Hybrid energy production system

Abstract

Hybrid energy production system (100, 200, 300), comprising: - a first block (101, 201, 301) able to perform a photovoltaic conversion of energy emitted by an irradiation source, in which said first block (101, 201, 301) comprises a plurality of photovoltaic modules; - a second block (102, 202, 302) able to perform a ventilation action so as to cool surfaces of the plurality of photovoltaic modules comprised in said first block (101, 201, 301) by means of a first heat-transfer fluid; - a third block (103, 203, 303) able to employ thermal energy of the first heat-transfer fluid to heat a second heat-transfer fluid. The plurality of photovoltaic modules is arranged in such a way as to cause multiple reflections of the irradiation emitted by said source on said plurality of photovoltaic modules.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] "Hybrid energy production system"

[0003] The present invention is related to a hybrid energy production system .

[0004] In particular, the present invention is related to a hybrid energy production system aimed at implementing an ef ficient solution to the problem of converting energy into a first electrical component and a second thermal component .

[0005] The reference technical scope involves energy conversion from renewable sources , aimed at producing electrical energy, associated with a concurrent production of thermal energy, i . e . , heat .

[0006] With reference to known photovoltaic systems , the typical ef ficiency is around 20% , due both to the reflection of a quote of the solar rays on the surfaces of the photovoltaic module , and to dispersion phenomena concerning the technology in question, for example dispersion in the form of heat .

[0007] Several systems producing thermal energy, combined with photovoltaic modules , are known from the prior art . For example , the Italian patent application

[0008] IT202000001603U1 describes an integrated system for the production of domestic hot water, comprising at least one photovoltaic solar module able to generate electrical energy and a boiler with a storage tank containing a volume of water to be heated . The integrated system comprises a support frame having an upper portion suitable for supporting the PV modules , a lower base suitable for the installation of the frame on a target surface and a vertical portion connecting the upper portion and the lower base . The boiler is placed inside the frame , resting on the lower base and being protected by the upper portion above , and comprises a first electrical resistance supplied directly and exclusively by the electrical energy generated by the PV panels through a speci fic circuit , and a second back-up electrical resistance powered by the alternating electrical energy supplied by the grid through a further electrical circuit .

[0009] The text of the patent application AU2020305426A1 , instead, describes a bi facial coupled photovoltaic module system based on reflection and condensation, consisting o f one or more structural units composed of a bi facial photovoltaic module and two photovoltaic modules of the reflection type . The two photovoltaic modules of the reflection type are positioned respectively on two sides of the bi facial photovoltaic module . The light receiving surfaces of the photovoltaic modules of the reflection type are facing the bi facial photovoltaic module , and between each reflection photovoltaic module and the bi facial photovoltaic module an angle is formed, such that the incident light can irradiate the two surfaces of the bi facial photovoltaic module after being re flected by the reflection photovoltaic modules .

[0010] In addition, the patent application US2021376787A1 discloses a photovoltaic thermal assembly that combines a photovoltaic panel and solar air heater, the latter including a body with hollow interior defining ducts for air inlet and air return . Some j ets provide air to convey heat from the photovoltaic panel underside . Several spaces between the j ets provide drains for warmed air to flow away . Flow modi fiers / def lectors can guide the airflow . A fan pushes ambient air into the inlet via air handling unit . A return warm air flows via the air handling unit to escape via the ambient exhaust . A combined thermal trans fer and storage unit determines whether air from the photovoltaic thermal assembly diverts to the interior space . The photovoltaic thermal assembly itsel f can harvest condensation, heat / cool pools and industrial processes . The systems known from the state o f the art suf fer from various limitations , for example they do not allow to maximi ze the performance of the cogeneration plant as a whole , particularly in its electrical component .

[0011] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a hybrid energy production system which, by using speci fic plant configurations , allows to increase the energy conversion ef ficiency with respect to similar systems , for example cogeneration systems , having therefore characteristics such as to overcome the limitations that still af fect the aforementioned systems known from the prior art .

[0012] According to the present invention, a hybrid energy production system is provided, as defined in claim 1 .

[0013] For a better understanding of the present invention, a preferred embodiment is now described, purely by way of nonlimiting example , with reference to the attached drawings , in which : figure 1 shows a schematic view representing a preferred embodiment of a hybrid energy production system, according to the invention; figure 2 shows a schematic view representing an alternative embodiment of the hybrid energy production system, according to the invention; - figure 3 shows a schematic view representing a further embodiment of the hybrid energy production system, according to the invention; figure 4 shows a schematic view representing a component , in common with each of the three embodiments o f the hybrid energy production system according to the invention .

