Electrical power generation system for river and fisheries engineering structures

Abstract

ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION SYSTEM FOR RIVER AND FISHERIES STRUCTURES Electrical power generation system (100, 200) for river and fisheries engineering structures (900a, 900b) comprising mainly an electrical power generation unit (10, 20) and a means of fixing said system to said structure, said unit comprising a water intake (101, 201), a flow conduit (102, 202), at least one hydroelectric turbine (103, 203), a water outlet (109, 209), said means of fixing said system comprising two inserts (111, 121) fitting into cofferdam grooves (93a, 93b) of a frame (90a) of said structure; and said system being installed in said structure without new construction or foundations. Figure from the summary: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Electrical power generation system for river and fisheries engineering structures technical field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the field of hydroelectric devices for the production of electricity on watercourses.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates more particularly to a system in the form of a lock gate or floating barge comprising a hydroelectric turbine or Archimedes screw used to produce electrical energy at the level of locks or various river and fishing engineering structures.

[0003] The present invention finds a direct application in the modernization of river engineering works, and more particularly in the production of electrical energy. State of the art

[0004] Locks have played an important role in the development of river navigation in France, Europe and the world for centuries.

[0005] In France, the earliest known locks date back to Roman times. However, it was during the Middle Ages that their use became widespread, particularly to facilitate the transport of goods on rivers. Over the following centuries, numerous locks were built on the country's main waterways, such as the Seine, the Loire, and the Rhône.

[0006] In Europe, locks have also played an important role in the development of inland waterway navigation. The first locks were built in Germany in the 13th century on the Stecknitz Canal, which connected the Baltic Sea to the city of Lübeck. Over the centuries, many other canals were built in Europe, particularly in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Great Britain, requiring the construction of a large number of locks.

[0007] Today, locks continue to be used to facilitate the transport of goods and river tourism in France and Europe. Many locks have been modernized to meet the current needs of river navigation.

[0008] The installation of electrical power generation systems at dams, locks, and flushing cleaning devices has become an increasingly common practice in recent years, particularly due to environmental issues and the need to develop renewable energy sources.

[0009] The principle of these installations is relatively simple: the potential energy of the water retained by the lock when it is upstream is converted into electrical energy at The moment when the water is released to allow boats to pass. This energy can then be used to power the lock's own facilities, or sold back to the electricity grid.

[0010] The history of installing electricity generation systems at dams dates back to the late 19th century, with the construction of hydroelectric power plants to supply cities with electricity. However, it is only more recently that this practice has become widespread at locks.

[0011] In France, for example, several electrical power generation systems have been installed in recent years on the country's various waterways, with installations of different sizes and capacities.

[0012] Document EP3209881A2 describes a hydraulic turbine comprising a stator and a rotor, characterized in that the stator is formed by a preferably cylindrical tube, into which opens at least one water inlet pipe, and that the rotor is formed by at least one impeller mounted in a substantially sealed manner on the outside of said tube, rotating about the axis of the latter, at least one passage window being provided through the wall of said tube and opening directly onto at least one impeller blade of the impeller, forming with said impeller a substantially sealed path at the level of the transition between the stator and said impeller so as to allow the flow of water in said path, from the stator to the rotor, to the free end of said impeller.

[0013] Document EP1975404A1 describes a hydraulic energy recovery system for at least a portion of the water flow passing through a water level control dam in the upstream reach of a lock. This energy recovery system comprises at least one paddle wheel, at least one electric generator, and a hydraulic transmission comprising at least one hydraulic pump coupled to said paddle wheel, at least one hydraulic motor coupled to said electric generator, a hydraulic circuit connecting said hydraulic pump and motor, and speed control means, preferably electronic, for said hydraulic motor enabling a constant speed of said hydraulic motor to be maintained at variable paddle wheel speeds.

[0014] Document WO2016064209Al describes a floating power generation system using a floating power generation unit, which is installed on a watercourse and comprises a plurality of floating power generation units, and is arranged around a sandbar on which a plurality of lock gates are formed and around at least one lock gate of the sandbar, and generates electricity using the hydraulic pressure of the water drained as it passes through the lock gate. The floating power generation unit comprises: a hull portion, a plurality of power generation portions, and at least three mooring cables that connect the hull portion to a portion lower, and an anchoring element which is connected to the anchor cables and is fixed to the lower part; a substation, a power transmission station, and a power distribution station, the power generation parts, comprising: a connecting rod, a main power generation body, a vertical blade, a horizontal blade, a screw, a working hatch, a support, and a movement passage.

