Assembly for data centre and / or computer centre modules

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly (500) comprising a plurality of units (501), each unit comprising a pillar (2), the pillars being in particular arranged in at least one row, wherein at least one of the pillars accommodates one or more computer centre and / or data centre modules (300) and at least one other of the pillars accommodates one or more battery modules (43), the one or more computer centre and / or data centre modules (300) being connected to the one or more battery modules in order to be supplied with electrical power, and wherein each pillar is in particular provided with a heat transfer fluid circuit (310) configured to cool the one or more computer centre and / or data centre modules (300), this heat transfer fluid being in particular recovered water such as rainwater.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title: Assembly for Compute Center and / or Data Modules

[0003] [1] The invention relates in particular to an assembly comprising a plurality of installations for computing center and / or data center modules.

[0004] [2] In the current context, data centers play a crucial role in the processing and massive storage of data, particularly for applications related to artificial intelligence, cloud services, and other digital systems. These centers house a wide variety of electronic modules requiring optimal performance, while also generating high energy consumption and considerable heat. Consequently, there is a growing need to improve the energy efficiency of these modules, especially with regard to energy conservation.

[0005] [3] The present invention is specifically intended to meet this need.

[0006] [4] The invention thus relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of installations, each installation comprising a pillar, the pillars being in particular arranged in at least one row, at least one of the pillars housing one or more computing and / or data center modules and at least one other of the pillars housing one or more battery modules, the computing and / or data center module(s) being connected to the battery module(s) for electrical power, and each pillar being in particular provided with a heat transfer fluid circuit configured to cool the computing and / or data center module(s), this heat transfer fluid being in particular recovered water such as rainwater.

[0007] [5] According to one aspect of the invention, the battery modules are housed in one or more pillars separate from the pillars which house the computing and / or data center modules.

[0008] [6] According to one aspect of the invention, none of the pillars of the assembly houses both battery modules and computing and / or data center modules.

[0009] [7] In other words, the set includes pillars dedicated to computing and / or data center modules and pillars dedicated to battery modules.

[0010] [8] According to one aspect of the invention, the pillars dedicated to the computing and / or data center modules are arranged in one row and the pillars dedicated to the battery modules are arranged in another row. [9] The rows are, for example, straight, and parallel to each other.

[0011]

[0010] Having specific rows for battery modules, respectively for computing and / or data center modules, allows for easier electrical connection and arrangement of the different modules. Furthermore, this is advantageous when the pillars are shorter, for example less than 3 or 5 meters, and it is more efficient to house modules of the same type on them.

[0012]

[0011] Advantageously, the battery modules can be recharged, for example, at night by drawing electricity from the grid, particularly from the urban grid during off-peak hours when energy is cheaper and / or more abundant. The invention makes it possible to use a lower grid capacity thanks to the battery modules.

[0013]

[0012] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one of the pillars houses both at least one computing and / or data center module and a battery module.

[0014]

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, all the pillars of the assembly house both at least one computing and / or data center module and at least one battery module.

[0015]

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, the computing and / or data center modules are arranged in the upper part of the pillar and the battery modules are arranged in the lower part of the pillar.

[0016]

[0015] According to one aspect of the invention, the installations are devoid of solar panels.

[0017]

[0016] Thus, the pillars do not support solar panels at their rooftops.

[0018]

[0017] Alternatively, the pillar supports at least one roof equipped with at least one solar panel.

[0019]

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the pillars houses a relay module connected to the computing and / or data center modules.

[0020]

[0019] The relay module is, in particular, an electronic device that controls the flow of data between computing and / or data center modules (including servers) and other network equipment. The relay module functions, in particular, as a network switch, managing communications between the various devices connected to the computing and / or data center network. Relays are also called "switches" in English.

[0021]

[0020] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the pillars houses the relay module and at least one of the computing and / or data center modules.

[0022]

[0021] Alternatively, at least one of the pillars houses exclusively the relay module.

[0022] In this case, this pillar does not house a computing and / or data center module, nor a battery module.

[0023]

[0023] For example, in one of the rows of pillars, the pillar dedicated to the relay module is in the middle of the row of pillars, with, in particular, on either side, pillars housing computing center and / or data modules which are connected to the relay modules.

[0024]

[0024] In another embodiment of the invention, at least one of the pillars houses both the relay module, at least one of the computing and / or data center modules and / or at least one of the battery modules.

[0025]

[0025] According to one aspect of the invention, the computing and / or data center modules are mounted in at least one rack (or cabinet) in the pillar, in particular a plurality of racks, in particular to allow mounting with electrical connections in the pillar.

[0026]

[0026] The number of pillars (or masts) per row is between 3 and 20, in particular between 5 and 15, in particular being equal to 9.

[0027]

[0027] The present invention can be implemented outdoors, meaning that it is not necessary to place the installations inside a building. The invention is particularly advantageous because, where appropriate, green electricity from solar panels is used. The invention is also advantageous insofar as rainwater is collected for cooling the computing and / or data center modules.

[0028]

[0028] Generally speaking, computing and / or data center modules consume a great deal of electrical power, and it is possible that electricity providers may not be able to supply the required amount. In the invention, where applicable, solar panels produce a portion of the necessary electrical power. Furthermore, because of the presence of battery modules, a lower capacity is possible since the computing and / or data center modules operate at full capacity only about 50% or 60% of the time, and during periods of low activity, the battery modules are recharged using the available electrical capacity.

[0029]

[0029] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat released by the computing and / or data center modules is recovered, for example, to heat a building, for example via a heat pump.

[0030]

[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes a heat transfer fluid circuit configured to cool the computing center and / or data center module(s), and the computing center and / or data center module includes a housing and the heat transfer fluid circuit is connected to this housing so that heat transfer fluid can circulate in the housing to cool the computer server(s).

[0031]

[0031] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circuit is configured to transport heat from the computing and / or data center modules to indirectly heat the battery modules.

[0032]

[0032] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly is configured so that the waste heat generated by the computing and / or data center modules, in particular graphics cards used for artificial intelligence, is recovered to heat at least one surrounding building, particularly in winter, or transformed into cold through an absorption or adsorption system to cool at least one building.

[0033]

[0033] The invention further relates to an installation comprising a pillar configured to house one or more computing and / or data center modules, each pillar being in particular equipped with a heat transfer fluid circuit configured to cool the computing and / or data center module(s), this heat transfer fluid being in particular recovered water such as rainwater.

[0034]

[0034] The invention further relates to a method of heat recovery in an assembly such as the one mentioned above, comprising the step of recovering waste heat generated by the computing center and / or data modules, in particular graphics cards used for artificial intelligence, in particular to heat at least one surrounding building, in particular in winter, or transformed into cold through an absorption or adsorption system to cool at least one building.

[0035]

[0035] Furthermore, solar energy is a renewable energy source with no supply limitations. However, manufacturing and operating costs can impact the attractiveness of using solar energy. Moreover, the electrical grid is often saturated in summer, hence the need to install sufficient storage capacity not only for self-produced energy but also to provide a means of balancing the grid.

[0036]

[0036] The present invention aims in particular to improve solar energy production installations, in terms of production and storage.

[0037]

[0037] The invention thus relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to an energy production installation configured to be installed in particular on a ground, and in particular comprising a central pillar in particular configured to support at least one roof equipped with at least one solar panel, the roof comprising in particular at least one air circulation channel extending at least partially under the solar panel to allow the air in the channel to be heated by the heat given off by the solar panel.

[0038]

[0038] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof is made in two parts arranged on either side of the central pillar.

[0039]

[0039] According to one aspect of the invention, the two parts of the roof are parallel. The two parts of the roof can be in line with each other.

[0040]

[0040] According to one aspect of the invention, the two roof parts each extend along an inclined plane relative to the pillar.

[0041]

[0041] In other words, the roof is not perpendicular to the pillar.

[0042]

[0042] According to one aspect of the invention, the two roof parts extend along a common plane inclined with respect to the pillar.

[0043]

[0043] According to one aspect of the invention, the common plane is inclined with respect to the pillar at an angle between 70° and 90°, in particular at an angle of about 85°.

[0044]

[0044] In another embodiment of the invention, the two parts of the roof extend in respective intersecting planes. In particular, these two parts of the roof form, in profile, a Y with the central pillar.

[0045]

[0045] According to one aspect of the invention, the two parts of the roof are separated from each other by an opening.

[0046]

[0046] According to one aspect of the invention, the top of the pillar extends through this opening.

[0047]

[0047] According to one aspect of the invention, this opening between the two roof parts also allows the wind to flow through this opening so as to break the forces that a strong wind could exert on the installation.

[0048]

[0048] According to one aspect of the invention, the two parts of the roof have an identical surface area.

[0049]

[0049] Alternatively, one of the roof sections may have a larger surface area than the other roof section, or a different shape.

[0050]

[0050] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof has a rectangular perimeter.

[0051]

[0051] According to one aspect of the invention, the two parts of the roof each have a rectangular perimeter.

[0052]

[0052] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof comprises at least one box configured to support the solar panel(s). The width of the box, as well as that of the solar panels, is adjustable (for example, by being modular) to adapt to parking space width standards, which may vary from one region to another.

[0053] According to one aspect of the invention, each part of the roof has its own box on which the solar panel(s) are mounted.

[0053]

[0054] According to one aspect of the invention, the enclosure comprises supports, particularly metallic ones, on which the solar panels are placed. For example, the enclosure comprises supports, particularly metallic ones, on which the solar panels are placed on the upper part and a high-pressure laminate panel, or other bio-based material, on the lower part.

[0054]

[0055] According to one aspect of the invention, these supports are formed by a peripheral rim of the box.

[0055]

[0056] According to one aspect of the invention, the supports can also be formed by transverse bars arranged at different locations in the box.

[0056]

[0057] According to one aspect of the invention, the transverse support bars are straight and arranged parallel and equidistant from each other.

[0057]

[0058] According to one aspect of the invention, the opening between the two roof sections is formed between two parallel straight edges opposite these roof sections, and the transverse bars are parallel to these edges.

[0058]

[0059] According to one aspect of the invention, the solar panel(s) thus rest on the peripheral rim and on the transverse bars which are then located under the solar panels.

[0059]

[0060] According to one aspect of the invention, each enclosure has at least one air inlet slot configured to allow air to flow into the enclosure and to be heated by the solar panel(s) that close the enclosure. A sufficiently fine mesh screen is placed over the inlet slots to filter out any external object or body. External crossbars supporting the enclosures are configured to protect the air inlet slots from rainwater infiltration.

[0060]

[0061] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet slot extends along one edge of the box.

[0061]

[0062] According to one aspect of the invention, each box has at least two air inlet slots arranged along two opposite sides of the box. For the end panels, an additional slot could be added. The slots may be the same size or different sizes.

[0062]

[0063] According to one aspect of the invention, the box includes an air collection slot configured to allow the evacuation of air from the inlet slot or slots and which has circulated in the box in summer heated by the solar panel(s).

[0064] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet slot has an elongated shape.

[0063]

[0065] According to one aspect of the invention, the air collection slot has an elongated shape. Multiple slots, particularly circular or oval ones, are also possible.

[0064]

[0066] According to one aspect of the invention, at least one of the air inlets in the box is formed by one or more air inlet slots that are aligned along one side of the box. Other secondary inlet slots may be placed perpendicular to the collection slots.

[0065]

[0067] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet slots and the collection slot(s) are parallel to each other.

[0066]

[0068] According to one aspect of the invention, the air inlet slots and the collection slot(s) are perpendicular to the transverse support bars for the solar panels.

