Power supply

Abstract

1. A power device for coupling a power supply to one or more power loads, comprising: a plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components providing at least one of dynamically dispatchable energy storage and energy recovery; and a controller for dynamically controlling operation of one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electric energy storage components to dynamically balance the power supply device and the one or more power loads by dynamically storing energy in the dynamically dispatchable electric energy storage components when available electric power exceeds the electric power required by the one or more power loads, and / or dynamically supplying energy from the one or more dynamically dispatchable electric energy storage components when the available electric power is equal to or less than the electric power required by the one or more power loads.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] [CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS] This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2022900140, filed on January 27, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention relates to the supply of electrical power, and more particularly to maintaining target characteristics of that supply despite unpredictably changing sources and sinks of electrical power. [Background technology]

[0003] Climate change will continue to drive a transition from coal- and gas-based sources of electricity to renewable sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, and tidal power. However, the power grid infrastructure that transports electricity from the source point where it is generated to the point where it is consumed by the loads / sinks was not developed to take into account the highly variable and unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources, creating an unstable and unfit for purpose grid.

[0004] Due to this and other factors, the actual cost of supplying electricity to consumers is currently dominated by the cost of maintaining mains power characteristics within target ranges. In terms of mains power supplies, the key characteristics are AC voltage, frequency, harmonics, and power factor (which quantifies the phase lag between voltage and current). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In view of the above, there is an urgent need to develop technologies that can maintain electrical power with predictable and stable characteristics despite unpredictable changes in renewable energy and consumer consumption.

[0006] Climate science indicates that a rapid transition towards net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is required to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Available data indicate that the energy sector is still the leading emitter of GHGs today. Thus, decarbonizing the energy sector is crucial. The GHG-neutral energy sector is also the foundation for emissions reductions in all other GHG-emitting sectors. However, energy sector GHG neutrality is unlikely without a comprehensive expansion of renewable energy generation.

[0007] It is desired to overcome or alleviate one or more of the difficulties of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a power device for coupling a power supply and one or more power loads, comprising: a plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components providing at least one of dynamically dispatchable energy storage thereto and energy recovery therefrom; A controller, dynamically storing energy in one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components when the available electrical power exceeds the power required by the one or more loads; and / or dynamically supplying energy from one or more of said dynamically dispatchable electric energy storage components when the available electric power is equal to or less than the electric power required by the one or more loads; to dynamically match the power supply with the one or more loads; the controller for dynamically controlling operation of the one or more dynamically dispatchable energy storage components; Equipped with the dispatchable electrical energy storage component operates on different time scales, including at least one time scale sufficient to eliminate or reduce high frequency distortion in the electrical power source; the dynamically dispatchable electric energy storage component includes at least one of a dynamically dispatchable electric energy storage component providing dynamic dispatchable hydrogen production and dynamic dispatchable energy storage thereto, and a dynamically dispatchable generator fueled at least in part by hydrogen and providing dynamic dispatchable energy recovery therefrom; A power device is provided.

[0009] In some embodiments, the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components provide only dynamically dispatchable energy recovery therefrom. In some other embodiments, the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components provides only dynamically dispatchable energy storage therein. In a further embodiment, the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components comprises: and energy storage capable of being dynamically dispatched thereto. and recovering the energy therefrom that can be dynamically dispatched. Provide both.

[0010] In some embodiments, the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage component includes the dynamically dispatchable hydrogen generation and storage component.

[0011] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the hydrogen produced by the dynamically dispatchable hydrogen generation and storage component is not used in the device to generate energy, but is transported to another location.

[0012] In some embodiments, the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components include electromagnetic energy storage components that operate as dynamically variable electrical power sinks or as dynamically variable electrical power sources on time scales sufficient to eliminate or reduce high frequency distortion within the electrical power source.

[0013] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic energy storage component includes a first dynamically reconfigurable magnetic core configured to operate as a dynamically changeable electric power sink, and a second dynamically reconfigurable magnetic core coupled to the electric power source and configured to operate as a dynamically changeable electric power source.

[0014] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic energy storage component includes a set of capacitors for storing electrical energy.

[0015] In some embodiments, the electromagnetic energy storage component includes at least one dynamically reconfigurable magnetic core coupled to the electrical power source and configured to mitigate high frequency distortion within the electrical power source.

[0016] In some embodiments, the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components includes electromagnetic energy generating components.

[0017] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a controller; a switching matrix of power electronic converter cells coupled to the dynamically dispatchable hydrogen generation and storage component; Further comprising: The controller is configured to dynamically operate the switching matrix as at least one of a rectifier for converting AC to DC and an inverter for converting DC to AC.