[0015] Installing electrical power generation systems at locks, and more generally at existing river structures, offers numerous advantages, including the possibility of producing renewable energy from local resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, these installations also present technical and financial challenges, particularly in terms of maintenance and investment costs.

[0016] Moreover, these new solutions will meet the growing need for sustainable renewable energy for the coming decades, while respecting environmental guidelines and ensuring the proper functioning of waterways.

[0017] Finally, the regulations prohibit any new permanent construction with a new footprint in the riverbed. This is the case, for example, for certain watercourses classified as Natura 2000 sites, whose purpose is to ensure the good conservation status of certain habitats and species (animal and plant) that are considered threatened, vulnerable or rare. Presentation of the invention

[0018] The present invention then proposes a solution for an electrical energy production system comprising at least one hydroelectric turbine or Archimedes screw which can be easily adapted to a river engineering structure without requiring new constructions.

[0019] The present invention then relates to an electrical energy production system for river and fishing works comprising mainly an electrical energy production unit and a means of fixing said system to said works, said production unit comprising a water intake, a flow conduit, at least one hydroelectric turbine, a water outlet.

[0020] The production system is remarkable in that the fixing means comprises two inserts that fit into cofferdam grooves of a frame of said structure and that said system is installed in said structure without new constructions or foundations.

[0021] Advantageously, the water intake of the production system includes a filtration system.

[0022] Advantageously, the filtration system is rotary or translational.

[0023] According to a particular feature of the invention, the water intake further includes a valve.

[0024] According to another particular feature of the invention, the electrical power production unit is a lock gate.

[0025] Advantageously, a base of the fastening means includes a notch in which is a movable shutter resting on a spring system.

[0026] Advantageously, a vertical pivot joint of the unit includes at least one wheel resting on a wedge having a slope.

[0027] Advantageously, the production unit further comprises at least one shovel valve.

[0028] Advantageously, the electrical power production unit is a floating barge.

[0029] Finally, the present invention also relates to a river engineering structure comprising an electrical power production system as described previously.

[0030] The fundamental concepts of the invention having been set forth above in their most elementary form, other details and features will become clearer upon reading the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Presentation of the drawings

[0031] The figures are given for illustrative purposes only to facilitate understanding of the invention without limiting its scope. The various elements may be represented schematically and are not necessarily to the same scale. Throughout the figures, identical or equivalent elements are identified by the same numerical reference.

[0032] It is thus illustrated in:

[0033] [Fig.l]: a downstream and perspective view of an electrical power production system installed on a river engineering structure, according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0034] [Fig.2]: a downstream and perspective view of the electrical power production system installed on a river engineering structure, according to the first embodiment of the invention, and in production configuration;

[0035] [Fig.3A]: a rear and perspective view of the electrical power production system, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0036] [Fig.3B]: a rear view of a production unit of the electrical power production system, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0037] [Fig.3C]: a front view of the production unit of the electrical power production system, according to the first embodiment of the invention;

[0038] [Fig.4]: a cross-sectional view of the base of a fastening means of the system energy production according to one embodiment, in (A) without the production unit, in (B) with the production unit;

[0039] [Fig. 5]: Three partial views of the energy production system according to another embodiment, in (A) side view when the system is open, in (B) perspective view when the system is ajar, in (C) side view when the system is closed;

[0040] [Fig.6]: A side and perspective view of an energy production system electrical system installed on a river engineering structure, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0041] [Fig.7]: a front and perspective view of the energy production system electric, according to the second embodiment of the invention;

[0042] [Fig.8]: a downstream and perspective view of the first production system electrical power installed on another type of river engineering structure;

[0043] [Fig.9]: a downstream and perspective view of the second production system electrical power installed on another type of river engineering structure. Detailed description of implementation methods

[0044] It should be noted that certain technical elements well known to those skilled in the art are described here to avoid any insufficiency or ambiguity in the understanding of the present invention.

[0045] In the embodiment described below, reference is made to an electrical power generation system installed on a river structure comprising at least one hydroelectric turbine. The electrical power generation system is installed directly on the structure's framework, thus limiting the work related to its integration.

[0046] Advantageously, the river energy production system is suitable for installation on different types of river engineering structures such as locks, bridges, dams, and reaches.