[0067]

[0069] According to one aspect of the invention, the collection slot(s) are located equidistant from the air inlet slots.

[0068]

[0070] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation further comprises a longitudinal beam connecting to the central pillar and the longitudinal beam extends into the space between the two parts of the roof, in particular parallel to the two edges opposite the two parts of the roof.

[0069]

[0071] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation further comprises a transverse beam connecting to the central pillar and supporting the two roof sections.

[0070]

[0072] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation thus comprises the central pillar which supports the longitudinal beam and the transverse beam.

[0071]

[0073] It is therefore possible to construct the installation with a total number of pillars / beams equal to three. This number can be four in the case of separate transverse beams, dedicated to each part of the roof.

[0072]

[0074] According to one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal beam and the transverse beam intersect at right angles.

[0073]

[0075] According to one aspect of the invention, the air vent in the roof box is open on the hollow crossbeam.

[0074]

[0076] According to one aspect of the invention, the beams and the central pillar are hollow, so that the air that has circulated in the box and is heated by the solar panel(s) circulates through the air vent slot towards the cross beam.

[0075]

[0077] According to one aspect of the invention, this crossbeam is hollow and thus forms, in whole or in part, a channel for expelling heated air. Each crossbeam can be equipped with a fan to expel the air towards a main duct, in particular in the longitudinal beam.

[0076]

[0078] According to one aspect of the invention, this drainage channel in the transverse beam extends into the longitudinal beam.

[0077]

[0079] According to one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal beam is configured to vent the air flowing through it to an air heat recovery system.

[0078]

[0080] According to one aspect of the invention, this system includes, for example, a heat pump placed, for example, in a building to heat it.

[0079]

[0081] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes a fan, in particular an electric fan, configured to draw air towards the air circulation channel in the longitudinal beam.

[0080]

[0082] According to one aspect of the invention, this air intake makes it possible to create the flow of air from the air inlet slot(s) on the roof box towards the channel of the longitudinal beam.

[0081]

[0083] According to one aspect of the invention, the fan is a rotating blade fan.

[0082]

[0084] According to one aspect of the invention, the fan is placed within the longitudinal beam. Other fans can also be placed on each transverse beam.

[0083]

[0085] According to one aspect of the invention, the pillar and / or the longitudinal beam and / or the transverse beam are each made with an assembly of plates in particular based on bio-sourced materials, wood or others such as high-pressure laminates of paper and resins intended for exterior cladding.

[0084]

[0086] According to one aspect of the invention, this assembly of plates forms an external envelope of the pillar and / or the longitudinal beam and / or the transverse beam.

[0085]

[0087] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly further comprises beam elements, particularly made of wood, arranged parallel to each other along a contour, for example rectangular, and between which the plates are placed. The beam elements may also be made of steel, particularly for the central pillar where heat exchange is not critical.

[0086]

[0088] For the central pillar, these beam elements measure, for example, 3 to 6 meters or more.

[0087]

[0089] According to one aspect of the invention, honeycomb structures, for example made of plastic, are arranged within the interior space of this envelope. This allows the pillar and / or beams to be reinforced and, at the same time, allows air circulation.

[0088]

[0090] According to one aspect of the invention, the honeycomb structure has a rectangular or square perimeter.

[0089]

[0091] According to one aspect of the invention, the alveolar structure has a grid or honeycomb shape.

[0090]

[0092] According to one aspect of the invention, the honeycomb structure occupies an entire internal section of the pillar or beam.

[0091]

[0093] According to one aspect of the invention, several honeycomb structures are provided in the hollow pillar and / or hollow beam, in particular at a distance from each other.

[0092]

[0094] According to one aspect of the invention, the honeycomb structures can be made of reinforced plastic material, in particular with glass fibers.

[0093]

[0095] According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly of wooden plates is reinforced by reinforcements, in particular metal reinforcements.

[0094]

[0096] According to one aspect of the invention, the metal reinforcements are on an external face of the plate assembly. Alternatively, the metal reinforcements may be on the internal face, particularly for aesthetic or functional reasons when thermal conduction is not affected.

[0095]

[0097] According to one aspect of the invention, the metal reinforcements can represent a V-shaped or cross-shaped form.

[0096]

[0098] According to one aspect of the invention, the metal reinforcements are configured to mechanically reinforce the pillar and / or the longitudinal beam and / or the transverse beam.

[0097]

[0099] According to one aspect of the invention, the metal reinforcements can also be used to interconnect the longitudinal beam and the transverse beam to the central pillar.

[0098]

[0100] The invention is particularly advantageous because it allows for a dual production of energy, namely energy in the form of electricity thanks to the solar panels and energy in the form of heat recovered by the air circulation which recovers the heat released by the solar panels.

[0099]

[0101] According to one aspect of the invention, the energy produced can be used for industrial, commercial, or residential applications. The installation according to the invention can be placed, for example, in a parking lot, such as at a shopping center, train station, airport, or industrial complex.

[0100]

[0102] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation comprises one or more electric charging stations configured for charging one or more electric vehicles parked in the spaces covered by the installation.

[0101]

[0103] According to one aspect of the invention, the charging station includes a charging plug to be connected to an electric vehicle.

[0102]

[0104] According to one aspect of the invention, an electrical circuit allows the solar panels to be connected to an inverter capable of producing electricity compatible with charging for an electric vehicle.

[0103]

[0105] According to one aspect of the invention, the inverter is arranged on the installation.

[0104]

[0106] For example, the inverter is attached to the central pillar of this installation.

[0105]

[0107] According to one aspect of the invention, the inverter can be placed at a sufficient height to be higher than the average height of a person.

[0106]

[0108] According to one aspect of the invention, the inverter is placed, for example, 2 m or more from the ground.

[0107]

[0109] According to one aspect of the invention, the charging station is placed on a base of the installation.

[0108]

[0110] According to one aspect of the invention, the charging station is mounted against the pillar. Larger, ultra-fast charging stations could be positioned lengthwise away from the pillar, at a distance equal to or less than the width of a parking space. Compact charging stations, particularly those powered directly from the batteries with direct current without passing through an inverter, can be integrated into the central pillar.

[0109]

[0111] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof is configured to cover 1 or 4 parking spaces for motor vehicles.

[0110]

[0112] According to one aspect of the invention, each part of the roof is configured to receive a plurality of solar panels, for example 4 or 5 solar panels.

[0111]

[0113] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof has a total length of at least 2 meters, measured parallel to the longitudinal beam.

[0114] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof has a dimension measured along the crossbeam of at least 4 meters, or 5 meters.

[0112]

[0115] According to one aspect of the invention, each solar panel is configured to have a minimum power density of 400 Wp (Watt-peak) per panel.

[0113]

[0116] According to one aspect of the invention, this power density can be chosen at 700 Wp nominal.

[0114]

[0117] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof is sloped and has a lower edge that is closest to the ground when the installation is mounted. This lower edge is approximately 4.2 meters above the ground. This allows it to meet safety standards.

[0115]

[0118] According to one aspect of the invention, the central pillar is hollow and defines a housing to receive one or more battery modules.

[0116]

[0119] According to one aspect of the invention, each battery module is connected to the inverter, which is itself connected to the solar panels which then serve to electrically recharge the battery module(s).

[0117]

[0120] According to one aspect of the invention, the battery module can be sodium-based. Alternatively, lithium-based battery technology is used.

[0118]

[0121] According to one aspect of the invention, the honeycomb structures are configured to define the different housings receiving the battery modules.

[0119]

[0122] According to one aspect of the invention, the central pillar includes multi-story housings to receive the battery modules.

[0120]

[0123] According to one aspect of the invention, the central pillar is fixed on a base that is at least partially buried.

[0121]

[0124] According to one aspect of the invention, the base is configured to be buried in the ground and is of relatively low height, this height being in particular less than 600 mm.

[0122]

[0125] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes an underground anchoring system configured to keep the base of the central pillar anchored in the ground.

[0123]

[0126] According to one aspect of the invention, the anchoring device comprises buried cables, each with one end attached to the base of the installation and the other end hooked to a peg configured to be fixed deep in the ground.

[0124]

[0127] According to one aspect of the invention, there are four cables.

[0125] In particular, the anchor cables also serve as an electrical grounding conduit for the installation. The anchor cables of one of the installations could be several meters longer than the others to act as lightning rods. These particular anchors are connected by cabling to a mast on the roof to channel the lightning.

[0126]

[0128] According to one aspect of the invention, the base of the installation protrudes to a certain height from the ground when the base is fixed to the ground.

[0127]

[0129] According to one aspect of the invention, the base has, on this emerged height, a shape chosen to serve as a stop for a wheel of a vehicle.

[0128]

[0130] Thus, when a vehicle approaches the central pillar to park under the roof, the wheel of the car closest to the central pillar comes to rest against the base so as to signal to the driver that he cannot get any closer to the central pillar.

[0129]

[0131] This provides reliable protection against vehicles hitting the central pillar of the installation. Additional safety posts can be added if necessary.

[0130]

[0132] According to one aspect of the invention, the base has a cross-shaped edge configured to serve as a stop for a vehicle wheel.

[0131]

[0133] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation uses durable materials such as wood and metal.

[0132]

[0134] According to one aspect of the invention, the parts of the installation can also be reused, repaired or recycled.

[0133]

[0135] According to one aspect of the invention, the wood is used in the beams and pillars and can be treated wood using copper oil under high pressure in an autoclave.

[0134]

[0136] According to one aspect of the invention, the wooden panels under the solar panels and which form the box are protected by a metal shield to avoid thermal stress on these wooden panels.

[0135]

[0137] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes a solar panel cleaning system.

[0136]

[0138] According to one aspect of the invention, the cleaning system is of the hydraulic type.

[0137]

[0139] According to one aspect of the invention, the cleaning system includes a liquid projection device for the solar panel(s).

[0138]

[0140] According to one aspect of the invention, this liquid projection device comprises a tube placed along an upper edge of the roof, or of each part of the roof.

[0139]

[0141] According to one aspect of the invention, the tube is provided with a slot, in particular a longitudinal one, along this upper edge of the roof.

[0142] According to one aspect of the invention, a liquid is projected through this slot, in particular under moderate pressure, in order to clean the surface of the solar panels, in particular without damaging them.

[0140]

[0143] According to one aspect of the invention, the tube is connected to a water reservoir, for example a rainwater harvesting reservoir.

[0141]

[0144] According to one aspect of the invention, the connection between the reservoir and the projection tube(s) is made by a conduit housed in the central pillar.

[0142]

[0145] According to one aspect of the invention, the conduit, preferably rigid, is made of reinforced plastic, for example, reinforced with glass fibers. The conduit can also serve as reinforcement for the central pillar by connecting to the wooden beams through honeycomb composite panels.

[0143]

[0146] According to one aspect of the invention, the conduit extends from the bottom to the top of the central pillar.

[0144]

[0147] For example, the conduit has a height of at least 80% or 90% of the total height of the central pillar. Advantageously, the water volume in the conduit does not exceed 90% to accommodate the volume of frozen water. The choice of composite materials for the conduit or reservoir must allow it to withstand freezing conditions while contributing to the rigidity of the main pillar structure.

[0145]

[0148] According to one aspect of the invention, one or more pipes may be provided to connect the water projection tube to this vertical conduit.

[0146]

[0149] According to one aspect of the invention, the pipe(s) are arranged in the box which supports the solar panel(s).

[0147]

[0150] According to one aspect of the invention, the cleaning system may include two water spray tubes, one for one part of the roof and the other for the other part of the roof.

[0148]

[0151] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes a water pump configured to pump water from the reservoir and direct it to the cleaning system.

