Energy optimization plant and its operation method

Abstract

An energy optimization plant for peak load applications. The plant has power generation units, and the generated energy is switched to feed a distributed computing system for mining cryptocurrencies or to be injected into the power grid for distribution. A power control unit switches the power generated by the power generation units based on data obtained from a communication network such as the Internet.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to energy-optimized plants, in particular plants comprising gas turbines, intended to be used to produce energy in peak load applications, i.e., applications in which electricity is generated and sold only when there is a high demand for electricity. [Background technology]

[0002] In the field of energy production, gas turbine plants are typically installed to supply energy to compensate for peak load applications. Specifically, when the power grid to which the gas turbine is connected needs to shoulder the energy peak, for example, during the summer when domestic and industrial chillers are all switched on at a particular moment of the day, or in other situations, the gas turbines of the plant start up or increase the power they generate to make up for the excess power demand.

[0003] Gas turbines, typically used in peak load applications, are systems based on the combustion of fuels. The energy transition leads to clean fuels such as H and / or CHOH, NH, biodiesel, and biomethane. Such fuels can be used as stand-alone fuels or blended with other fossil or clean fuels.

[0004] Plant operators who run gas turbines that inject energy into the grid are paid according to the present value of the energy traded onto the international energy market. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Therefore, operators have no choice when it comes to knowing whether a better use of the generated energy is available. For these reasons, gas turbine plants are only directly connected to the power grid.

[0006] The possibility of alternative uses of energy, along with a system that can determine which source is more beneficial, would be welcomed in this field.

[0007] Generally, a cryptocurrency mining system refers to the process of earning cryptocurrency by solving cryptographic equations using high-powered computers. The process involves verifying blocks of data and adding transaction records to a public record known as the blockchain. There are facilities equipped with all the equipment necessary to mine cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoins, Ethereum, and / or other cryptocurrencies.

[0008] Cryptocurrency mining is energy intensive: the Bitcoin network, for example, is estimated to consume nearly 80 terawatt-hours per year.

[0009] In one aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to an energy optimization plant for peak load applications. The plant includes a power generation unit and a communication network, such as the Internet, that can retrieve information related to technical and / or economic optimization parameters. The plant also includes a distributed computing system for mining cryptocurrency, which requires energy to operate, and a power grid for distributing electricity. The plant also includes a power control unit connected to the power generation unit and the distributed computing system. The power control unit is also connected to the communication network for retrieving data. Through the power control unit, it is possible to switch energy generated by the power generation unit to the power grid or the distributed computing system according to at least one energy optimization criterion based on one or more technical or economic optimization parameters.

[0010] In another aspect, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to the fact that technical or economic optimization parameters are a function of energy data and cryptocurrency mining data, such as those relating to the price of electrical energy and the value of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin.

[0011] A further aspect of the invention is directed to the fact that the power generating unit is a gas turbine based on fossil fuels and / or clean fuels and / or mixtures thereof. In particular, the clean fuels include hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, ammonia, biogas, or biodiesel. These can be used as single compounds or can be mixed with other clean fuels or fossil fuels.

[0012] In another aspect, disclosed herein is a power switching device for switching energy generated by a power generation unit to a power grid or a distributed computing system, wherein the power control unit includes a processing unit configured to receive energy data and cryptocurrency mining data over a communication network.

[0013] A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for switching energy generated by a power generation unit, the method including: acquiring energy data and cryptocurrency mining data through a communication network via a power control unit; evaluating a use of the energy generated by the power generation unit based on the energy data and cryptocurrency mining data acquired in the steps; determining the convenience of supplying energy to a distributed computing system or injecting power generated by the power generation unit into a power grid based on one or more technical or economic optimization parameters according to an energy optimization criterion; and switching the energy generated by the power generation unit to the distributed computing system or the power grid by a power switching device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] A complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an energy optimization plant according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a power control unit included in the energy optimization plant of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a method of operation according to the energy optimization plant of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In the field of power generation units, gas turbines are often used to provide energy in cases of peak energy demand on the power grid. In such situations, the energy produced by the gas turbine is typically paid for based on the current price of traded energy. The present disclosure relates to an energy optimization plant and method of operation that compares the current price of traded energy with the value of one or more cryptocurrencies in real time so that the energy produced can be used more profitably, and in some cases, the energy produced can be diverted to cryptocurrency mining systems that require significant amounts of energy to operate.

[0016] Below, the switching behavior of an energy optimized plant is disclosed to show how the plant switches to possible alternative energy usage options.

[0017] Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 shows one embodiment of an energy optimizing plant generally designated by the reference letter P. Hereinafter, and solely for ease of reference, the energy optimizing plant P may also be referred to as plant P.