[0018] In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to control the switching matrix to dynamically connect and disconnect the dynamically dispatchable hydrogen production and storage components from the electric power source.

[0019] In some embodiments, each of the power electronic converter cells includes a SiC, GaN, or insulated gate bipolar power transistor and a respective diode configured to provide high speed switching.

[0020] In some embodiments, the above-claimed power device further comprises: to dynamically match the power supply with the one or more loads; dynamically storing energy in one or more of said dynamically dispatchable electric energy storage components when available electric power exceeds electric power required by said one or more loads; and / or by dynamically supplying energy from one or more of said dynamically dispatchable electric energy storage components when available electric power is less than or equal to the electric power required by said one or more loads; and dynamically controlling operation of the one or more dynamically dispatchable energy storage components. There can be a computer-implemented process.

[0021] Some embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of a power device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention that is described. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a power device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing each transfer function in the device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing each transfer function in the device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing each transfer function in the device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating components / subsystems in an apparatus that implements the transfer functions of FIGS. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating components / subsystems in an apparatus that implements the transfer functions of FIGS. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating components / subsystems in an apparatus that implements the transfer functions of FIGS. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the power electronic converter matrix in the electromagnetic system of the apparatus, showing the connections to the electrolysis module. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of a single cell of a power electronic converter matrix. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] To address the challenges set forth above, embodiments of the present invention include power devices and processes for the supply of electrical power and / or hydrogen. The apparatus includes a plurality of dynamically dispatchable energy storage and recovery components, including a dynamically dispatchable hydrogen generation and storage component that provides dynamically dispatchable energy storage, and / or a dynamically dispatchable generator that is fueled at least in part by hydrogen and provides dynamically dispatchable energy. The apparatus also includes a controller for dynamically controlling operation of the dynamic dispatchable energy storage and recovery components to dynamically balance the electric energy and hydrogen gas with one or more loads.

[0024] Typically, and as in the embodiment described, there are multiple loads, and the embodiments of the present invention are described in that context. However, it will become apparent from the description below that even with only one load, the functionality of the device can address shortcomings of the prior art.

[0025] The controller is (i) To store energy when the available electrical power exceeds the electrical power required by the load; (ii) to supply electrical energy from the energy being imaged when the available electrical power is less than or equal to the electrical power required by the load; The supply of electrical energy is matched to the electrical load on the device by dynamically controlling the operation of the energy storage and recovery components. In effect, the energy storage and recovery component acts as a dynamically changeable load to absorb excess energy rather than discarding it as heat, and store it for subsequent reuse, for example as fuel, as feedstock for industry, for example, to meet transportation demands, but also as electrical energy when the power received by the device is less than or equal to the power required by the external load on the device. Additionally, excess power absorption can include continuous power quality corrections on short time scales (time intervals <1 s; e.g., real-time removal of harmonics that contaminate the ideal sine waveform of a power supply), excess energy in the system that results in instantaneous voltage, overvoltage, phase imbalance, or frequency deviation from target, or excess energy from renewable energy systems (wind farms, solar power plants, PV systems, etc.) that could otherwise be curtailed by transmission system operators to avoid line congestion. Furthermore, the device also enables a quasi-static method of power supply through the use of excess stored energy in the form of hydrogen as a mixed fuel for base-load electricity generation based on the combustion of natural gas.

[0026] The operation of the energy 'storage' and recovery components is controlled over multiple time scales through the use of respective different modes of energy storage. For example, FIG. 1 is a high-level block diagram of an apparatus 200 for supplying and / or absorbing electrical power (hereinafter also referred to as a "power apparatus") in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, device 200 includes an electromagnetic component or subsystem 201 that operates as a dynamically variable load over a very short ("real-time") time scale, a "load" component or subsystem 202 that operates as a dynamically variable load over a longer time scale, and a "power generation" component or subsystem 203 that operates as a dynamically variable power generator, and these components 201, 202, 203 are controlled by a universal controller 204. Functionally, the controlled components 201, 202, 203 implement the power transfer functions as shown in Figures 3 to 5, respectively, and described below.