[0149]

[0152] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes a gutter configured to collect rainwater flowing over the roof, and to direct the collected rainwater into the reservoir in the central post.

[0150]

[0153] According to one aspect of the invention, the pump for pumping water is electric. It can be activated by a dust sensor and / or at predefined time intervals.

[0154] According to one aspect of the invention, the recovered water can be filtered before entering the reservoir. Advantageously, the water level in the reservoir is controlled by a distance sensor located on a main control box installed at the top of the central pillar.

[0151]

[0155] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes one or more thermal control cameras, in particular fixed to the top of the central pillar, and configured to measure the temperature on the surface of the solar panels.

[0152]

[0156] According to one aspect of the invention, this thermal camera is either fixedly mounted on the central pillar or movably mounted, for example, to allow it to rotate and be oriented towards the solar panels. In particular, the thermal cameras are fixedly mounted on the central pillar, or the camera is movably mounted, especially when it is a single camera.

[0153]

[0157] According to one aspect of the invention, the thermal camera makes it possible to continuously monitor the potential appearance of hot spots on the surface of solar panels.

[0154]

[0158] Hot spots can pose a danger to the installation. A thermal imaging camera can detect the presence of animals (birds, rodents, insects) that may damage the installation by depositing waste, building nests, or gnawing on cables. The detection is transmitted to an electronic module that triggers, for example, an animal-repellent sound. It can also help alert to malicious human activity (theft, vandalism). Temperature sensors may be used to monitor the temperature in areas where it is needed.

[0155]

[0159] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes a control unit configured to receive information from the thermal camera and trigger an alert when a hot spot has been detected on one of the solar panels.

[0156]

[0160] According to one aspect of the invention, the roof includes a fire alarm system configured to generate an alert in the event of fire or abnormal temperature on the roof.

[0157]

[0161] According to one aspect of the invention, the fire alarm system includes wires that snake under the solar panels.

[0158]

[0162] According to one aspect of the invention, these wires are configured to melt under high temperatures.

[0159]

[0163] The melting of the wire creates a short circuit, which triggers an alert. The wires can also be connected to the control box to provide pre-alerts (for example, via messaging, telephone, etc.).

[0164] According to one aspect of the invention, the wires of the fire alarm system are placed in the path of the airflow beneath the solar panels so that they generate turbulence in this airflow, promoting better heat exchange between the air and the solar panels. The wires are secured by devices on the lower part of the enclosures to maintain a controlled and sufficient distance from the solar panels.

[0160]

[0165] It is possible to anticipate disturbance elements other than these wires or in addition to these wires.

[0161]

[0166] The invention also relates to a set of installations comprising a plurality of installations as described above, these installations being in particular arranged side by side.

[0162]

[0167] For example, the longitudinal beams are placed one in line with the other.

[0163]

[0168] Thus it is possible to recover heated air at the end of this succession of longitudinal beams.

[0164]

[0169] It is therefore possible to create a large area of ​​solar panels sheltering several parking spaces.

[0165]

[0170] The recovery of calories through the invention can, for example, be used to heat buildings using the air circulating under the solar panels.

[0166]

[0171] The air used to transport calories from solar panels could be replaced by any other suitable fluid, for example a liquid.

[0167]

[0172] The invention allows a modular solution in terms of mounting the installations, each installation being able to be autonomous.

[0168]

[0173] The invention allows, in particular, for the placement of identical installations side-by-side, with a number chosen to cover predetermined needs. This eliminates the need for a centralized system that is sensitive to every partial fault in the installation.

[0169]

[0174] According to one aspect of the invention, each installation is energy self-sufficient for its operation.

[0170]

[0175] According to one aspect of the invention, each installation is autonomous in terms of electronic control.

[0171]

[0176] According to one aspect of the invention, each installation is mechanically self-contained.

[0177] The collected rainwater can be used to wash cars, to cool charging stations, batteries, the inverter or to supply toilets in surrounding buildings.

[0172]

[0178] The installation may include information or warning lights that are electrically powered by battery modules.

[0173]

[0179] The installation may include a control unit such as a computer, capable of collecting information from the various sensors and equipment of the installation.

[0174]

[0180] Information transmissions can be carried out wirelessly using an encryption protocol to a central antenna.

[0175]

[0181] The installation may include a screen configured to display information, for example on air quality or weather.

[0176]

[0182] The installation is particularly ergonomic.

[0177]

[0183] The invention makes it possible to charge several vehicles at once, whether these vehicles are parked facing forwards or backwards.

[0178]

[0184] The installation can be equipped with one or more display screens, for example for information or advertising, particularly in the case of shopping center car parks.

[0179]

[0185] The installation can be equipped with ultrasonic vehicle presence detectors to identify available parking spaces.

[0180]

[0186] Parking spaces can be reserved via applications in vehicles or mobile phones.

[0181]

[0187] According to one aspect of the invention, the system is equipped with a tank temperature control device, configured in particular to heat the liquid within the tank. The tank temperature control device includes, for example, a self-regulating cable heater or an electric heating element surrounding the tank. Thus, the system is equipped with a temperature control device to prevent the tank water from freezing in winter and to ensure optimal battery operation, particularly for lithium iron phosphate technology. The heating is provided by a self-regulating cable or a simple electric heating element surrounding the tank. Alternatively, the electric heating element may be an immersion type, that is, a heating element configured to be immersed in the liquid within the tank.The water in the reservoir, and therefore the batteries surrounding it, is cooled by circulating the water over the solar panels at night. Thanks to this invention, it is possible to heat or cool the batteries, and / or the inverter, and / or the chargers, as needed. In particular, the invention enables the development of a silent, liquid-cooled, fast charger for electric vehicles.

[0182]

[0188] The invention notably allows for an "all-in-one" installation that is relatively easy to install at a reasonable cost. The "all-in-one" aspect refers in particular to the integration of several, or even all, of these elements into the installation: solar panels, heat recovery from the air, battery cells, an inverter and / or rectifier, a control box incorporating management logic, the charger(s), and rainwater harvesting.

[0183]

[0189] Using batteries to store electrical energy, produced by solar panels and / or recharged by the electrical grid, makes it possible to install chargers (or charging stations), for example to recharge electric vehicles, without constraints, for example regulatory constraints on usable electrical power.

[0184]

[0190] If desired, the installation's batteries can be recharged, for example, at night by drawing electricity from the electrical grid, particularly from the urban electrical grid during off-peak hours when energy is cheaper and / or more abundant, or when the sky (during the day) is overcast during off-peak hours.

[0185]

[0191] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes a fluid circuit (in particular a liquid circuit), in particular a circuit of recovered rainwater, for cooling and / or heating one or more charging stations, and / or one or more batteries, and / or one or more inverters of the installation. The fluid circuit is connected to the reservoir.

[0186]

[0192] The invention is particularly advantageous thanks to the cooling function using a coolant (e.g., water), which generates much less noise than air cooling using noisy fans.

[0187]

[0193] The invention thus makes it possible to have a particularly quiet installation, the cooling of the different components on the installation being essentially carried out by coolant (for example water).

[0188]

[0194] According to one aspect of the invention, a charging station for the vehicle is integrated within the pillar.

[0189]

[0195] According to one aspect of the invention, the inverter is arranged on top of the pillar.

[0196] According to one aspect of the invention, electrical charging power modules (linked to the inverter) are arranged on one face of the pillar, in particular one above the other on that face so as to form a row along the height of the pillar.

[0190]

[0197] According to one aspect of the invention, an inverter is arranged above this row of electrical load power modules. These modules are, for example, four in number.

[0191]

[0198] According to one aspect of the invention, the charging station is placed below this row of electric charging power modules, on the same face of the pillar.

[0192]

[0199] According to one aspect of the invention, the charging station includes a plug at the end of a cable allowing connection to an electric vehicle for charging.

[0193]

[0200] According to one aspect of the invention, the charging station includes an electronic controller configured to manage, for example, payment and / or display charging information.

[0194]

[0201] According to one aspect of the invention, the pillar has, in cross-section, a rectangular outer perimeter, with two long sides and two short sides. This perimeter is notably different from a square.

[0195]

[0202] According to one aspect of the invention, the electrical charging power modules are arranged on one face of the pillar, which corresponds to a small side of the rectangular perimeter.

[0196]

[0203] According to one aspect of the invention, battery cells are arranged on the two long sides of the rectangular perimeter of the pillar.

[0197]

[0204] According to one aspect of the invention, the short sides of the rectangular perimeter are devoid of battery cells.

[0198]

[0205] According to one aspect of the invention, each pillar houses 2x160 cells, i.e. 320 battery cells, for example a capacity of 320 kWh.

[0199]

[0206] According to one aspect of the invention, the battery cells are arranged in several tiers, for example 20 tiers, along the height of the pillar.

[0200]

[0207] For example, each floor comprises two rows of 8 horizontal cells, or 16 cells per floor.

[0201]

[0208] According to one aspect of the invention, the rectangular perimeter of the pillar has one side between 200 mm and 800 mm and another side between 200 mm and 1200 mm, having in particular dimensions of approximately 600 mm x 900 mm.

[0209] The invention allows for an advantageous positioning order of the different electrical elements.

[0202]

[0210] Ideally, one or more electrical chargers are positioned at the bottom, on the pillar. Above the charger(s) are placed batteries (or battery cells), and above the batteries is placed an inverter. Thus, the batteries are sandwiched (vertically) between the charger(s) and the inverter.

[0203]

[0211] Advantageously, these various electrical components are arranged on one side face of the pillar.

[0204]

[0212] According to one aspect of the invention, the batteries, or battery cells, are mounted in at least one rack, in particular a plurality of racks, in order in particular to allow mounting with electrical connections of the batteries on an outside side of the pillar.

[0205]

[0213] The rack(s) are, for example, arranged vertically.

[0206]

[0214] For example, the batteries are placed side-by-side in a rack, and another row of batteries is placed on top of this row. This allows for the creation of multiple battery rows, or battery cells. The connections between battery cells are located at the bottom of the rows, on the outside of the pillar. Therefore, the connectors face outwards from the pillar, away from the tank.

[0207]

[0215] This allows the batteries, or battery cells, to be connected in series or parallel. The connections can be made at the end, once the cells are positioned against the tank.

[0208]

[0216] According to one aspect of the invention, the two parts of the roof, in particular arranged in a Y shape, are joined with the longitudinal beam in a watertight manner.

[0209]

[0217] Thus, there is no drainage space between the roof sections and the longitudinal beam. We can say that the roof is closed.

[0210]

[0218] The fact that the roof sections are sealed tightly with the longitudinal beam prevents water from running down the pillar and bringing unwanted moisture to the electronic parts housed in the pillar.

[0211]

[0219] Advantageously, the sections of the roof that are watertight with the longitudinal beam are configured to collect water, particularly rainwater, which can be collected in a central reservoir, notably housed in a pillar of the installation.

[0212]

[0220] According to one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal beam is at least partly metallic.

[0221] According to one aspect of the invention, the longitudinal beam is made of steel, for example.

[0213]

[0222] According to one aspect of the invention, the pillar houses a central reservoir, notably for rainwater harvesting.

[0214]

[0223] According to one aspect of the invention, the tank can have a volume greater than 150 liters, in particular between 300 and 600 liters, for example about 500 liters.

[0215]

[0224] This tank may have a rectangular cross-section.

[0216]

[0225] According to one aspect of the invention, the tank is adjacent to at least one row of battery cells, in particular a plurality of rows of battery cells arranged on faces of the pillar.

[0217]

[0226] According to one aspect of the invention, the reservoir is interposed between two rows of battery cells arranged on opposite faces of the pillar.

