claims

1. An electrical energy production device (100) including: - a thermal energy production source (101), - a first energy converter (102) configured to produce electrical energy using thermal energy, - a thermal energy accumulator (103), - a second energy converter (104) configured to convert electrical energy into thermal energy, the second energy converter (104) being arranged to participate, on demand, in the storage of thermal energy in the accumulator (103), - a first thermal energy supply configuration to supply thermal energy, from the current production of the thermal energy production source (101), to the accumulator (103) and to the first energy converter (102), characterized in that it includes a second thermal energy supply configuration to supply, to the first energy converter (102), thermal energy from the accumulator (103) and thermal energy from the current production of the thermal energy production source (101).

2. The electrical energy production device (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a circuit (107) for circulating a heat transfer fluid to which the thermal energy production source (101), the first energy converter (102), and the accumulator (103) are thermally coupled, said circuit (107) being configured to: - distribute, in the first configuration, the thermal energy from the current production of the thermal energy production source (101) to the first energy converter (102) and to the accumulator (103), and - distribute, in the second configuration, the thermal energy from the current production of the thermal energy production source (101) and the thermal energy from the accumulator (103) to the first energy converter (102).

3. The electrical energy production device (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the circuit (107) includes a first part (108), a second part (109) and a third part (110), the thermal energy production source (101) being thermally coupled to the first part (108), the accumulator (103) being thermally coupled to the second part (109), the first energy converter (102) being thermally coupled to the third part (110).

4. The electrical energy production device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said heat transfer fluid circulation circuit (107) is a first circuit (107) for circulating a first heat transfer fluid, and in that the electrical energy production device (100) includes: - a second circuit (111) for circulating a second heat transfer fluid, the second circuit (111) being configured to pass the second heat transfer fluid through the accumulator (103), - a heat exchanger (112) for performing heat exchange between the first heat transfer fluid and the second heat transfer fluid.

5. The electrical energy production device (100) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - the electrical energy production device (100) includes a heat exchanger (114) for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy production source (101) to the first heat transfer fluid, - the electrical energy production device (100) includes a third circuit (115) for circulating a third heat transfer fluid, the third circuit (115) being configured to pass the third heat transfer fluid through the thermal energy production source (101) to extract thermal energy from this thermal energy production source (101), the thermal energy production source (101) being a nuclear reactor cooled by the third heat transfer fluid, and in that: - the heat exchanger (114) for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source (101) to the first heat transfer fluid is arranged so as to enable heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid, or - the electrical energy production device (100) includes a fourth circuit (116) for circulating a fourth heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger (117) configured to enable heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the fourth heat transfer fluid, the heat exchanger (114) for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source (101) to the first heat transfer fluid being configured to enable heat transfer from the fourth heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid, for example the third heat transfer fluid includes liquid sodium, for example the first heat transfer fluid is free of sodium and is a fluid inert to liquid sodium, for example the first heat transfer fluid includes a eutectic alloy of lead and bismuth, for example the fourth heat transfer fluid includes liquid sodium.

6. The electrical energy production device (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that: - the heat transfer fluid circulation circuit (107) is a first circuit (107) for circulating a first heat transfer fluid, the first heat transfer fluid being a gas, - the electrical energy production device (100) includes a heat exchanger (114) for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy production source (101) to the first heat transfer fluid, - the electrical energy production device (100) includes a second circuit (115) for circulating a second heat transfer fluid, the second circuit (115) being configured to pass the second heat transfer fluid through the thermal energy production source (101) to extract thermal energy from this thermal energy production source (101), and in that: - the heat exchanger (114) for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source (101) to the first heat transfer fluid is arranged so as to enable heat transfer from the second heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid, or - the electrical energy production device (100) includes a third circuit (116) for circulating a third heat transfer fluid and a heat exchanger (117) configured to enable heat transfer from the second heat transfer fluid to the third heat transfer fluid, the heat exchanger (114) for transferring thermal energy from the thermal energy source (101) to the first heat transfer fluid being configured to enable heat transfer from the third heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer fluid, the thermal energy source (101) being a nuclear reactor cooled by the second heat transfer fluid, the second heat transfer fluid including liquid sodium, the first heat transfer fluid being a gaseous fluid inert to liquid sodium, the first circuit (107) being configured to enable the passage of the first heat transfer fluid through the accumulator (103) during its charging or the release of thermal energy by the accumulator (103).

7. The electrical energy production device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it includes a module (118) for controlling its operation, for example the control module (118) is configured to select and implement one of the first and second configurations.

8. The electrical energy production device (100) according to claim 7, characterized in that the control module (118) is configured to perform an adjustment of the operation of the electrical energy production device (100) when it adopts an operating configuration selected from one of the first and second configurations, said adjustment of the operation being dependent on an input parameter of the control module (118).

9. The electrical energy production device (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the first energy converter (102) being intended to be connected to an electrical transmission network (106) to supply it with electrical energy produced by said first energy converter (102), the input parameter is an operating constraint to be applied to the electrical energy production device (100) to: - meet a demand for electrical energy to be supplied to the electrical transmission network (106), or - perform a frequency tracking of the electrical transmission network (106), preferably by suitable control of the power consumed, from the electrical transmission network (106), by the second energy converter (104).

10. The electrical energy production device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first configuration is such that it has an operating mode in which the second energy converter (104) is in a thermal energy supply state so as to participate in charging the accumulator (103).

11. A method for operating an electrical energy production device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, including: - a step of producing thermal energy by the thermal energy production source (101), - a step of producing electrical energy by the first energy converter (102) using thermal energy from the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source (101).

12. The operating method according to claim 11, including a step of charging the accumulator (103) using thermal energy from the current thermal energy production of the thermal energy production source (101), the step of charging the accumulator (103) being implemented during the electrical energy production step.

13. The operating method according to claim 12, wherein the second energy converter (104) consumes electrical energy, resulting in the production of thermal energy by the second energy converter (104), the accumulator (103) being charged using the thermal energy produced by the second energy converter (104).

14. The operating method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, including a step of releasing thermal energy stored in the accumulator (103), and in that the step of producing electrical energy by the first energy converter (102) further uses thermal energy from the thermal energy released by the accumulator (103) to produce said electrical energy.

15. The operating method according to any one of claims 11 to 14, including a step of adjusting the operation of the electrical energy production device (100) to, in the first configuration or in the second configuration: - meet a demand for electrical energy to be supplied to an electrical transmission network (106), or - perform a frequency tracking of the electrical transmission network (106) to which the electrical energy produced by the first energy converter (102) is supplied, for example, the second energy converter (104) being electrically powered by the electrical transmission network (106), the frequency tracking is ensured by adjusting the electrical power absorbed by the second energy converter (104).