A combination power plant for the production of electrical energy, comprising an existing hydropower plant and a wind power plant

Abstract

The present invention relates to a combined power plant for the production of electrical energy, comprising an existing hydropower plant and a wind power plant. The existing infrastructure of the hydropower plant is utilized in the construction and operation of the wind power plant.

Description

[0001] NIPO

[0002] 1

[0003] TITLE: A combination power plant for the production of electrical energy, comprising an existing hydropower plant and a wind power plant.

[0004] The present invention relates to a combination power plant, comprising an existing hydropower plant and a wind power plant, such that an existing hydropower plant is combined with a new wind power plant, to utilize the already provided resources invested in the construction of the existing hydropower plant, such as utilizing existing infrastructure in connection with the construction and operation of the wind power plant, where existing infrastructure includes roads for transportation, power grids, generator halls, buildings, and water conduit routes, etc.

[0005] There is an increasing demand for more electrical energy, power, in society, and there is a desire for a faster development of power plants, with renewable energy being particularly preferred as a power source.

[0006] Building power plants in areas with little or no existing infrastructure takes a long time and is also very costly. It would also require new and additional interventions in nature, whether it is the development of power plants on land or at sea. Today, there is a significant debate regarding whether energy delivery should take precedence over natural interventions or not, and there are many opponents to the development of, for example, wind power, in the form of wind power plants, both onshore and offshore.

[0007] Power plants based on renewable energy, and which are weather-dependent, such as wind power plants and hydropower plants, will not always maintain the desired energy delivery and therefore have lower power production quality than, for example, fossil fuel power plants or nuclear power plants. Power plants based on renewable energy and weather-dependent, especially those located in northern Europe, will see variations in power production with the seasons. Maintaining a steady and more predictable energy delivery, power production quality, is therefore a challenge for wind power plants and hydropower plants, among others.

[0008] Today, there are different types of wind turbines, with the most common design being the one with the generator directly connected to the wind turbine and placed on top of a tower, also known as a windmill. However, there are also wind turbines where the generator is independently located, as shown in publication US2017101981 A1 . Publication US2017101981 A1 relates to a wind turbine system NIPO

[0009] 2 where the power generator unit is independently installed at ground level to minimize vertical pressure load on the tower. The wind turbine system is powered by an integrated air power unit comprising an air pump driving an air motor connected to a power generator at ground level. The lightweight air pump replaces the old heavy system generator and is connected to the wind turbine's rotor blades, which are positioned on top of the tower. A pipeline supplies compressed air from the air pump to the air motor, which drives the generator to produce electricity.

[0010] It is also known today that wind power can be used to pump water up into a water reservoir to store the potential energy that can later be used to drive power production to improve power production quality, see CN105756860.

[0011] There is thus a need for an alternative to current solutions for power production, or at least supplementary devices to mitigate or reduce at least one of the disadvantages of known techniques, or at least to provide a useful alternative to known techniques.

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a power plant that does not cause significant deterioration of nature and with reduced construction costs.

[0013] One purpose of the invention has also been to develop a power plant that can be implemented more quickly in society, so that we can rapidly increase the availability of renewable energy in the market.

[0014] Another purpose of the invention has been to optimize existing hydropower plants to produce electrical energy more steadily throughout the year, thereby increasing production quality.

[0015] These purposes are fulfilled by a combination power plant, as defined in independent claim 1 . Further embodiments of the combination power plant are specified in dependent claims 2-20.

[0016] Therefore, a combination power plant for the production of electrical energy is provided, comprising an existing hydropower plant and a wind power plant, wherein the existing infrastructure of the hydropower plant is utilized in the construction and operation of the wind power plant. NIPO

[0017] 3

[0018] Measurements indicate that many existing hydropower plants are located in areas with high winds, so wind power plants in these areas could provide good power production. By combining existing hydropower plants with a new wind power plant to form a combination power plant, as described above, power production can increase without significant interventions in nature. Combination power plants can be quickly developed by implementing wind power plants at existing hydropower plants, and in one embodiment, wind turbines can be installed on or near existing dams for the reservoir associated with the hydropower plant.