[0218]

[0227] According to one aspect of the invention, the reservoir can have a relatively large volume, thanks to the cross-section of the pillar.

[0219]

[0228] According to one aspect of the invention, a longitudinal beam of the roof has windows to allow air from the roof to be collected towards the main duct of the longitudinal beam.

[0220]

[0229] According to one aspect of the invention, the drainage channel of the transverse beam thus connects easily to the main conduit of the longitudinal beam.

[0221]

[0230] According to one aspect of the invention, the fan for circulating air (forced circulation) in the main duct of the longitudinal beam to exhaust hot air heated by the solar panels can be relatively quiet. This fan only operates when it is necessary to cool the solar panels (therefore mainly during the day, and not at night).

[0222]

[0231] According to one aspect of the invention, a tube is configured to conduct the water recovered in the gutter to the reservoir within the pillar.

[0223]

[0232] According to one aspect of the invention, the tubing can be on the passage of the air recovered in the main duct of the longitudinal beam.

[0224]

[0233] The tubing is, for example, placed between the transverse beam at its exit, and a window in the longitudinal beam.

[0225]

[0234] According to one aspect of the invention, a water pump is configured to circulate the water taken from the reservoir to carry it to the solar panel(s) and to make the water flow over the solar panels (in particular by generating a curtain of water or blade of water, preferably without spraying or jet of water), especially at night to cool the water in contact with the solar panels.

[0226]

[0235] According to one aspect of the invention, the cooled water is returned to the reservoir so as to cool the battery cells which are likely to heat up when being recharged, for example by an electrical network, for example during the night (when the solar panels are off).

[0227]

[0236] According to one aspect of the invention, water is deposited on the solar panel through a slot to distribute the water in the form of a curtain or sheet of water, which then flows uniformly over the surface of the solar panel to be cooled, particularly during the night in cool temperatures.

[0228]

[0237] The invention further relates to a method of cooling battery cells using a water circuit configured to allow water circulation, in the aforementioned installation, comprising the following steps: flowing water over one or more solar panels, particularly at night, allowing the water to be cooled, recovering this cooled water to cool battery cells in the installation.

[0229]

[0238] The invention is advantageous in that it allows solar panels, when sufficiently cool, to be used as a cooler for the liquid circulating to the batteries, chargers, etc.

[0230]

[0239] According to one aspect of the invention, the pillar includes cladding configured to close the junction between the longitudinal beam and the transverse beam.

[0231]

[0240] The invention also relates to a set of two installations arranged side-by-side.

[0232]

[0241] According to one aspect of the invention, the battery cells are arranged horizontally. Advantageously, the cell terminals are on the same face of the pillar. This allows for easy interconnection and increased accessibility for assembly and maintenance. This also allows the battery casing to make contact with the walls of the liquid reservoir, which serves a heating function.

[0233]

[0242] This makes it easier to connect the battery cells and allows it to be less bulky.

[0234]

[0243] Ideally, the roof is fixed. There is no system to move the solar panels, for example to follow the sun's path.

[0235]

[0244] The invention further relates to a pillar configured to be assembled in the aforementioned installation, enabling in particular the heating of batteries, especially for lithium batteries.

[0245] The invention further relates to a roof or part of a roof configured to be assembled in a aforementioned installation.

[0236]

[0246] According to one aspect of the invention, the batteries are cooled or heated directly or indirectly by the liquid in the reservoir.

[0237]

[0247] According to one aspect of the invention, the charging station is powered by batteries, or the electrical grid, or both.

[0238]

[0248] According to one aspect of the invention, the charging station corresponds to a fast charger associated with an AC / DC module (powered by the network or an inverter) or a DC / DC module (powered by batteries) or AC / DC and DC / DC (Network / Inverter and Batteries).

[0239]

[0249] According to one aspect of the invention, the charger is cooled directly or indirectly with water from a tank of the installation.

[0240]

[0250] According to one aspect of the invention, the coolant in the charger(s) is either the same as or different from that in the reservoir. If the coolants are different, a secondary cooling circuit using a second heat transfer fluid is established between the liquid in the reservoir and the surface of the charger.

[0241]

[0251] According to one aspect of the invention, heat recovery is achieved with an airflow across the width of the panels, perpendicular to the direction of the electric current passing through the photovoltaic cells of the same panel in order to avoid temperature gradients between photovoltaic cells of the panel.

[0242]

[0252] The invention provides for the possibility of using Lithium or Sodium batteries without changing other electrical components, in particular the inverter.

[0243]

[0253] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation is equipped with permanent thermal cameras.

[0244]

[0254] The invention further relates to an energy production installation configured to be installed in particular on a ground, in particular on a parking lot, and comprising a central pillar configured to support at least one roof equipped with at least one solar panel, the roof comprising at least one air circulation channel extending at least partially under the solar panel to allow the air in the channel to be heated by the heat given off by the solar panel, and the roof is configured so that heat recovery is done with an airflow in the direction of the width of the panels, perpendicular to the direction of the electric current passing through photovoltaic cells of the same panel.

[0245]

[0255] The invention further relates to an energy production installation configured to be installed in particular on a ground, in particular on a parking lot, and comprising a central pillar in particular configured to support at least one roof equipped with at least one solar panel, and the pillar houses a central tank, in particular for the recovery of rainwater, the tank being able in particular to have a volume greater than 150 liters, in particular between 300 and 600 liters, for example of about 500 liters, and the tank is adjacent to at least one row of battery cells, in particular a plurality of rows of battery cells arranged on faces of the pillar, and the tank is in particular interposed between two rows of battery cells arranged on opposite faces of the pillar.

[0246]

[0256] The invention further relates to an energy production installation configured to be installed in particular on the ground, in particular on a parking lot, and comprising a central pillar configured to support at least one roof equipped with at least one solar panel, and the roof comprises two parts of the roof, in particular arranged in a Y, which are joined with the longitudinal beam, in a watertight manner.

[0247]

[0257] The invention further relates to an energy production installation configured to be installed in particular on a ground, in particular on a parking lot, and comprising a central pillar in particular configured to support at least one roof equipped with at least one solar panel, and the pillar houses a central tank, in particular for the recovery of rainwater, and the installation includes data center modules, and includes a heat transfer fluid circuit configured to cool the data center module(s).

[0248]

[0258] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes chargers configured to recharge electric or hybrid vehicles.

[0249]

[0259] According to one aspect of the invention, the charger comprises a housing equipped with fluid connections allowing a heat transfer fluid circuit to be connected to the housing to pass the heat transfer fluid inside the housing, in particular to cool the charger.

[0250]

[0260] According to another aspect of the invention, the installation includes data center modules, also called Data Center in English.

[0251]

[0261] Specifically, data center modules include one or more computer servers.

[0252]

[0262] According to one aspect of the invention, the computer server(s) are configured to be electrically connected to the battery module(s) of the installation.

[0253]

[0263] In other words, it is possible to use the batteries of the installation, which are notably recharged by the solar panel(s), for the electrical supply of the data center modules arranged on the installation according to the invention.

[0264] The installation may be without an electric vehicle charging station and the installation may include, instead of these chargers, data center modules.

[0254]

[0265] Data center modules are configured to perform calculations, preferably without data storage.

[0255]

[0266] In other words, the calculations are performed without the need for data storage on computer servers at this facility.

[0256]

[0267] According to one aspect of the invention, the data center modules are connected for high-speed data communications with remote data centers (including cloud computing or Cloud).

[0257]

[0268] The computer servers located on the installation are specifically configured to perform intensive artificial intelligence model calculations based primarily on graphics cards (GPU), without excluding the use of microprocessors (CPU) if the needs require it.

[0258]

[0269] Computer servers, when in operation, release a substantial amount of heat.

[0259]

[0270] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes a heat transfer fluid circuit configured to cool the data center module(s).

[0260]

[0271] According to one aspect of the invention, the data center module comprises a housing and the heat transfer fluid circuit is connected to this housing so that heat transfer fluid can circulate in the housing to cool the computer server(s).

[0261]

[0272] Thus, the heat transfer fluid (for example glycol water) leaving the data center module housing has a higher temperature than when it entered.

[0262]

[0273] Furthermore, since the electricity used to power the computer servers comes from solar energy from solar panels, the invention makes it possible to reduce the CO2 footprint in the operation of the computer servers.

[0263]

[0274] The invention thus makes it possible to take advantage of available spaces, for example on installations placed on vehicle parking lots, to house data center modules which can then operate using electricity produced by solar panels and be cooled, for example, by recovered rainwater.

[0264]

[0275] Thanks to rainwater harvesting for cooling, the invention eliminates the need to use water from the municipal water supply, for example. This can lead to better water management. High municipal water consumption has often been the reason for abandoning data center projects.

[0276] The present invention also makes it possible to reduce installation costs for data center modules, by sharing the location with other features of the parking facility.

[0265]

[0277] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circuit is configured to transport heat from the data center modules to indirectly heat the batteries.

[0266]

[0278] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circuit is configured to heat the water in the tank which is in heat exchange with the batteries, particularly in winter.

[0267]

[0279] Thus the heat produced by the data center modules is used to heat the fluid (water) in the fluid circuit which, in turn, heats the water in a central tank, thereby heating the batteries which are placed adjacent to the central tank.

[0268]

[0280] According to one aspect of the invention, the installation includes an additional liquid reservoir, in particular to receive recovered rainwater.

[0269]

[0281] According to one aspect of the invention, the additional reservoir is filled with water.

[0270]

[0282] According to one aspect of the invention, the water in the tanks is renewed at night, by being circulated over the solar panels in particular by a pump.

[0271]

[0283] According to one aspect of the invention, the additional tank is arranged on one side of the pillar, in particular on one face of the pillar, being in particular adjacent to the central tank.

[0272]

[0284] According to one aspect of the invention, the tanks are configured to be supplied with water recovered using one or more gutters from the roof.

[0273]

[0285] According to one aspect of the invention, a conduit is advantageously provided to conduct the water flowing over the solar panels and collected by the gutter to the water tanks.

[0274]

[0286] According to one aspect of the invention, the heat transfer fluid circuit is a closed circuit which includes portions, for example in a coil, which are configured to be immersed in the water of the central tank and portions, for example in a coil, which are configured to be immersed in the additional tank.

[0275]

[0287] The heat transfer fluid circuit is equipped with a pump to circulate the fluid in the circuit.

[0288] The heat transfer fluid circuit includes at least one 3-way valve configured to manage the circulation of heat transfer fluid, selectively, either towards the central tank or towards the additional tank.

[0276]

[0289] When the central tank does not need to be heated (e.g., in summer mode), the 3-way valve is configured to allow the circulation of heat transfer fluid in the portion of the heat transfer fluid circuit to the additional tank so that the heat carried by this heat transfer fluid circuit is recovered by the water in the additional tank, and not in the water of the central tank (heating the batteries is not desirable in summer).

[0277]

[0290] When the central tank needs to be heated (for example in winter mode), the 3-way valve is configured to allow the circulation of heat transfer fluid in the portion of the heat transfer fluid circuit towards the central tank so that the heat carried by this heat transfer fluid circuit is recovered by the water in the central tank, and not in the water of the additional tank.

[0278]

[0291] The central tank with water heated by the heat transfer fluid circuit heats the walls which, in turn, heat the batteries.

[0279]

[0292] The heat generated by computing modules, such as charging modules, could be recovered through a heat exchanger and used for heating buildings.

[0280]

[0293] The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to a distributed computing system comprising a plurality of sets installed on geographically distinct sites and a remote data center.

[0281]

[0294] According to one aspect of the invention, each assembly comprises one or more installations housing at least one local computing and / or data center module.

