Power transmission and reception system

Abstract

To provide a power transmission and reception system that can reduce raw material costs, installation costs, and suppress power line problems. [Solution] The system includes a light-emitting unit 12 that emits light using electricity obtained from a renewable energy source, and a light-receiving unit 21 that receives light from the light-emitting unit 12, thereby transmitting electricity obtained from a renewable energy source without using power lines.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power transmission and reception system.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, an energy storage system using solar power generation or wind power generation has been increasingly popular. Patent Document 1 discloses a solar power generation system that includes a wiring abnormality detection sensor driven by noise superimposed on direct current during power generation, enabling omission of the power source of the wiring abnormality detection sensor and accurately grasping the abnormal location of the direct current wiring.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of an energy storage system using solar power generation or wind power generation, direct current power from a power generation device such as a solar power generation panel and a windmill is transmitted to a so-called power conditioner through an electric wire. Since the wiring distance of the electric wire is relatively long, it causes an increase in raw material (such as electric wire) costs and installation costs. Further, since an electric wire is used for power transmission and reception, there is a risk of power loss in the electric wire and electric wire troubles such as short circuits. In the case of wind power generation, such problems become even more significant.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a power transmission and reception system capable of reducing raw material costs, reducing installation costs, and suppressing electric wire troubles by power transmission and reception using light.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The power transmission and reception system of the present invention comprises a light-emitting unit that emits light using electricity obtained from a renewable energy source, and a light-receiving unit that receives light from the light-emitting unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power transmission and reception system that can reduce raw material costs, installation costs, and suppress power line troubles. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power transmission and reception system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the power generation module, the light emission unit, and the light receiving unit. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates a protective component that protects the optical path of a laser beam. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the solar power generation panel, the light emission unit, and the light receiving unit in a modified power transmission and reception system. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the power transmission and reception system of Embodiment 2. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a power transmission and reception system. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of a wind turbine. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the light emission unit, the light receiving unit, and the light focusing lens in the power transmission and reception system of Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (1) A power transmission and reception system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a light emitting unit that emits light using electricity obtained from a renewable energy source, and a light receiving unit that receives light from the light emitting unit.

[0010] According to the power transmission and reception system described in (1) above, the light emitting unit emits light using electricity obtained from a renewable energy source, and the light receiving unit receives light from the light emitting unit. Therefore, electricity obtained from a renewable energy source is transmitted without using power lines.

[0011] (2) In the power transmission and reception system described in (1) above, the light emission unit emits light using power obtained from a plurality of solar power generation panels arranged in parallel, and the light receiving unit is arranged opposite to the light emission unit in the direction in which the plurality of solar power generation panels are arranged in parallel.

[0012] According to the power transmission and reception system described in (2) above, the light-emitting unit uses the power obtained from the solar power generation panels to emit light toward the light-receiving unit which is positioned opposite the light-emitting unit in the direction in which the multiple solar power generation panels are arranged side by side. Thus, the power obtained from sunlight is transmitted without using power lines.

[0013] (3) The power transmission and reception system described in (2) above includes a cylindrical member extending in the direction of parallel installation, and is equipped with a support base for holding the plurality of solar power generation panels, and light from the light emission section passes through the inside of the cylindrical member.

[0014] According to the power transmission and reception system described in (3) above, the light emitted from the light emission unit travels through the inside of a cylindrical member extending in the direction in which the multiple solar power generation panels are installed side by side to reach the light receiving unit. Therefore, since the light from the light emission unit is covered by the cylindrical member and not exposed, safety can be enhanced. In addition, since the cylindrical member of the support base also serves as a guide for the optical path, equipment costs can be reduced.

[0015] (4) In the power transmission and reception system described in (2) above, the optical path of the light from the light emitting unit is above the ground and is located near the back surface of the solar power generation panel.

[0016] According to the power transmission and reception system of (4) above, since the optical path of the light from the light emitting unit is above the ground and disposed in the vicinity of the back surface of the solar power generation panel, the conflict between the optical path of the light and the movement range of wild animals or humans is suppressed, and the safety is enhanced.

