Apparatus and method for generating and storing energy, and disposal method

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for generating and storing energy, the apparatus comprising a pumped-storage power plant (2) having - an upper reservoir (3) - a lower reservoir (4), the upper reservoir being positioned higher than the lower reservoir, - a pump (5) for pumping process water (6) from the lower reservoir (4) into the upper reservoir (3), - and a turbomachine (7) for generating electrical energy from the flow of the process water (6) from the upper reservoir (3) into the lower reservoir (4). According to the invention, a disposal site (8) is provided, on and / or at which the upper reservoir (3) is at least partially formed.

Description

[0001] Device and method for generating and storing energy and disposal processes

[0002] This application claims priority from German patent application No. 10 2024 102413.5, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0003] The invention relates to a device for generating and storing energy, comprising a pumped storage power plant with an upper reservoir, a lower reservoir, wherein the upper reservoir is arranged at a higher level than the lower reservoir, a pump for pumping process water from the lower reservoir into the upper reservoir, and a flow machine for generating electrical energy from a flow of the process water from the upper reservoir into the lower reservoir.

[0004] The invention further relates to a method for generating and storing energy.

[0005] The invention also relates to a disposal method for the disposal of residual materials, wherein a landfill in the form of a mound is formed from the residual materials.

[0006] Pumped-storage power plants are well-known from the state of the art. They typically comprise a lower reservoir and an upper reservoir located above the lower reservoir. During periods of high electricity supply, a pump pumps water from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. During periods of high electricity demand, the process water from the upper reservoir is released back into the lower reservoir, where the process water drives a turbomachine to generate electrical energy.

[0007] Since in power grids with a high proportion of slow-acting nuclear power plants and / or coal-fired power plants, which cannot easily be shut down at night, a high electricity supply mainly at night meets a very low electricity demand, the process water in such grids is usually pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir at night.

[0008] In power grids that rely heavily on renewable energy, particularly photovoltaic power, supply peaks often occur during periods and regions of high solar irradiation. While periods of high solar irradiation often occur around midday to early afternoon, the spatial distribution depends on the specific and current weather conditions in the respective regions.

[0009] A disadvantage of state-of-the-art pumped storage power plants is that they are typically very large, resulting in a low density of pumped storage power plants across a large area. As a result, state-of-the-art pumped storage power plants cannot adequately respond to local fluctuations and electricity supply. This disadvantageously necessitates large-scale grids to distribute electricity between regions with different production levels within a short period of time.

[0010] A further disadvantage of pumped storage power plants known from the state of the art is that their development requires significant intervention in the landscape and in particular in natural habitats, such as biotopes.

[0011] In other words, pumped storage power plants known from the state of the art are too large, form too thin a network and their construction requires too great an intervention in nature.

[0012] The present invention is based on the object of creating a device for generating and storing energy which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular enabling environmentally friendly generation and storage of energy.

[0013] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device having the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0014] The present invention is further based on the object of creating a method for generating and storing energy which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular enabling environmentally friendly generation and storage of energy.

[0015] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a method having the features mentioned in claim 12.

[0016] The present invention is further based on the object of creating a disposal method which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular enabling waste disposal with a good ecological balance.

[0017] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a disposal method having the features mentioned in claim 15.

[0018] The device according to the invention for generating and storing energy comprises a pumped-storage power plant with an upper reservoir, a lower reservoir, the upper reservoir being located at a higher elevation than the lower reservoir, a pump for pumping process water from the lower reservoir into the upper reservoir, and a turbomachine for generating electrical energy from a flow of the process water from the upper reservoir into the lower reservoir. According to the invention, a landfill is provided on and / or at which the upper reservoir is at least partially formed.

[0019] There are several advantages to using a landfill as an elevation on which the upper reservoir is located.

[0020] On the one hand, there is a dense network of landfills that have already been abandoned and / or will be abandoned in the future. On the other hand, such landfills do not represent a biotope worthy of protection for a certain period after their abandonment, so using the landfill to create the upper reservoir can create a decentralized and environmentally friendly network of pumped-storage power plants. Such a network of pumped-storage power plants would allow for a targeted and specific response to fluctuations in electricity supply in certain regions.

[0021] The turbomachine is preferably a turbine.

[0022] In the context of the invention, a landfill is a structural and technical facility for the disposal of waste.

[0023] In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that the upper basin and the lower basin are designed in such a way that a difference in height between the upper basin and the lower basin is predominantly, preferably completely, caused by a vertical extension of the landfill.

[0024] If the usable elevation difference for the pumped storage power plant is provided predominantly, preferably entirely, by the height of the landfill, impacts on the landscape and nature can be further reduced. In particular, such a design is also feasible in very flat terrain where the landfill itself represents the highest elevation in the surrounding area. Further impacts are therefore unnecessary.

[0025] In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that the landfill is formed partly or completely from residual materials, in particular construction rubble, soil and / or inert waste, and / or treated, in particular incinerated or rotted, domestic and / or commercial waste and / or industrial waste, and / or waste with a special monitoring requirement.

[0026] The aforementioned waste materials are particularly suitable for landfill construction because they exhibit minimal settlement. The upper reservoir constructed on and / or adjacent to the landfill is therefore not exposed to any risk of damage from settlement or subsoil movement. Preferably, installation should be carried out in a qualified and monitored manner in accordance with applicable regulations.