[0027] [Device overview] A more detailed block diagram of the apparatus 200 is shown in FIG. 2, and block diagrams of the controlled components 201, 202, 203 are shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, respectively.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnetic component 201 and the power generating component 203 each include an electromagnetic core, "EM Core I" and "EM Core II," respectively, each having a primary winding, a secondary winding, and a modulation winding around the magnetic core. The instantaneous current flowing through the regulating winding of any of these EM cores at any given time determines the instantaneous electromagnetic coupling between its primary and secondary windings, thereby enabling real-time modulation of the waveform at the secondary winding and the waveform at the primary winding. For example, by dynamically modulating this current on a time scale substantially shorter than the period of the desired output waveform, any differences between the primary winding waveform, the secondary winding waveform and the desired output waveform can be 'corrected' in real time. In this way, for example, a distorted sinusoidal signal present at the primary winding can be dynamically modulated in real time to produce a desired sinusoidal output signal at the secondary winding.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 , in addition to the EM cores I and II, the electromagnetic components 201 include a converter matrix 2012 whose output is coupled to a capacitor bank 2014 used to power a proton exchange membrane (PEM) hydrogen electrolyzer 2022 . The hydrogen produced by the PEM electrolyser 2022 is compressed and stored by the hydrogen storage and compression unit 2025. The compressed hydrogen can be used in a variety of different ways, as explained below. However, one use for the device 200 is as a fuel for local power generation, either for local use to support a load 20118 or to feed electrical power back into the grid on the device's primary side 20110. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, hydrogen, either alone or as a mixture with natural gas, fuels an electric power generating unit, in this case a gas turbine 2034. Alternatively, in some embodiments the electric power generating unit is a gas engine (with mixed fuel operation), and in some other embodiments is a fuel cell (hydrogen only). The gas turbine 2034 is coupled to a generator 203 that generates electrical power in the form of an output signal provided to EM Core II for dynamic modulation to match the power supply demands of a load coupled to the device 200 .

[0030] [Electromagnetic Components or Subsystems 201] As shown in FIG. 3, an electromagnetic component or subsystem 201 implements a corresponding short time scale transfer function and performs dynamic electrical signal correction as its primary function on a time scale of t<1 s.

[0031] Together with the EM Core II, the electromagnetic component 201 dynamically compensates the incoming power signal to a reference signal within a short timescale domain of operation determined by the operating frequency of the power electronics semiconductor platform used to implement the electromagnetic component or subsystem 201. For example, in the described embodiment with SiC transistors, the dynamic compensation corresponds to a frequency of approximately 400 kHz, whereas an implementation with GaN transistors can operate at substantially higher frequencies.

[0032] A transfer (generating) function is characterized by the following inputs and outputs: As shown in Figures 3 and 6, the input to the EM Core I is a time-varying three-phase electrical signal 20110 characterized by current, voltage, frequency, and interphase phase and intraphase phase relationships between the individual phases, where the voltage represents the grid voltage associated with the overlaid grid lines, typically represented as the primary voltage.

[0033] The primary output of the EM Core I is also a time-varying three-phase AC electrical signal 20112 characterized by current, voltage, frequency, and interphase phase and internal phase relationships between the individual phases, but the voltage represents the grid voltage associated with a low voltage (LV) transmission line, typically represented by the voltage on the secondary side of the device 200.

[0034] The input to EM Core II is also a time-varying three-phase AC electrical signal 2039 characterized by current, voltage, and frequency with precisely coordinated inter-phase phase and intra-phase phase relationships that correspond to (or at least closely approximate) an ideal three-phase power signal, as shown in FIG. 8, with the voltage representing the three-phase voltages generated by generator 203.

[0035] The output of EM Core II is also a time-varying three-phase AC electrical signal 20314 characterized by current, voltage, frequency, and interphase phase and internal phase relationships between the individual phases, where the voltage represents the grid voltage associated with a high voltage (HV) transmission line, typically represented by the voltage on the primary side of the device 200.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6, the primary output 2013 of the EM core I is connected to a converter matrix 2012 . As shown in FIG. 9, converter matrix 2012 is a matrix of power electronic (PE) converter cells. The total power rating of the matrix 2012 typically exceeds the power rating of the electrolyzer 2022 to which it is coupled. For example, in one embodiment the electrolyser is made up of a PEM stack having a power rating of 1 MW, with the individual cells of the matrix having a power rating of 1.5 MVA. Fast switching of the PE converter cells (e.g. having SiC transistors switching at 400 kHz) at multiples of the network frequency (e.g. when the mains frequency is 50 or 60 Hz the switching time is <<(1 / 50)s or (1 / 60)s) enables AC / AC, AC / DC, DC / DC and DC / AC conversion, which in turn dynamically couples with the secondary side 20112 of EM core I, the primary side 20110 of EM core I 2011 and EM core II 2039, and the secondary side 2038 of EM core II. Moreover, the fast switching dynamically couples not only the HV and LV sides of the grid, but also the dispatchable load (in the illustrated embodiment, in the form of an electrolyzer 2022 (FIG. 7)) and the generator (in the illustrated embodiment, in the form of a generator 2036 (FIG. 8)). The power flow in the system is modulated by dynamic modulation of the magnetic flux of the three-phase electromagnetic system (EM Core I 2011 and EM Core II 2039) by applying a pulse width modulated (PWM) harmonization signal to the modulation windings. The harmonization signal is generated by high speed switching of a converter matrix 2012 under the control of a communicatively coupled universal controller 204, as shown in FIG.