[0017] (5) The power transmission and reception system of (4) above includes a protection member for protecting the optical path.

[0018] According to the power transmission and reception system of (5) above, by including a protection member for protecting the optical path, the light emitted from the light emitting unit is covered by the protection member and not exposed, so the safety is enhanced.

[0019] (6) In the power transmission and reception system of (1) above, the light emitting unit is provided on a windmill installed on the sea, emits light using the power obtained by the windmill, the light receiving unit is provided on land, and receives the light from the light emitting unit.

[0020] According to the power transmission and reception system of (6) above, using the power obtained by a windmill installed on the sea, the light emitting unit emits light, and the light from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit provided on land. Therefore, the power obtained from the offshore wind is transmitted to land without using electric wires.

[0021] (7) Any one of the power transmission and reception systems of (1) to (6) above includes a power supply device that outputs alternating current power using the light received by the light receiving unit, and a battery device that stores the power obtained from the renewable energy source and transmits the stored power to the power supply device.

[0022] According to the power transmission and reception system of (7) above, the power supply device can output alternating current power using the light received by the light receiving unit and supply it to the power grid or load. Also, the battery device can store the power obtained from the renewable energy source and transmit the stored power to the power supply device.

[0023] (8) The power transmission and reception system described in (7) above includes a battery device which has another light emitting unit that emits light to the power supply device using the stored power.

[0024] According to the power transmission and reception system described in (8) above, the light-emitting part of the battery device emits light toward the light-receiving part of the power supply device using the stored power. Therefore, the power stored in the battery device is transmitted without using wires.

[0025] This disclosure will be described in detail with reference to drawings illustrating its embodiments. (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the power transmission and reception system 100 according to Embodiment 1.

[0026] The power transmission and reception system 100 of Embodiment 1 comprises a photovoltaic power generation unit 10, a power conditioner 20 (power supply device), and a battery storage device 30. In the power transmission and reception system 100, the electricity generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit 10 using sunlight is sent to the power conditioner 20 and the battery storage device 30.

[0027] The photovoltaic power generation unit 10 comprises multiple photovoltaic panels 11, a light emission unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a control unit 14, a storage unit 15, and an electro-optical conversion unit 18, and generates electricity using sunlight, which is a renewable energy source.

[0028] Multiple solar power generation panels 11 are arranged in a row in one direction to form a power generation module 11A. Each solar power generation panel 11 receives sunlight and generates electricity, converting sunlight into electricity and outputting it.

[0029] The electro-optical conversion unit 18 has a laser light source and uses the power output from the power generation module 11A to convert electricity into light (laser light L). The light emission unit 12 emits the laser light L from the electro-optical conversion unit 18 to the light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20, which will be described later. The light emission unit 12 uses a laser such as a semiconductor laser (LD) or a fiber laser. A lens may be provided on the light emission unit 12 so that the laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 12 is parallel light. The laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 12 may be CW (Continuous Wave) light or pulsed light. The control unit 14 has a CPU or the like and determines the emission intensity per unit time and controls the emission of laser light L by the light emission unit 12.

[0030] The imaging unit 13 images the light-receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20. The imaging unit 13 may also be configured to image a predetermined marker provided on the power conditioner 20 (light-receiving unit 21).

[0031] The control unit 14 recognizes the light receiving unit 21 (image) from the image captured by the imaging unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as the captured image), and controls the emission of laser light L based on the result of this image recognition. The control unit 14 controls the light emission unit 12 or the electro-optical conversion unit 18, and emits laser light L only when the light receiving unit 21 can be recognized from the captured image, and stops the emission of laser light L when the light receiving unit 21 cannot be recognized from the captured image. When the light receiving unit 21 can no longer be recognized, the emission of laser light L is stopped.

[0032] The storage unit 15 is composed of a non-volatile storage medium such as flash memory, EEPROM (registered trademark), or HDD, and stores identification information for the light receiving unit 21, a program for controlling the operation of the light emitting unit 12 or the electro-optical conversion unit 18, and the like.