[0027] In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that a power generation device is provided for generating electrical primary energy, by means of which the pump can be operated.

[0028] If the power generation system is also included as part of the system, the energy required to pump the process water up to the upper reservoir can be provided by the system itself. This energy, i.e., the primary energy, thus does not need to be purchased from outside.

[0029] In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that the power generation device comprises at least one solar system.

[0030] If the device combines a pumped storage power plant with a solar power system, the electricity generated by the solar power system can be used to pump the process water upstream. This is particularly advantageous because the electricity generated by the solar power system can only be sold at unfavorable conditions during peak demand times due to high supply. However, within the device according to the invention, the electricity generated by the solar power system can be stored in the form of potential energy from the process water.

[0031] It is particularly advantageous if the solar system is located near the pumped storage power plant.

[0032] It can be provided that the solar system has a capacity of at least 10 megawatts, preferably at least 20 megawatts.

[0033] In particular, the solar system can be arranged on the sides of the landfill. Alternatively or additionally, the solar system can be arranged within a radius of no more than 2 km from the landfill. This allows for a direct cable connection between the solar system and the pumped storage power plant.

[0034] Furthermore, the power generation device may also comprise other types of power energy sources, such as at least one wind turbine.

[0035] Combinations of power sources, in particular combinations of solar systems and wind turbines, can also be provided as power generation devices. This can advantageously smooth out the power generation profile. In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, the landfill can be provided with at least one groundwater pump for lowering the groundwater level below the landfill, which pump is preferably located below the landfill.

[0036] A combination of the pumped storage power plant with the landfill is particularly advantageous if the landfill includes at least one groundwater pump.

[0037] By permanently lowering the groundwater level, the risk of subsidence of the landfill and thus also the risk of damage to the upper reservoir is reduced.

[0038] Furthermore, the groundwater pump benefits particularly from the possibility of local energy generation through the pumped storage power plant.

[0039] In particular, a power failure of an external energy supply for the groundwater pump can be compensated at least temporarily by the energy from the pumped storage power plant.

[0040] In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that the landfill has at least one leachate pump and / or at least one leachate treatment device.

[0041] A base seal for the landfill may be provided.

[0042] The leachate pump allows leachate, which is introduced into a landfill that has not yet been sealed at the top, for example by precipitation, to be removed again at a bottom and in particular at the base sealing of the landfill after it has seeped through the landfill.

[0043] The leachate treatment system allows the resulting leachate to be cleaned of pollutants and fed into the water cycle.

[0044] Leachate usually accumulates at the bottom of the landfill as long as the landfill is not closed.

[0045] In particular, a period in which leachate occurs can be at least 8 to 10 years after closure of the landfill body.

[0046] Since both the leachate pump and the leachate treatment system are very energy-intensive to operate and, at the same time, no downtime is to be tolerated for environmental protection and stability reasons, a device that includes a leachate pump and / or a leachate treatment system benefits particularly from the on-site provision of electrical energy made possible by the device.

[0047] In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, an interface device can be provided in order to supply electrical energy to and / or receive it from an external power grid.

[0048] The interface device can enable energy flow to or from the device. Thus, the device can serve as an energy storage device during periods of high electricity demand and as an energy source during periods of high electricity demand.

[0049] The device serves to increase the stability of the external power grid by connecting it to the external power grid.

[0050] In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that a joint is arranged between the upper reservoir and the landfill, which joint is preferably inclined by at least 6° to the horizontal and / or has a layer of gravel.

[0051] It is particularly advantageous if the upper reservoir is not formed by the landfill itself. Advantageously, a joint can be provided between the upper reservoir and the landfill, separating the two sections of the device. This can, in particular, prevent damage to the upper reservoir due to settlement of the landfill. Furthermore, it can prevent process water from the upper reservoir from seeping into the landfill in the event of leaks and causing settlement of the landfill. Furthermore, such seeped process water could also cause pollutants to be washed out of the landfill, which can be advantageously prevented by the joint.

[0052] If the joint is advantageously inclined at least 6°, preferably at least 8° to the horizontal, the process water can flow to the side of the landfill without seeping into the landfill itself.

[0053] A specific angle of inclination, which preferably lies within the previously described ranges, can also be agreed upon with the relevant approval authority.

[0054] If the joint alternatively or additionally has a layer of gravel, the process water can flow through the gravel in the event of leaks in the upper reservoir with less flow resistance than it would experience if it were to seep into the landfill. This can prevent seepage into the landfill. In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that the upper reservoir has at least one embankment for side boundary and is sealed against the embankment and the landfill, preferably with a plastic sealing membrane, and / or the landfill has a seal against the upper reservoir.

[0055] If the upper reservoir is formed by a bund and sealed against it and the landfill or the joint, preferably with a plastic sealing membrane, both the bund and a basin of the upper reservoir form sections separated from the landfill. If leaks occur near the bund, the process water seeping into the bund cannot reach the landfill because it first encounters the joint. Furthermore, water leakage toward the landfill is prevented.

[0056] Alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the landfill is also sealed in the direction of the upper reservoir.