[0019] The combination power plant will increase power production and simultaneously contribute to a more consistent power production throughout the year than conventional hydropower plants. For example, during low water levels in the reservoirs and high wind speeds, the combination power plant can supply electricity from the attached wind power plant when a conventional hydropower plant would need to reduce power production or shut down completely to avoid too low water levels in the reservoir.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, the wind power plant comprises:

[0021] - A rotatable air intake,

[0022] - A rotating device,

[0023] - An air duct,

[0024] - A wind turbine,

[0025] - A generator,

[0026] - An air outlet.

[0027] Where the rotatable air intake is arranged with the rotating device to be turned towards the wind and capture air, so that the air is directed further to the air duct, which is arranged to guide the air to the wind turbine, so that the turbine is powered by the air, and where the wind turbine is equipped with a generator for the production of electrical energy, power, in the existing hydropower plant's generator hall, where the generator is connected to the hydropower plant's existing power grid for export of electrical energy, power.

[0028] The advantages of such a design of the wind power plant are that the rotatable air intake for the wind turbine can be arranged on or near the existing dam for the reservoir associated with the hydropower plant, while heavier components such as one or more wind turbines and one or more generators can be arranged in the hydropower plant's existing generator hall or in close proximity to the existing NIPO

[0029] 4 generator hall, so that electrical energy from the wind power plant can be directed to the hydropower plant's existing power grid. In one embodiment, the one or more generators will be connected via one or more transformers before they are connected to the existing power grid of the hydropower plant.

[0030] In one embodiment of the invention, the rotatable air intake is arranged with a cross- sectional area at the air intake, where the air flows in, larger than a cross-sectional area at the air duct where the wind turbine is located, so that the air flow velocity becomes greater at the wind turbine than at the air intake. It is in accordance with the continuity equation and Bernoulli's energy equation for kinetic energy, we can assume little or virtually no air leakage in the air duct, so that the volume flow rate of air becomes equal and only the cross-section is reduced from the air intake to the air duct where the wind turbine is located, thereby increasing the air flow velocity. The air duct can have a desired cross-section, such as a square cross-section, a rectangular cross-section, an oval cross-section, a circular cross-section, or even a polygonal cross-section.

[0031] In one embodiment of the invention where the wind power plant comprises a fan arrangement, so that the rotatable air intake, which is arranged to be turned towards the wind and capture air, can lead the air further via the fan arrangement, which compresses the air before it is further directed to the air duct. A fan arrangement will increase the volume flow down into the air duct, referencing Bernoulli's energy equation for pressure energy, so that one can achieve an increased output from the wind turbine, thereby increasing the production of electrical energy.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the invention, where the fan arrangement comprises at least one blade fan with rotatable blades and a motor. Where the rotatable blades can be rotated around their longitudinal axis to change the blade pitch, so that the rotatable blades can adjust the pitch of the blade fan and thus adjust the amount of air compressed down into the air duct, and where the blade fan can be powered by a motor, so that the blade fan can compress air down into the air duct. The fan arrangement is also intended to be used when there is insufficient wind to drive the wind turbine, typically from a battery bank or other energy source. The fan arrangement can act as a compressing fan or as a compressor.

[0033] When the fan arrangement is not needed, the blades can be rotated to a position where they hinder the least airflow passage, and both the blade fan and the rotating blades can be locked in the desired position. The motor driving the fan arrangement NIPO

[0034] 5 is preferably frequency-controlled, but it can also be a motor that is pneumatic, hydraulic, or another form of mechanical motor driven by belts or gears.

[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, the wind power plant can wholly or partially utilize an existing distribution system in the existing hydropower plant. The existing distribution system comprises a switchboard with switchgear, fuses, and a computer- based control system for regulating the electrical energy to and from the distribution system. The existing distribution system may also include panel switches, especially for older distribution systems that do not have computer-based control systems for synchronization during the connection and disconnection of, for example, generators. In one embodiment, the distribution system includes one or more transformers, so that the electrical energy from the generators connected to the distribution panel is converted to the desired voltage before the electrical energy is exported to the existing power grid.

