Gravitational energy storage system

Abstract

Gravitational energy storage built is a cylindrical reinforced concrete structure including a cylindrical outer core and a centrally placed cylindrical inner core, vertical with stiffening ribs and resting shelves, in pairs facing the adjacent rib, and on each pair of shelves made of external and internal trusses rests a ballast beam, and above each section of ballast beams, there is a main girder on which a power conversion system is mounted, at least a motor-power generator with a gear and a flywheel and a lifting cable, at the end of which there is a carriage with a gripping system and there is a counterweight at the other end.

Description

[0001] Gravitational energy storage system

[0002] The subject of this invention is Gravitational Energy Storage System based on a cylindrical concrete tower structure that includes a ballast block storage zone in its upper section, a ground-to-height and height-to-ground ballast block transfer system and an energy conversion system that uses the concept of kinetic energy generation to drive electrical power generation equipment that is connected to the power conversion and transmission system to be used in the public grid or directly consumed by receivers or to be stored in lithium-ion batteries. The system takes advantage of the principle that when the end customer's demand for electricity is low, the system stores energy by transporting the ballast block from low to high elevation and when the demand for electricity is high, the ballast block is lowered to the ground, and the weight of the ballast block drives the gear mechanism or flywheel during the lowering process, which in turn drives the electricity generator.

[0003] From publication W02020018329A2, an energy storage system is known for converting electrical energy into gravitational potential energy and for converting gravitational potential energy into electrical energy, for example to be supplied to the electrical grid. In one variant, the system can use electricity generated by the solar energy then operate at night to unstack the ballast blocks to drive a generator to produce electricity which is fed into the power grid. The system consists of multiple ballast blocks and a crane comprising a frame, an electric motor / generator, one or more bogies capable of moving along the frame, and a cable connected to one or more bogies which are connected to the electric motor I generator. Each of the many blocks is the same size and shape or they are of different sizes. The cable is configured to connect to one or more blocks. The crane may stack one or more blocks on top of each other, moving said blocks from a lower elevation to a higher elevation in order to store an amount of electrical energy in said blocks corresponding to the gravitational potential energy of said blocks. The crane is further designed to remove one or more blocks from the stack by moving said blocks from a higher elevation to a lower elevation thanks to gravity to generate an amount of electrical energy corresponding to the amount of kinetic energy of said one or more blocks when they move from the higher elevation to the lower elevation. The crane is placed on the tower and has one or more booms extending transversely to the tower. Optionally, the booms can rotate around the tower. Two booms located on opposite sides of the tower balance each other. A motor I generator is a unit that can act as both an electric motor and an electric power generator. In another example, the motor / generator has a separate electric motor unit and an electrical power generator unit. The stack of blocks defines a tower having a generally cylindrical shape. The tower comprises multiple blocks optionally arranged to form a windbreak structure which may be cylindrical, block or monolithic. Blocks can also be lifted or lowered to store gravitational potential energy or generate electricity. In another option, the crane is placed on bridges with rails placed on top of the windbreak structure that move or rotate around the centre of the tower. The stack of blocks defines a tower having a generally square cross-sectional shape when viewed from above, and the windbreak structure is generally square, rectangular or C-shaped with an open end.

[0004] Another solution is an energy storage based on a modular frame structure in the form of a cuboid, an example of which is the Energy Vault Resiliency Center™. The upper rack levels are a place for storing ballast placed on transport bogies, so that they can be moved to transfer lifts located only in the outermost perimeter of the energy storage and move along its vertical outer walls. The lifts are connected to motor I generators that can be powered from renewable energy sources.

[0005] From the description of the invention P.440068, a gravitational energy storage system based on a truss structure is known, which includes a load storage zone in its upper part, a system for transferring loads from a low to a high elevation and from a high to a low elevation, and a power conversion system consisting of a reinforced concrete cylindrical structure founded on the foundation and a centrally placed truss tower, which consists of modular sections of the truss tower, containing at least two truss modules placed one on top of the other, inside which loads move vertically consisting of at least one ballast suspended on lifting cables. The modular sections of the truss tower are connected by adding them side by side, and in the lowest module of the truss there is an energy conversion unit, which is connected through a gear and a lifting system, with a suitable ballast, and the height of the reinforced concrete cylindrical structure is at least equal to the height of the truss tower modular section.