[0057] Ideally, three barriers are created to prevent process water from seeping into the landfill: the sealing of the upper reservoir against the embankment and the landfill, the joint, and the sealing of the landfill towards the upper reservoir or the joint.

[0058] In an advantageous development of the device according to the invention, it can be provided that the power generation device and the pumped storage power plant are designed to ensure self-sufficient operation of at least the at least one groundwater pump and / or the at least one seepage water pump and / or the at least one seepage water treatment device.

[0059] Landfills often have so-called perpetual obligations, meaning that the groundwater pump must operate continuously for an indefinite period, perhaps for decades, to prevent groundwater ingress into the landfill. Such groundwater ingress could result in pollutants being washed out of the landfill and / or a legacy landfill into the groundwater if the landfill does not yet have a base seal at its base.

[0060] Such landfill structures benefit particularly from integration into the device according to the invention. If the device is configured for energy-autonomous operation, i.e., the power generation device, the turbomachine, and the pump are sufficiently dimensioned to ensure the continuous operation of any groundwater pump and / or leachate pump and / or leachate treatment device without recourse to external energy sources, the safety of residual waste storage at the landfill is further increased.

[0061] Such energy-self-sufficient solutions can also be referred to as energy island solutions. This device thus achieves the goal of storing renewable energy regionally. At the same time, the device also provides a landfill site, which can ensure that waste disposal causes minimal environmental damage through improved ecological balance and operational safety.

[0062] In order to provide the necessary quantity of process water, it may be provided that the process water is obtained at least partially from the pumped out seepage water and / or the pumped out groundwater.

[0063] In particular, it may be provided that the leachate and / or groundwater are cleaned and / or treated before being used as process water.

[0064] Since the landfill, the upper reservoir and / or the lower reservoir have a certain surface area, it can advantageously be provided that the process water is formed partly or completely from surface water introduced into the device, in particular from surface water flowing off the landfill.

[0065] It is particularly advantageous if the lower reservoir is constructed early in the construction process. This allows for the accumulation of process water from the aforementioned sources over a long period of time.

[0066] In particular, the lower reservoir can also be designed to collect runoff surface water, for example, during heavy rainfall events. This allows the accumulating water masses to be intercepted or buffered.

[0067] It is particularly advantageous if more than 90% of the process water, preferably completely, is provided from the aforementioned sources: seepage water, groundwater and / or surface water.

[0068] This prevents the potentially contaminated water from being released into the environment. It also eliminates the need to extract water from the environment, especially in water-scarce regions. This further improves the device's environmental footprint.

[0069] The invention further relates to a method having the features mentioned in claim 12.

[0070] The method according to the invention for generating and storing energy comprises at least the following steps: a) providing a landfill and an upper reservoir on and / or at the landfill, b) providing a lower reservoir that is located lower than the upper reservoir, c) generating regenerative primary electrical energy, d) pumping process water from the lower reservoir into the upper reservoir by means of the primary energy, e) generating secondary electrical energy from a flow of the process water from the upper reservoir into the lower reservoir.

[0071] The process according to the invention enables the generation of secondary electrical energy at times of high electricity demand. Because the upper reservoir is located on and / or adjacent to a landfill, which represents an artificial elevation in the landscape formed from undesirable waste, the energy generated by the process according to the invention can be provided in a particularly sustainable manner and with minimal impact on existing landscapes and biotopes.

[0072] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, a step f) can be provided, which comprises the autonomous operation of at least one groundwater pump designed to lower the groundwater level beneath the landfill. Alternatively or additionally, a step g) can be provided, which comprises the autonomous operation of at least one leachate pump and / or at least one leachate treatment device.

[0073] It is particularly advantageous if the energy obtained in the process is used for uninterrupted, energy-self-sufficient environmental protection of the landfill itself by operating at least one groundwater pump and / or at least one leachate pump and / or at least one leachate treatment device.

[0074] In an advantageous development of the method according to the invention, it can be provided that excess primary energy generated and / or excess secondary energy generated is fed into an external power grid via an interface device; and / or tertiary energy is taken up from an external power grid via an interface device for pumping up the process water in step d).

[0075] If the method according to the invention takes energy from or feeds it into an external power grid, a gap between electricity supply and demand in the corresponding external power grid can be utilized or balanced. This further improves the ecological balance of renewable energies in particular.

[0076] The invention further relates to a disposal method having the features mentioned in claim 15.

[0077] In the disposal method according to the invention for the disposal of residual materials, a landfill in the form of a hill is formed from the residual materials. Furthermore, an upper reservoir of a pumped-storage power plant is located on the hill. The disposal method according to the invention has the advantage of improving the ecological balance of residual materials disposal. By deliberately using the residual materials to form a hill on which part of an energy storage facility, namely the pumped-storage power plant, is located, the residual materials are used to prevent interference with nature elsewhere and simultaneously provide a decentralized energy storage facility.

[0078] Due to the long service life and operating life of pumped-storage power plants, which can last decades or centuries, very large amounts of energy accumulate, which can be stored or produced using the residual materials. For the service life of the pumped-storage power plant, a naturally occurring elevation elsewhere also remains untouched.

[0079] This also improves the environmental impact of the electricity produced and / or stored by the corresponding pumped storage power plant.

