Energy-independent smart port system using SMR-based surplus power

Abstract

Disclosed is an energy-independent smart port system using SMR-based surplus power. When an SMR-powered vessel docks at a port while the reactor is in operation, the energy-independent smart port system uses relevant technology and equipment to supply surplus power from the SMR-powered vessel to the port in consideration of safety regulations and the characteristic that restarting the reactor of the SMR-powered vessel requires significant time and cost, stably increase the energy independence of a smart port, and can reduce marine air pollutant emissions.

Description

Energy-independent smart port system utilizing surplus power based on SMRs

[0001] The present invention relates to an energy self-sufficient smart port system utilizing surplus power based on SMR.

[0002]

[0003] A smart port is a modern port that integrates automation and intelligence technologies. Ports utilize automation technologies to replace traditional human labor for various tasks within the port. With the continued growth of global trade and rising customer demand for global logistics services, the introduction of new equipment for eco-friendly port operations, and the expansion of automated operation systems, port power consumption is expected to rise sharply. Therefore, in addition to efforts to reduce carbon emissions, smart ports must also address power supply strategies and improve energy self-sufficiency.

[0004] Meanwhile, small modular reactors (SMRs) are reactors with an electrical output of 300 MWe or less, designed to modularize key components and be manufactured in a factory and then assembled on-site. Compared to conventional large reactors, these SMRs offer reduced manufacturing time and costs, and are more cost-effective because they eliminate the need for bulky storage tanks for hydrogen, ammonia, and other elements. Furthermore, SMRs offer enhanced safety, including non-electrical safety systems and a minimized radiation emergency planning zone, making them suitable for a wide range of applications. In the maritime and shipbuilding industries, nuclear-powered ships powered by SMRs are emerging as a new clean energy option, combining environmental friendliness and safety in compliance with international environmental regulations.

[0005] Therefore, a method of supplying electricity to smart ports using nuclear-powered ships is required.

[0006]

[0007] The present invention provides an energy-independent smart port system that supplies power from a nuclear-powered ship equipped with a small modular reactor (SMR) to a smart port when the ship docks at the smart port, and supplies power to the smart port without interruption without fixed equipment.

[0008]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, an energy self-sufficient smart port system utilizing surplus power based on SMR is disclosed.

[0010] An energy self-sufficient smart port system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a port power grid, an external power grid connected to the port power grid and supplying power to the port power grid, a renewable energy power plant installed in a smart port, which produces power using renewable energy and supplies the produced power to the port power grid, a floating water structure equipped with a facility for producing power using a small module reactor (SMR), an SMR power plant that produces power using a small module reactor while docked at the smart port and supplies the produced power to the port power grid, a port city installed adjacent to the smart port and supplied with power from the port power grid, a port factory installed in the smart port, which produces eco-friendly fuel and supplies power from the port power grid, port facilities supplied with power from the port power grid, a port operation center installed in the smart port to operate the smart port and supplied with power from the port power grid, and a small module reactor (SMR). A nuclear propulsion ship that generates electricity using a reactor and propels with the generated electricity, and a ship power supply system that receives electricity from the nuclear propulsion ship when the nuclear propulsion ship docks at the smart port, converts the supplied electricity into port electricity, and supplies the converted electricity to the port power grid.

[0011]

[0012] An energy self-sufficient smart port system according to an embodiment of the present invention supplies power from a nuclear-powered ship equipped with a small modular reactor (SMR) to the smart port when the ship docks at the smart port, and can supply power to the smart port without interruption without fixed equipment.

[0013]

[0014] FIG. 1 is a drawing schematically illustrating the configuration of an energy self-sufficient smart port system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a drawing schematically illustrating the configuration of a ship power supply system of an energy self-sufficient smart port system according to the embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0016] Figure 3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an operation method of a power monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017]

[0018] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this specification, terms such as "consist of" or "include" should not be construed to necessarily include all components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included. In addition, terms such as "part" and "module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented by hardware or software, or by a combination of hardware and software.