[0047] Its installation is greatly facilitated, because the system reuses elements already present in the structures of river engineering works in order to be fixed, in comparison with other types of equipment which require new fixed constructions in order to be installed in waterways.

[0048] In addition, the installation is implemented quickly, limiting the lock downtime to a maximum of two or three days.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a downstream and perspective view of an electrical power generation system 100 installed on a river structure 900a, according to a first embodiment of the invention. In Figure 1, the system 100 is in a non-operational configuration, i.e., it is not producing electrical power.

[0050] In this preferred embodiment, the river engineering structure 900a is a lock allowing the navigation of boats on a watercourse 800, without this presenting a limitation to the present invention.

[0051] In this first embodiment, the system 100 mainly comprises an electrical power production unit 10, fixed to a frame 90a of the river engineering structure 900a using a fixing means 11, taking part of its place in cofferdam grooves 93a located at the level of the frame, on either side of the channel 80 of the watercourse 800, that is to say on each of the banks 81.

[0052] As shown in [Fig.3A], the electrical power production unit 10 is preferably rotary.

[0053] In another embodiment, the electrical power production unit 10 slides vertically or horizontally and its fixing means 11 is also held at the level of the river structure by means of the cofferdam grooves 93a.

[0054] A person skilled in the art is also able to adapt the electrical power production unit 10 to other configurations of river engineering structure 900a.

[0055] Again, the system 100 is therefore installed without requiring new fixed constructions, the said system reusing elements of the frame 90a for fixing, in particular the cofferdam grooves 93a or any other type of frame already present.

[0056] Fig. 2 represents a downstream and perspective view of the electrical power production system 100 installed on a river engineering structure 900a, according to the first embodiment of the invention, said system being this time in operating configuration.

[0057] With the electrical power generation unit 10 locked in the fastening means 11, the water level in the channel 80 is then higher upstream of said gate. The electrical power generation unit 10 has a water intake (not visible here) through which water from the channel 80 flows and is then discharged at a water outlet 109.

[0058] Fig. 3A represents a rear and perspective view of the electrical power production system 100, according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0059] The electrical power production system 100 therefore includes the unit 10 as well as the fixing means 11, maintaining said system in the river structure 900a.

[0060] The electrical power production unit 10 includes a water intake 101, a flow conduit 102, a hydroelectric turbine 103, a vertical pivot link 105, at least one shovel gate 107 and the water outlet 109 to meet the needs of the operation of the lock.

[0061] In a particular embodiment, the water intake 101 includes a filtration system 1011 which is adapted according to the installation sites of the system 100 and which depends on the technical or environmental constraints of said site.

[0062] In a particular embodiment, the filtration system 1011 is rotary or translational in order to automatically clear away objects that are carried in the channel 80.

[0063] In another particular embodiment, the system 100 includes a valve (not shown here) to facilitate the passage of floodwater or to partially drain the water contained upstream of said system, but also to evacuate objects with a large volume (trees, tree trunks, etc.).

[0064] Finally, in a particular embodiment, the water intake 101 does not include a filtration system 1011.

[0065] Once the water has entered the water intake 101, it is channeled into the flow conduit 102. The kinetic and potential energy contained in the water flow thus created will be partly converted into electrical energy by means of the hydroelectric turbine 103. The water flow is then discharged via the water outlet 109 located at the rear of the unit 10.

[0066] A person skilled in the art is capable of sizing and integrating the hydroelectric turbine 103 that is best suited to the energy potential of the installation site. Sizing is carried out in particular using nomograms that provide the energy potential of a site, based on the flow rate of the canal 80 and the head between the water intake 101 and the water outlet 109.

[0067] The gate sluice gates 107 are closed when the waterway structure 900a does not require the passage of a vessel. Opening the gate sluice gates 107 allows for the draining and balancing of the lock to facilitate its operation when a vessel passes through the structure. The gate sluice gates 107 are operated hydraulically, mechanically, and / or electrically, by means of a translational movement from bottom to top along a vertical axis.

[0068] The fixing means 11 has two notches 111 which fit into the cofferdam grooves 93a of the frame 90a of the river engineering structure 900a, load-bearing elements 112, and a base 113, providing watertightness at the bottom of the unit 10.

[0069] Advantageously, in an embodiment not shown here, the unit 10 also locks at the bottom 113 of the fastening means 11, this locking allows the unit 10 to withstand higher water pressure applied to its front face.