[0080] In a further development of the device according to the invention described above, it can be provided that a joint is arranged between the upper reservoir and the landfill, which joint is preferably inclined by at least 6° to the horizontal and / or has a drainage layer with appropriate material according to the planning.

[0081] If the joint is alternatively or additionally provided with a drainage layer made of appropriate material as per the design, the process water can flow through the drainage layer made of appropriate material as per the design in the event of leaks in the upper reservoir with less flow resistance than it would experience if it were to seep into the landfill. This can prevent seepage into the landfill.

[0082] The gravel layer described above can be understood as a special embodiment of the drainage layer.

[0083] The drainage layer may alternatively or additionally comprise coarse, particularly natural, rock, which advantageously enables rapid infiltration of large water masses.

[0084] By means of the device according to the invention described above and its further developments, it is possible to convert disused contaminated sites, in particular landfills which have already been closed down and / or are still in operation, in such a way that after the conversion they become ecologically advantageous and decentralized energy sites.

[0085] A particular advantage here is that landfill sites often have large to very large areas and are often already conveniently accessible via infrastructure, particularly access roads or similar. One advantage of the device according to the invention is that no new areas, especially those in a more ecologically favorable condition, are required. Thus, the conversion creates urgently needed landfill space, and elevated storage basins can be created on the areas covered by the landfill.

[0086] A pumped-storage power plant, as envisaged as part of the device according to the invention, represents a proven technology. The pumped-storage power plant has an advantageously long and thus ecologically sustainable service life. The device according to the invention transforms the converted contaminated sites or landfills into long-term energy storage facilities. In contrast to battery storage systems, the technology required for the pumped-storage power plant is limited to pumps, valves, pipes, generators, as well as the upper and lower reservoirs. These can be provided with a low ecological footprint.

[0087] In the device according to the invention, the height difference is determined, preferably exclusively, via a height of the landfill fill.

[0088] The disadvantage of pumped-storage power plant technology so far has been the space required. The device according to the invention therefore utilizes landfill sites and / or contaminated sites.

[0089] In particular, if the device according to the invention is formed during operation of the landfill, the formation may take years or decades.

[0090] At this point, therefore, a manufacturing method for the device according to the invention is disclosed.

[0091] It may be envisaged that the manufacturing process is carried out in different stages and / or phases.

[0092] In an initial expansion phase, one or more photovoltaic systems can be installed. These can be mobile, and installation can be completed when landfill storage begins.

[0093] The first expansion phase may involve the installation of one or more battery storage systems. It should be noted that the lifespan of the battery storage systems may be so limited that it will end when the pumped-storage power plant is commissioned.

[0094] Furthermore, the first expansion stage can include the construction of an electrolyzer for additional storage of the energy generated by the PV system in the form of hydrogen. Furthermore, the first expansion stage can include the construction of a district heating network and / or a local heating network. In particular, it can be provided that the lower reservoir is constructed in the first expansion stage and subsequently and / or simultaneously used as a thermal underground storage facility. For this purpose, it can be provided that the lower reservoir is filled with water.

[0095] The first expansion phase may also include the installation of a photothermal system. Using the photothermal system, an underground storage facility formed by the lower reservoir can be filled with thermal energy during the first expansion phase. This can currently achieve up to four times greater energy efficiency when using solar energy than with a photovoltaic system.

[0096] In particular, it may be provided that the lower reservoir is used in the first expansion stage to supply or feed energy into the district heating network and / or the local heating network.

[0097] In a chronologically subsequent second stage of development, particularly after approval has been granted, the construction of the entire landfill and / or merely the construction of an earth elevation and / or a remodeling of the landfill to form the upper reservoir is planned.

[0098] Furthermore, the training and construction of the upper reservoir can take place within the framework of the second expansion stage.

[0099] In addition, the construction of the pumped storage power plant, in particular the installation of a turbine, is planned, preferably as part of the second expansion stage.

[0100] The lower reservoir constructed in the first expansion phase can continue to be used as an underground storage facility for the thermal energy of the photothermal system during the second expansion phase. For this purpose, it may be necessary, in particular, to protect the water flowing between the upper and lower reservoirs from cooling by means of suitable, preferably floating, insulation on the upper and / or lower reservoirs.

[0101] In particular, the temporary lower basin can be converted into the originally planned lower basin.

[0102] Alternatively or additionally, a second, specialized geothermal storage facility can be created in the second expansion stage.

[0103] The second geothermal energy storage facility can be designed as an additional earth basin and / or as a structure in and / or on the landfill, in particular in a landfill body.

[0104] The second geothermal storage facility can be designed differently from the first geothermal storage facility, which is provided by the lower reservoir, as it does not need to additionally fulfill the function of the lower reservoir. During the construction of the final geothermal storage facility, the former geothermal storage facility can be converted into the originally planned lower reservoir.

[0105] As part of an optional third expansion stage, one or more wind turbines can be built.

[0106] Furthermore, the above-described advantageous components of the device according to the invention, the method according to the invention and / or the disposal method according to the invention can be manufactured or carried out in different sequences within the scope of the expansion stages.

[0107] Using the disclosed manufacturing method for the device according to the invention, contaminated sites can be utilized for the energy transition. Furthermore, the site can be transformed into an autonomous, self-financing facility. Such a self-financing facility is capable of generating the costs incurred for the subsequent care of the underlying landfill itself.