[0282]

[0295] According to one aspect of the invention, the remote data center is connected in communication with the local sets for data storage, and the local computing center modules are configured to perform computing tasks in a decentralized manner and to transfer the results to the remote data center.

[0283]

[0296] According to one aspect of the invention, the intensive computing tasks of the system include, for example, training artificial intelligence models or inference from these models.

[0284]

[0297] According to one aspect of the invention, each assembly acts as a peripheral processing unit.

[0285]

[0298] According to one aspect of the invention, the local computing center module is, for example, a server equipped with microprocessors and / or graphics cards. It is specifically configured to use local memory for temporary data protection during calculations and, for example, lacks long-term data storage capabilities.

[0286]

[0299] According to one aspect of the invention, an assembly can be arranged into a set which includes installations of different types, for example one type of installation equipped with battery modules and another type equipped with computing center modules.

[0287]

[0300] According to one aspect of the invention, an installation that houses a computing center module further includes an air conditioning device configured to cool this module.

[0288]

[0301] According to one aspect of the invention, the air conditioning device is electrically powered by electricity produced by solar panels and / or stored in battery modules belonging to the assembly.

[0289]

[0302] The invention also relates to a method for carrying out distributed computing within a system comprising a plurality of sets and a remote data center, the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: executing calculations on a plurality of local computing center modules, each module being housed in an installation of a geographically distinct set; transferring the results obtained at the end of the local execution from each computing center module to the remote data center; storing said results in said remote data center.

[0290]

[0303] Other features, details and advantages of the invention will become clearer upon reading the following description on the one hand, and several illustrative and non-limiting examples of embodiments given with reference to the attached schematic drawings on the other hand, in which:

[0291]

[0304] [Fig 1] Figure 1 is a perspective representation of a parking assembly comprising several installations according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0292]

[0305] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a view from a different direction of the parking assembly in Figure 1;

[0293]

[0306] [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a perspective representation of an installation of the parking lot assembly of Figure 1;

[0294]

[0307] [Fig. 4] Figure 4 is a representation of the central pillar of the parking assembly in Figure 1;

[0295]

[0308] [Fig. 5] Figure 5 is a representation of a box from the installation in Figure 3;

[0296]

[0309] [Fig. 6] Figure 6 is a representation of the box in Figure 6, viewed from below;

[0310] [Fig. 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional representation of the installation in Figure 3;

[0297]

[0311] [Fig. 8] Figure 8 is a representation of the cleaning system of the installation in Figure 3;

[0298]

[0312] [Fig. 9] Figure 9 is a representation of the interior of the central pillar of the installation in Figure 3;

[0299]

[0313] [Fig. 10] Figure 10 is a representation of the interior of the longitudinal beam of the installation in Figure 3;

[0300]

[0314] [Fig. 11] Figure 11 is a representation of a charging station from the installation in Figure 3;

[0301]

[0315] [Fig. 12] Figure 12 is a representation of a heating cable for the water of the installation of Figure 3;

[0302]

[0316] [Fig. 13] Figure 13 is a representation of an installation with a Y-shaped roof section arrangement;

[0303]

[0317] [Fig. 14] Figure 14 is a representation of a box with collection slots of variable section;

[0304]

[0318] [Fig. 15] Figure 15 is a representation of installations according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0305]

[0319] [Fig. 16] Figure 16 is a representation of the installations in Figure 15, from a different view;

[0306]

[0320] [Fig. 17] Figure 17 is a detailed view of the installations in Figure 15;

[0307]

[0321] [Fig. 18] Figure 18 is another detailed view of the installations in Figure 15;

[0308]

[0322] [Fig. 19] Figure 19 is a cross-sectional representation of the pillar in Figure 15;

[0309]

[0323] [Fig. 20] Figure 20 is a representation of installations according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0310]

[0324] [Fig. 21] Figure 21 is an enlarged detail view of part of the installation in Figure 20;

[0311]

[0325] [Fig. 22] Figure 22 illustrates an assembly with rows of installations according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0312]

[0326] [Fig. 23] Figure 23 is a profile view of the rows in Figure 22;

[0313]

[0327] [Fig. 24] Figure 24 illustrates an assembly with rows of installations according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0314]

[0328] [Fig. 25] Figure 25 is a profile view of the rows in Figure 24;

[0329] [Fig. 26] Figure 26 represents an assembly according to an example of an embodiment of the invention, with heat recovery;

[0315]

[0330] [Fig. 27] Figure 27 is a schematic representation of a set of installations according to an example of an embodiment of the invention;

[0316]

[0331] [Fig. 28] Figure 28 schematically illustrates the architecture of a distributed computing system according to the invention, showing the connection between several local sets and a remote data center;

[0317]

[0332] [Fig. 29] Figure 29 is a schematic view of an energy architecture of the invention, illustrating how a central installation powers remote data center modules.

[0318]

[0333] The features, variations, and different embodiments of the invention can be combined in various ways, provided they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive. In particular, variations of the invention may include only a selection of features, described hereafter in isolation from the other features described, if this selection of features is sufficient to confer a technical advantage and / or to differentiate the invention from prior art.

[0319]

[0334] Figures 1 and 2 show a set 100 comprising a plurality of energy production installations 1 according to an example of an embodiment of the invention, these installations 1 being arranged side by side.

[0320]

[0335] The installations 1 are placed in a parking lot, for example at a shopping center, train station, airport or industrial complex.

[0321]

[0336] Each energy production installation 1 is configured to be installed on a ground S, and includes a central pillar 2 configured to support a roof 3 equipped with solar panels 4.

[0322]

[0337] The roof 3 has air circulation channels 7 extending under the solar panels 4 to allow the air in each channel 7 to be heated by the heat given off by the solar panels 4, as illustrated in Figures 5 and 7.

[0323]

[0338] Each roof 3 is made in two parts 8 and 9 arranged on either side of the central pillar 2.

[0324]

[0339] The two parts 8 and 9 of roof 3 are parallel and are in line with each other.

[0340] The two roof sections 8 and 9 extend along a common plane PC inclined relative to pillar 2.

[0325]

[0341] The common plane PC is inclined relative to pillar 2 at an angle AG between 70° and 90°, in particular at an angle of approximately 85°.

[0326]

[0342] The two parts 8 and 9 of the roof are separated from each other by an opening 10.

[0327]

[0343] The top of pillar 2 extends through this opening 10.

[0328]

[0344] This opening 10 between the two roof sections also allows the wind to flow through this opening 10 so as to break the forces that a strong wind could exert on the installation.

[0329]

[0345] The two parts 8 and 9 of roof 3 have an identical area and have a rectangular perimeter.

[0330]

[0346] Each roof 3 has at least one box 12 configured to support the solar panels 4. The width of the box 12 as well as that of the solar panels 4 are adjustable (for example by being modular) to adapt to parking space width standards, which may vary from one region to another.

[0331]

[0347] Each part 8, 9 of the roof has its own box 12 on which the solar panels 4 are mounted.

[0332]

[0348] The box 12 includes metal supports 14 on which the solar panels are placed. For example, the box 12 includes supports, in particular metal supports 14, on which the solar panels are placed on the upper part and a panel 15 made of high-pressure laminate, or other bio-based material, on the lower part, as illustrated in figure 6.

[0333]

[0349] These supports 14 are formed in particular by a peripheral rim of the box 12.

[0334]

[0350] The supports 14 can also be formed by transverse bars 16 arranged at different locations on the box 12.

[0335]

[0351] The 16 transverse support bars are straight and arranged parallel and equidistant from each other.

[0336]

[0352] The opening 10 between the two roof parts 8, 9 is formed between two straight edges 18, 19 parallel to these roof parts 9, 9, and the transverse bars 16 are parallel to these edges, as illustrated in Figure 10.

[0337]

[0353] The solar panels 4 thus rest on the peripheral rim and on the transverse bars 16 which are then located under the solar panels.

[0338]

[0354] Each box 12 has air inlet slots 20 configured to allow air to flow into the box 12 and to be heated by the solar panels 4 that close the box 12. A sufficiently fine mesh screen can be placed over the inlet slots 20 to filter out any external objects or bodies. External crossbars supporting the boxes 12 are configured to protect the air inlet slots from rainwater infiltration.

[0339]

[0355] Each air inlet slot 20 extends along an edge 21 of the box 12.

[0340]

[0356] Each box 12 has pairs of air inlet slots 20 arranged along two opposite sides 21 of the box 12. For the end panels, an additional slot could be added. The slots may be the same size or different sizes.

[0341]

[0357] The box 12 has an air collection slot 22 configured to allow the evacuation of air from the inlet slots 20 and which has circulated in the box 12 in summer heated by the solar panels 4, as illustrated in Figure 5.

[0342]

[0358] The air inlet slot 20 has an elongated shape.

[0343]

[0359] The air collection slot 22 has an elongated shape.

[0344]

[0360] The air inlet slots 20 are aligned along each side 21 of the box 12. Other secondary inlet slots may be placed perpendicular to the collection slots.

[0345]

[0361] The air inlet slots 20 and the collection slots 22 are parallel to each other, and are perpendicular to the transverse support bars 16 for the solar panels.

[0346]

[0362] The collection slots 22 are located equidistant from the air inlet slots 20.

[0347]

[0363] Installation 1 further includes a longitudinal beam 25 connecting to the vertical central pillar 2 and the longitudinal beam 25 extends into the space / opening 10 between the two parts 8, 9 of the roof, parallel to the two edges 21 of the roof.

[0348]

[0364] In the set 100 of several installations 1, the longitudinal beams 25 are placed one in line with the other.

[0349]

[0365] Thus it is possible to recover heated air at the end of this succession of longitudinal beams 25.

[0350]

[0366] Installation 1 still includes a crossbeam 26 connecting to the central pillar 2 and supporting the two roof parts 8, 9.

[0351]

[0367] Installation 1 thus includes the central pillar 2 which supports the longitudinal beam 25 and the transverse beam 26.

[0352]

[0368] It is therefore possible to form installation 1 with a total number of pillars / beams equal to three.

[0353]

[0369] The longitudinal beam 25 and the transverse beam 26 intersect at a right angle.

[0370] The air exhaust / collection slot 22 in the roof box 12 is open to the hollow crossbeam 26.

[0354]

[0371] Beams 25 and 26 are hollow, as is the central pillar 2, so that the air which has circulated in box 12 and which is heated by solar panels 4 circulates through the air vent 22 towards the cross beam 26.

[0355]

[0372] Each transverse beam 26 is hollow and thus forms, in whole or in part, a channel for the evacuation of heated air. Each transverse beam 26 can be equipped with a fan 28 (see figure 10) to evacuate the air towards a main duct in the longitudinal beam 25.

[0356]

[0373] This drainage channel in the transverse beam 26 extends into the longitudinal beam 25.

[0357]

[0374] The longitudinal beam 25 is configured to discharge the air flowing through it to an air heat recovery system. According to one aspect of the invention, this system includes, for example, a heat pump placed, for example, in a building to heat it.

[0358]

[0375] The fan 28 is electric, and configured to draw air towards the air circulation channel in the longitudinal beam 25.

[0359]

[0376] This air intake allows the airflow from the air inlet slots 20 on the roof box 12 to the channel of the longitudinal beam 25.

[0360]

[0377] The fan 28 is placed within the longitudinal beam 25. Other fans can also be placed on each transverse beam 26.

[0361]

[0378] Pillar 2 and / or longitudinal beam 25 and / or transverse beam 26 are each made with an assembly of plates based on bio-sourced materials, wood or others such as high-pressure laminates of paper and resins intended for exterior cladding.