[0070] Advantageously, the electrical power production system 100 is autonomous in its maneuvers in order to guarantee the passage of boats at all times.

[0071] Furthermore, the closing and opening of unit 10 are carried out equally well by means of an electric motor, a hydraulic motor (not shown here) or manually, and installed at the level of the vertical pivot link 105. A communication of the system 100 with the Vigicrues device for monitoring the risk of flooding of the main watercourses makes it possible to put unit 10 in the garage position in order to let the flood pass, and to preserve said unit from possible damage.

[0072] Furthermore, the latches locking unit 10 in production configuration, as shown in [Fig.2], are either remotely controllable or manually operable.

[0073] Fig. 3B and Fig. 3C represent respectively a rear view and a front view of unit 10 of the electrical power production system 100, according to the first embodiment of the invention.

[0074] Figure 4 shows a particular embodiment in which the base 113 includes a notch 1133, shown in dashed lines, into which the unit 10 fits when it is in the closed position. Thus, the forces applied to the unit 10 are better absorbed, and we obtain a better seal in this part of the system 100. In order to limit obstruction of the notch 1133 when the unit 10 is not in the closed position (Figure 4 in (A)), a movable shutter 1131 resting on a spring system 1132 is positioned inside said notch. The presence of the movable shutter 1131 thus prevents branches, pebbles, and other debris from being deposited in the notch 1133, while still allowing the insertion of the unit 10 (Figure 4 in (B)).

[0075] Figure 5 illustrates another particular embodiment in which the vertical pivot joint 105 of the unit 10 comprises at least one wheel 1052 resting on a wedge 1051 having a slope P, shown in dashed lines. When the unit 10 is in motion, due to the slope P of the wedge 1051, the vertical position of said unit is modified so that said unit can rest directly on the base 113 when said unit is in the closed position (see Figure 5 in (C)), but also to facilitate the rotation of said unit so that it is in the open position (see Figure 5 in (A)). In other words, depending on its angular position a (see Figure 5 in (B)), the vertical position h of the unit 10 varies from a height of a few centimeters when it is in the open position to a few millimeters when it is in the closed position.

[0076] Advantageously, this embodiment is combined with the one described above.

[0077] Figure 6 shows a side and perspective view of an electrical power generation system 200 installed on the river structure 900a, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0078] The electrical power production system 200 comprises an electrical power production unit 20, a means of fixing 20 to the frame 90a of the river engineering structure 900a.

[0079] In this embodiment, the electrical power production unit 20 is a floating barge which is ballasted or unballasted with water in order to modify its waterline according to the use made of it.

[0080] As shown in [Fig.6], the electrical power generation unit 20 is installed and maintained in the channel 80 of the watercourse 800 by means of the fastening means 21, which connects said unit by means of at least one cable 212a-b to two notches 211 inserted into the cofferdam grooves 93a of the frame 90a.

[0081] In a particular embodiment, the electrical power production unit 20 is positioned on one of the edges of the channel 80, being held by the two cables 212a-b, whose lengths differ.

[0082] Thus, when the electrical power production unit 20 is stopped, said unit does not prevent boats from navigating on channel 80.

[0083] Fig. 7 represents a front and perspective view of the electrical power production system 200, according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0084] The electrical power production unit 20 includes a water intake 201, a flow conduit 202, a hydroelectric turbine 203, a water outlet 209, two sealing joints 24.

[0085] Preferably, the hydroelectric turbine 203 is an Archimedes screw turbine because the head of fall between the water intake 201 and the water outlet 209 is low, compared with those of the electrical power production system 100 shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3A-C.

[0086] Thus, the present invention is suitable for the majority of 800 watercourses to produce electricity regardless of the flow and depth conditions of said watercourses.

[0087] In a particular embodiment, the water intake 201 includes a filtration system 2011 which is adapted according to the installation sites of the system 200 and which depends on the technical or environmental constraints of said site.

[0088] In a particular embodiment, the filtration system 2011 is rotary in order to automatically clear away objects that are carried in the channel 80.

[0089] The sealing gaskets 24 are static or their volume is adjusted by air inflation to adapt the pressure that said gaskets exert on the notches 211 when said unit is in the position of producing electrical energy.

[0090] Furthermore, and in a particular mode of this embodiment, the notches 211 also include sealing joints along their height in order to obtain a stronger seal.