[0108] Furthermore, due to the high number of landfills, especially near urban centers, the subject matter of the invention can be used to provide energy sites, making communities more independent of external energy suppliers. Furthermore, the subject matter of the invention contributes to grid stability, which is particularly advantageous due to the expansion of renewable energies.

[0109] It can be provided that the device according to the invention is designed as a regulator for network fluctuations.

[0110] It may be planned that water from the groundwater lowering, treated seepage water and / or water from a flood protection system in a neighbouring municipality is used to fill the upper reservoir and / or the lower reservoir.

[0111] The device according to the invention also enables an energy generation concept with multiple energy sources, generation diversification, and land use diversification. Furthermore, the landfill site can be made self-sufficient, which is particularly ecologically advantageous, since, for example, leachate pumps for combating perpetual burdens can be continuously supplied with electricity.

[0112] Furthermore, the above-described aspects of the invention make it possible to integrate short-term, medium-term, and long-term energy storage solutions at a single location. Such a multifactorial approach can increase reliability. This can preferably involve sustainable energy solutions for energy generation, storage, and distribution. The device according to the invention is thus capable of providing electricity, heat, cooling, and / or hydrogen.

[0113] It can be provided that the device according to the invention is designed to produce e-fuels, in particular in the form of direct capture.

[0114] It may be planned that the battery storage unit be installed inside the landfill during the manufacturing process. This reduces the risk of fires, for example, in the landfill storage unit.

[0115] Furthermore, any potential environmental damage that may be caused by components of conventional energy storage systems, in particular battery storage systems, and / or various forms of energy conversion, for example in the production of hydrogen or e-fuels, is reduced by the device through the lowering of groundwater and / or sealing that may already exist at the landfill.

[0116] Features described in connection with one of the subject matters of the invention, specifically the device according to the invention, the method according to the invention, or the disposal method according to the invention, can also be advantageously implemented for the other subject matters of the invention. Likewise, advantages mentioned in connection with one of the subject matters of the invention can also be understood to apply to the other subject matters of the invention.

[0117] It should also be noted that terms such as "comprising," "having," or "with" do not exclude other features or steps. Furthermore, terms such as "a" or "the," which indicate a singular number of steps or features, do not exclude a plurality of features or steps—and vice versa.

[0118] In a purist embodiment of the invention, however, it may also be provided that the features introduced in the invention with the terms "comprising," "having," or "with" are listed exhaustively. Accordingly, one or more lists of features may be considered complete within the scope of the invention, for example, for each claim. The invention may, for example, consist exclusively of the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0119] It should be noted that terms such as "first" or "second" etc. are used primarily for reasons of distinguishing between respective device or process features and are not necessarily intended to indicate that features are mutually dependent or related to one another.

[0120] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawings. The figures each show preferred exemplary embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are illustrated in combination with one another. Features of one exemplary embodiment can also be implemented independently of the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can therefore be readily combined by a person skilled in the art to form further useful combinations and subcombinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

[0121] In the figures, functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0122] They show:

[0123] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of a device according to the invention;

[0124] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of another possible embodiment of the device according to the invention;

[0125] Figure 3 is a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a method according to the invention; and

[0126] Figure 4 is a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a disposal method according to the invention.

[0127] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a possible embodiment of a device 1 for generating and storing energy, which device comprises a pumped storage power plant 2. The pumped storage power plant 2 in turn comprises an upper reservoir 3 and a lower reservoir 4, the upper reservoir 3 being arranged at a higher level than the lower reservoir 4. The pumped storage power plant 2 further comprises a pump 5 for pumping process water 6 from the lower reservoir 4 into the upper reservoir 3. Furthermore, a turbomachine 7 is provided for generating electrical energy from a flow of the process water 6 from the upper reservoir 3 into the lower reservoir 4. The device 1 shown in Figure 1 also includes a landfill 8, on and / or at which the upper reservoir 3 is at least partially formed.

[0128] In the device 1 shown in Figure 1, the landfill 8 serves at least partially as the subsurface or substructure for the upper reservoir 3 of the pumped storage power plant 2.

[0129] Preferably, the turbomachine 7 is a turbine.

[0130] According to the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 1, the upper basin 3 and the lower basin 4 are designed or arranged such that a height difference between the upper basin 3 and the lower basin 4 is predominantly, very preferably completely, caused by a vertical extension of the landfill 8.

[0131] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the landfill 8 is further preferably partially or even completely formed from residual materials 8a, in particular construction rubble, soil and / or earth waste and / or treated, in particular incinerated or rotted, domestic waste and / or commercial waste and / or industrial waste and / or waste requiring special monitoring.

[0132] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the device 1 according to Figure 1, a power generation device 9 for generating electrical primary energy is also provided, by means of which the pump 5 can be operated.

[0133] In the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 1, the power generation device 9 preferably comprises at least one solar system 10.

[0134] Alternatively or additionally, in the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 1, the power generation device 9 also comprises a wind turbine 11.

[0135] As shown in Figure 1, the solar system 10 can be arranged at and / or on the landfill 8 itself. In particular, sides or flanks of the landfill 8, with a suitable orientation, for example, facing south, are suitable for the formation of an open-space solar system 10. The wind turbine 11 can also be arranged directly on the landfill 8, unlike as shown in Figure 1. By arranging the components of the power generation device 9 on the landfill 8 in this way, the area required to form the power generation device 9 can be further reduced, which further increases the ecological balance of the energy produced by the device 1.