[0037] The converter matrix 2012 is configured to function as both a voltage source converter for converting electrical power from AC to direct current (DC) and as an inverter for converting electrical power from DC to AC. The voltage source converter includes a number of transistors and a number of capacitors configured to form a converter with series-connected cells, with each converter cell including a pair of transistors connected in series with a parallel-connected capacitor, as shown in FIG. 10. In various embodiments, the transistors are silicon carbide-based metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors, insulated gate bipolar transistors, and / or germanium nitride transistors. The AC input and AC output terminals of the voltage source converter are electrically coupled to the primary and secondary windings of EM core I 2011 (or EM core II 2039), respectively. The DC (output) terminals of the voltage source converter are electrically coupled to a means for storing electrical energy, in the form of a capacitor in the illustrated embodiment. When an electrical signal from the primary AC power side 20110 is introduced to the primary winding of EM core I 2011 (or EM core II 2039), an electromagnetic field is induced within the magnetic core. The electromagnetic field induces an electrical signal in the secondary winding.

[0038] The controller 204 is configured to receive data representing measured parameters of the input electrical signals at the primary and secondary windings, and to compare the measured parameters with corresponding parameters of a reference signal for the secondary winding. In the described embodiment, the parameters measured are voltage, current, phase shift, and frequency of the actual signal prevailing on the primary and secondary sides of the electromagnetic system (e.g., at EM cores I and II), and the reference signal represents an ideal sine waveform with the frequency, current and voltage of interest. Thus, the reference signal represents an idealized waveform of the output signal; for example, having the parameters of the desired output signal, free of noise or harmonics. In the described embodiment, the data is generated by a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) from signals received from standard voltage and current sensors coupled to the three phases on each of the primary and secondary sides of the electromagnetic system.

[0039] The algebraic differences between the individual quantities describe the actual geometrical distances of the signals prevailing on both the primary and secondary sides of the electromagnetic system (EM Cores I and II) relative to a defining reference helical surface. The controller 204 is configured to determine a harmonization signal that, when applied to the primary winding of EM core I 2011 (or EM core II 2039), causes the output electrical signal of the secondary winding to approach the reference signal, e.g., by destructive interference. The controller 204 is configured to effect application of a harmonization signal to a primary winding of the EM core I 2011 (or EM core II 2039) using a voltage source converter 2012, as described below. Therefore, once the harmonization signal is applied, the output electrical signal at the secondary winding substantially matches the reference signal.

[0040] Coupled in a winding manner on the secondary side 20112 and the primary side 20110, the voltage source converter (converter matrix) 2012 performs AC-DC and DC-AC conversion and is capable of operating with a switching frequency at a multiple of the primary AC signal frequency. In parallel, the voltage source converter matrix 2012 can also operate as a dispatchable DC power source by sourcing DC current from the capacitors of the PE cells. When operating as a controllable fast switch for a dispatchable load, the converter can be dynamically coupled to an electrical (electrolysis) load to optimize (or at least improve) the power supply. This allows the electrolysis operation to be managed at the lowest marginal cost.

[0041] A portion of the energy buffered in the capacitor can be used to provide power for later generating a harmonization signal, thereby supporting power factor correction, voltage regulation, power quality control, and / or phase balancing as part of stabilizing the system frequency in the output signal. Additionally, however, the energy buffered in the capacitor can be transferred in other ways for storage, for example, into a battery for long term storage, or into hydrogen by an electrolyzer in communication with the capacitor 2014.

[0042] The capacitor bank 2014 is supplied by DC current from the converter matrix 20212 via the DC interconnection 2015 as shown in FIG. The capacitor bank 2014 allows for the temporarily variable storage of electrical energy and subsequent dynamic release of the electrical energy in accordance with a harmonization signal 2017 generated by the universal controller 204 at speeds that are multiples of the network frequency (i.e., switching times for a network frequency of 50 or 60 Hz, <<(1 / 50)s or (1 / 60)s). The capacitor bank 2014 allows for dynamic and rapid storage and release of electrical energy at speeds faster than network speeds.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 6, a dynamic switch 2016 controlled by the universal controller 204 allows the capacitor bank 2014 to be dynamically connected and / or disconnected to a “load” system 202 (e.g., hydrogen electrolysis) via a DC link 2018 that dynamically couples the DC load with the electromagnetic system 201, thereby facilitating excess power to be absorbed either as storage within the capacitor bank 2014 or by direct extraction from the secondary side of the EM core I 2011, bypassing the capacitor bank located within a power electronics module that houses the AC / DC converter matrix.