[0019]

[0020] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of an energy self-sufficient smart port system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a ship power supply system of the energy self-sufficient smart port system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an energy self-sufficient smart port system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 1, an energy self-sufficient smart port system according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include at least one nuclear propulsion ship (100), an SMR power plant (150), a ship power supply system (200), a port power grid (300), a renewable energy power plant (400), a port city (500), a port factory (600), an external power grid (700), port facilities (800), and a port operation center (900).

[0023] A nuclear-powered vessel (100) is a vessel that generates electricity using a small modular reactor (SMR) and propels the vessel with the generated electricity. Since the SMR operates continuously, the nuclear-powered vessel (100) can generate electricity even when stationary.

[0024] An SMR power plant (150) is a floating structure equipped with facilities for generating electricity using a small modular reactor. Thus, the SMR power plant (150) is docked at a smart port, generates electricity using a small modular reactor, and supplies the generated electricity to the port power grid (300).

[0025] The ship power supply system (200) receives power from at least one nuclear-powered ship (100) when at least one nuclear-powered ship (100) docks at a smart port, converts the supplied power into port power, and supplies the converted power to the port power grid (300).

[0026] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, the ship power supply system (200) will be described.

[0027] Referring to FIG. 2, the ship power supply system (200) may be configured to include at least one mobile charging interface (210), a plurality of mobile power supply devices (220), and a port power grid interface (230).

[0028] At least one mobile charging interface (210) receives power from at least one nuclear-powered ship (100), converts the received power into charging power, and supplies the converted charging power to a plurality of mobile power supply devices (220) for charging batteries of the plurality of mobile power supply devices (220).

[0029] For example, the mobile charging interface (210) may be equipped with a power conditioning system (PCS) that converts power according to the AC or DC power conditions of the nuclear propulsion ship (100) and the mobile power supply device (220).

[0030] Additionally, the mobile charging interface (210) may have one power input for receiving power from one nuclear propulsion vessel (100) and multiple power outputs for supplying charging power to multiple mobile power supply devices (220).

[0031] Additionally, the mobile charging interface (210) can be configured to be self-moving or towed.

[0032] For example, the mobile charging interface (210) may include a moving vehicle including wheels. Alternatively, the mobile charging interface (210) may be configured as a vehicle having a function of converting supplied power into charging power and supplying it to a mobile power supply device (220).

[0033] In addition, the mobile charging interface (210) is equipped with a communication module to communicate with the power monitoring device (910) of the port operation center (900).

[0034] For example, the mobile charging interface (210) can transmit device information including the amount of power input and output, voltage and current, internal temperature of the mobile charging interface (210), etc. to the power monitoring device (910) in real time. In addition, the mobile charging interface (210) can cut off the connection with the nuclear propulsion ship (100) and multiple mobile power supply devices (220) by using a circuit breaker in an emergency situation under the control of the power monitoring device (910).

[0035] A plurality of mobile power supply units (220) are self-moving or towing units that receive and store power from a nuclear-powered vessel (100) via a mobile charging interface (210). The plurality of mobile power supply units (220) can supply the stored power to a port power grid (300) via a port power grid interface (230), which will be described later. To this end, the plurality of mobile power supply units (220) can be electrically connected to the mobile charging interface (210) or the port power grid interface (230) via power cables.

[0036] For example, the mobile power supply device (220) may be a vehicle equipped with a battery. Alternatively, the mobile power supply device (220) may be a battery-equipped vehicle equipped with wheels. Here, the battery may be a rechargeable secondary battery, a hydrogen fuel cell, or the like. In addition, the mobile power supply device (220) may be equipped with charging and discharging equipment for charging or discharging the battery.

[0037] The mobile power supply device (220) is equipped with a communication module and can communicate with the power monitoring device (910) of the port operation center (900).

[0038] For example, the mobile power supply device (220) can transmit device information including the battery's charge / discharge status, temperature, movement status, location, etc. to the power monitoring device (910) in real time. In addition, the mobile power supply device (220) can cut off the connection with the mobile charging interface (210) or the port power grid interface (230) by using a circuit breaker in an emergency situation under the control of the power monitoring device (910).

[0039] The port power grid interface (230) receives power from a mobile power supply device (220), converts the received power into port power, and supplies the converted power to the port power grid (300).