[0136] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the landfill 8 includes at least one groundwater pump 12 for lowering a groundwater level beneath the landfill 8. The groundwater pump 12 is preferably arranged directly beneath the landfill 8.

[0137] According to the embodiment of Figure 1, the landfill comprises at least one seepage water pump 28 for pumping out seepage water and / or at least one seepage water treatment device 29 for cleaning or treating the seepage water.

[0138] In Figure 1, both the seepage water pump 28 and the seepage water treatment device 29 are schematically arranged at a base of the landfill 8 or the landfill body. However, the seepage water pump 28 and the seepage water treatment device 29 can preferably be arranged at different locations. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 1, the device 1, comprising the groundwater pump 12, the seepage water pump 28, and the seepage water treatment device 29, accordingly has several consumers that must be continuously supplied with electrical energy in order to prevent groundwater from penetrating the landfill 8 or the seepage water from escaping, thus preventing environmental damage.

[0139] Preferably, the energy requirements of the groundwater pump 12, the seepage water pump 28 and the seepage water treatment device 29 can be covered by the energy provided by the power generation device 9.

[0140] Because the power generation facility 9 primarily uses renewable energies, such as solar energy and wind power, gaps may occur between the power supply of the power generation facility 9 and the power demand of the groundwater pump 12, the seepage pump 28, and the seepage treatment facility 29. These gaps may be caused, for example, by varying wind and solar intensity throughout the day or year.

[0141] In the device 1, such gaps can be bridged or filled by means of the pumped storage power plant 2.

[0142] However, it may happen that the device 1 has a positive or negative energy balance at certain times.

[0143] In the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 1, an interface device 13 is therefore preferably provided in order to supply electrical energy to and / or receive it from an external power grid 14.

[0144] The external power grid 14 is symbolized in Figure 1 by the representation of a lattice mast.

[0145] The interface device 13 may in particular be a transformer substation for voltages of 110 kV and / or 20 kV.

[0146] It can further be provided that the power generation device 9 has an electrolyzer and a hydrogen storage unit (not shown). This allows the device 1 to further contribute to energy storage beyond the pumped storage power plant 2.

[0147] It can be provided that the hydrogen storage device is already formed or incorporated into the landfill 8 during its construction or filling. This can increase environmental safety, since the potentially explosive hydrogen is stored in the landfill 8. Furthermore, coupling it with a hydrogen cycle further improves the ecological balance of the device 1. It can also be provided that the hydrogen thus generated is released outside the device 1 and / or used by means of a fuel cell to produce primary energy.

[0148] According to the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 1, a joint 15 is arranged between the upper reservoir 3 and the landfill 8. A further connection to the joint 15 with Figure 2 will be explained later.

[0149] The embodiment according to Figure 1 further shows an embodiment of the device 1 in which the power generation device 9 and the pumped storage power plant 2 are preferably designed to ensure self-sufficient operation of at least the at least one groundwater pump 12, the at least one seepage water pump 28 and / or the at least one seepage water treatment device 29.

[0150] Preferably, the device 1 according to Figure 1 is configured in its entirety as an energy island, so that in the event of a failure of the interface device 13 or the external power grid 14, an autonomous operation of the entire device 1 can be maintained without interruption.

[0151] It may be provided that the upper reservoir 3 and / or the lower reservoir 4 have a capacity of at least 150,000 m 3 has.

[0152] The capacity can be, preferably above 150,000 m 3, can be flexibly adapted depending on the location.

[0153] It may be provided that the lower basin 4 is a natural body of water.

[0154] Preferably, the landfill 8 can have a filling height of at least 30 m, preferably at least 40 m, particularly preferably at least 50 m. In particular, it can be provided that a height difference of at least 30 m, preferably at least 40 m, particularly preferably at least 50 m, is formed between the upper reservoir 3 and the lower reservoir 4.

[0155] However, height differences of less than 20 m can be sufficient.

[0156] The height difference can be flexibly adjusted depending on the location, preferably above at least 30 m, preferably at least 40 m, particularly preferably at least 50 m.

[0157] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of another possible embodiment of the device 1.

[0158] Figure 2 shows a section through an upper area of ​​the device 1. Figure 2 shows a detailed section of the device 1, which relates to an upper part of the landfill 8 and a part of the upper reservoir 3.

[0159] In the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 2, the joint 15 is inclined by at least 6° to the horizontal. In particular, the joint 15 is preferably inclined between 8° and 20° to the horizontal. At larger angles of inclination, the capacity of the upper reservoir 3 is disadvantageously limited.

[0160] In the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 2, the joint 15 preferably further comprises a gravel layer 16. The gravel layer 16 may, in particular, comprise pebbles or stones with a grain size of 16 mm to 32 mm, so-called 16 / 32 gravel, and / or with a grain size of 8 mm to 16 mm, so-called 8 / 16 gravel.

[0161] The exact composition of the gravel layer 16 can result in particular from the concrete requirements for compactability and in particular for passability by a possible leakage of water from the upper reservoir 3.