[0036] In one embodiment of the invention, where the rotatable air intake is arranged with an air intake damper, so that the rotatable air intake can be mechanically closed and opened during service and maintenance. There will be a need to close the air intake during work on the turbines and the air duct itself or associated sensors and control dampers. The air intake damper can also be arranged as a control damper, so that it is used to regulate the volume flow of air supplied down into the air duct and to the turbine.

[0037] In another embodiment of the invention, the rotatable air intake is equipped with a filter device to prevent birds and other foreign objects from entering the rotatable air intake. The filter device is preferably a net or a grid with a mesh size tailored to the birdlife found in the area, while also being adapted to the airflow needed to maintain the turbine's efficiency in the wind power plant.

[0038] In an embodiment of the invention where the rotatable air intake, fan arrangement, and rotating device comprise a de-icing system, so that icing of vital components, such as the rotatable air intake 4 and rotating device 6, during operation of the wind power plant in winter is reduced, thereby extending the operational period throughout the year. In a further embodiment, the de-icing system also includes the fan arrangement, the air duct, the wind turbine, the air accumulator tank, the control damper, sensors, and the air outlet. NIPO

[0039] 6

[0040] In one embodiment of the invention, the rotating device comprises a rotation control system, a rotation motor, and at least one wind sensor, so that the rotatable air intake can be turned towards a wind direction based on the at least one wind sensor, which is connected to the rotation control system, wherein the rotation control system is arranged to regulate the rotation motor, which is arranged to rotate the rotating device. Such an embodiment can turn the air intake towards the wind regardless of wind strength, and in variable winds, the rotation control system can maintain the air intake in a fixed position. In a further embodiment with three or more wind sensors, the rotation control system can even reject signals from one or more wind sensors in case of deviation from average measurements.

[0041] In one embodiment of the invention, the air duct is laid entirely or partially on the same route as existing pipeline for water flow. This is a significant advantage if the route passes through mountains or other terrain, avoiding the need to create a new path in nature. Considering both the impact on nature and cost-effectiveness, it is much more efficient to utilize existing routes.

[0042] In another embodiment of the invention, the air duct has a decreasing cross-section towards the turbine and then an increasing cross-section towards the air outlet. This is also known as the Venturi effect, where Bernoulli's principle is utilized, here with increasing velocity over the wind turbine.

[0043] In one embodiment of the invention, the air duct has a negative gradient from the rotatable air intake to the wind turbine, so that the rotatable air intake is positioned higher than the wind turbine. It is not uncommon for there to be a significant height difference (head) of, for example, up to 800-900 meters from the top of the dam, where the rotatable air intakes may be located, down to the water turbine, where the wind turbine is also positioned.

[0044] In one embodiment of the invention, the wind power plant has multiple rotatable air intakes connected to their respective air ducts, which are then combined into one air duct before reaching the wind turbine, so that the volume flow at the wind turbine increases with the number of air intakes merged into the air duct. There may be more than three air intakes as mentioned above, depending on the volume flow required to drive each turbine, and in another embodiment, there may also be multiple wind power plants connected to an existing hydropower plant. NIPO

[0045] 7

[0046] In one embodiment of the invention, the wind power plant includes an air accumulator tank, so that the air from the air intake, which is directed to the air duct, can be fully or partially diverted via a first air duct branch leading to the air accumulator tank. The air accumulator tank is then connected to a second air duct branch leading back to the air duct before the air is further directed to the wind turbine. The air accumulator tank can be used to start up the wind turbine, to achieve the necessary torque, for example, during start-up, but it is also intended to maintain a more constant pressure in the air duct before the wind turbine. In a further embodiment, second and third control dampers, arranged in the first and second air duct branches respectively, are used to maintain a more constant pressure in the air duct before the wind turbine.