[0018] The plant P generally comprises a power generation unit 1, a power control unit 2 connected to the power generation unit 1, a distributed computing system 3, and a power grid 4. Both the distributed computing system 3 and the power grid 4 are each connected to the power control unit 2.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, a power generation unit 1, such as a gas turbine, is configured to generate electricity. In particular, in this embodiment, the power generation unit 1 is a gas turbine, which may be based on fossil fuels and / or clean fuels and / or a mixture thereof, thereby enabling the conversion of fuel into mechanical energy to generate electrical energy. According to the present disclosure, clean fuels include hydrogen, ethanol, methanol, ammonia, biogas, or biodiesel, which may be used as a single compound or may be mixed with other clean fuels or fossil fuels. In other embodiments, other gases or fuels may be used.

[0020] The gas turbine can be started whenever energy is needed by the power grid 4 .

[0021] As mentioned above, the power generation unit 1 is operably connected to the power control unit 2, which, as can be seen with reference to Figure 2, comprises a circuit board having a bus 203 thereon, a programmable processor or processing unit 200 coupled to the bus 203, a computer readable memory or storage means 201 for storing data also coupled to the bus 203, and a human interface 204, such as a common laptop or computer, by which a human operator may control or track the operation of the plant P. The power control unit 2 also comprises a power switching device 202 configured to switch energy generated by the power generation unit 1 to the power grid 4 or the distributed computing system 3, and has input / output ports connected to the bus 203 and configured to connect to the human machine interface 204.

[0022] Further, according to the present disclosure, the power control unit 2 is also connected to a communication network N, i.e., a connected network system that facilitates communication and data access, such as the Internet, and obtains data from the communication network N regarding energy data and cryptocurrency mining data, as well as information regarding one or more technical or economic optimization parameters. In other embodiments, the power control unit 2 may be connected to one or more computers connected to the communication network N.

[0023] The processing unit 200 is a functional part of the power control unit 2 of the plant P according to the present disclosure. In particular, the processing unit 200 comprises calculation and processing means configured to execute computer programs for making beneficial use of the energy produced by the power generation unit 1, as well as interfacing with the other elements of the power control unit 2.

[0024] In accordance with the present disclosure, processing unit 200 is a microcontroller, however, in other embodiments, processing unit 200 may include one computer or multiple computers connected to each other in a network or cloud-connected, for example.

[0025] Furthermore, the processing unit 200 is also configured to control and coordinate the operation of the elements of the power control unit 2 with which it is connected and in communication.

[0026] In particular, the processing unit 200 is configured to obtain energy data and cryptocurrency mining data by means of the communication network N. Furthermore, the processing unit 200 is also configured to control the power switching device 202 and thus to control the switching of energy generated by the power generation unit 1 to the power grid 4 or the distributed computing system 3 according to an energy optimization criterion based on one or more technical or economic optimization parameters.

[0027] The one or more technical or economic optimization parameters are functions of the energy data and the cryptocurrency mining data. More specifically, according to this embodiment, such optimization parameters are related to the current (generally real-time) price of electrical energy and the current (generally real-time) value of a cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency, provided in real time to the processing unit 200 by the communications network N. In other embodiments, such optimization parameters may be related to historical data, technical analysis, and trends related to electrical energy and cryptocurrency.

[0028] Specifically, the programs executed by the processing unit 200 may be based not only on current energy prices and cryptocurrency values, but also on prediction-based algorithms.

[0029] Therefore, the processing device 200 is configured to determine the convenience of supplying energy to the distributed computing system 3 or injecting electricity generated by the power generation unit 1 into the power grid 4 according to an energy optimization criterion based on at least one optimization parameter.

[0030] As mentioned above, the power control unit 2 also comprises storage means 201. The storage means 201, for example a database, allows for storing, for example, historical energy data and historical cryptocurrency mining data obtained by the processing device 200 over time.

[0031] The storage means 201 is included in the power control unit 2. However, in other embodiments, the storage means 201 may be external to the power control unit 2 or operatively connected thereto.

[0032] As mentioned above, the power control unit 2 also includes a power switching device 202 operatively connected to the processing unit 200. In particular, the power switching device 202 is configured to switch energy generated by the power generation unit 1 to the power grid 4 or the distributed computing system 3 in response to commands from the processing unit 200.

[0033] The power switching device 202 may be a power semiconductor switch, such as a metal-oxide-silicon transistor (MOSFET), an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), or a bipolar junction transistor (BJT), designed to handle large amounts of power between an energy source and an associated load. In other embodiments, the type of power switching device 202 may be different.

[0034] The distributed computing system 3 is configured for cryptocurrency mining and requires energy to operate. In particular, according to the present disclosure, the distributed computing system 3 is a cryptocurrency mining farm, i.e., a facility equipped with all the equipment necessary to mine cryptocurrency.

[0035] However, in other embodiments, the type and number of distributed computing systems 3 may vary. For example, distributed computing system 3 may comprise one or more structures, such as a room or warehouse, that house multiple computers configured to mine one or several cryptocurrencies.

[0036] A block diagram of a method M for switching the energy produced by a power generating unit 1 according to the present disclosure is shown in FIG.

[0037] First, the arithmetic processing device 200 of the power control unit 2 acquires energy data and cryptocurrency mining data via the communication network N (step M1).