[0014] With reference to these figures , a hybrid energy production system is shown, according to the invention .

[0015] In particular, the hybrid energy production system 100 ,

[0016] 200 , 300 comprises : a first block 101 , 201 , 301 able to perform a photovoltaic conversion of energy emitted by an irradiation source , in which said first block 101 , 201 , 301 comprises a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in such a way as to cause multiple reflections of the irradiation, emitted by the irradiation source , on the plurality of photovoltaic modules itsel f ; a second block 102 , 202 , 302 able to perform a ventilation action so as to cool the external surfaces of the photovoltaic modules comprised in the first block 101 ,

[0017] 201 , 301 , by means of a first heat-trans f er fluid, preferably ambient air, cooling which causes the heating of the first heat-trans fer fluid when the latter comes into contact with the same surfaces of the photovoltaic modules comprised in the first block 101, 201, 301 and with further external surfaces of the first block 101, 201, 301, for example the frames of the same photovoltaic modules;

[0018] - a third block 103, 203, 303, located downstream of the first block 101, 201, 301, able to employ thermal energy of the first heat-transfer fluid, heated in contact with the external surfaces of the photovoltaic modules of the first block 101, 201, 301, to heat a second heat-transfer fluid.

[0019] According to one aspect of the invention, in accordance with a first embodiment the system 100 comprises a fourth block able to store the second heat-transfer fluid, preferably water, heated by the first heat-transfer fluid which preferably consists of air.

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, in such a first embodiment the first heat transfer fluid, after having released thermal energy to the second heat transfer fluid in the third block 103, cools down and is redirected, following a closed circuit, to the entry of the second block 102 which is able to perform a ventilation action.

[0021] According to one aspect of the invention, both in the first and in a second and third embodiment, the plurality of modules included in the first block 101, 201, 301, referable as a photovoltaic body, consists of photovoltaic modules comprised in two subgroups, arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical 'y' axis, i.e., an axis orthogonal with respect to a support plane of the same photovoltaic body, as shown in figure 4.

[0022] According to another aspect of the invention, each subgroup of photovoltaic modules comprises at least one functional unit, in turn comprising at least one base photovoltaic module, flat and orthogonal to the aforementioned 'y' axis, and at least three further photovoltaic modules resting on a photovoltaic surface, i.e., the surface sensitive to the irradiation source, of the base photovoltaic module.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the aforementioned at least three additional photovoltaic modules are preferably parallel, i.e., inclined with an angle 'a' with respect to the photovoltaic surface of the base photovoltaic module. Furthermore, as can be understood looking at figure 4, the first of these three further photovoltaic modules, referable as 101a 201a, 301a, is positioned on its own, while the second and third photovoltaic modules, respectively referable as 101b, 201b, 301b and 101c, 201c, 301c, are arranged so that the third one rests on the second one. According to one aspect of the invention, the three further photovoltaic modules 101a, 201a, 201a, 101b, 201b , 301b and 101c, 201c, 301c are positioned in such a way that the photovoltaic surface of the first photovoltaic module 101a, 201a, 301a faces the photovoltaic surface of the second photovoltaic module 101b, 201b, 301b, so as to cause multiple reflections of the irradiation emitted by the irradiation source on the respective photovoltaic surfaces of the base photovoltaic module , of the first photovoltaic module 101a, 201a, 301a and of the second photovoltaic module 101b, 201b, 301b . As can be seen in figure 4 , each functional unit comprises five photovoltaic modules arranged over a base photovoltaic module , in such a way that downstream of the couple consisting of a second photovoltaic module 101b, 201b, 301b and a third photovoltaic module 101c, 201c, 301c, a further couple of modules arranged like the previous one is positioned .

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the hybrid energy production system 100 , 200 , 300 comprises one or more electrical motors configured to modi fy the angle 'a' in order to optimi ze the exposure of the photovoltaic surfaces of all the photovoltaic modules constituting the first block 101 , 201 , 301 to maximi ze the capture of the reflection by implementing functionalities similar to those provided by solar trackers .

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the distance 'd' between the first photovoltaic module 101a, 201a, 301a and the couple consisting of the second photovoltaic module 101b, 201b, 301b and the third photovoltaic module 101c, 201c, 301c is such as , together with their respective inclinations according to the angle 'a' , to also cause partial shading of the second photovoltaic module 101b, 201b, 301b on the photovoltaic surface of the first photovoltaic module 101a, 201a, 301a . This installation method can be replicated for each couple of additional photovoltaic modules arranged downstream of that consisting of the second photovoltaic module 101b, 201b, 301b and the third photovoltaic module 101c, 201c, 301c .