[0047] In another embodiment of the invention, a solar panel arrangement is provided for the wind power plant. The solar panel arrangement includes one or more solar panels, at least one DC / DC inverter, one or more battery banks, at least one DC / AC inverter, and one or more sub-distributions. The solar panel arrangement produces electrical energy in one or more solar panels, which is directed to one or more battery banks via the at least one DC / DC inverter. The electrical energy from one or more battery banks is then converted to alternating current (AC) in the at least one DC / AC inverter, so that the direct current (DC) from the one or more battery banks is converted into alternating current (AC) and can be distributed via the one or more sub-distributions directly to consumers. In a further embodiment, the solar panel arrangement is arrenged to supply all or part of the power consumption of the turning device and / or fan arrangement. In such a way that the wind turbine can maintain a more continuous operation under varying wind conditions by supplying renewable energy stored in the battery bank to the fan arrangement. In another embodiment, the rejection arrangement is connected to the solar panel arrangement so that the electrical energy comes from renewable energy. In another embodiment of the invention, the rotatable air intakes are covered by solar panels, thereby being part of the solar panel arrangement.

[0048] In one embodiment of the invention, wherein the wind power plant comprises a wind power regulation system, wherein the wind power regulation system is arranged to send and receive signals from the generator and wind turbine, such that the generator produces electrical energy according to desired frequency, voltage, and amperage. In a further embodiment of the invention, wherein the wind power plant NIPO

[0049] 8 comprises one or more regulating dampers, one or more pressure sensors, and one or more air flow sensors, wherein the wind power regulation system is further arranged to receive signals from the sensors to send control signals to the regulating dampers, such that the operation of the wind turbine and generator is coordinated with the power demand.

[0050] In another embodiment of the invention, wherein the wind power regulation system further comprises an independent safety system, which is arranged to reduce mechanical damage primarily to the wind turbine and / or generator in case the regulation system fails and / or in case of overload on the wind turbine and / or generator. The safety system is arranged to intervene to avoid overloads on the wind turbine and / or generator.

[0051] In another embodiment, the air duct may have the same cross-section along the entire length or parts of the stretch from the rotatable air intake to the air outlet, where there are one or more regulating dampers arranged in the air duct, to regulate the airflow velocity from the air intake through the air duct to the wind turbine and out through the air outlet.

[0052] Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, the appended drawings, and the subsequent claims.

[0053] Fig. 1 shows a combined power plant 1 where a wind power plant 3 and an existing hydropower plant 2 are arranged at the same location, here indicated as generator hall 2.1 , and export electricity to an existing power grid 11 .

[0054] Fig. 2 shows a more detailed embodiment of a combined power plant 1 where the wind power plant 3 comprises more components than those shown in FIG. 1 .

[0055] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment with three rotatable air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ... each with its own air duct 7a, 7b, 7c ... which converge and guide the air to a wind turbine 8.

[0056] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment with three rotatable air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ... arranged with each their turbine 8a, 8b, 8c ... and respective generator 9a, 9b, 9c ...

[0057] Fig. 5 A, B, and C - Sections in the vertical plane of the rotatable air intake. Fig. 5A - shows the rotatable air intake seen from the front. Fig. 5B - shows the rotatable air NIPO

[0058] 9 intake seen from the side, with the right and left sides being symmetrical. Fig. 5C - shows a cross-section of the rotatable air intake seen from the back.

[0059] Fig. Figure 1 depicts a combined power plant 1 where an airflow is shown entering a rotatable air intake 4 equipped with a rotating device 6, allowing the intake to be positioned against the airflow. It is further illustrated that the rotatable air intake 4 directs the airflow to the air duct 7, which in turn directs the airflow to the wind turbine 8 located in the same generator hall 2.1 as the existing hydropower plant 2. The figure also shows an existing water pipeline 16 entering the generator hall 2.1 for the production of electrical energy. The wind turbine 8 is shown arranged with a generator 9 in the figure, and it's indicated that the generator 9 of the wind power plant is connected to the existing power grid 1 1 for the export of electrical energy. The figure also displays an air outlet 10, indicating that the airflow entering the rotatable air intake 4 ultimately returns to the atmosphere.

[0060] A more detailed embodiment is shown in Fig. In Figure 2, the combined power plant 1 is depicted with a hydropower plant 2, where an existing water pipeline 16 is shown originating from a water reservoir or reservoir 36 equipped with a gate 34, allowing regulation of the water flow to the existing water pipeline 16 leading to the hydropower plant 2. The figure also displays the wind power plant 3 where the rotatable air intake 4 is arranged on top of the dam 35 to capture the airflow, the wind, more effectively in the area.