[0362]

[0379] The assembly of plates 30 forms an external envelope of the pillar 2 and / or the longitudinal beam 25 and / or the transverse beam 26.

[0363]

[0380] As can be seen in Figure 10, the assembly 30 also includes parallel wooden beam elements 31 at the four corners of the rectangular perimeter, between which the plates are placed. The beam elements 31 can also be made of steel, particularly for the central pillar 2 where heat exchange is not critical.

[0364]

[0381] For the central pillar 2, these beam elements 31 measure, for example, 3 to 6 meters or more.

[0382] Within the interior space of this envelope, there are arranged 32 honeycomb structures made of plastic material.

[0365]

[0383] Each alveolar structure 32 has a rectangular or square perimeter, and has a grid or honeycomb shape.

[0366]

[0384] The honeycomb structure 32 occupies an entire internal section of pillar 2 or beam 25, 26.

[0367]

[0385] Several honeycomb structures 32 are planned in the hollow pillar 2 and / or the hollow beam 25, 26, spaced apart from each other.

[0368]

[0386] The honeycomb structures 32 can be made of reinforced plastic material, in particular with glass fibers.

[0369]

[0387] The assembly of wooden plates 30 is reinforced by reinforcements 33, including metal reinforcements 33.

[0370]

[0388] The reinforcements 33 are on an external face of the plate assembly 30. Alternatively, the reinforcements 33 may be on the internal face, particularly for aesthetic or functional reasons when thermal conduction is not affected.

[0371]

[0389] The metal reinforcements 33 can represent a V-shape or a cross shape, and are configured to mechanically reinforce the pillar 2 and / or the longitudinal beam 25 and / or the transverse beam 26.

[0372]

[0390] The metal reinforcements 33 can also be used to interconnect the longitudinal beam 25 and the transverse beam 26 to the central pillar 2.

[0373]

[0391] Installation 1 includes one or more electric charging stations 35 configured for charging one or more electric vehicles V parked in the spaces Pk covered by installation 1, as illustrated in figure 11.

[0374]

[0392] Charging station 35 includes a charging socket to be plugged into an electric vehicle V.

[0375]

[0393] An electrical circuit connects the 4 solar panels to an inverter 37 capable of producing electricity compatible with charging for electric vehicles.

[0376]

[0394] The inverter 37 is located on installation 1, being attached to the central pillar 2 of this installation (see figure 3).

[0377]

[0395] The inverter 37 can be placed at a sufficient height to be taller than the average height of a person.

[0378]

[0396] Inverter 37 is placed, for example, 2 meters or more from the ground.

[0397] The charging station 35 is placed on a base 39 of the installation 1, against the pillar 2.

[0379]

[0398] Roof 3 is configured to cover one or four parking spaces (PK) for motor vehicles.

[0380]

[0399] Each section 8, 9 of the roof is configured to receive a plurality of solar panels, for example 4 or 5 solar panels.

[0381]

[0400] Roof 3 has a total length of at least 2 meters, measured parallel to longitudinal beam 25.

[0382]

[0401] Each roof 3 has a dimension measured along the crossbeam 26 of at least 4 meters, or 5 meters.

[0383]

[0402] Each solar panel 4 is configured to have a minimum power density of 400 Wp (Watt-peak) per panel, chosen at 700 Wp nominal for example.

[0384]

[0403] The roof 3 is sloped and has a lower edge 41 which is closest to the ground when the installation 1 is mounted. This lower edge 41 is at a height of approximately 4.2 meters from the ground.

[0385]

[0404] The central pillar 2 is hollow and defines a housing 42 to receive several battery modules 43.

[0386]

[0405] Each battery module 43 is connected to the inverter 37, which is itself connected to the solar panels 4, which are then used to electrically recharge the battery module 43.

[0387]

[0406] The 43 battery module can be sodium-based.

[0388]

[0407] The honeycomb structures 32 are configured to define the different housings 42 receiving the battery modules 43.

[0389]

[0408] The central pillar 2 includes housings 42 on several floors to receive the battery modules 43, as can be seen in Figure 4.

[0390]

[0409] The central pillar 2 is fixed to the base 39.

[0391]

[0410] The base 39 is configured to be buried in the ground and is of relatively low height, this height being less than 600 mm.

[0392]

[0411] Installation 1 includes an underground anchoring system 45 configured to keep the base 39 of the central pillar 2 anchored in the ground, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0393]

[0412] The anchoring device 45 includes buried cables 46, each with one end attached to the base 39 of the installation and the other end hooked to a peg 47 configured to be fixed deep in the ground.

[0413] There are four cables, numbering 46. Specifically, the anchor cables also serve as electrical grounding conduits for the installation. The anchor cables 46 of one of the installations could be several meters longer than the others to act as lightning rods. These particular anchors are connected by cabling to a mast on the roof 3 to channel lightning.

[0394]

[0414] The base 39 of the installation protrudes to a certain height from the ground when the base 39 is fixed to the ground.

[0395]

[0415] The base 39 has, on this emerged height, a shape chosen to serve as a stop for a wheel of a vehicle.

[0396]

[0416] Thus, when a vehicle approaches the central pillar 2 to park under the roof 3, the wheel of the car closest to the central pillar 2 comes to rest against the base 39 so as to signal to the driver that he cannot get any closer to the central pillar 2.

[0397]

[0417] This provides reliable protection to prevent a vehicle from hitting the central pillar 2 of the installation.

[0398]

[0418] The base 39 has a cross-shaped rim 48 configured to serve as a stop for a vehicle wheel.

[0399]

[0419] Installation 1 uses durable materials such as wood and / or metal.

[0400]

[0420] According to one aspect of the invention, the wooden panels under the solar panels and which form the box 12 are protected by a metal shield to avoid thermal stress on these wooden panels.

[0401]

[0421] Installation 1 includes a 50 solar panel cleaning system, of hydraulic type, as illustrated in Figure 8.

[0402]

[0422] The cleaning system 50 includes a liquid projection device 51 for the solar panels 4.

[0403]

[0423] This liquid projection organ 51 includes a tube 53 placed along an upper edge 54 of the roof 3.

[0404]

[0424] The tube 53 is provided with a longitudinal slot 55, along this upper edge 54 of the roof 3.

[0405]

[0425] A liquid is projected through this slot 55, under moderate pressure, in order to clean the surface of the solar panels 4, without damaging them.

[0406]

[0426] Tube 53 is connected to a water reservoir 60, here a rainwater harvesting reservoir.

[0407]

[0427] The connection between the reservoir 60 and the projection tubes 53 is made by a conduit 57 housed in the central pillar 2, visible in figures 4 and 9.

[0428] The rigid conduit 57 is made of reinforced plastic, for example, reinforced with fiberglass. Conduit 57 can also be used to reinforce the central pillar 2 by connecting it to the wooden beams via honeycomb composite panels.

[0408]

[0429] Conduit 57 extends from the bottom to the top of the central pillar 2.

[0409]

[0430] For example, conduit 57 has a height of at least 80% or 90% of the total height of the central pillar 2. Advantageously, the water volume in the conduit does not exceed 90% in order to contain the volume of frozen water. The choice of composite materials for the conduit or reservoir must allow it to withstand freezing conditions while contributing to the rigidity of the main pillar structure.

[0410]

[0431] Several pipes can be provided to connect the water projection tube 53 to this vertical conduit 57.

[0411]

[0432] These pipes are arranged in the 12 boxes.

[0412]

[0433] The cleaning system 50 may include two water spray tubes, one for one of the parts 8 of the roof 3 and the other for the other part 9 of the roof 3.

[0413]

[0434] Installation 1 includes a water pump 59 configured to pump water from the reservoir 60 and direct it to the cleaning system 50.

[0414]

[0435] Installation 1 includes a gutter 68 configured to collect rainwater flowing over the roof 3, and to direct the collected rainwater into the central foot reservoir.

[0415]

[0436] The pump 59 for pumping water is electric. It can be activated by a dust sensor and / or at predefined time intervals, or at night in summer to cool the water in the tank heated by the heat given off by the batteries.

[0416]

[0437] The recovered water can be filtered before reaching tank 60. Advantageously, the water level in tank 60 is controlled by a distance sensor located on a main control box installed at the top of the central pillar.

[0417]

[0438] Installation 1 includes one or more thermal control cameras 61, in particular fixed to the top of the central pillar 2, and configured to measure the temperature on the surface of the solar panels 4.

[0418]

[0439] This thermal camera 61 is either fixedly mounted on the central pillar 2 or mounted in a movable manner, for example, to allow it to rotate and be oriented towards the solar panels. In particular, thermal cameras are fixedly mounted on the central pillar 2, or the camera is mounted in a movable manner, especially when it is a single camera.

[0440] The thermal camera 61 allows for continuous monitoring of the potential appearance of hot spots on the surface of solar panels.

[0419]

[0441] Hot spots can pose a danger to the installation. The thermal imaging camera can detect the presence of animals (birds, rodents, insects) that may damage the installation by depositing waste, building nests, or gnawing on cables. The detection is transmitted to an electronic module that triggers, for example, an animal-repellent sound. It can also help alert to malicious human activity (theft, vandalism). Temperature sensors may be used to monitor the temperature in areas where necessary.

[0420]

[0442] The installation may include a control unit configured to receive information from the thermal camera 61 and trigger an alert when a hot spot has been detected on one of the solar panels.

[0421]

[0443] Roof 3 has a fire alarm system 65 configured to generate an alert in case of fire or abnormal temperature on roof 3.

[0422]

[0444] The fire alarm system 65 includes wires 66 which snake under the solar panels 4.

[0423]

[0445] These 66 wires are designed to melt under high temperatures.

[0424]

[0446] The melting of the wire creates a short circuit, which triggers an alert. The wires can also be connected to the control box to provide pre-alerts (for example, via messaging, telephone, etc.).

[0425]

[0447] The 66 wires of the fire alarm system are positioned in the airflow path beneath the solar panels so that they generate turbulence in this airflow, promoting better heat exchange between the air and the solar panels. The 66 wires are secured by devices on the lower part of the enclosures to maintain a controlled and sufficient distance from the solar panels.

[0426]

[0448] It is possible to foresee disturbance elements other than these 66 wires or in addition to these wires.

[0427]

[0449] When the ambient temperature is low or below freezing (below 5°C, for example), the water in tank 60 can be heated electrically by a cable 190, as shown in Figure 12, or by a heating strip, or by other means to prevent the water from freezing while simultaneously radiating heat to warm the batteries, thus increasing their performance and extending their lifespan. In summer, the water in tank 60, heated during the day by the batteries, is cooled at night by flowing it over the solar panels, cleaning them in the process, as the dust level is generally higher in summer. The cable 190 forms a spiral around the conduit 57 housed in the central pillar 2.

[0428]

[0450] In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 13, the two roof parts 200 and 201 extend in respective planes which are intersecting, forming, in profile, a Y with the central pillar 2. In general, the arrangement of the roof parts can be adapted according to environmental constraints and / or the need for water recovery.

[0429]

[0451] Fast charging stations with a power output exceeding 100kW could be placed away from the central mast or bend 2.

[0430]

[0452] In one example, an installation containing lithium or sodium batteries with a capacity ranging from 5 kWh to over 100 kWh allows for the storage of electricity produced by solar panels or serves as a means of absorbing surplus electricity in the event of grid saturation during periods of high wind and solar power production. This electricity could then be fed back into the grid when demand requires it.

[0431]

[0453] In a variant illustrated in figure 14, the sections of the slots 22 can vary for better uniformity of the air in the box 12. In particular, the further one is from the pillar, the wider the collection slot 22 is to compensate for pressure losses.