[0006] The disadvantage of the state of the art is that in the case of a truss structure on which ballast blocks rest, it is necessary to use the storage space inside to construct truss members which otherwise could be used to place ballast blocks that store the potential energy of the gravitational field. This solution incurs additional material costs, particularly for steel truss members, and presents challenges in maintaining stability of the ballast blocks to be moved, structural stiffness, and precision of execution. The sliding block in this solution has a high chance of getting stuck.

[0007] The disadvantages resulting from the prior art have been overcome in the present solution. The objective of the invention was to create an energy storage system structure devoid of defects inherent in existing designs, while also providing a surface suitable for exposing photovoltaic cells, particularly flexible coatings like perovskite, to sunlight.

[0008] The essence of the invention is that the reinforced concrete cylindrical structure comprises a cylindrical outer core with vertical internal stiffening ribs along the entire height on the inner circumference, and a centrally positioned cylindrical inner core with vertical outer stiffening ribs along the entire height, on the outer circumference, protecting the ballast beams against tipping over The upper sections of both the inner and outer ribs feature evenly spaced resting shelves, arranged in pairs facing the adjacent rib. A ballast beam rests on each pair of shelves made of inner and outer ribs, and above each section of ballast beams there is a main girder on which the energy conversion unit is mounted. Such a system includes at least a motor-generator with a gear, a flywheel and a lifting cable. At one end there is a carriage with a gripping system and a counterweight at the other end. The inner and outer ribs feature linear guides along their entire length, facing the adjacent rib.

[0009] Preferably, the energy conversion unit comprises at least a motor I generator with at least one gear motor, a system of winding shafts for lifting cables, a transformer station and cables.

[0010] Additionally, it is advantageous for the cylindrical outer core to incorporate a structure with mounted photovoltaic panels on its outer surface.

[0011] Moreover, it is preferable for the outer surface of the cylindrical outer core to be covered with flexible photovoltaic coatings.

[0012] In another variant of the invention, a technical and viewing platform is located at the top of the gravitational energy storage tower, positioned above the main girders, equipped with a system for collecting and draining water used for electrolysis.

[0013] It is advantageous if wind turbines with a vertical and / or horizontal axis of rotation are mounted on its top.

[0014] It is also beneficial to incorporate a turntable on the foundation slab, moving along a circular track embedded in the foundation slab, with a radius twice the distance from the centre of the ballast beam to the centre of the cylindrical outer core.

[0015] In addition, it is advantageous to install a technical elevator along the side wall of the cylindrical outer core, within the space between the storage areas of adjacent ballast beam sections.

[0016] It is also advantageous when the carriage with the ballast beam gripping system includes a longitudinal carriage beam with two transverse carriage beams on which horizontal powered bogies move, and at both ends of the transverse carriage beams there are vertical bogies with rolling elements supported by linear guides. Furthermore, it is preferable for the gripping system to be a twist-lock system comprising a twist-lock pin that interacts with a twist-lock socket in the ballast beam.

[0017] It is also preferable for the cylindrical inner core to be internally divided by stiffening ceilings.

[0018] In another variant of the invention, inside the cylindrical inner core, there is at least one centrally mounted vertical water pipe connected to a system that converts the energy of the water column into electricity, and it is in turn connected to an electrical energy storage system and / or to the power grid. When multiple vertical water conduits are present, they are interconnected at the bottom using piping to regulate the water flow between them.

[0019] In another preferred variant of the invention, inside the cylindrical inner core, there is a system for converting energy from condensed air stored in the tanks arranged on at least one level designated inside the cylindrical inner core, and the system for converting energy from condensed air is connected to the electrical energy storage system and / or or with the power grid.

[0020] It is preferred if the energy conversion units are connected to the power collector.

[0021] It is also preferred when the foundation slab rests on foundation piles.

[0022] It is obvious to the expert that all required components are connected to an intelligent management and control system to optimise energy storage operation. Such a system includes at least a weather station, software and controllers.

[0023] The basic elements that make up the structure of the energy storage, its ballast blocks, or the energy conversion unit (including the lifting system), as well as the forms of renewable energy supply, have been reflected and defined. However, the details of the figures and the configuration parameters of individual technical means given in the embodiment examples require taking into account the customer's needs and other limitations and local conditions in which the energy storage according to the invention will be located. Similarly, the principle of storing gravitational potential energy as in the energy storage according to the invention allows the use of many already developed solutions or elements known from the state of the art, which allowed some figures and details in this description to be omitted or simplified.