[0033] The power conditioner 20 includes a light receiving unit 21, a photoelectric conversion unit 22, and an inverter 23. It receives the power generated by the photoelectric power generation unit 10 as laser light L, converts the laser light L into electrical energy, and sends it to the power grid or load.

[0034] The light receiving unit 21 receives the laser light L emitted from the light emitting unit 12 of the photovoltaic power generation unit 10. As described above, the light emitting unit 12 emits laser light L toward the light receiving unit 21, and this laser light L is received by the light receiving unit 21 and sent to the photoelectric conversion unit 22.

[0035] The laser beam L has high directivity, and the beam diameter (several millimeters) does not spread even if the distance between the power conditioner 20 and the photovoltaic power generation unit 10 is large. Since the energy conversion efficiency decreases if the laser beam L does not evenly hit the entire light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion unit 22, the light-receiving unit 21 is configured to evenly irradiate the photoelectric conversion unit 22 with the laser beam L.

[0036] The photoelectric conversion unit 22 converts the laser light L received by the light receiving unit 21 into electrical energy. The photoelectric conversion unit 22 uses, for example, a silicon solar cell. The photoelectric conversion unit 22 may also use multiple CIS (Copper Indium Selenium) solar cells, CIGS (Copper Indium Gallium Selenium) solar cells, III-V multijunction solar cells, etc., in combination. The electrical energy converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 22 is sent to the inverter 23.

[0037] When the photoelectric conversion unit 22 uses a silicon solar cell, it is preferable that the wavelength of the laser light L emitted by the light emission unit 12 is the wavelength corresponding to the band gap of the light absorption layer used in the photoelectric conversion unit 22, from the viewpoint of energy conversion efficiency and safety.

[0038] A diffusion member (not shown) may be provided on the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion unit 22. The diffusion member may be a diffusion lens, a diffusion film, or the like. The diffusion member diffuses the laser light L received by the light-receiving unit 21 and irradiates it onto the photoelectric conversion unit 22. The diffusion member diffuses the laser light L from the light-receiving unit 21 to an area approximately the same size as the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion unit 22 so that the laser light L from the light-receiving unit 21 irradiates the entire light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion unit 22.

[0039] The inverter 23 receives DC power from the output terminal of the photoelectric conversion unit 22 and converts this DC power into AC power similar to that of the power grid. The AC power output from the inverter 23 is supplied to the load or the power grid.

[0040] The battery storage device 30 comprises a light-emitting unit 31 (and other light-emitting units), an electro-light conversion unit 35, and a storage battery 32. The battery storage device 30 is connected to the photovoltaic power generation unit 10 and receives a portion of the electricity generated by the photovoltaic power generation unit 10 and stores it in the storage battery 32.

[0041] The electro-optical conversion unit 35 has a laser light source and uses the power stored in the storage battery 32 to convert electricity into laser light L. The light emission unit 31 emits the laser light L from the electro-optical conversion unit 35 to the light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20. The other components of the light emission unit 31 are the same as those of the light emission unit 12 of the photovoltaic power generation unit 10, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0042] The energy storage battery 32 is connected to the photovoltaic unit 10 via a capacitor (not shown) and stores the electricity generated by the solar power generation panel 11. If the power generated by the solar power generation panel 11 is greater than the load power required for the emission of laser light L by the light emission unit 12, the excess power is sent to the battery storage device 30 and stored in the energy storage battery 32. The energy storage battery 32 is, for example, a battery for a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle).

[0043] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the power generation module 11A, the light emission unit 12, and the light receiving unit 21. For convenience, Figure 2 uses the example of a power generation module 11A being composed of three solar power generation panels 11, but it is not limited to this configuration.

[0044] In the power generation module 11A, three solar power generation panels 11 are arranged in a line in one direction, and each solar power generation panel 11 is aligned at an angle to the ground.

[0045] The power generation module 11A is held in the aforementioned state by the support base 101. The support base 101 is, for example, a frame assembled from a plurality of cylindrical metal members, and includes a cylindrical member 101A that extends in the direction in which the solar power generation panels 11 are installed side by side. As shown in Figure 2, the cylindrical member 101A extends from one end to the other end of the power generation module 11A in the direction in which the solar power generation panels 11 are installed side by side. In Figure 2, for convenience, the other end of the cylindrical member 101A is shown in a partial cross-sectional view.