[0026] According to one aspect of the invention, in the first embodiment the third block 103 able to employ thermal energy is implemented by means of a fluid-water heat exchanger .

[0027] According to one aspect of the invention, in the second embodiment , the third block 203 able to employ thermal energy consists of a fluid-air heat exchanger integrated into a boiler 20 , preferably a domestic boiler for the production of thermal energy, useful for heating rooms and supplying domestic hot water . According to one aspect of the invention, in the third embodiment the third block 303 able to employ thermal energy consists of a mixer integrated into a boiler 30 , for example a domestic boiler for the production of thermal energy, useful for heating rooms and supplying domestic hot water .

[0028] According to one aspect of the invention, the irradiation source consists of solar rays in the first embodiment , and the flame of the burner of the boiler 20 , 30 in the second and third embodiments . In these embodiments , as shown in figures 2 and 3 , the photovoltaic body 201 , 301 is integrated into the boiler 20 , 30 .

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, in the second embodiment the first heat transfer fluid, after having trans ferred thermal energy to the second heat trans fer fluid in the third block 203 , is redirected, similarly to the first embodiment , following a closed circuit , to the entry of the second block 202 .

[0030] On the contrary, according to another aspect of the invention, the open circuit configuration of the third embodiment causes the trans fer o f thermal energy to the second heat trans fer fluid, in the third block 303 , to occur by mixing . Therefore , the first heat trans fer fluid, in such a system configuration, unlike the first and second embodiments, is not redirected to the second block 302, as can be understood by watching figure 3.

[0031] In use, advantageously according to the invention, the hybrid energy production system 100 is designed in such a way that a significant portion of reflected irradiated energy, originating from the irradiation source, respectively the solar rays in the first embodiment, and the flame of the burner of the boiler 20, 30 in the second and third embodiments, is in any case exploited for further absorption by the photovoltaic modules constituting the first block 101, 201, 301. In fact, the geometry described above, concerning the positioning and arrangement of the facing surfaces of the photovoltaic modules constituting the photovoltaic body 101, 201, 301, allows for the exploitation of multiple reflections, even five or more as schematized in figure 4 by way of example, of the irradiation source, i.e., the solar rays or, with a photovoltaic body 201, 301 of smaller dimensions compared to the first embodiment, the flame of a burner of a boiler 20, 30, as shown in figures 2 and 3.

[0032] In particular, according to one aspect of the invention, considering as an example the representation of the hybrid energy production system 100, 200, 300 in figure 1, it can be observed that considering a perpendicular irradiation, hal f of the irradiation is reflected even five times as mentioned, on three photovoltaic modules , before being released by the system 100 , 200 , 300 . In this way, as highlighted by experimental tests conducted by the Applicant , the radiant energy of the irradiation source that hits hal f of the system 100 , 200 , 300 is converted by more than 20% into electrical energy . As a term of comparison, with the same surface exposed to irradiation, it is expected that , in the exemplary layout of figure 4 , the conversion ef ficiency in the electrical component is three times greater than that of a standard photovoltaic installation . Furthermore , the reflection of irradiation ensures greater capture of radiant energy even when the latter does not have a direction perpendicular to the system .

[0033] According to one aspect of the invention, in the case of the first embodiment , the transfer of thermal energy from the first heat-trans fer fluid, for example ambient air pushed by the second block 102 able to perform a ventilation action, to the water, in the fluid-water heat exchanger 103 , allows the heating of the water itsel f which, by natural convection, is returned to an upper portion of the fourth block able to store the second heat-trans fer fluid, typically a tank located below the hybrid energy production system 100 . Advantageously according to the invention, the heated water contained in the tank can be used subsequently to integrate the need for domestic hot water . The overall result , therefore , is represented by a greater exploitation of solar radiation, both in the production of electrical energy and in that of domestic hot water . The hybrid energy production system 100 , placed on the roof of a house , can also provide a high thermal insulation of the house itsel f , in the summer period, ensuring comfortable internal room temperatures .

[0034] According to one aspect of the invention, even in the context of the second and third embodiments , which involves the irradiation generated by the flame of the burner of a boiler 20 , 30 , as schemati zed in figures 2 and 3 , ambient air is preferably used as the first heat-trans fer fluid . The ambient air, after having cooled the first block 201 , 301 , or photovoltaic body, is directed, preheated by the heat produced by the photovoltaic modules with which it comes into contact , in the case of the third embodiment , to the entry of the mixer 303 . In this way, the thermal energy released by the photovoltaic body 301 is used to preheat the combustion air, which can be assimilated to a second heattrans fer fluid in the system 300 , mixing with the combustion air itsel f before both are burned by the burner 31 , together with the fuel , ensuring an increase in the ef ficiency of the boiler 30 itsel f .