[0024] The advantage of the construction according to the invention is the ability to independently control the lifting and lowering of individual ballast blocks, which significantly affects the efficiency of the energy storage. Additionally, the used in the invention is characterised by the stability of ballasts during their movement. The streamlined shape of the reinforced concrete cylindrical structure surrounding the energy storage structure has a positive effect on the wind flow, which is important when the storage facility is located near wind farms. Energy losses are minimised by eliminating the pulley system at each ballast beam section.

[0025] Due to the fact that the reinforced concrete structure is of cylindrical shape, the photovoltaic panels cells on its outer surface fully utilise the time of insolation during the day.

[0026] In terms of height, the geometry of the energy storage is unlimited as the design can be varied to accommodate foundation requirements.

[0027] Due to the option of alternative power supply both from the grid and from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind, storing the energy is independent of adverse weather conditions. After adaptive changes that do not affect the basic structure but only affect the arrangement of individual elements of the units, the gravitational energy storage according to the solution described in this invention allows the installation within it known systems for converting energy obtained from renewable sources into electricity, which can be stored in peripheral gravitational energy storage units or transferred directly to the network.

[0028] The stored energy can be held indefinitely until used.

[0029] The dimensions, structural components, lifting system, and electrical units of the gravitational energy storage are tailored to meet specific requirements and local conditions. The invention is described in more detail in the embodiments and shown in the figures of Fig. 1 .

[0030] View of the gravitational energy storage, from above, at the level of the main girders.

[0031] Fig. 2. View of the gravitational energy storage, from above at the level of the upper loading of ballast beams, with visible water piping in the cylindrical inner core.

[0032] Fig. 3. View of the gravitational energy storage, from above at the level of the lower resting shelf of ballast beams, with visible water piping in the cylindrical inner core. Fig. 4. Top view of a single ballast section with the motor-generator, gearbox and flywheel resting on a section of the main girder and the system carrying the ballast beams.

[0033] Fig. 5. Side view of the lifting system at its extreme position with the counterweight at the top.

[0034] Fig. 6. View from the cylindrical inner core of a single section of ballast beams located on resting shelves, with the lifting system in the idle position.

[0035] Fig. 7. View of the lifting system while lowering the second pair of ballast beams.

[0036] Fig. 8. View of a single section of ballast beams from the cylindrical inner core with powered horizontal bogies and carriages in the extreme middle position.

[0037] Fig. 9. View of a single section of ballast beams from the cylindrical inner core with powered horizontal bogies and carriages in the extreme outer position.

[0038] Fig. 10. View of a single section of ballast beams from the cylindrical inner core with powered horizontal bogies and carriages horizontally transporting a pair of ballast beams.

[0039] Fig. 1 1. View of a single section of ballast beams from the cylindrical inner core with powered horizontal bogies and carriages in the extreme middle position during vertical transport.

[0040] Fig. 12. Cross-section of the gravitational energy storage at the lower level with all ballast beams at the top, with the condensed air system visible inside the cylindrical inner core.

[0041] Fig. 13. Vertical cross-section of the gravitational energy storage with all ballast beams at the top, with the condensed air system visible inside the cylindrical inner core. Fig. 14. A vertical section of the gravitational energy storage with all the ballast beams at the top, with the water piping arrangement visible inside the cylindrical inner core, with the electric turbines invisible below the piping.

[0042] Embodiment 1 :

[0043] In its basic structure, the gravitational energy storage system includes a cylindrical outer core 1 and a centrally positioned cylindrical inner core 2. Both cores 1, 2 are coaxially placed on the foundation slab 24. On the rings of both cores 1, 2, main girders 7 are mounted radially around their entire circumference, at equal intervals. Placed on each main girder 7 there is a part of the energy conversion unit, consisting of a motor-generator 16, an associated gear 17 and a flywheel 18. A lifting cable 12 interacts with the flywheel 18. One end of the lifting cable is terminated with a suspended counterweight 15 and on the other end there is a longitudinal carriage beam 8, with horizontal powered bogies 10 at the ends, which move on two transverse carriage beams 9. Each transverse beam 9 has a vertical bogie 11 at its end, moving along linear guides 19. A powered horizontal bogie 10 moves along the beam of the transverse carriage 9, moving it in order to grip the ballast beams 3 with a pair of twist-lock pins 13 in the twist lock sockets 14 located in them, which are one of the variants of the gripping system. In the upper part, the inner ribs 5 and outer ribs 4 comprise resting shelves 6 in pairs evenly spaced along their length and facing the adjacent rib, with a ballast beam 3 resting on each pair of shelves made of outer and inner ribs.