[0040] In addition, the port power grid interface (230) may be equipped with multiple power inputs for receiving power from multiple mobile power supply devices (220), and power may be simultaneously received from multiple mobile power supply devices (220) through the multiple power inputs and supplied to the port power grid (300).

[0041] For example, the port power grid interface (230) can be fixedly installed at a preset location in the port and electrically connected to the port power grid (300). When a mobile power supply device (220) with a fully charged battery receives power from a nuclear-powered vessel (100) through a mobile charging interface (210) and approaches the nuclear-powered vessel (100) from a location adjacent to the smart port, the port power grid interface (230) can be connected to the mobile power supply device (220) via a power cable and receive power from the fully charged battery from the mobile power supply device (220).

[0042] The operation of the ship power supply system (200) according to the embodiment of the present invention is described as follows.

[0043] First, when a nuclear-powered ship (100) docks at a smart port, a mobile charging interface (210) and multiple mobile power supply devices (220) move to a location adjacent to the nuclear-powered ship (100).

[0044] In addition, the nuclear propulsion vessel (100) and the mobile charging interface (210) and the mobile charging interface (210) and the plurality of mobile power supply devices (220) are each connected by power cables, and power is supplied from the nuclear propulsion vessel (100) to the plurality of mobile power supply devices (220) through the connected power cables. Accordingly, the plurality of mobile power supply devices (220) can perform battery charging.

[0045] Next, among the plurality of mobile power supply devices (220), a mobile power supply device (220) with a fully charged battery is separated from the mobile charging interface (210) and moved to the port power grid interface (230) to supply power to the port power grid (300), and is connected to the port power grid interface (230) via a power cable.

[0046] Next, among the plurality of mobile power supply devices (220) connected to the port power grid interface (230) and supplying power to the port power grid (300), a mobile power supply device (220) whose battery level has decreased below a preset minimum level is separated from the port power grid interface (230) and moved to the mobile charging interface (210) for battery charging, and is connected to the mobile charging interface (210) by a power cable.

[0047] Again, referring to FIG. 1, an energy self-sufficient smart port system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0048] The port power grid (300) is a power grid installed within a smart port, and receives power from an SMR power plant (150), a ship power supply system (200), a renewable energy power plant (400), and an external power grid (700), and serves to supply power to a port city (500), a port factory (600), port facilities (800), and a port operation center (900).

[0049] Here, the port power grid (300) may include an energy storage system (ESS) (310). Thus, power supplied to the port power grid (300) may be stored in the energy storage system (310) and then distributed and supplied to the port city (500), port factory (600), port facilities (800), and port operation center (900).

[0050] A renewable energy power plant (400) is installed in a smart port, generates electricity using renewable energy such as solar energy, and supplies the generated electricity to the port power grid (300).

[0051] The port city (500) is a smart city installed adjacent to a smart port and receives power from the port power grid (300).

[0052] The port factory (600) is a factory installed in a smart port that produces and supplies eco-friendly fuels such as hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol, and receives electricity from the port power grid (300).

[0053] The external power grid (700) is a power grid outside the smart port, and is connected to the port power grid (300) to supply power to the port power grid (300).

[0054] Port facilities (800) are facilities such as container unloading equipment installed within a smart port, and are supplied with electricity from the port power grid (300).

[0055] The port operation center (900) is a center installed within a smart port to operate the smart port, and receives power from the port power grid (300).

[0056] Here, a power monitoring device (910) that monitors the power of an energy-independent smart port system and connects or cuts off power according to the monitoring results may be installed in the port operation center (900).

[0057] The power monitoring device (910) can control the external power grid (700) to be cut off when the amount of power generated by the smart port itself, supplied from the ship power supply system (200) and the renewable energy power plant (400), is greater than the power demand of the smart port by a preset reserve power amount.

[0058] Here, the power demand of the smart port may be the power consumed by the port city (500), port factory (600), port facilities (800), and port operation center (900).