[0091] In order to position itself in channel 80, unit 20 includes a motor 215 which winds and unwinds the cables 212a-b.

[0092] Advantageously, systems 100 and 200 are also suitable for watercourses, or similar water flows, lacking fluvial engineering structures as described above. In this case, preparatory work is necessary but entirely feasible.

[0093] Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the electrical power generation unit 10 installed on a river structure 900b, according to another embodiment of the invention. In Figure 8, the unit 10 is in its production configuration, and the installation comprises three units.

[0094] In this particular embodiment, the river structure 900b is a canal bridge. In addition to the electrical power generation units 10, four flap gates 30 are installed at the river structure 900b, without this being a limitation to the invention.

[0095] To maintain the units 10 and the flap gates 30, the pillars of the frame 90b of the river engineering structure 900b are surrounded by hoops 95b on which cofferdam grooves 93b are provided.

[0096] A person skilled in the art will be able to adapt the shape and dimensions of the 95b hoops.

[0097] As before, the electrical power production systems 100 are installed at the level of the river structure 900b by connecting directly to its building 90b, and without constructing a new foundation.

[0098] In this embodiment, and in order to allow the watercourse 800 to flow during floods in particular, the units 10 and the flap gates 30 can perform, in whole or in part, a rotation of the order of 90° by means of a pivot joint (not shown here, but similar to that shown in [Fig.3A]).

[0099] In the closed position, the units 10 and the flap gates 300 then form a hydroelectric dam at the level of the river engineering structure 900b.

[0100] In addition, and upstream of units 10 and flap gates 30, this new water retention can create a body of water for nautical activities and / or swimming for example.

[0101] Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the electrical power generation system 200 installed on the river structure 900b, according to another embodiment of the invention. In Figure 9, the system 200 is in its production configuration, and the installation comprises three of them.

[0102] In order to create a water reservoir upstream of the 900b river structure, 400 flap gate barges are also installed. In the embodiment shown in the [Fig.9], four flap barges are present, without this being a limitation to the present invention.

[0103] The systems 200 and the barges are held at the level of the river engineering structure 900b by means of the fixing means 21 and 41 which are inserted into the grooves of the cofferdam 93b. The systems 200 and the barges are then connected to the fixing means 21 and 41 by the cables 212a and 212b, said cables being wound and unwound by the motor 215 (not shown here but visible in [Fig.7]). The 400 flap barges also include cables and a motor similar to those of the 200 systems. Those skilled in the art will understand that the 400 flap barge is in all respects similar to the 200 system, except that said barge is not intended to produce electrical power and therefore does not include a water intake 201, a flow conduit 202, a hydroelectric turbine 203, or a water outlet 209.

[0104] Advantageously, and especially during floods, the systems 200 and the flap barges 400 are positioned on either side of the river structure 900b thanks to the motors 215 which will automatically or manually unwind the cables 212a-b of said systems, as well as thanks to the motors and cables of said barges.

Claims

Demands

1. A system (100, 200) for the production of electrical power for a river and fisheries engineering structure (900a, 900b) of a waterway, comprising principally a unit (10, 20) for the production of electrical power and a means for fixing said system to said structure in cofferdam grooves (93a, 93b) of a frame (90a) of said structure, said unit comprising a water intake (101, 201), a discharge conduit (102, 202), at least one hydroelectric turbine (103, 203), a water outlet (109, 209), said means of fixing comprising two inserts (111, 121) intended to be inserted into the cofferdam grooves (93a, 93b), said system being installed in said structure without new construction or foundations, said system being characterized in that said unit is a lock gate and in that a bottom (113) of said fastening means includes a notch (1133) in which is a movable shutter (1131) resting on a spring system (1132).

2. System (100, 200) according to claim 1, wherein the water intake (101, 201) comprises a filtration system (1011, 2011).

3. System (100, 200) according to claim 2, wherein the filtration system (1011, 2011) is rotary or translational.

4. System (100, 200) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the water intake (101, 201) further comprises a valve.

5. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a vertical pivot joint (105) of the unit (10) comprises at least one wheel (1052) resting on a wedge (1051) having a slope (P).

6. System (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the production unit (10) further comprises at least one shovel valve (107).

7. River engineering work (900a,900b) characterized in that it includes a system (100,200) for the production of electrical energy according to any one of the preceding claims.

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