[0046] The light-emitting section 12 of the photovoltaic power generation unit 10 is located near one end of the cylindrical member 101A, and the light-receiving section 21 of the power conditioner 20 is located near the other end of the cylindrical member 101A. The light-emitting section 12 and the light-receiving section 21 face each other in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical member 101A, that is, in the direction in which the photovoltaic power generation panels 11 are arranged side by side.

[0047] The laser beam L emission port of the light emission unit 12 faces the opening at one end of the cylindrical member 101A, and the cylindrical member 101A is positioned such that the optical axis of the laser beam L emitted from the emission port is parallel to the axial direction of the cylindrical member 101A. The light receiving unit 21 is positioned such that the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 21 faces the opening at the other end of the cylindrical member 101A, and the axial direction of the cylindrical member 101A is perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 21. Therefore, the laser beam L emitted from the emission port of the light emission unit 12 enters the interior of the cylindrical member 101A, passes through the interior of the cylindrical member 101A, and strikes the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 21.

[0048] In the power transmission and reception system 100 of Embodiment 1, the laser light L converted by the electric-light conversion unit 18 using the power obtained from the power generation module 11A is emitted from the light emission unit 12. The laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 12 passes through the cylindrical member 101A of the holding base 101 and is incident on the light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20.

[0049] Furthermore, in the battery storage device 30, the light emission unit 31 emits laser light L converted by the light-to-electricity conversion unit 35 using the power stored in the energy storage battery 32. The laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 31 is incident on the light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20.

[0050] The laser light L incident on the light receiving unit 21 from the light emitting units 12 and 31 is converted into electrical energy (DC power) by the photoelectric conversion unit 22 and sent to the inverter 23, where it is converted into AC power and supplied to the load or power system.

[0051] As described above, the power transmission and reception system 100 of Embodiment 1 transmits and receives power between the photovoltaic power generation unit 10 and the power conditioner 20, and between the battery storage device 30 and the power conditioner 20, without using wires, by converting electricity into light (laser light L) and transmitting and receiving it as light. Therefore, wiring (construction) is unnecessary, and it is possible to reduce raw material (electric wire, etc.) costs, installation costs, and prevent power loss in electric wires.

[0052] In the power transmission and reception system 100 of Embodiment 1, as described above, the laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 12 passes through the inside of the cylindrical member 101A of the holding base 101 and enters the light receiving unit 21. By using the inside of the cylindrical member 101A as the optical path for the laser light L in this way, the exposure of the laser light L can be suppressed and safety can be enhanced. Furthermore, since the cylindrical member 101A also serves as a protective member for the optical path of the laser light L, there is no need to provide a separate protective member, and further reductions in raw material costs can be expected.

[0053] The power transmission and reception system 100 of Embodiment 1 is not limited to the above description. A reflective film that reflects laser light L may be provided on the inner wall of the cylindrical member 101A, or a flexible solar cell may be attached to it.

[0054] (modified version) In the above explanation, we have described a case where the laser light L emitted from the light emission section 12 of the photovoltaic power generation unit 10 passes through the inside of the cylindrical member 101A of the holding base 101, and the cylindrical member 101A also serves as a protective member for the optical path. However, the power transmission and reception system 100 is not limited to this, and a separate protective member for the optical path of the laser light L may also be provided.

[0055] Figure 3 illustrates a protective member 102 that protects the optical path of the laser beam L.

[0056] In the modified power transmission and reception system 100, the protective member 102 is cylindrical in shape and, similar to the cylindrical member 101A in Embodiment 1, extends from one end to the other of the power generation module 11A in the direction in which the solar power generation panels 11 are arranged side by side. The protective member 102 is, for example, circular in cross-section, located above the ground G, and disposed near the back surface of the solar power generation panels 11. The protective member 102 is not limited to this and may be cylindrical in shape with a rectangular or triangular cross-section, or it may be gutter-shaped and open toward the solar power generation panels 11.