[0044] [Dynamic coupling and decoupling of EM cores] Electromagnetic cores EM Core I 2011 and EM Core II 2039 can be dynamically coupled or isolated from the grid (primary side) and the AC loads (secondary side) by switches 20111, 20113, 20114, 20115, 20116, and 20117, respectively, which are themselves controlled by universal controller 204, as shown below.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, dynamic switch 20111 allows the primary side of EM Core I 2011 to be coupled to and disconnected from the grid, and in the latter case dynamic load subsystem 202 is also disconnected from the grid by simultaneous operation of switch 20115, leaving power generation system 203 as the only device subsystem connected to the grid. In this mode of operation, the device 200 is both a quasi-statically and dynamically controlled "power generator" with reverse power flow avoidance into the device itself. (i) when connection 20117 is closed and connection 20113 is open, quasi-static operation provides AC power to local load demand 20118 (e.g., continuous local power demand when electrical equipment is installed on an industrial site) or as an available alternative application backup power source (e.g., backup power source in a microgrid when isolated and these operating in an islanded state); (ii) Dynamic operation facilitates switch closure 20113 and instantaneous generation demand, as required for system frequency stabilization (fast frequency suppression, automatic frequency recovery, or manual frequency recovery); (iii) A combination of quasi-static and dynamic motion can provide both AC power to local load demand 20118 and AC power to the grid for frequency stability service supply with switches 20113 and 20117 both closed. Provides “power generation.” This enables the controller 204 to control the rated power balance between quasi-static and dynamic power supply (e.g., 60% base load rated power to local loads, 40% rated power in support of dynamic power supply to the grid for frequency stability service provision).

[0046] As shown in FIG. 8, dynamic switch 20113 is operable to selectively couple or disconnect the primary side of EM Core II 2039 to the grid, which later also disconnects power generation subsystem 203 from the grid. Different in nature from the dynamically operated switch 2011, this mode of operation of the device 200 provides dynamically controlled “generation” and “load”, or only “load”, to the grid, the latter including the avoidance of reverse power flow into the device itself. Additionally, for the latter case with switch 20113 open, the apparatus 200 can also provide parallel quasi-static mode power generation to meet local power demand with switch 20117 closed. In the dynamic mode of operation with switch 20113 closed, the device 200 fully supports the requirements for system frequency stabilization across all technologically relevant regimes including (fast) frequency constraint (FCR), automatic frequency recovery (aFRR), and manual frequency recovery (mFRR).

[0047] As shown in FIG. 6, the dynamic switch 20114 allows the secondary side of the EM core I 2011 to be coupled or disconnected from the AC load side of the grid, the latter applying when only loads are operating on the electromagnetic subsystem and therefore the grid is a DC load, such as those provided by the electrolytic device and / or quasi-static load 20118 (FIG. 6) of the dynamic load subsystem 202.

[0048] Similarly, dynamic switch 20115 allows the secondary side of EM Core II 2039 to be selectively coupled or disconnected from converter matrix 2012, the latter case being applied when dynamic load subsystem 203 is disconnected from the grid and thus the device operates solely as a local AC power source.

[0049] Finally, dynamic switch 20116 allows the secondary side of EM Core II 2039 to be selectively connected or disconnected from the LV AC side 20112, the latter applying when power generation system 203 is only connected to the grid, i.e., when dynamically controlled "power generation" is provided by apparatus 200.

[0050] [Dynamic Load Component or Subsystem 202] As shown in FIG. 4, the dynamic load component 202 acts as a dynamically controlled, dispatchable load and implements a dynamic load transfer function. As shown in FIG. 7, the dynamic load component 202 includes an electrolyzer 2022 (e.g., an electrolyzer based on the principle of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis) and a hydrogen storage tank 2024 combined with hydrogen compression, the latter being either mechanical (ME) compression or electrochemical compression (EHC).

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4, the input to the dynamic load component 202 is a time-varying DC voltage signal, which provides the input for the electrolyzer 2022 . DC current is drawn from converter matrix 2012 and coupled through connection 2018, which has the option of drawing excess DC power from capacitor module 2014, to the electromagnetic cores of both EM core I 2011 and EM core II 2039. To produce hydrogen, water is provided to an electrolyzer 2022 to be ionized. As shown in FIG. 7 , the output of the dynamic load component 202 includes a time-varying dispatch of hydrogen (hydrogen 1) 2027 using a high pressure (typically 30 to 40 bar) pipe connection 2024 to a hydrogen compression and storage unit 2025 which can supply hydrogen on demand to the “power generation” component 203 using a high pressure pipe connection 2027 which connects the hydrogen compression and storage unit 2025 to a mixing module 2031. In some embodiments, the hydrogen produced, stored, and compressed by the dynamic load component 202 can also be used for backup purposes such as transportation, and the high pressure and low pressure connections 2028 supply hydrogen to a fueling station.