[0059] In addition, the power monitoring device (910) monitors the power of a ship power supply system (200), a renewable energy power plant (400), a port city (500), a port factory (600), an external power grid (700), and port facilities (800) connected to a port power grid (300), and can control the connection with the port power grid (300) to be cut off for a facility in which a failure is detected.

[0060] In addition, the power monitoring device (910) monitors device information including the amount of power, voltage and current of the power input and output of the mobile charging interface (210), the internal temperature of the mobile charging interface (210), etc., and when a failure is detected, the mobile charging interface (210) can be controlled to cut off the connection with the nuclear propulsion ship (100) and multiple mobile power supply devices (220).

[0061] In addition, the power monitoring device (910) monitors device information including the charge / discharge status, temperature, movement status, location, etc. of the battery of the mobile power supply device (220), and when a failure is detected, the mobile power supply device (220) can be controlled to cut off the connection with the mobile charging interface (210) or the port power grid interface (230).

[0062]

[0063] FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically illustrating an operation method of a power monitoring device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0064] In step S310, the power monitoring device (910) receives sensor data measured from a plurality of sensors installed in the energy self-sufficient smart port system, and collects sensor data in a normal state from among the received sensor data.

[0065] For example, the sensor data collected may include power, voltage, current, temperature, etc. of a ship power supply system (200), a renewable energy power plant (400), a port city (500), a port factory (600), an external power grid (700), and port facilities (800) connected to a port power grid (300).

[0066] Here, the power monitoring device (910) can select normal sensor data from among the received sensor data using the normal range of sensor data defined for each sensor.

[0067] In step S320, the power monitoring device (910) uses the collected normal state sensor data to calculate and store normal state prediction data.

[0068] For example, the power monitoring device (910) can produce normal prediction data from collected normal state sensor data using regression analysis, classification, time-series pattern analysis, etc.

[0069] In step S330, the power monitoring device (910) monitors the operating status of the energy self-sufficient smart port system by comparing the generated normal prediction data with real-time measured sensor data.

[0070] At step S340, the power monitoring device (910) determines whether any equipment in an abnormal state exists among the facilities of the energy self-sufficient smart port system through monitoring.

[0071] That is, the power monitoring device (910) can determine whether there is an abnormality based on the size of the difference between normal prediction data and real-time measured sensor data.

[0072] For example, the power monitoring device (910) can determine that an abnormal state exists if the difference between normal predicted data and real-time measured sensor data falls within a preset abnormal state range and continues for a certain period of time.

[0073] At step S350, the power monitoring device (910) outputs a warning message for the equipment in an abnormal state if there is an equipment in an abnormal state.

[0074] At step S360, the power monitoring device (910) determines whether any equipment in the energy self-sufficient smart port system is in a faulty state through monitoring.

[0075] That is, the power monitoring device (910) can determine whether a failure state exists based on the size of the difference between normal prediction data and real-time measured sensor data.

[0076] For example, the power monitoring device (910) can determine that a fault condition exists if the difference between normal prediction data and real-time measured sensor data falls within a preset fault condition range and persists for a certain period of time.

[0077] At step S370, if there is a faulty facility, the power monitoring device (910) cuts off the connection to the port power grid (300) for the faulty facility.

[0078] At step S380, the power monitoring device (910) outputs a warning message for equipment in a fault state.

[0079]

[0080] Meanwhile, the components of the aforementioned embodiments can be easily understood from a process perspective. That is, each component can be understood as a separate process. Furthermore, the processes of the aforementioned embodiments can be easily understood from the perspective of the device components.

[0081] In addition, the technical contents described above may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the embodiments or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands, such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

[0082]