[0162] The embodiment of the device 1 according to Figure 2 further provides that the upper reservoir 3 preferably has at least one embankment 17 for lateral delimitation. Furthermore, a capacity of the upper reservoir 3 is preferably sealed against the embankment 17 and the landfill 8. This is particularly preferably done, as in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, with a plastic sealing membrane 18.

[0163] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the plastic sealing membrane 18 can be designed, in particular, as a PE-HD sealing membrane. However, the type and design of the plastic sealing membrane 18 can also be varied depending on the approval status.

[0164] It may be provided that the plastic sealing sheet 18 is covered with a covering material. This can reduce mechanical stress on the plastic sealing sheet 18.

[0165] Furthermore, UV protection can be provided for the plastic sealing membrane 18. This increases the service life of the plastic sealing membrane 18 by preventing UV damage to the plastic.

[0166] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the wall 17 has a gradient of 1:3 towards the service water 6.

[0167] Furthermore, a path 19 is preferably located on a crown of the embankment 17, which can be used for inspecting the embankment 17 or the entire upper reservoir 3. Furthermore, a drainage ditch 20 is provided along an upper edge of the embankment 17 toward the service water 6. This ditch prevents overflow and flooding of the embankment 17 in the event of a sharp rise in the water level of the upper reservoir 3 by draining the excess water away in a controlled manner.

[0168] In the example shown in Figure 2, the embankment 17 is constructed of stable material as required, in particular stony excavated soil. This prevents the embankment 17 from disintegrating when completely saturated with water. Other fillings for the embankment 17 may also be provided, depending on the permit or planning requirements.

[0169] Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the landfill 8 preferably has a seal towards the upper reservoir 3. The seal is preferably again designed as a plastic sealing membrane 18. Particularly preferably, the plastic sealing membrane 18 is designed as a PE-HD sealing membrane.

[0170] Furthermore, the landfill 8 has, in a region of an upper edge, an embedment trench 21 surrounding the upper reservoir 3 in the region of one end of the joint 15. This trench, in turn, prevents any leakage water from penetrating the landfill 8. Such water is drained away at the region of the upper edge through the embedment trench 21.

[0171] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the wall 17 rests on a geotextile layer 22 arranged between the joint 15 and the wall 17. This can be designed in particular as a PE-HD sealing membrane and / or as a PP sealing membrane.

[0172] In particular, a basis weight of preferably > 500 g / m 2 be selected if the geotextile 22 is designed as a protective fleece.

[0173] However, depending on individual planning, the basis weight can also be in the range of 250 g / m 2 up to 1000 g / m 2 lay.

[0174] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, hydraulic armourstones 23 are preferably arranged at one end of the joint 15. These preferably prevent the gravel layer 18 from being washed out of the joint 15 in the event that process water 6 seeps into the joint 15 and flows along the joint 15.

[0175] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the landfill 8 has a structure 24 on its flanks, which is arranged on the residual materials 8a, which can also be referred to as the landfill. The exact design of the structure 24 can be specified, for example, by a landfill ordinance. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, a geotechnical sealing membrane 25, which can preferably be designed as a bentonite mat, is preferably located between the structure 24 and the residual materials 8a or the landfill.

[0176] In the embodiment of the device 1 shown in Figure 2, the flanks of the landfill have a gradient of preferably 1:3.

[0177] In order to seal against the significantly larger potential water masses in the device 1 compared to conventional landfills 8, which act on the landfill 8 from above, the geotechnical sealing membrane 25 and the plastic sealing membrane 18, which seals the landfill 8 from the upper reservoir 3, are laid in such a way that an overlap 26, preferably of more than 5 m, is formed.

[0178] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, it is further provided that the corresponding plastic sealing membrane 18 and the geotechnical sealing membrane 25 are connected to one another by means of a weld seam 27.

[0179] This prevents the ingress of even small amounts of water, even in the event of a high volume of pressing or standing water, for example, due to a rupture of the upper reservoir 3. This increases the operational reliability of the pumped storage power plant 2 in the specific situation of its location on a landfill site with residues 8a that is at risk of leaching.

[0180] The water level of the operating water 6 shown in Figure 2 preferably represents a maximum water level.

[0181] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a possible embodiment of the method for generating and storing energy.

[0182] In an upper basin block 30, the landfill 2 and the upper basin 3 are provided on and / or at the landfill 8.

[0183] In a lower basin block 31, the lower basin 4 is provided, which is located lower than the upper basin 3.

[0184] Renewable electrical primary energy is generated in a primary energy block 32. In a pumping block 33, the process water 6 is pumped from the lower reservoir 4 to the upper reservoir 3 using the primary energy.

[0185] In a secondary energy block 34, electrical secondary energy is generated from the flow of process water 6 from the upper reservoir 3 into the lower reservoir 4. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the method preferably also includes a water protection block 35, in which the at least one groundwater pump 12, the at least one seepage water pump 28, and / or the at least one seepage water treatment device 29 are operated independently. The groundwater pump 12 is configured to lower the groundwater level beneath the landfill 8. The seepage water pump 28 and / or the seepage water treatment device 29 are configured to pump or purify the seepage water.

[0186] Within the scope of the primary energy block 32 and / or the secondary energy block 34, it can preferably be provided that excess primary energy and / or excess secondary energy is fed into the external power grid 14 via the interface device 13.