[0052] The dynamic load components 202 include a DC-DC converter 2021 for controlling the input power by modulating the electrical output of the converter matrix, and / or a capacitor bank for providing the lower voltage required by the PEM stack of the electrolyzer 2022 (e.g. 3×568V, 3×568V / 50Hz according to IEC 60038 for grid connection of an electrolyzer considered to be connected with a power of approximately 1.707MVA, or 3×400V / 50Hz according to IEC 60038 for grid connection of an electrolyzer considered to be connected with a power of approximately 500kVA).

[0053] In the described embodiment, the electrolyzer 2022 is based on the principle of proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis and is coupled to the electromagnetic component 202 via an AC-DC converter (i.e., a converter matrix) 2012, a capacitor bank 2014, and a DC-DC converter 2021. The electrolyser 2022 is in principle a commercially available product of standard design (e.g. the H-TEC ME 450 / 1400 electrolyser described at https: / / www.h-tec.com / en / products / detail / h-tec-pem-electrolyser-me450-1400 / me450-1400) with an integrated AC- / DC converter and through an integrated control module a quasi-static operation mode can be enabled. However, to enable smooth power rating expansion through parallel coupling of individual PEM stack units (e.g., a commercially available 110 kVA PEM stack), but more importantly, operation under these fast dynamic controls and variable rated hydrogen production, PEM modules of known power rating (e.g., 110 kVA) are arranged in a matrix configuration corresponding to the converter matrix, as shown in FIG. 9. In this manner, each PEM module is powered by one of the corresponding matrix cells, and the rated power of each matrix cell is matched to the rated power of its corresponding PEM module (as shown in FIG. 10). Alternatively, the PEM modules can be divided into groups, with each group of multiple cells providing power for the operation of a corresponding PEM module. This provides the ability for rating expansion not only by adding further PEM modules but also by direct connection to a DC-DC converter and AC- / DC converter matrix, and this configuration allows the PEM stack to be supplied by a variable voltage input as prevalent on the secondary side 20112 of the device 200 and direct control of each PEM stack module by the controller 204.

[0054] In the context of dynamic control of a PEM module with variable hydrogen production output, conventional electrolyzers are too constrained to operate as dynamically dispatchable loads with variable rated loads (power consumption range) and fast response times in response to changing grid conditions. To enable frequency stabilization with variable power consumption within short time scales, currently, frequency throttling and automatic frequency recovery are required. Thereby, the electrical power supply and draw of each matrix cell or set of cells is controlled by the universal controller 204 . The capacitance of the electrolyzer 2022 limits the maximum rating of hydrogen production, but it is also directly proportional to (and is also limited by) the input DC power from the converter matrix 2012.

[0055] The universal controller 204 issues control signals to the electrolyzer 2022 that allow either rapid activation (activation) or load level changes (load shifts) of the electrolyzer (eg, for <30 sec activation and <2 sec load shifts). The PEM electrolyzer 2022 may be operated in one of two modes: voltage mode or current mode.

[0056] Prior to utilization, a compression and storage unit 2025 allows for temporary hydrogen storage. To enable the expansion of storage capacity, the storage tank (e.g., a composite tank reinforced with carbon fiber) can withstand elevated pressures (e.g., up to approximately 300 bar) and can be of standard construction such as a PEM laminate.

[0057] The supply of hydrogen as a blended fuel to the gas turbine 2033 is effected by the universal controller 204 issuing a control signal to the storage unit 2025, causing the storage unit 2025 to release a defined amount of fuel to the fuel gas blending module 2031 via a pipeline 2027 as shown in FIG. 7, based on the hydrogen volume prevailing in the storage tank at the required time, and the fuel blend composition in terms of the ratio of hydrogen to natural gas is defined with a "droop control characteristic". As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the droop control feature allows for the definition of the required natural gas supply for a mixed fuel composition as a function of a predetermined amount of hydrogen withdrawal (supply) from the storage tank and the prevailing load level of the gas turbine.

[0058] A reserve pipeline 2028 allows transport of stored hydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit 2025 for reserve use (represented as "hydrogen 2" in the transfer function of FIG. 4). Hydrogen is released from the storage module to a connected natural gas pipeline (e.g., a connection to a station that supplies fuel for hydrogen-based transportation) by receiving a control signal 2026 from the universal controller 204 to release the stored hydrogen from the storage tank, as shown in FIG. 7, thus providing additional capacity for hydrogen production. Additional uses of hydrogen 2 may include the use of hydrogen to produce artificial fuels, which may be accomplished through the incorporation of a methanation process into the apparatus 200.