[0038] Next, the processing unit 200 compares the energy data obtained in step M1 with the cryptocurrency mining data (step M2). In other words, the processing unit 200 checks whether the price of electricity exceeds the value of the cryptocurrency. In other embodiments, the processing unit 200 may implement more sophisticated algorithms to evaluate more advantageous energy usage, possibly based on historical parameter data or other additional technical or economic optimization parameters, as described above.

[0039] Next, according to an energy optimization criterion based on at least one optimization parameter, the processing unit 200 determines the convenience of supplying energy to the distributed computing system 3 or injecting the power generated by the power generation unit 1 into the power grid 4 (step M3).

[0040] In particular, if cryptocurrency mining is advantageous, the power control unit 2 switches the energy generated by the power generation unit 1 to the distributed computing system 3 via the power switching device 202 (step M4) to obtain a proportional amount of cryptocurrency.

[0041] Alternatively, if it is convenient to inject the power generated by the power generation unit 1 into the power grid 4, the power control unit 2 switches the energy generated by the power generation unit 1 into the power grid 4 via the power switching device 202 (step M4).

[0042] Additionally, the power control unit 2 may stop any crypto mining currently being performed on the distributed computing system 3 in order to switch to electrical energy generation.

[0043] An advantage of the present disclosure is that it provides a system that can compare the current price of energy being traded with the value of one or more cryptocurrencies in real time to make more profitable use of the energy produced.

[0044] Another advantage of the present disclosure is that it maximizes profits in peak load applications where gas turbine service rates are low through crypto mining.

[0045] While aspects of the present invention have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, changes, and omissions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified herein, the order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or rearranged according to alternative embodiments.

[0046] Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the disclosure, not as a limitation of the disclosure. Indeed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure. References throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" or "some embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" or "in some embodiments" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0047] When presenting elements of various embodiments, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Claims

1. 1. An energy optimized plant for peak load applications, comprising: a power generation unit for generating energy; a communications network for providing information regarding one or more technical or economic optimization parameters; At least one distributed computing system for mining cryptocurrency, which requires energy to operate; a power grid for distributing the electricity; a power control unit operably connected to the power generation unit and the distributed computing system, the power control unit also operatively connected to the communications network for retrieving data related to the one or more technical or economic optimization parameters; the power control unit is configured to switch the energy generated by the power generation unit to the power grid or the distributed computing system according to at least one energy optimization criterion based on the one or more technical or economic optimization parameters; the one or more technical or economic optimization parameters include a price of electrical energy and a value of each of a plurality of cryptocurrencies; The power control unit compares the price of the electrical energy with the value of each of the plurality of cryptocurrencies.

2. 2. The energy optimization plant of claim 1, wherein the one or more technical or economic optimization parameters are a function of energy data and cryptocurrency mining data relating to the price of the electric energy and the value of the cryptocurrency.

3. 2. An energy optimization plant according to claim 1, wherein the power generating unit is a gas turbine based on fossil fuels and / or clean fuels and / or a mixture thereof.

4. 4. The energy optimization plant of claim 3, wherein the clean fuel comprises hydrogen, or ethanol, or methanol, or ammonia, or biogas, or biodiesel, which may be used as a single compound or may be mixed with other clean fuels or fossil fuels.

5. the power control unit comprises a power switching device configured to switch the energy generated by the power generation unit to the power grid or the distributed computing system; the power control unit comprises a processing unit configured to acquire energy data and cryptocurrency mining data via the communication network; The energy optimization plant of claim 1 .

6. 6. The energy optimization plant of claim 5, wherein the processing unit is also configured to determine the convenience of supplying energy to the distributed computing system or the power grid to control the power switching device to switch the energy generated by the power generation unit.

7. 6. The energy optimization plant according to claim 5, wherein the power control unit comprises a storage means connected to the processing unit for storing the energy data and the cryptocurrency mining data obtained by the processing unit.

8. 10. The energy optimization plant of claim 1, wherein the distributed computing system is a facility housing a plurality of computers configured to mine one or several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin.

9. 10. The energy optimization plant of claim 1, wherein the communication network is a connected network system that facilitates access to communications and data, including the Internet.

10. 1. A method for switching energy produced by a power generation unit, comprising: acquiring energy data and cryptocurrency mining data through a communication network via a power control unit; assessing the use of the energy generated by the power generation unit based on the energy data and the cryptocurrency mining data obtained in the steps; determining the feasibility of supplying energy to the distributed computing system or injecting the electricity generated by the power generation unit into the power grid based on one or more technical or economic optimization parameters according to at least one energy optimization criterion; switching, by a power switching device, the energy generated by the power generating unit to the distributed computing system or to the power grid; the one or more technical or economic optimization parameters include a price of the energy and a value of each of a plurality of cryptocurrencies; The method, wherein the step of determining the convenience includes comparing the price of the energy with the value of each of the plurality of cryptocurrencies.

11. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more technical or economic optimization parameters are a function of the energy data and the cryptocurrency mining data related to the price of the energy and the value of a cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin or other alternative coins.

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