[0083] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are disclosed for the purpose of illustration, and those skilled in the art with common knowledge of the present invention will be able to make various modifications, changes, and additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, and such modifications, changes, and additions should be considered to fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. In the energy self-sufficient smart port system, port power grid; An external power grid connected to the port power grid and supplying power to the port power grid; A renewable energy power plant installed in a smart port, which produces electricity using renewable energy and supplies the produced electricity to the port power grid; A floating structure equipped with facilities for producing electricity using a small module reactor (SMR), an SMR power plant that produces electricity using a small module reactor while docked at the smart port and supplies the produced electricity to the port power grid; A port city installed adjacent to the above smart port and supplied with electricity from the port power grid; A port factory installed in the above smart port, producing eco-friendly fuel and receiving power from the port power grid; Port facilities that receive power from the above port power grid; A port operation center installed within a smart port to operate the smart port and supplied with power from the port power grid; A nuclear-powered ship that produces electricity using a small modular reactor (SMR) and propels the ship using the electricity produced; and An energy self-sufficient smart port system including a ship power supply system that receives power from the nuclear-powered ship when the nuclear-powered ship docks at the smart port, converts the supplied power into port power, and supplies the converted power to the port power grid.

2. In paragraph 1, The above port power grid includes an energy storage system (ESS), An energy self-sufficient smart port system characterized in that the power supplied to the port power grid is stored in the energy storage system and then distributed and supplied to the port city, the port factory, the port facilities, and the port operation center.

3. In paragraph 1, The above ship power supply system, A mobile charging interface that receives power from the nuclear-powered ship, converts the supplied power into charging power, supplies the converted charging power, and moves by itself or by towing; A plurality of mobile power supply devices that receive and store power from the nuclear propulsion ship through the mobile charging interface and move by themselves or by towing; and An energy self-sufficient smart port system characterized by including a port power grid interface that receives power from the mobile power supply device, converts the received power into port power, and supplies the converted power to the port power grid.

4. In paragraph 3, An energy self-sufficient smart port system, characterized in that the mobile charging interface has one power input for receiving power from one nuclear-powered ship and multiple power outputs for supplying the charging power to the multiple mobile power supply devices.

5. In paragraph 3, When the nuclear-powered ship docks at the smart port, the mobile charging interface and the plurality of mobile power supply devices move to a position adjacent to the nuclear-powered ship, The nuclear propulsion ship and the mobile charging interface and the mobile charging interface and the plurality of mobile power supply devices are each connected by a power cable, An energy self-sufficient smart port system characterized in that power is supplied from the nuclear-powered ship to the plurality of mobile power supply devices through the connected power cables.

6. In paragraph 5, An energy self-sufficient smart port system, characterized in that among the plurality of mobile power supply devices, a mobile power supply device with a fully charged battery is separated from the mobile charging interface, moved to the port power grid interface, and connected to the port power grid interface via a power cable to supply power to the port power grid.

7. In paragraph 6, An energy self-sufficient smart port system, characterized in that a mobile power supply device, among a plurality of mobile power supply devices connected to the port power grid interface and supplying power to the port power grid, whose battery level has decreased below a preset minimum level is separated from the port power grid interface and moved to the mobile charging interface for battery charging, and is connected to the mobile charging interface via a power cable.

8. In paragraph 3, An energy self-sufficient smart port system, characterized in that the port operation center is equipped with a power monitoring device that monitors the power of the smart port system and connects or cuts off the power according to the monitoring results.

9. In paragraph 8, An energy self-sufficient smart port system characterized in that the power monitoring device controls the external power grid to be cut off when the amount of power generated by the smart port itself supplied from the ship power supply system and the renewable energy power plant is greater than a preset reserve power amount compared to the power demand of the smart port.

10. In paragraph 8, An energy self-sufficient smart port system characterized in that the power monitoring device monitors the power of the ship power supply system, the renewable energy power plant, the port city, the port factory, the external power grid, and the port facilities connected to the port power grid, and controls the connection with the port power grid to be cut off for facilities in which a failure is detected.

11. In paragraph 8, An energy self-sufficient smart port system characterized in that the power monitoring device monitors device information including the amount of power, voltage and current of power input and output of the mobile charging interface, and the internal temperature of the mobile charging interface, and when a failure is detected, controls the mobile charging interface to cut off the connection with the nuclear-powered ship and the plurality of mobile power supply devices.

12. In paragraph 8, An energy self-sufficient smart port system characterized in that the power monitoring device monitors device information including the charge / discharge status, temperature, movement status, and location of the battery of the mobile power supply device, and, when a failure is detected, controls the mobile power supply device to cut off the connection with the mobile charging interface or the port power grid interface.

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