[0057] Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the photovoltaic power generation panel 11, the light emission unit 12, and the light receiving unit 21 in a modified power transmission and reception system 100. For convenience, in Figure 3, the photovoltaic power generation panel 11 is shown by a dashed line, and the end of the protective member 102 near the light receiving unit 21 is shown in a partial cross-sectional view.

[0058] The protective member 102 is, for example, a flexible solar cell formed in a cylindrical shape, configured so that its inner surface becomes the light incident surface. As described above, the protective member 102 is located away from the ground G, for example, near the back surface of the photovoltaic panel 11 (power generation module 11A). The light-emitting part 12 of the photovoltaic unit 10 is located near one end of the protective member 102, and the light-receiving part 21 of the power conditioner 20 is located near the other end of the protective member 102. The light-emitting part 12 and the light-receiving part 21 face each other in the longitudinal direction of the protective member 102.

[0059] The laser beam L emission port of the light emission unit 12 faces the opening at one end of the protective member 102, and the protective member 102 is positioned such that the optical axis of the laser beam L emitted from the emission port is parallel to the axial direction of the protective member 102. The light receiving unit 21 is positioned such that the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 21 faces the opening at the other end of the protective member 102, and the axial direction of the protective member 102 is perpendicular to the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 21. Therefore, the laser beam L emitted from the emission port of the light emission unit 12 enters the interior of the protective member 102, passes through the protective member 102, and strikes the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 21.

[0060] In the modified power transmission and reception system 100, the laser light L converted by the electric light conversion unit 18 using the power generation module 11A is emitted through the light emission unit 12, and the emitted laser light L passes through the protective member 102 and is incident on the light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20.

[0061] In the modified power transmission and reception system 100, as described above, the laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 12 passes through the inside of the protective member 102 and enters the light receiving unit 21. In this way, since the laser light L passes through the inside of the protective member 102, exposure of the laser light L is prevented, and safety can be enhanced.

[0062] In the modified power transmission and reception system 100, as described above, the protective member 102 is located above the ground G and near the back surface of the solar power generation panel 11 (power generation module 11A). That is, the optical path of the laser beam L moves away from the ground G and passes near the back surface of the solar power generation panel 11 (power generation module 11A), thus suppressing the optical path of the laser beam L from interfering with the range of activity of wild animals or humans, and thereby enhancing safety.

[0063] In the modified power transmission and reception system 100, as described above, the protective member 102 is made of a flexible solar cell. Therefore, if the direction of emission of the laser light L shifts and the laser light L irradiates the inner surface of the protective member 102, the protective member 102 (solar cell) generates electricity. Thus, the electricity generated can be utilized.

[0064] In the modified power transmission and reception system 100, the protective member 102 is not essential and may be omitted. Even in such a case, it is possible to suppress the optical path of the laser beam L from interfering with the range of activity of wild animals or humans, thereby enhancing safety.

[0065] In the power transmission and reception system 100 of Embodiment 1, a protective member 102 may be provided between the battery storage device 30 and the power conditioner 20, and the laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 31 may be configured to pass inside the protective member 102.

[0066] (Embodiment 2) Embodiment 1 described an example where the power transmission and reception system obtains electricity using solar power as a renewable energy source, but it is not limited to this. The power transmission and reception system in Embodiment 2 obtains electricity using offshore wind as a renewable energy source.

[0067] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2, and Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the power transmission and reception system 100A. For convenience, the battery storage device 30 is not shown in Figure 5.

[0068] The power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2 comprises a wind power generation unit 10A, a power conditioner 20, and a battery storage device 30. The wind power generation unit 10A is installed offshore, while the power conditioner 20 and battery storage device 30 are installed on land. In the power transmission and reception system 100A, the electricity generated by the wind power generation unit 10A using offshore wind is sent to the power conditioner 20.

[0069] The wind power generation unit 10A comprises a wind turbine device 17, a light emission unit 12, an imaging unit 13, a control unit 14, a storage unit 15, a detection unit 16, and an electro-optical conversion unit 18, and generates electricity using offshore wind, which is a renewable energy source.