[0061] The rotatable air intake 4, as shown in FIG. 2, is equipped with a rotating device 6, which is arranged to rotate the rotatable air intake 4 around its own vertical axis so that the front side of the air intake, where the air is supposed to flow in, is turned towards the wind direction, the airflow, which is then directed down into the air duct 7. The turning mechanism 6 can be a ball bearing, swivel, gear, or any other suitable device for rotating the air intake 4. Furthermore, the turning mechanism 4 can be motorized (not shown in Fig. 2), allowing the rotatable air intake to be rotated to the desired direction independently of the wind direction. The rotatable air intake 4 is further shown in Fig. 2 with a wind sensor, arranged to measure the wind direction, and a turning control system, arrnaged to receive signals from the wind sensor and send signals to the rotating device 6, which is now motorized, so that the air intake 4 can be rotated towards the measured wind direction with its front side. Additionally, the rotatable air intake 4, as depicted in Fig. 2, is equipped with an air intake damper 13 and a filter assembly 17. The air intake damper 13 is arranged to close off the NIPO

[0062] 10 rotatable air intake 4, partially or completely, to stop the airflow into the air intake 4, while the filter assembly 17 is arranged to prevent foreign objects from entering the rotatable air intake 4 and further into the air duct 7. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates that the rotatable air intake 4 is equipped with an air intake damper 13 and a filter assembly 17 on the front side, and it is intended that the entire cross-section of the air intake should be covered for these devices to serve their purpose (not shown in Fig. 2).

[0063] Fig. Figure 2 also shows that the rotatable air intake 4 is equipped with a fan arrangement 5, depicted here as an 8 blade axial fan, but it can also exist in other embodiments such as axial fans with fewer or more blades, centrifugal fans, air pumps, air compressors, or similar suitable devices for compressing air and directing it down to the air duct 7 (not shown in Fig. 2] The fan arrangement 5 is shown mounted vertically arranged in the intake of the rotatable air intake 4 in Fig. 2; however, it does not exclude the possibility of the fan arrangement being mounted horizontally in the rotatable air intake 4 or in the air duct 7 (not shown in Fig. 2). Moreover, it does not preclude the wind power plant 3 from being equipped with more than one fan arrangement, even though only one is depicted in Fig. 2. In one embodiment, there can be multiple fan arrangements connected in series from the rotatable air intake 4 all the way to the wind turbine 8.

[0064] The air duct 7, as depicted in Fig. 2, extends from the rotatable air intake 4, past the wind turbine 8, all the way to the air outlet 10, so that the air flowing into the rotatable air intake 4 is directed to the wind turbine 8 and further past it and out through the air outlet 10. The air duct 7 is further shown in Fig. 2 with two branch connections. The first air duct branch 7.1 is arranged to direct all or part of the airflow from the air duct

[0065] 7 to an air accumulator tank 27, and the second air duct branch is arranged to direct air back to the air duct 7 before the wind turbine 8. Regulating dampers 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 are indicated in Fig. 2, where the first regulating damper 22 is arranged in the air duct 7 after the rotatable air intake 4 and before the first air duct branch 7.1 , and is arranged to regulate the incoming airflow from the rotatable air intake 4. The second regulating damper 23 is located on the first air duct branch 7.1 and is arranged to regulate the airflow from the air duct 7 to the air accumulator tank 27. The third regulating damper 24 is located on the second air duct branch 7.2 and is arranged to regulate the airflow from the air accumulator tank 27 back to the air duct 7. The fourth regulating damper is positioned in the air duct 7 before the wind turbine

[0066] 8 and is arranged to regulate the airflow to the wind turbine 8, as well as the airflow to the first air duct branch 7.1 . The fifth regulating damper 26 is located on the air NIPO

[0067] 11 duct 7 after the wind turbine 8 and is arranged to regulate the airflow exiting through the air outlet 10. The airflow can be defined here as a volume flow, such as the volume of air per unit time, for example, cubic feet per second, also referred to as air volume.