[0044] The powered horizontal bogies 10, after gripping the ballast beams 3, move inside the cross beams of the carriage 9, and then the vertical bogies 11 move vertically down, then the lifting cable 12 drives the flywheel 18, which, through the gear motor gear 17, rotates the motor-generator 16, i.e. the generating unit which produces electricity and transmits it through the control system and an inverter to the gravitational energy storage or directly to the grid.

[0045] The gravitational energy storage system on top of the reinforced concrete cylindrical structure has four vertical axis wind turbines. Inside the cylindrical outer core 1 , in the space between radially arranged sections of ballast beams 3, there are horizontal axis wind turbines whose operation is based on the thermodynamic flow of air which moves vertically upwards from the inlet channels propelling the wind turbine blades into motion and thus generating electricity. The electricity generated from the operation of the tower's wind turbines or external turbines and external photovoltaic panels powers the motors in the next energy conversion unit.

[0046] When the system is to discharge back the stored and converted energy (gravitational potential energy into electricity), the system receives a signal to lower the ballast beams 3, thus forcing the drive system into motion, which becomes an electricity generator. Electricity is generated along the entire travel distance of the ballast beam 3 and fed back to the grid from the generators. The ballast beams 3 are placed directly on top of each other on the foundation slab 24. They are placed also on the foundation slab 24 with a turntable 22, moving along a circular track embedded in the foundation slab 24, with a radius twice the distance from the centre of the ballast beam to the centre of the cylindrical outer core 1.

[0047] Specification:

[0048] Power of installed motor / generators: 5 MW

[0049] Charging (lifting) time for all ballast blocks 7 h (25,200 s)

[0050] Discharging (lowering) time all ballast blocks 7 h (25,200 s)

[0051] Energy Storage Capacity: 5 MW x 7 h = 35 MWh

[0052] Weight of all ballast blocks: 85,627,000 kg

[0053] Absolute lifting elevation of ballast blocks: 150 m

[0054] Number of reinforced concrete ballast blocks: 1 ,415 pcs

[0055] Weight of one ballast block: 60,000 kg

[0056] Dimensions of 1 ballast block: 21 x 1 .5 x 0.8 m

[0057] Overall dimensions of the energy storage system:

[0058] - height 212 m

[0059] - diameter of the outer core 76 m

[0060] - diameter of the inner core 29 m

[0061] Ballast beams are made of high-performance concrete with compressive strength from 10 to 60 MPa.

[0062] Embodiment 2: Gravitational energy storage, as in embodiment 1 , with the foundation slab placed on foundation piles 23 driven vertically into the ground. On the foundation slab 24 there is a turntable 22 moving on a circular track 21 , embedded in the foundation slab 24. The radius of the track is equal to twice the distance of the centre of the ballast beam 3 from the centre of the cylindrical outer core 1 . In the initial phase of building the gravitational energy storage, the turntable 22 is used to transport ballast beams 3 to subsequent zones under the main girders 7, from which they are lifted to the upper position. During the operation of the gravitational energy storage, the turntable 22 is used for service and repair purposes.

[0063] Embodiment 3: Gravitational energy storage as in embodiment 1 , but inside the cylindrical inner core 2 there are vertical water pipes 20, connected in the lower part with piping 27 regulating the water flow between them., Under each water pipe 20 there is a water turbine, which is part of a system that converts the energy of the water column into electricity, and it is connected with an electricity storage system and I or with the power grid. The water turbine also serves as a pump for filling empty tanks with water being lifted through external pipes to the upper levels of the water pipes 20 by means of a system of pumps placed every 30 m.

[0064] Embodiment 4: Gravitational energy storage system as in embodiment 1 , where at the lower levels inside the cylindrical inner core 2, there is a system for converting energy from condensed air 25 with tanks arranged on two levels designated inside the cylindrical inner core 2, which is connected to the electricity storage system and I or the power grid.