[0070] Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view showing the external appearance of the wind turbine device 17. The wind turbine 17 is a floating type that floats on the ocean and generates electricity using offshore winds, converting the offshore winds into electricity for output. The wind turbine 17 comprises three blades 171, a nacelle 172, a hub 173, a tower 174, and a yaw system 175.

[0071] The blades 171 rotate around the axis of rotation by receiving wind force. The blades 171 are hollow, formed from laminated plates. The hub 173 has a roughly spherical shape and supports the three blades 171, rotating integrally with the blades 171. The hub 173 is provided with a light-emitting section 12.

[0072] The nacelle 172 is cylindrical in shape and extends in one direction, with the blade 171 and hub 173 attached to one end of the nacelle 172. The nacelle 172 and hub 173 are arranged around the same axis.

[0073] The tower 174 is a columnar shape that gradually tapers upward, extends vertically from the water surface, and supports the blades 171, hubs 173, and nacelle 172. A yaw system 175 is interposed between the nacelle 172 and the tower 174. The yaw system 175 directs the rotation axes of the blades 171 and hubs 173 toward the wind direction.

[0074] The nacelle 172 includes a main shaft connected to the hub 173 and rotating integrally with the hub 173, a gearbox that increases the rotational speed of the main shaft, a high-speed shaft connected to the high-speed rotating shaft of the gearbox, and a generator that generates electrical energy by the rotation of the high-speed shaft.

[0075] In the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2, the light emission unit 12 is provided on the hub 173 of the wind turbine device 17, as described above. The light emission unit 12 emits laser light L from the electro-optical conversion unit 18 to the light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20. The configuration of the light emission unit 12 and the electro-optical conversion unit 18 is the same as in Embodiment 1, and a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0076] The control unit 14 recognizes the light receiving unit 21 from the image captured by the imaging unit 13 and controls the emission of laser light L based on the result of this image recognition. The control unit 14 controls the light emission unit 12 or the electro-optical conversion unit 18 and emits laser light L only when the light receiving unit 21 can be recognized from the image, and stops emitting laser light L when the light receiving unit 21 cannot be recognized from the image. For example, if the laser light L is blocked by a bird, ship, or airplane and the light receiving unit 21 can no longer be recognized, the emission of laser light L is stopped.

[0077] The detection unit 16 uses LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), radar, etc., to detect information that identifies the position of the light-receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20. The detection unit 16 accurately detects the position of the light-receiving unit 21, the distance between the light-emitting unit 12 and the light-receiving unit 21, and the angle of the light-emitting unit 12 with respect to the light-receiving unit 21.

[0078] The control unit 14 drives a mechanism (not shown) that adjusts the orientation of the light-emitting unit 12 based on the captured image and the detection results of the detection unit 16, thereby controlling the orientation of the light-emitting unit 12. More specifically, the control unit 14 controls the direction in which the laser light L is emitted by identifying the position of the light-receiving unit 21 based on the captured image and the detection results of the detection unit 16 and adjusting the orientation of the light-emitting unit 12. The control unit 14 controls the orientation of the light-emitting unit 12 in response to changes in the position of the wind turbine device 17 (light-emitting unit 12) due to waves, wind, etc., and ensures that the laser light L emitted from the light-emitting unit 12 is accurately incident on the light-receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20. The imaging unit 13 and the storage unit 15 have already been described in Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0079] The power conditioner 20 receives the electricity generated by the wind turbine device 17 as laser light L, converts the laser light L into electrical energy, and sends it to the power grid or load. Similar to Embodiment 1, the power conditioner 20 includes a light receiving unit 21, a photoelectric conversion unit 22, and an inverter 23, and further includes a light emitting unit 24, an electric-to-photoelectric conversion unit 25, and a focusing lens 210 (see Figure 8) described later. The photoelectric conversion unit 22 and the inverter 23 have already been described in Embodiment 1, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0080] The light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20 in Embodiment 2 receives the laser light L emitted from the light emitting unit 12 of the wind power generation unit 10A.