[0068] Fig. Figure 2 also shows pressure sensors 28, 29, 30, 31 , and 32 arranged in connection with the regulating dampers 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, as well as the air accumulator tank 27. The first pressure sensor 28 is positioned in the air duct 7 after the first regulating damper 22. The second pressure sensor 29 is located in the air accumulator tank 27, between the second and third regulating dampers 23, 24. The third pressure sensor 30 is placed in the second air duct branch 7.2 after the third regulating damper 24. The fourth and fifth pressure sensors 31 and 32 are situated in the air duct 7, respectively on each side of the wind turbine 8. Fig. Figure 2 also shows at least one air flow sensor 33 positioned in the air duct 7 after the wind turbine 8 and is arranged to measure the airflow before it reaches the air outlet 10. In other embodiments, there may be more or fewer pressure sensors and air flow sensors (not shown in Fig. 2]

[0069] Additionally, Figure 2 illustrates a wind power regulation system 37, arranged to regulate the interaction between dampers 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26, generator 9, wind turbine 8, rotating device 6, air accumulator tank 27, and possibly a solar panel arrangement 18 using sensors such as pressure sensors 28, 29, 30, 31 , and 32 and at least one air flow sensor 33. Fig. Figure 2 further illustrates the connection between the generator 9, which is arranged to produce electrical energy, and a distribution system 12 before the electrical energy is directed out to an existing power grid 1 1 for export to consumers. The distribution system 12 can be an existing distribution system comprising a switchboard, circuit breakers, such as fuses, and a computer-based control system arranged to regulate electrical energy from the generator 9 and supply the electrical energy further to the existing power grid 1 1 . In one embodiment, the existing distribution system 12 serves as the connection between the power production from the hydropower plant 2 and the wind power plant 3, so that the electrical energy produced by the hydropower plant 2 and the wind power plant 3 is directed to the existing distribution system 12 before it is exported to the existing power grid 1 1 .

[0070] A solar panel arrangement 18 is depicted in Figure 2, where the solar panel arrangement comprises solar panels 18.1 connected to at least one DC / DC inverter NIPO

[0071] 12

[0072] 19, arranged to convert direct current production from the solar panels 18.1 to direct current storage in the battery bank(s) 20, and a DC / AC inverter 20.1 , arranged to convert the direct current from the battery bank(s) 20 to alternating current for distribution through one or more subpanels 21 , arranged to supply the alternating current to electrical consumers connected to the wind power plant 3.

[0073] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment where the wind power plant 3 is equipped with three rotatable air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ..., which are independent of each other and each have their own air ducts 7a, 7b, 7c ..., leading the airflow from each respective air intake 4a, 4b, 4c ... to one common air duct 7, which becomes shared for the three mentioned air ducts 7a, 7b, 7c .... The one air duct 7 directs the airflow from the air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ... to a wind turbine 8 for power production.

[0074] Although Figure 3 does not show configurations with two or more air intakes 4, it should not be excluded that such configurations may occur. Fig. Figure 3 further shows that each air intake 4a, 4b, 4c ... is equipped with a wind sensor 14 (a, b, c ...), an air intake damper 13 (a, b, c ...), a filter assembly 17 (a, b, c ...), a fan arrangement 5 (a, b, c ...), a rotating device 6 (a, b, c ...), and a turning control system 15 (a, b, c ...), arranged so that each individual air intake 4a, 4b, 4c ... can operate independently of each other with regard to wind speed and wind direction where the air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ... are located. The air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ... can be positioned relatively far apart from each other, but they can also be positioned in height, sequentially, or in a row on an existing dam belonging to the existing hydropower plant 2.