[0065] List of symbols:

[0066] 1 . cylindrical outer core

[0067] 2. cylindrical inner core

[0068] 3. ballast beam

[0069] 4. outer stiffening rib

[0070] 5. inner stiffening rib

[0071] 6. resting shelf

[0072] 7. main girder

[0073] 8. longitudinal carriage beam

[0074] 9. transverse carriage beam

[0075] 10. powered horizontal bogie

Claims

Patent claims1. Gravitational energy storage, which is a reinforced concrete cylindrical structure placed on a foundation, comprising a ballast storage zone in its upper part, a system for transferring the ballast from a low to a high elevation and from a high to a low elevation, and a power conversion system, characterised in that the reinforced concrete cylindrical structure comprises a cylindrical core outer (1 ), on the inner circumference of which, along the entire height, there are vertical internal stiffening ribs (5), and a centrally placed cylindrical inner core (2), on the outer circumference of which, over the entire height, there are vertical outer ribs stiffening (4), and the inner ribs (5) and outer ribs (4) in the upper part comprise resting shelves (6) in pairs evenly spaced along the length, facing the adjacent rib, and on each pair of shelves made of outer and inner ribs rests the ballast beam (3), and above each section of the ballast beams (3) there is a main girder (7) on which a power conversion system is mounted, which is at least a motor-generator (16) with a gear (17) and a flywheel (18) and a lifting cable (12) terminated with a carriage with a gripping system and at the other end there is a counterweight (15), while the inner ribs (5) and outer ribs (4) feature linear guides (19) along their entire length facing towards the adjacent rib.

2. The gravitational energy storage system according to claim 1 characterised in that the energy conversion unit comprises at least a motor I generator (16) with at least one gear motor, a system of winding shafts for lifting cables (12), a transformer station and cables.

3. The gravitational energy storage according to claim 1 , characterised in that the cylindrical outer core (1 ) has a structure with mounted photovoltaic panels on its outer surface.

4. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 3, characterised in that the outer surface of the cylindrical outer core (1 ) is covered with flexible photovoltaic coatings.

5. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 1 , characterised in that on its top, above the main girders (3), there is a fenced maintenance and viewing deck with a system for collecting and draining water used for electrolysis.

6. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 1 , characterised in that wind turbines with a vertical and / or horizontal axis of rotation are mounted on its top.

7. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 1 , characterised in that there is a turntable (22) on the foundation slab (24) moving on a circular track (21 ) embedded in the foundation slab (24) whose radius is twice the distance of the centre of the ballast beam from the centre of the cylindrical outer core (1 ).

8. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 1 , characterised in that an access elevator is mounted along the side wall of the cylindrical outer core (1 ), in the storage space for adjacent sections of ballast beams (3).

9. Gravitational energy storage, according to claim 1 , characterised in that the carriage with the ballast beam gripping system (3) comprises a longitudinal carriage beam (8) with two transverse carriage beams (9) on which horizontal powered bogies move (10), and at both ends of the transverse carriage beams there are vertical bogies (1 1 ) with rolling elements supported by linear guides (19).

10. Gravitational energy storage, according to claim 1 , characterised in that the gripping system is a twist-lock system comprising a twist-lock pin (13) interacting with the twist-lock socket (14) in the ballast beam (3).1 1 . Gravitational energy storage, according to claim 1 , characterised in that the cylindrical inner core (2) is divided inside by stiffening ceilings.

12. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that inside the cylindrical inner core (2), there is at least one centrally mounted vertical water pipe (20) connected to a system that converts the energy of the water column into electricity, and it is in turn connected to an electrical energy storage system and / or to the power grid.

13. Gravitational energy storage according to claim 12, characterised in that when there is more than one vertical water pipe (20) inside the cylindrical inner core (2), and they are connected in the lower part with piping (27) regulating the water flow between them.

14. Gravitational energy storage according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that inside the cylindrical inner core (2), there is a system for converting energy from condensed air (25) stored in the tanks arranged on at least one level designated inside the cylindrical inner core (2), and the system for converting energy from condensed air (25) is connected to the electrical energy storage system and / or or with the power grid.

15. The gravitational energy storage system according to claim 1 , or claim 12 or claim 14 characterised in that the energy conversion units are connected to the power collector.

16. Gravitational energy storage system according to claim 1 or claim 12 or claim 14, characterised in that the foundation slab (24) rests on the foundation piles (23).

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