[0432]

[0454] Figures 15 and 16 show a set 250 comprising two energy production installations 251 according to an example of an embodiment of the invention, these installations 1 being arranged side by side.

[0433]

[0455] Each energy production installation 251 comprises two roof parts 200 and 201 extending in respective planes which are intersecting, forming, in profile, a Y with the central pillar 2.

[0434]

[0456] For each energy production installation 251, a charging station 254 for the vehicle is integrated within pillar 2.

[0435]

[0457] Inverter 37 is located on top of pillar 2.

[0436]

[0458] Electrical charging power modules 255 (related to the inverter) are arranged on one face 256 of pillar 2, in particular one above the other on this face so as to form a row along the height of pillar 2, as can be seen in Figure 17.

[0437]

[0459] The inverter 37 is positioned above this row of 255 electrical load power modules. These 255 modules are, for example, four in number.

[0460] The charging station 254 is placed below this row of electric charging power modules, on the same face 256 of pillar 2.

[0438]

[0461] The charging station 254 has a connection socket 258 at the end of a cable allowing connection to an electric vehicle for charging.

[0439]

[0462] The charging station 254 includes an electronic controller 259 configured to manage, for example, payment and / or display charging information.

[0440]

[0463] Pillar 2 has, in cross-section, a rectangular outer perimeter, with two long sides and two short sides. This perimeter is notably different from a square.

[0441]

[0464] The 255 electrical charging power modules are arranged on one face of the pillar, which corresponds to a small side of the rectangular perimeter 260, as can be seen in figure 19.

[0442]

[0465] Battery cells 261 are arranged on the two long sides of the rectangular perimeter 260 of pillar 2.

[0443]

[0466] The short sides of the rectangular perimeter 260 are devoid of battery cells.

[0444]

[0467] Each pillar houses 2x160 cells 261, i.e. 320 battery cells, for example a capacity of 320 kWh.

[0445]

[0468] The 261 battery cells are arranged in several tiers, for example 20 tiers, along the height of the pillar.

[0446]

[0469] For example, each floor comprises two rows of 8 horizontal cells, or 16 cells per floor.

[0447]

[0470] For example, the rectangular perimeter 260 of the pillar is 600 mm x 900 mm.

[0448]

[0471] According to one aspect of the invention, the two parts of the roof 200 and 201, in particular arranged in Y, are joined with the longitudinal beam 264, in a watertight manner.

[0449]

[0472] The fact that the roof sections 200 and 201 are sealed tightly together with the longitudinal beam 264 prevents water from running down pillar 2 and bringing unwanted moisture to the electronic parts housed in pillar 2.

[0450]

[0473] The longitudinal beam 264 is made of steel, for example.

[0451]

[0474] Pillar 2 houses a central 270 tank for rainwater harvesting.

[0452]

[0475] The 270 tank can have a volume between 300 and 600 liters, for example approximately 500 liters.

[0453]

[0476] This 270 tank can have a rectangular cross-section.

[0454]

[0477] The reservoir 270 is adjacent to rows of battery cells 261 arranged on faces of pillar 2, as illustrated in Figure 19.

[0478] The reservoir 270 is interposed between two rows of battery cells 261 arranged on opposite faces of the pillar 2.

[0455]

[0479] Reservoir 270 can have a relatively large volume, thanks to the cross-section of pillar 2.

[0456]

[0480] The longitudinal beam 264 has windows 272 to allow air from the roof to be collected towards the main duct 275 of the longitudinal beam 264, as illustrated in Figure 18.

[0457]

[0481] The drainage channel 276 of the transverse beam 277 thus connects easily to the main conduit 275 of the longitudinal beam 264.

[0458]

[0482] A 280 pipe is configured to carry the water recovered in the gutter to the 270 reservoir within the pillar.

[0459]

[0483] The tube 280 is for example placed between the transverse beam 277 at its exit, and a window 272 of the longitudinal beam 264.

[0460]

[0484] A water pump is configured to circulate the water taken from the 270 tank to the solar panel(s) with photovoltaic cells, and to make the water flow over the solar panels (in particular by generating a curtain of water or sheet of water, preferably without spraying or jet of water), especially at night to cool the water in contact with the solar panels.

[0461]

[0485] The cooled water is returned to reservoir 270 to cool the battery cells, which are susceptible to heating up during charging, for example, via an electrical grid, or at night (when the solar panels are off). This forms a fluid circuit 279 (in this case, a liquid), in this case, collected rainwater, to cool and / or heat one or more charging stations, and / or one or more batteries, and / or one or more inverters of the installation. The pipes 280 belong to this fluid circuit 279.

[0462]

[0486] Water is deposited onto the solar panel through a slot to distribute the water in the form of a curtain or sheet of water, which then flows evenly over the surface of the solar panel to be cooled, especially during the night in cool temperatures.

[0463]

[0487] Pillar 2 includes a 288 cladding configured to close the junction between the longitudinal beam and the transverse beam.

[0464]

[0488] The batteries are cooled or heated directly or indirectly by the liquid from reservoir 270.

[0465]

[0489] The charging station is powered by the batteries, or the electrical grid, or both.

[0490] The charging station corresponds to a fast charger associated with an AC / DC module (powered by the network or an inverter) or a DC / DC module (powered by batteries) or AC / DC and DC / DC (Network / Inverter and Batteries).

[0466]

[0491] The charger is cooled directly or indirectly with water from tank 270.

[0467]

[0492] The charger coolant is the same or different from that of the 270 tank. In the case where the liquids are different, a secondary cooling circuit using a second heat transfer fluid is made between the tank liquid and the surface of the charger.

[0468]

[0493] Heat recovery is achieved with an airflow across the width of the panels, perpendicular to the direction of the electric current.

[0469]

[0494] The invention provides for the possibility of using Lithium or Sodium batteries without changing the inverter.

[0470]

[0495] The installation is equipped with permanent thermal cameras.

[0471]

[0496] In the embodiment of the invention described in figures 20 and 21, the installation 1 comprises 300 data center modules, also called Data Center in English.

[0472]

[0497] The 300 data center modules include one or more computer servers.

[0473]

[0498] The computer servers are configured to be electrically connected to the 302 batteries of installation 1.

[0474]

[0499] In other words, it is possible to use the batteries 302 of the installation 1 which are in particular recharged by the solar panel(s), for the electrical supply of the data center modules 300 arranged on the installation 1 according to the invention.

[0475]

[0500] Installation 1 may be without electric vehicle charging and installation 1 includes, instead of these chargers, 300 data center modules (Data Center).

[0476]

[0501] The 300 data center modules are configured to perform calculations with or without data storage.

[0477]

[0502] In other words, the calculations are performed without necessarily needing to store the data on the computer servers at this installation.

[0478]

[0503] According to one aspect of the invention, the 300 data center modules are connected for high-speed data communications with remote data centers (including cloud computing or Cloud).

[0504] The computer servers located on installation 1 are specifically configured to perform artificial intelligence model calculations.

[0479]

[0505] Computer servers, when in operation, release a substantial amount of heat.

[0480]

[0506] Installation 1 includes a heat transfer fluid circuit 310 configured to cool the data center module(s) 300.

[0481]

[0507] The data center module 300 includes a housing 303 and the heat transfer fluid circuit 310 is connected to this housing 303 so that heat transfer fluid can circulate in the housing 303 to cool the computer server(s).

[0482]

[0508] The 308 housing is equipped with fluid connections 322 allowing a heat transfer fluid circuit to be connected to the housing to allow the heat transfer fluid to pass inside the housing.

[0483]

[0509] The heat transfer fluid circuit 310 has branches to bring the fluid into the various data center modules 300.

[0484]

[0510] Thus the heat transfer fluid (for example glycol water) leaving the 303 housing of the data center module has a higher temperature than when it entered.

[0485]

[0511] The heat transfer fluid circuit 310 is configured to transport heat from the data center modules 300 to indirectly heat the batteries 302.

[0486]

[0512] The heat transfer fluid circuit 310 is configured to heat the water in the tank which is in heat exchange with the batteries 302.

[0487]

[0513] Thus the heat produced by the data center modules 300 is used to heat the fluid (water) in the fluid circuit which, in turn, will heat the water in a central tank 307, thereby heating the batteries 302 which are placed adjacent to the central tank 307.

[0488]

[0514] Installation 1 includes an additional liquid tank 308 to receive recovered rainwater.

[0489]

[0515] The additional tank 308 is located on one side of the pillar, specifically on one face of the pillar, being notably adjacent to the central tank 307.

[0490]

[0516] Tanks 307 and 308 are configured to be supplied with water recovered using one or more gutters from the roof.

[0491]

[0517] A conduit is advantageously provided to carry the water flowing over the solar panels and collected by the gutter to the water tanks.

[0492]

[0518] The heat transfer fluid circuit 310 is a closed circuit which includes portions 317, for example in a coil, which are configured to be immersed in the water of the central tank 307 and portions 318, for example in a coil, which are configured to be immersed in the additional tank 308.

[0493]

[0519] The heat transfer fluid circuit 310 is equipped with a pump to circulate the fluid in the circuit.

[0494]

[0520] The heat transfer fluid circuit 310 includes at least one 3-way valve 316 configured to manage the circulation of heat transfer fluid, selectively, either towards the central tank 307 or towards the additional tank 308.

[0495]

[0521] When the central tank 307 does not need to be heated (for example in summer mode), the 3-way valve is configured to allow the circulation of heat transfer fluid in the portion of the heat transfer fluid circuit 310 to the additional tank 308 so that the heat transported by this heat transfer fluid circuit 310 is recovered by the water in the additional tank 308, and not in the water of the central tank 307 (heating the batteries 302 is not desirable in summer).

[0496]

[0522] When the central tank 307 needs to be heated (for example in winter mode), the 3-way valve is configured to allow the circulation of heat transfer fluid in the portion of the heat transfer fluid circuit 310 towards the central tank 307 so that the heat transported by this heat transfer fluid circuit 310 is recovered by the water in the central tank 307, and not in the water of the additional tank 308.

[0497]

[0523] The central reservoir 307 with water heated by the heat transfer fluid circuit 310 heats walls which, in turn, heat the batteries 302.

[0498]

[0524] Figure 22 shows a set 500 comprising a plurality of installations 501, each installation 501 comprising a pillar 2 such as those described above, the pillars 2 being arranged in several rows R1, R2, R3.

[0499]

[0525] 2A pillars in row R1 house 300 computing and / or data center modules and other 2B pillars in row R2 house 43 battery modules.

[0500]

[0526] The computing and / or data center modules 300 are connected to the battery modules 43 for electrical power, and each pillar 2A, 2B is provided with a heat transfer fluid circuit 310 (as explained above in the previous examples) configured to cool the computing and / or data center modules 300 and the battery modules 43, this heat transfer fluid being in particular recovered water such as rainwater.

[0501]

[0527] The 500 assembly includes 2A pillars dedicated to the 300 computing and / or data center modules and 2B pillars dedicated to the 43 battery modules.

[0502]

[0528] Thus, the 2A pillars dedicated to the 300 computing and / or data center modules are arranged in a row R1 and the 2B pillars dedicated to the 43 battery modules are arranged in another row R2. The rows R1 and R2, which are in particular straight, are for example parallel to each other, or arranged inclined at an angle to each other.

[0503]

[0529] Having dedicated rows for the 43 battery modules and the 300 computing and / or data center modules respectively simplifies electrical connections and the arrangement of the different modules. Furthermore, this is advantageous when dealing with shorter pillars, for example, less than 3 or 5 meters (approximately 2 meters), where it is more efficient to house modules of the same type.