[0035] The further technical variant represented by the second embodiment , again, involves the use of the fluid-air heat exchanger 203 , in which the thermal energy of the fluid, preferably air, heated in contact with the photovoltaic body 201 , is trans ferred to the combustion air entering the boiler 20 , which together with the fuel i s burned by the burner 21 , also in this case with an increase in the ef ficiency of the same boiler 20 .

[0036] Therefore , the hybrid energy production system according to the invention implements a technical solution that increases the energy conversion ef ficiency, compared to known systems , particularly for the electrical portion .

[0037] Furthermore , the hybrid energy production system according to the invention is suitable for use in residential environments .

[0038] Another advantage of the hybrid energy production system according to the invention is that it is safe for use in residential environments .

[0039] Another advantage of the hybrid energy production system according to the invention is the reduced maintenance that the system itsel f requires . Finally, the hybrid energy production system according to the invention is easy to install .

[0040] It is finally clear that the hybrid energy production system, described and illustrated herein, may be subj ect to modi fications and variations without departing from the protective scope of the present invention, as defined in the attached claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Hybrid energy production system (100, 200, 300) , comprising :- a first block (101, 201, 301) able to perform a photovoltaic conversion of energy emitted by an irradiation source, in which said first block (101, 201, 301) comprises a plurality of photovoltaic modules;- a second block (102, 202, 302) able to perform a ventilation action so as to cool surfaces of the plurality of photovoltaic modules comprised in said first block (101, 201, 301) by means of a first heat-transf er fluid, said first heat-transfer fluid heating in contact with the surfaces of the photovoltaic modules comprised in the first block (101, 201, 301) ;- a third block (103, 203, 303) able to employ thermal energy of the first heat-transfer fluid to heat a second heat-transfer fluid; characterized in that the plurality of photovoltaic modules is arranged in such a way as to cause multiple reflections of the irradiation emitted by the irradiation source on said plurality of photovoltaic modules.

2. Hybrid energy production system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in comprising a fourth block able tostore the second heat-transfer fluid heated by said first heat-transfer fluid.

3. Hybrid energy production system (100, 200, 300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of photovoltaic modules included in the first block (101, 201, 301) consists of photovoltaic modules comprised in two subgroups, symmetrical with respect to a vertical 'y' axis, each subgroup comprising at least one base photovoltaic module, flat and orthogonal to said 'y' axis, and at least three further photovoltaic modules, parallel and resting on a photovoltaic surface of said at least one base photovoltaic module .

4. Hybrid energy production system (100, 200, 300) according to claim 3, characterized in that the at least three further photovoltaic modules consist of a first photovoltaic module (101a, 201a, 301a) , a second photovoltaic module (101b, 201b, 201b) and a third photovoltaic module (101c, 201c, 301c) , inclined according to an angle 'a' with respect to said photovoltaic surface of the at least one base photovoltaic module.

5. Hybrid energy production system (100, 200, 300) according to claim 3, characterized in that the photovoltaic modules comprised in the at least three further photovoltaic modules are arranged in such a way that the thirdphotovoltaic module (101c, 201c, 301c) rests on the second photovoltaic module (101b, 201b, 301b) .

6. Hybrid energy production system (100, 200, 300) according to claim 3, characterized in that the photovoltaic modules comprised in the at least three further photovoltaic modules are arranged in such a way that a photovoltaic surface of the first photovoltaic module (101a, 201a, 301a) faces a photovoltaic surface of the second photovoltaic module (101b, 201b, 301b) , in such a way as to cause multiple reflections of the irradiation emitted by the irradiation source on the respective photovoltaic surfaces of the at least one base photovoltaic module, of the first photovoltaic module (101a, 201a, 301a) and of the second photovoltaic module (101b, 201b, 301b) .

7. Hybrid energy production system (100, 200, 300) according to claim 4, characterized in comprising one or more electrical motors able to modify the angle 'a' of inclination of the at least three additional photovoltaic modules with respect to the photovoltaic surface of the at least one base photovoltaic module.

8. Hybrid energy production system (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the third block (103) is implemented by means of a fluid-water heat exchanger.

9. Hybrid energy production system (200) according to claim 1, characterized in that the third block (203) is implemented by means of a fluid-air heat exchanger integrated into a boiler (20) .

10. Hybrid energy production system (300) according to claim 1, characterized in that the third block (303) is implemented by means of a mixer integrated into a boiler (30) .

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