[0081] Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the light emitting unit 12, the light receiving unit 21, and the light concentrating lens 210 in the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2.

[0082] The focusing lens 210 has dimensions larger than the light receiving unit 21 and is positioned near the light receiving surface of the light receiving unit 21. The focusing lens 210 focuses the laser light L emitted from the light emitting unit 12 of the wind power generation unit 10A toward the light receiving unit 21.

[0083] The light emission unit 12 of the wind power generation unit 10A is positioned opposite the focusing lens 210 of the power conditioner 20. The light emission unit 12 is positioned so that the optical axis of the laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 12 and the light receiving surface of the focusing lens 210 are perpendicular to each other. The laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 12 enters the focusing lens 210, is refracted, and is emitted towards the light receiving unit 21. The laser light L received by the light receiving unit 21 is sent to the photoelectric conversion unit 22.

[0084] The electro-photoconversion unit 25 has a laser light source and uses the power output from the photoelectric conversion unit 22 to convert electricity into laser light L. The light emission unit 24 emits the laser light L from the electro-photoconversion unit 35 to the light receiving unit 33 of the battery device 30, which will be described later. The configuration of the light emission unit 24 is the same as that of the light emission unit 12, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0085] The battery storage device 30 stores a portion of the electricity generated by the wind power generation unit 10A. Similar to Embodiment 1, the battery storage device 30 includes a light emitting unit 31, an electric-to-light conversion unit 35, and a storage battery 32, and further includes a light receiving unit 33 and a photoelectric conversion unit 34. The light emitting unit 31, the electric-to-light conversion unit 35, and the storage battery 32 have already been described in Embodiment 1, and only the light receiving unit 33 and the photoelectric conversion unit 34 will be described below.

[0086] The light receiving unit 33 receives the laser light L emitted from the light emitting unit 24 of the power conditioner 20. The laser light L emitted from the light emitting unit 24 is received by the light receiving unit 33 and sent to the photoelectric conversion unit 34. The light receiving unit 33 is the same as the light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0087] The photoelectric conversion unit 34 converts the laser light L received by the light receiving unit 33 into electrical energy. The electrical energy converted by the photoelectric conversion unit 34 is sent to the storage battery 32 and stored in the storage battery 32. The photoelectric conversion unit 34 is the same as the photoelectric conversion unit 22 of the power conditioner 20, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0088] In the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2, buoys 200 are installed between the wind power generation unit 10A and the power conditioner 20 to indicate that it is the optical path of the laser beam L. Multiple buoys 200 are floating on the ocean between the wind power generation unit 10A and the power conditioner 20, along the optical path of the laser beam L.

[0089] As described above, the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2 transmits power obtained from the wind turbine device 17 of the wind power generation unit 10A to the power conditioner 20 without using wires such as submarine cables, by converting such power into light (laser light L) and transmitting and receiving it as light. Similarly, when transmitting and receiving power between the battery device 30 and the power conditioner 20, wires are not used, and such power is converted into light (laser light L) and transmitted and received as light. Therefore, wiring (construction) is unnecessary, and it is possible to reduce raw material (electric wire) costs, installation costs, and prevent power loss in electric wires.

[0090] In the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2, as described above, even if the position of the light emission unit 12 is shifted from its normal position due to waves, wind, etc., the orientation of the light emission unit 12 is controlled based on the image captured by the imaging unit 13 and the detection result of the detection unit 16, and the emission direction of the laser light L is adjusted. Therefore, the laser light L emitted from the light emission unit 12 is accurately and stably incident on the light receiving unit 21 of the power conditioner 20.

[0091] In the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2, as described above, the light emission unit 12 is located on a hub 173 that is higher than the ship. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the laser light L from irradiating a ship at sea, thereby enhancing safety.

[0092] In the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2, as described above, since the buoy 200 is installed, it is possible to inform ships at sea in advance that they are in the path of the laser beam L and to have them take a detour, thereby further enhancing safety.

[0093] In the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2, as described above, the focusing lens 210 focuses the laser light L from the light emission unit 12 and sends it to the light receiving unit 21, so that it can accommodate positional shifts of the light emission unit 12 caused by waves, wind, etc.