[0187] Alternatively or additionally, within the scope of the pump block 33 and / or the water protection block 35, it can preferably be provided that tertiary energy is taken from the external power grid 14 via the interface device 13.

[0188] The absorbed tertiary energy can be used in particular for pumping up the process water 6 in the pump block 33; alternatively or additionally, it can be used to operate the groundwater pump 12, the seepage water pump 28 and / or the seepage water treatment device 29 in the water protection block 35.

[0189] Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a disposal process for the disposal of the residual materials 8a.

[0190] In a survey block 40, the landfill 8 is formed from the residual materials 8a in the form of a survey.

[0191] In an arrangement block 41, the upper reservoir 3 of the pumped storage power plant 2 is arranged on the elevation.

[0192] List of reference symbols

[0193] 1 device

[0194] 2 pumped storage power plants

[0195] 3 upper basins

[0196] 4 lower basins

[0197] 5 Pump

[0198] 6 Process water

[0199] 7 Turbomachine

[0200] 8 Landfill

[0201] 9 Power generation facility

[0202] 10 solar system

[0203] 11 wind turbines

[0204] 12 groundwater pump

[0205] 13 Interface setup

[0206] 14 external power grid

[0207] 15 Fugue

[0208] 16 gravel layer

[0209] 17 Wall

[0210] 18 Plastic sealing membrane

[0211] 19 Way

[0212] 20 drainage ditch

[0213] 21 embedment trench

[0214] 22 Geotextile

[0215] 23 hydraulic armourstones

[0216] 24 Structure

[0217] 25 Geotechnical sealing membrane

[0218] 26 Overlap

[0219] 27 Weld seam

[0220] 28 Leachate pump

[0221] 29 Leachate treatment plant

[0222] 30 Upper pelvis block

[0223] 31 Lower pelvic block

[0224] 32 primary energy block

[0225] 33 Pump block

[0226] 34 Secondary energy block

[0227] 35 Water protection block

[0228] 40 survey block

[0229] 41 Arrangement block

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for generating and storing energy, comprising a pumped storage power plant (2) with an upper reservoir (3), a lower reservoir (4), the upper reservoir (3) being arranged at a higher level than the lower reservoir (4), a pump (5) for pumping process water (6) from the lower reservoir (4) into the upper reservoir (3), and a turbomachine (7) for generating electrical energy from a flow of the process water (6) from the upper reservoir (3) into the lower reservoir (4), characterized in that a landfill (8) is provided, on and / or at which the upper reservoir (3) is at least partially formed.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper basin (3) and the lower basin (4) are designed such that a difference in height between the upper basin (3) and the lower basin (4) is predominantly, preferably completely, caused by a vertical extension of the landfill (8).

3. Device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the landfill (8) is partially or completely made of residual materials (8a), in particular from construction rubble, soil and / or inert waste, and / or treated, in particular incinerated or rotted, domestic and / or commercial waste and / or industrial waste, and / or Waste with special monitoring requirements.

4. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a power generation device (9) is provided for generating electrical primary energy, by means of which the pump (9) can be operated.

5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the power generation device (9) comprises at least one solar system (10).

6. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the landfill (8) has at least one groundwater pump (12) for lowering a groundwater level below the landfill (8), which is preferably arranged below the landfill (8).

7. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the landfill (8) has at least one seepage water pump (28) and / or at least one seepage water treatment device (29).

8. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an interface device (13) is provided in order to supply electrical energy to and / or receive it from an external power network (14).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a joint (15) is arranged between the upper basin (3) and the landfill (8), which joint is preferably inclined by at least 6° to the horizontal and / or has a gravel layer (16).

10. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the upper basin (3) has at least one wall (17) for lateral limitation and is sealed against the wall (17) and the landfill (8), preferably with a plastic sealing membrane (18), and / or the landfill (8) has a seal to the upper basin (3).

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the power generation device (9) and the pumped storage power plant (2) are designed to ensure self-sufficient operation of at least the at least one groundwater pump (12) and / or the at least one seepage water pump (28) and / or the at least one seepage water treatment device (29).

12. A method for generating and storing energy comprising at least the following steps: a) providing a landfill (2) and an upper reservoir (3) on and / or at the landfill (8), b) providing a lower reservoir (4) which is located lower than the upper reservoir (3), c) generation of regenerative primary electrical energy, d) pumping up process water (6) from the lower reservoir (4) into the upper reservoir (3) by means of the primary energy, e) generation of secondary electrical energy from a flow of the process water (6) from the upper reservoir (3) into the lower reservoir (4).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized by f) autonomous operation of at least one groundwater pump (12) which is designed to lower a groundwater level beneath the landfill (8) and / or g) autonomous operation of at least one seepage water pump (28) and / or at least one seepage water treatment device (29).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that excess primary energy generated and / or excess secondary energy generated is fed into an external power grid (13) via an interface device (13); and / or Tertiary energy is taken via an interface device (13) from an external power grid (14) for pumping up the process water (6) in step d).

15. Disposal method for the disposal of residual materials (8a), wherein a landfill (8) in the form of an elevation is formed from the residual materials (8a), characterized in that an upper reservoir (3) of a pumped storage power plant (2) is arranged on the elevation.

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