[0075] Fig. 4 depicts another embodiment with three rotatable air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ..., where the air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ... direct the airflow to each respective wind turbine 8a, 8b, 8c ..., creating three wind power plants 3a, 3b, 3c ... located at the same hydropower plant 2. The figure also shows an embodiment where the air ducts 7b and 7c merge after their respective turbines 8b and 8c, into a single common air outlet 10 b, c ... . Fig. On FIG. 4, it is also shown, as depicted in Fig. 3, that each air intake 4a, 4b, 4c ... is equipped with a wind sensor 14 (a, b, c ...), an air intake damper 13 (a, b, c ...), a filter assembly 17 (a, b, c ...), a fan arrangement 5 (a, b, c ...), a rotating device 6 (a, b, c ...), and a turning control system 15 (a, b, c ...), arranged so that each individual air intake 4a, 4b, 4c ... can operate independently of each other with regard to wind speed and wind direction where the air intakes 4a, 4b, 4c ... are mounted. NIPO

[0076] 13

[0077] Fig. 5A, B, and C depict the rotatable air intake 4 from their respective sides, installed on a turning mechanism, a rotating device arranged to orient the opening of the air intake 4 towards the direction of the wind. Fig. 5A depicts the rotatable air intake 4 seen from the front, facing directly towards the opening of the air intake 4 where the wind is intended to enter and be directed down towards the air duct 7, forming an airflow towards the wind turbine 8. FIG. 5B shows a vertical cross-section of the air intake 4 from either the right or left side. Fig. 5B also illustrates the airflow entering the opening and being directed downwards past the turning mechanism 6 to the air duct 7. Fig. 5C presents a vertical cross-section from the back of the air intake 4, in an embodiment where the air intake damper 13 is positioned in a horizontal plane at the bottom of the rotatable air intake.

[0078] Fig. 5A and B illustrate a fan arrangement 5, with Fig. 5A showing it from the front and Fig. 5B from the side. The fan arrangement 5 is arranged to compress air and direct it into the air duct 7. During high wind speeds or when the fan arrangement 5 is not needed, it can be disengaged or locked in a position to reduce resistance to the wind entering through the opening of the rotatable air intake 4. During low wind speeds, the fan arrangement 5 can compress air and channel it into the air duct 7, allowing the wind power plant 3 to maintain the production of electrical energy during periods of weak or fluctuating winds. This is particularly beneficial for sustaining a more continuous production of electrical energy and contributes to increased power production quality.

[0079] The invention has now been explained with several non-limiting embodiments. A person skilled in the art will now understand that a combined power plant can include a variety of variations and combinations of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0080] Reference designations and indicators. NIPO

[0081] 14 NIPO

[0082] 15

Claims

NIPO16Patent Claims1 . A combined power plant (1 ) for electricity production, comprising an existing hydroelectric power plant (2) and a wind power plant (3), wherein the existing infrastructure of the hydroelectric power plant (2) is utilized in the construction and operation of the wind power plant (3).

2. The combined power plant (1) according to claim 1 , wherein the wind power plant (3) comprises:- a rotatable air intake (4),- a rotating device (6),- an air duct (7),- a wind turbine (8),- a generator (9),- an air outlet (10), wherein the rotatable air intake (4) comprises the rotating device (6) arranged to be turned towards the wind to capture air, directing it further into the air duct (7), which is arranged to guide the air to the wind turbine (8), allowing the turbine (8) to be powered by the air, and wherein the wind turbine (8) is arranged with a generator (9) for the production of electrical energy, electricity, to the generator hall (2.1 ) of the existing hydroelectric power plant (2), wherein the generator (9) is connected to the existing power grid (11) of the existing hydroelectric power plant (2) for the export of electrical energy.

3. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable air intake (4) is arranged with a cross-sectional area at the air intake, where the air flows in, larger than a cross-sectional area at the air duct (7) where the wind turbine (8) is located, such that the airflow velocity is greater at the wind turbine (8) than at the air intake (4).

4. Combination power plant (1) according to claim 2, wherein the wind power plant (3) comprises a fan arrangement (5), such that the rotatable air intake (4), which is arranged to be turned towards the wind to capture air, can convey the air further via the fan arrangement (5) which compresses the air before it is directed to the air duct (7).NIPO175. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the fan arrangement (5) comprises at least:- a blade fan with rotatable blades,- a motor, wherein the rotatable blades can be rotated around their longitudinal axis to change the blade pitch, such that the rotatable blades can adjust the pitch of the blade fan and thereby adjust the amount of air compressed into the air duct (7), and wherein the blade fan can be powered by a motor, such that the blade fan can compress air into the air duct (7).

6. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the wind power plant (3) partially or entirely utilizes an existing distribution system (12) in the existing hydroelectric power plant (2).

7. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 5, wherein the existing distribution system (12) comprises a main switchboard for power distribution, further comprising:- one or more switchgear,- a switchboard regulation system, so that the power from the generator (9) is conducted via power lines to the main switchboard's switchgear, and wherein the power is regulated by the switchboard regulation system before distribution to an existing power grid (1 1 ), either in combination with power production from the existing hydroelectric power plant (2) or alone.

8. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable air intake (4) is arranged with an air intake damper (13), allowing the rotatable air intake (4) to be mechanically closed and opened during service and maintenance.

9. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable air intake (4) is arranged with a filter device (17), preventing birds and other foreign elements from entering the rotatable air intake (4).

10. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable air intake (4) and the rotary device (6) comprise de-icing arrangements, reducing icing of vital components for the operation of the plant during winter, thereby enabling operational continuity for longer periods throughout the year.NIPO1811 . Combination power plant (1) according to claim 2, wherein the rotating device (6) comprises:- a rotary control system (15),- a rotary motor,- at least one wind sensor (14), allowing the rotatable air intake (4) to be oriented towards a wind direction based on the at least one wind sensor (14), which is connected to the rotary control system (15), wherein the rotary control system (15) is arranged to regulate the rotary motor, which is arranged to rotate the rotary device (6).

12. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the air duct (7) can be placed wholly or partially on the same route as existing water conduit piping (16).

13. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the air duct (7) has a decreasing cross-section up to the turbine (8) and then an increasing cross-section up to the air outlet (10).

14. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the air duct (7) has a negative gradient from the rotatable air intake (4) to the wind turbine (8).

15. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the wind power plant (3) has multiple rotatable air intakes (4a, 4b, 4c ...) connected to each of their respective air ducts (7a, b, c ...) and converging into the air duct (7) before the wind turbine (8).

16. Combination power plant (1) according to claim 2, wherein the wind power plant (3) comprises an air accumulator tank (27), so that the air from the air intake led to the air duct (7) can be wholly or partially directed via a first air duct branch (7.1 ) leading to the air accumulator tank (27), and wherein the air accumulator tank (27) is connected to a second air duct branch (7.2) leading back to the air duct (7) before the wind turbine (8).

17. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein a solar panel array (18) is connected to the wind power plant (3), and wherein the solar panel array (18) comprises:- one or more solar panels (18.1 ),NIPO19- at least one DC / DC inverter (19),- one or more battery banks (20),- at least one DC / AC inverter (20.1 ),- one or more sub-distributions (21 ), such that the solar panel array (18) generates electrical energy in one or more solar panels (18.1 ), which is directed to one or more battery banks (20) via the at least one DC / DC inverter (19), and wherein the electrical energy from one or more battery banks (20) is converted to alternating current (AC) in the at least one DC / AC inverter (20.1 ), so that the direct current (DC) from the one or more battery banks (20) is converted to alternating current (AC) and can be distributed via the one or more subdistributions (21 ) directly to consumers.

18. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 2, wherein the wind power plant (3) comprises:- a wind power regulation system (37), wherein the wind power regulation system (37) is arranged to send and receive signals from the generator (9) and the wind turbine (8).

19. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claim 18, wherein the wind power plant (3) comprises:- one or more regulating valves (22, 23, 24, 25, 26),- one or more pressure sensors (28, 29, 30, 31 , 32),- one or more air flow sensors (33), wherein the wind power regulation system (37) is further arranged to receive signals from the sensors (22-26, 28-32) to send control signals to the regulating valves (22, 23, 24, 25, 26).

20. Combination power plant (1 ) according to claims 18 and 19, wherein the wind power regulation system (37) further comprises an independent safety system, which is arranged to reduce mechanical damage mainly to the wind turbine (8) and / or the generator (9) in case the regulation system (37) fails and / or during an overload on the wind turbine (8) and / or the generator (9).

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