[0094] In the above explanation, we have used the example of a floating wind turbine device 17 that floats on the ocean, but it is not limited to this, and it may also be a fixed-bottom type that is fixed to the seabed.

[0095] In the above, the direction of the light-emitting unit 12 (the direction of emission of the laser light L) has been adjusted by controlling a mechanism for adjusting the direction of the light-emitting unit 12, but the invention is not limited to this. The direction of emission of the laser light L may also be controlled by providing a mirror that reflects the laser light L and controlling the angle of such a mirror.

[0096] In the above explanation, we have described the case in which the condensing lens 210 is provided only near the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving unit 21 as an example, but the explanation is not limited to this, and the condensing lens 210 may also be provided in the wind power generation unit 10A (light-emitting unit 12).

[0097] In the above explanation, we have used as an example the case in which power is transmitted using light between a wind power generation unit 10A installed offshore and a power conditioner 20 installed on land, but the explanation is not limited to this. It is also possible to install another wind power generation unit 10A between the wind power generation unit 10A and the power conditioner 20, and configure the system so that power is transmitted using light between the wind power generation units 10A.

[0098] In the power transmission and reception system 100A of Embodiment 2, a protective member 102 may be provided between the battery storage device 30 and the power conditioner 20, and the laser light L from the light emission unit 24 of the power conditioner 20 and the laser light L from the light emission unit 31 of the battery storage device 30 may be configured to pass inside the protective member 102.

[0099] In the above explanation, we have used as an example a case in which one power conditioner 20 receives power from the photovoltaic unit 10 or the wind power generation unit 10A and also transmits and receives power from the battery storage device 30, but the explanation is not limited to this. It is also possible to provide a power conditioner 20 for receiving power from the photovoltaic unit 10 or the wind power generation unit 10A, and a power conditioner 20 for transmitting and receiving power from the battery storage device 30.

[0100] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the claims, not in the sense described above, and all modifications are intended to be in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims.

[0101] The matters described in each embodiment can be combined with each other. Furthermore, the independent and dependent claims described in the claims can be combined with each other in any combination, regardless of the form of reference. In addition, the claims use a form in which claims referencing two or more other claims (multi-claim form), but are not limited to this. A form in which multi-claims referencing at least one multi-claim (multi-multi-claim) may also be used. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0102] 11 Solar panels 12,24 Light-emitting section 17 Windmill equipment 20 Power conditioner (power supply unit) 21,33 Light receiving part 30 Battery storage system 31. Light-emitting section (other light-emitting section) 100,100A power transmission and reception system 101 Holding stand 101A Cylindrical member 102 Protective component

Claims

1. A light-emitting unit that emits light using electricity obtained from a renewable energy source, A power transmission and reception system comprising a light receiving unit that receives light from the light emitting unit.

2. The aforementioned light-emitting unit emits light using electricity obtained from multiple solar power generation panels arranged side by side. The power transmission and reception system according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving unit is arranged opposite to the light emitting unit in the direction in which the plurality of solar power generation panels are arranged side by side.

3. It includes a cylindrical member extending in the direction of parallel arrangement, and comprises a support base for holding the plurality of solar power generation panels, The power transmission and reception system according to claim 2, wherein light from the light emitting part passes inside the cylindrical member.

4. The power transmission and reception system according to claim 2, wherein the optical path of the light from the light emitting unit is above the ground and is located near the back surface of the solar power generation panel.

5. The power transmission and reception system according to claim 4, further comprising a protective member for protecting the optical path.

6. The light emission unit is installed on a wind turbine located offshore, and emits light using the power generated by the wind turbine. The power transmission and reception system according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving unit is provided on land and receives light from the light emitting unit.

7. A power supply device that outputs AC power using the light received by the light receiving unit, A power transmission and reception system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a battery storage device that stores electricity obtained from the renewable energy source and transmits the stored electricity to the power supply device.

8. The power transmission and reception system according to claim 7, further comprising the battery storage device and another light emitting unit that emits light to the power supply device using the stored power.

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