[0059] [Power generation component or subsystem 203] The power generation component 203, as shown in FIG. 5, implements a transfer (generation) function and operates as a dynamically controlled dispatchable generator of electric power with effective instantaneous response by injecting electric power on the primary side 20110 of the device (typically the high voltage side of the electric grid).

[0060] As shown in FIG. 5 , the input to the transfer (production) function includes the constant introduction of a time-varying feedstock of gaseous fuel in the form of either pure natural gas or pure hydrogen, or a blend of natural gas and water, and the resulting output is a time-varying delivery of electrical power to the primary side 20110 of the device.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, a fuel blending module 2031 delivers gaseous fuel to the combustion chamber of a gas turbine or gas engine 2033 allowing for the mixing of both natural gas (NG) 2032 and hydrogen 2027 . The fuel gas blending module 2031 receives hydrogen from the hydrogen storage unit 2025 via high pressure pipeline 2027 and natural gas from a regional natural gas infrastructure 20311 .

[0062] The gas turbine or gas engine 2033 is selected to have a fast start time (e.g., for gas turbines having a nominal rated power within ≦5 minutes from cold, e.g., 1-8 MW) to match the demands for frequency service (e.g., in various embodiments of an aero-derived gas turbine, such as a Siemens SGT-A05 series turbine, a Solar Turbine Taurus 60-70, an OPRA radial gas turbine, or a KAWASAKI GTB35 series turbine).

[0063] These turbines or engines can use a blended gaseous fuel consisting of natural gas (NG) and water blended in a range of 0% to 100%, i.e. pure hydrogen-based fuel in the latter case.

[0064] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes or is coupled to a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) via pipeline 2034 to provide the services of a combined heat and power (CHP) system that extracts thermal energy contained within the exhaust gases. This can be used for purposes including, but not limited to, hot water generation for district heating or generation of process steam for industrial facilities.

[0065] In some embodiments, depending on the particular gas turbine or engine type used, the apparatus includes a high performance gearbox 2035 to enable synchronization of the gas turbine rotor speed to the generator rotor speed that essentially matches the reference signal frequency (e.g., 50 Hz or 60 Hz corresponding to 3000 rpm or 3600 rpm, respectively), i.e., the frequency of the AC electric system - in cases where the design rotor speed of the gas turbine is not equal to the nominal rotor speed of the generator (typically the case for aeroderivative gas turbines).

[0066] In the described embodiment, the generator 2036 can be a two-pole type air-cooled design industrial synchronous power generator having an MVA size commensurate with the MW rating of the gas turbine or engine 2034 and regulated to the accumulated rated power of the EM Core I and EM Core II. In some embodiments, the generator 2036 is a commercially available power generator, such as available through a brush low rated power industrial generator set (having a range of 0.3 to 10 MVA) or through a Siemens industrial 2-pole SGen series generator (from the SIGENTICS series, having a range of 0.3 to 10 MVA).

[0067] To provide either peak load or load following variable power generation, the universal controller 204 issues control signals to the gas turbine or engine based on the droop control characteristic via the bidirectional data interface 2037.

[0068] The AC-AC electrical coupling 2038 of the generator to the secondary side of the EM Core II 2039 allows for adaptation of the output voltage of the generator 2036 to the target grid voltage operating on the primary side of the EM Core II 2039 .

[0069] With gate switches 20113 and 20114 open (set by universal controller 204 as shown in FIG. 8), electromagnetic subsystem 201 and load component 202 are disconnected from the secondary side of device 200 allowing the device to operate in generate only mode. The operating modes can be either continuous or standby type of operation, the latter capable of functioning as either peak mode power generation or standby (backup) power generation, thereby providing different states of operation of the device, including isolated operation and grid attached operation, and therefore providing service to grid or local energy loads.

[0070] With the gate switch 20111 open (set by the universal controller 204 as shown in FIG. 8), the power generation component 203 is disconnected from the primary side 20110, thereby allowing the device to operate in a “load only” mode or a “power quality compensation only” mode from the grid. The "load only" mode of operation can be either of continuous operation type or as standby operation. The continuous mode of operation typically refers to continuous hydrogen production, such as when excess power is available from renewable energy generation. The standby mode is typically used for system frequency stabilization.

[0071] With gate switches 20111 and 20115 open (set by the universal controller 204 as shown in FIG. 8), the EM Core II and therefore the generating unit are disconnected from the primary side 20110 of the grid as well as from the secondary AC load side 20112 of the grid, thus avoiding reverse power flow within the device. This allows the device 200 to operate in "power quality only" and "load only" modes of operation using only the EM core I 2011.