[0504]

[0530] Advantageously, the battery modules 43 can be recharged, for example, at night by drawing electricity from the grid, particularly from the urban grid during off-peak hours when energy is cheaper and / or more abundant. The invention allows for the use of a lower grid capacity thanks to the battery modules 43.

[0505]

[0531] At least one of the pillars, here pillar 2D, houses a 505 relay module connected to the 300 computing and / or data center modules.

[0506]

[0532] The 505 relay module is an electronic device that controls the flow of data between 300 data center modules (including servers) and other network equipment. The 505 relay module functions as a network switch, managing communications between the various devices connected to the data center network. Relays are also commonly referred to as "switches" in English.

[0507]

[0533] For example, pillar 2D houses the 505 relay module and at least one of the 300 computing and / or data center modules.

[0508]

[0534] Alternatively, the 2D pillar exclusively houses the 505 relay module.

[0509]

[0535] In this case, this pillar does not house a computing and / or data center module, nor a battery module.

[0510]

[0536] In the example described, in row R1 of 2A pillars, pillar 2D, dedicated to the 505 relay module, is in the middle of row R1 of 2A pillars, flanked on either side by 2A pillars housing 300 computing and / or data center modules, which are connected to the relay modules. Two groups, G1 and G2, of 2A landings are located on either side of pillar 2D.

[0511]

[0537] The 300 computing and / or data center modules are mounted in at least one rack (or cabinet) in the pillar, including a plurality of racks, in order to allow mounting with electrical connections in the pillar.

[0538] The number of pillars (or masts) per row is between 3 and 20, notably between 5 and 15, notably being equal to 9 as in the example illustrated in figures 22 and 23.

[0512]

[0539] The 500 assembly also includes one or more R3 rows of 2C pillars, in a Z3 area, which support 3 solar panel roofs as described in previous examples, and which serve to power the 43 battery modules.

[0513]

[0540] In the example described, all pillars 2A, 2B, 2C support a roof 3 equipped with at least one solar panel.

[0514]

[0541] In an unillustrated variant, installations 501 in rows 2A and 2B are devoid of solar panels.

[0515]

[0542] In pillars 2A, for example, there are two modular floors of 300 computing and / or data center modules.

[0516]

[0543] According to another embodiment of the invention illustrated in figures 24 and 25, the 2F pillars house both a computing and / or data center module 300 and a battery module 43.

[0517]

[0544] The 2F pillars of the 500 assembly form two groups T1 and T2 on either side of a 2D pillar which houses the 505 relay module.

[0518]

[0545] The computing and / or data center modules 300 are arranged in the upper part of pillar 2F and the battery modules 43 are arranged in the lower part of pillar 2F, as can be seen in the profile view of Figure 25.

[0519]

[0546] The heat released by the 300 computing and / or data center modules is recovered, for example, to heat a building, for example via a heat pump.

[0520]

[0547] Installation 501 includes a heat transfer fluid circuit configured to cool the 300 data center module(s), and the data center module includes a housing and the heat transfer fluid circuit is connected to this housing so that heat transfer fluid can circulate through the housing to cool the computer server(s).

[0521]

[0548] As illustrated in Figure 26, the 500 assembly is configured so that waste heat generated by the 300 computing and / or data center modules located in a secure Z1 zone, including graphics cards used for artificial intelligence, is either recovered (see arrows HX) to heat at least one surrounding BLD building, particularly in winter, or converted into cold through an absorption or adsorption system to cool at least one BLD building. The 43 battery modules are arranged in rows in a Z2 zone.

[0549] The facilities are connected to a computer cloud, or Cloud, or to an NW Internet network.

[0522]

[0550] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one of the installations housing one or more computing and / or data center modules further comprises an air conditioning device, in particular of the heat pump type, configured to cool said computing and / or data center module(s).

[0523]

[0551] The air conditioning unit is configured to be electrically powered by electricity produced by the solar panel(s) and / or by electricity stored in the battery module(s) of the assembly.

[0524]

[0552] The air conditioning unit is housed in the pillar of the said installation, specifically in the upper part of the pillar.

[0525]

[0553] As illustrated in Figure 27, the plurality of installations is arranged in at least one LT lot.

[0526]

[0554] The said lot includes, for example, 501 installations of different types, the types of installation being chosen from a group including: an installation comprising at least one solar panel 4, at least one battery module 43 and at least one electric vehicle charging station 35; an installation comprising at least one solar panel 4 and at least one battery module 43, and being without a charging station 35; an installation comprising at least one solar panel 4 and at least one computing and / or data center module 300; an installation comprising at least one solar panel 4 and at least one computing and / or data center module 300, and being without a charging station 35 and a battery module 43; an installation comprising at least one solar panel 4 and being without a battery module 43, a charging station 35 and a computing and / or data center module 300.

[0527]

[0555] Each lot corresponds to a row (R1, R2, R3) of electrically connected 501 installations.

[0528]

[0556] In one embodiment of the invention, a set LT of installations 501 comprises: a single installation 501 housing one or more computing and / or data center modules 300 and an associated air conditioning device; and other installations 501 of said set housing one or more battery modules 43, wherein the battery modules 43 of said other installations are electrically connected to power the computing and / or data center module(s) 300 and the air conditioning device of the single installation.

[0529]

[0557] The lot is configured to be energy self-sufficient, notably through the production of electricity by the 4 solar panels of the lot's 501 installations.

[0530]

[0558] For example, assembly 500 includes a charging station 35 and at least one computing and / or data center module 300 housed locally in a facility 501, and facility 501 is configured to receive data from a connected electric vehicle V. The local computing and / or data center module 300 (which includes, for example, a server) is configured to process the received data.

[0531]

[0559] The term "local" refers to the fact that this computing and / or data center module is located on the facility, for example, in a parking lot. This term "local" distinguishes it from a data center that is remote, for example, located in a building some distance from the parking lot.

[0532]

[0560] The data received from vehicle V comes, for example, from one or more cameras of said vehicle, and the processing of said data by the local computing and / or data center module 300 contributes to the improvement of autonomous driving models.

[0533]

[0561] The local 300 computing and / or data center module is further configured to send processed data to a remote and secure data center.

[0534]

[0562] The 500 assembly includes at least one local computing and / or data center module 300, which is housed on a 501 installation, specifically in pillar 2 of said installation, and which is, in particular, a computing center module such as a server equipped with microprocessors (CPUs) and / or graphics cards (GPUs) to perform calculations. This module is, for example, configured to use local memory for temporary data protection during said calculations and, in particular, lacks large-capacity long-term data storage.

[0535]

[0563] The local computing and / or data center module 300, housed on the 501 installation, is configured to, after a predetermined time or at the end of a computing task, transfer the results of said computing to a remote and secure data center for long-term storage.

[0536]

[0564] Figure 28 illustrates the overall architecture of a distributed computing system 800, comprising several arrays 500, which are installed, for example, in parking lots. Each array 500 can contain several rows of installations, and the total number of installations varies depending on factors such as the size and number of parking spaces in each lot. These arrays 500 are connected to a remote and secure data center 700, which centralizes long-term data storage.

[0537]

[0565] This distributed computing system 800 is configured for the implementation of a distributed computing process, including for artificial intelligence, which includes the following steps.

[0538]

[0566] High-computing tasks, such as training AI models (machine learning) or inference (applying a model to make a prediction), are distributed and executed by computing center modules located in multiple locations within each 500 array. This allows for the processing of huge volumes of data in parallel.

[0539]

[0567] Each 500 series acts as an edge processing unit ("Edge AI"). For example, data from vehicle sensors in a parking lot can be analyzed locally in real time.

[0540]

[0568] The remote data center 700 serves as the central brain and long-term memory. It stores the massive datasets needed for model training, consolidates learning performed in a distributed manner across the different datasets 500, and securely archives the final models and important results.

[0541]

[0569] Figure 29 illustrates an energy architecture according to the invention, showing the interactions between the different systems.

[0542]

[0570] The central element is a 501 installation that acts as an energy hub. This installation integrates its own solar panel, a 37 inverter, and 43 battery modules for energy storage.

[0543]

[0571] This central 501 installation is powered by two main external sources:

[0544] The electrical network 760.

[0545] A set 500, which is presented here in the form of a solar field composed of several solar installations 501.

[0546]

[0572] The energy managed by the central installation 501 is then distributed to power:

[0547] 300 Computing and / or data center modules, which are remote from the central facility 501 and which in this specific example include sixteen GPUs for intensive computing processing.

[0548] Approximately 750 buildings, demonstrating the system's ability to supply energy to a local community.

[0549] The electrical network 760, when the system produces a surplus of energy that can be reinjected to be utilized.

Claims

DEMANDS

1. Assembly (500) comprising a plurality of installations (501), each installation comprising a pillar (2), the pillars being in particular arranged in at least one row, at least one of the pillars housing one or more computing and / or data center modules (300) and at least one other of the pillars housing one or more battery modules (43), the computing and / or data center module(s) (300) being connected to the battery module(s) for electrical supply, and each pillar being in particular provided with a heat transfer fluid circuit (310) configured to cool the computing and / or data center module(s) (300), this heat transfer fluid being in particular recovered water such as rainwater.

2. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the battery modules (43) are housed in one or more pillars (2B) separate from the pillars (2A) which house the computing and / or data center modules (300).

3. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the pillars (2A) dedicated to the computing and / or data center modules (300) are arranged in one row (R1) and the pillars (2B) dedicated to the battery modules (43) are arranged in another row (R2).

4. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery modules (43) can be recharged, for example, at night by drawing electricity from the electrical grid, in particular from the urban electrical grid during off-peak hours when energy is cheaper and / or more abundant.

5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the pillars houses both at least one computing and / or data center module (300) and one battery module (43).

6. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein all the pillars (2F) of the assembly house both at least one computing and / or data center module and at least one battery module.

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 5 and 6, wherein the computing and / or data center modules (300) are arranged in the upper part of the pillar and the battery modules (43) are arranged in the lower part of the pillar.

8. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the installations are devoid of solar panels.

9. Assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the pillar carries at least one roof (3) equipped with at least one solar panel.

10. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the pillars (2D) houses a relay module (505) connected to the computing and / or data center modules (300), and in particular in one of the rows of pillars, the pillar dedicated to the relay module is in the middle of the row of pillars, with in particular on either side, pillars housing computing and / or data center modules (300) which are connected to the relay modules.

11. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the assembly is configured so that the waste heat generated by the computing and / or data center modules (300), including graphics cards used for artificial intelligence, is recovered to heat at least one surrounding building, especially in winter, or converted into cold through an absorption or adsorption system to cool at least one building.

12. Installation comprising a pillar (2) configured to house one or more computing and / or data center modules (300), each pillar being in particular provided with a heat transfer fluid circuit (310) configured to cool the computing and / or data center module(s) (300), this heat transfer fluid being in particular recovered water such as rainwater.

13. Installation according to the preceding claim, wherein the installation houses a computing center module and further comprises an air conditioning device configured to cool this module.

14. A method of heat recovery in an assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the step of recovering waste heat generated by computing and / or data center modules (300), in particular graphics cards used for artificial intelligence, in particular to heat at least one surrounding building, in particular in winter, or transformed into cold through an absorption or adsorption system to cool at least one building.

15. A method for performing distributed computing within a system (800) comprising a plurality of sets (500) and a remote data center (700), the method being characterized in that it comprises the following steps: performing computations on a plurality of local computing center modules (300), each module being housed in a facility (501) of a geographically distinct set (500); transfer the results obtained from local execution from each computing center module (300) to the remote data center (700); store said results in said remote data center (700).

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