[0072] When embodied and otherwise configured to provide a dynamic dispatchable load (with or without dispatchable electricity generation), the device supports carbon neutrality by storing excess electricity (including in the form of hydrogen) for subsequent reuse rather than as waste heat, and the marginal cost of the stored electricity (whether in the form of hydrogen or otherwise) is effectively zero. Multiple instances of the device distributed throughout the electrical grid can be used to provide grid stability.

[0073] Alternatively, when embodied and otherwise configured to provide only dynamically dispatchable generators, the distributed instances of the device still contribute to grid stability, provide inertia, and prevent mechanical damage caused by signal perturbations.

[0074] It will be apparent from the above description that embodiments of the present invention include autonomous distributed devices for providing energy system stability while reducing entropic (e.g., thermal) energy losses and marginal costs of energy supply to customers, achieved through modulation of electrical energy in time and space, modal shift to different energy forms, and harmonization of electrical signals based on a reference signal.

[0075] Many variations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. 1. A power device for coupling a power supply device and one or more power loads, comprising: a plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components that provide at least one of dynamically dispatchable energy storage and energy recovery; a controller, dynamically storing energy in one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components when available electrical power exceeds the electrical power required by the one or more power loads; and / or dynamically supplying energy from one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components when the available electrical power is less than or equal to the electrical power required by the one or more electrical loads; a controller for dynamically controlling operation of one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components to dynamically balance the power supply with the one or more electrical loads; Equipped with the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage component operates on different time scales, including at least one time scale sufficient to eliminate or reduce high frequency distortion in the electrical power source; the dynamic dispatchable electrical energy storage component includes at least one of a dynamic dispatchable hydrogen generation and storage component that provides dynamic dispatchable energy storage, and a dynamic dispatchable generator that is fueled at least in part by hydrogen and provides dynamic dispatchable energy recovery; Power equipment.

2. the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components provide only dynamically dispatchable energy recovery; The power device of claim 1 .

3. the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components provide only dynamically dispatchable energy storage; The power device of claim 1 .

4. the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components provide both dynamically dispatchable energy storage and dynamically dispatchable energy recovery. The power device of claim 1 .

5. the dynamic dispatchable electrical energy storage component includes the dynamic dispatchable hydrogen generation and storage component providing dynamic dispatchable energy storage; 5. The electric power device according to claim 3 or 4.

6. at least a portion of the hydrogen produced by the dynamically dispatchable hydrogen production and storage component is not used by the power device to produce energy but is transported to another location; The power device of claim 5.

7. the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components include electromagnetic energy storage components that operate as dynamically variable electrical power sinks or as dynamically variable electrical power sources on time scales sufficient to eliminate or reduce high frequency distortion in the electrical power source; 5. The power device according to claim 1.

8. The electromagnetic energy storage component comprises: a first dynamically reconfigurable magnetic core configured to operate as a dynamically variable electrical power sink; a second dynamically reconfigurable magnetic core coupled to the electric power source and configured to operate as a dynamically variable power source; The power device of claim 7.

9. the electromagnetic energy storage component includes a set of capacitors for storing electrical energy; The power device of claim 7.

10. the electromagnetic energy storage component includes at least one dynamically reconfigurable magnetic core coupled to the electric power source and configured to mitigate high frequency distortion within the electric power source; The power device of claim 7.

11. the plurality of dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components include electromagnetic energy generating components; 5. The power device according to claim 1.

12. a controller and a switching matrix of power electronic converter cells coupled to the dynamically dispatchable hydrogen generation and storage component; The controller is configured to dynamically operate the switching matrix as at least one of a rectifier for converting AC to DC and an inverter for converting DC to AC.

5. The power device according to claim 1.

13. the controller is further configured to control a switching matrix to dynamically connect and disconnect the dynamically dispatchable hydrogen generation and storage component from the electric power source.

13. The power device according to any one of claims 12 to 13.

14. each of the power electronic converter cells includes a SiC, GaN, or insulated gate bipolar power transistor and a respective diode configured to provide high speed switching; 13. The power device of claim 12.

15. 5. The power device according to claim 1, dynamically storing energy in one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components when the available electrical power exceeds the electrical power required by the one or more electrical loads; and / or dynamically supplying energy from one or more of the dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components when the available electrical power is less than or equal to the electrical power required by the one or more power loads. By dynamically controlling the operation of the one or more dynamically dispatchable electrical energy storage components to dynamically balance the power supply with the one or more electrical loads; Including, A computer-implemented process.

16. 16. A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the processes of claim 15.

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