Airflow power plant for sustainable energy generation and energy fund system for storing and recovering surplus energy via gravity in vertical or inclined structures

Abstract

The airflow power plant and the energy fund storage system provide a sustainable, low-maintenance and scalable solution for continuous and trouble-free energy generation. While the airflow power plant continuously ensures sustainable production of energy, the surplus energy generated is stored in innovative, low-maintenance and location-independent energy fund storage systems when demand is lower. These systems, which can be implemented in a space-saving manner in a vertical or inclined structure, ensure that the stored energy is immediately available when the demand for energy increases. The use of natural pressure differences and the use of gravitational forces make it possible to flexibly adapt the system to different locations and energy demands, as a result of which both small and large infrastructures can be developed. This solution maximises energy efficiency and provides a versatile, adaptable storage option for renewable energies. The functionality is based on the use of natural environmental conditions, such as air pressure differences between valley and peak positions, temperature differences as a result of the altitude, additional heat sources as required, storage by gravitational force and flexible air pressure and temperature control. With these elements, the system adapts flexibly to different locations and energy demands, as a result of which it is suitable both for small and for large-area applications. This maximises energy efficiency and provides a versatile, adaptable storage option for renewable energies.

Description

[0001] 4. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention represents an innovative system for sustainable energy generation and storage. The airflow power plant generates a continuous airflow through natural atmospheric pressure and temperature differences in a vertical or inclined tunnel. This airflow drives turbines that efficiently convert the kinetic energy of the airflow into electrical energy.

[0003] When energy demand is low, excess energy generated is transferred to the integrated energy storage system. This energy is then used to lift heavy weights in vertical or inclined tunnel structures or other suitable installations. These weights store the energy as potential energy and, when energy demand is higher, release it to generators through the force of gravity, thus ensuring a reliable power supply.

[0004] 5. TECHNICAL AREA

[0005] The technical field of this invention encompasses the areas of renewable energy generation and energy storage. The system combines principles of airflow dynamics and gravitational energy to provide an environmentally friendly and scalable solution for energy management.

[0006] 6. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Existing energy storage methods such as pumped storage power plants, compressed air energy storage, and battery systems have various limitations. This invention offers a novel solution that stores excess energy in the form of potential energy, utilizing geological structures such as vertical or inclined tunnels, mountain massifs, high-rise buildings, surfaces, and structures to effectively recover energy through air pressure differences and gravity.

[0008] 7. GOALS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] 4a Flexible use of natural features such as mountains, high-rise buildings and other vertical or inclined structures to enable efficient energy generation and storage.

[0010] 4b Provision of an environmentally friendly and low-maintenance energy storage solution 4c Maximization of the use of surplus energy, regardless of the size or location of the system

[0011] 4D modularity and scalability to make the system adaptable to different regions and climate zones.

[0012] 8. SAFETY AND OPERATIONAL BENEFITS

[0013] 8a Safety advantages: The system operates without components that are dangerous to humans, animals and nature, and minimizes the risk of environmental pollution.

[0014] 8b Flexibility and Maintenance: Thanks to its integration into natural or built structures, maintenance costs are low, and the system is well protected from external influences. 8c Minimal Land Use: Compared to traditional energy storage facilities such as reservoirs, pumped-storage power plants, or extensive solar fields, this system occupies only an extremely small surface area, remaining virtually invisible in the landscape. The vertical airflow tunnel requires only a footprint limited to the tunnel's diameter (in our example, approximately a 60-100 meter radius). The main structure is either integrated within the natural mountain massif as a vertical or inclined construction or housed in comparable artificial structures, such as high-rise buildings, industrial exhaust stacks, or similar systems. TECHNICAL CONCEPT AND OPERATION

[0015] System components:

[0016] 9a Airflow Power Plant: Consisting of a vertical or inclined airflow tunnel that utilizes the natural pressure differences between the valley and the summit of a mountain massif or can be integrated into high-rise buildings.

[0017] 9b Energy fund storage system: A system for storing energy in the form of lifted weights (energy funds) that is powered by surplus energy and can be recovered by gravity for energy generation when needed.

[0018] How it works:

[0019] 9.1 Airflow and Energy Generation: Natural atmospheric pressure and temperature differences create an airflow that rises through the tunnel, driving turbines. The tunnel can be constructed vertically or inclined and adapted to geological formations or buildings.

[0020] 9.2 Energy storage:

[0021] 9.2a In the event of excess production, the energy is used to lift massive energy funds (weights) by electric motors along the vertical or inclined tunnel or at other location-independent locations.

[0022] 9.2b In case of increased energy demand, the energy funds are reduced in a controlled manner to drive generators and thus generate electricity.

[0023] 9.3 Flexible dimensioning and locations: The diameter of the airflow tunnel and the height or inclination of the tunnel structures can be flexibly designed and adapted to the location and the specific energy requirements.

[0024] Integration into high-rise buildings or other large vertical or inclined structures offers additional areas of application and increases the flexibility of the system.

[0025] 9.4 Advantages of tunnel structures: By storing energy in natural or artificial tunnels, the energy is produced and the surpluses are stored without impacting the environment or requiring large areas of land.

[0026] The flexible design enables continuous, low-maintenance energy production and storage. 10. FACIT

[0027] Utilizing natural environmental conditions

[0028] The system utilizes key environmental factors for energy generation and storage, including:

[0029] 10a Air pressure differences between valley and summit locations: These create a constant, upward airflow and ensure a stable flow potential within the tunnel.

[0030] 10b Temperature differences due to altitude: The natural temperature differences between valley and summit support a continuous airflow and enable the system to operate even without external temperature sources.

[0031] 10c Additional heat sources as needed: Geothermal or other internal and / or external heat sources can be added to increase airflow efficiency and optimize system performance for varying energy demands. 10d Gravity for storing and recovering excess energy: The innovative energy fund storage system stores excess energy using raised weights and releases it as needed through the action of gravity. 10e Combined air pressure and temperature control: To meet increased energy demands and improve efficiency, additional heat sources such as geothermal or industrial waste heat can be selectively used. A targeted temperature increase within the airflow tunnel increases the flow velocity and airflow rate, thus adapting to specific site conditions and energy requirements.llf Energy Fund for Demand-Based Storage: The energy fund storage system stores excess energy in the form of raised weights, which are released by gravity when needed. This stored energy can be fed directly to power generators during peak loads to meet grid demands and optimize efficiency.

[0032] 10g Flexible adaptation and increased efficiency: The modular system can be adapted to different locations and energy requirements and can be used on both large and small scales. Continuous storage and demand-based release offer a stable, low-loss, and environmentally friendly energy supply, which supports the sustainable integration of renewable energies.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 29 July 2025 (29.07.2025) Claim 1 (two-part): Energy generation system comprising a vertical or inclined tunnel arranged between two elevation levels such that natural atmospheric pressure or temperature differences generate an upward airflow, characterized in that at least one turbine with an electric generator is arranged inside the tunnel, which converts the kinetic energy of the natural airflow into electrical energy regardless of the weather, wherein the tunnel structure is geometrically designed such that the airflow is continuously accelerated and optimized, in particular by means of conical or otherwise aerodynamically optimized geometries. Claim 2: System according to claim 1, characterized in that additional heat sources, in particular geothermal energy, industrial waste heat or solar thermal energy, are optionally introduced into the lower tunnel section. Claim 3: System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tunnel is an integral part of a natural mountain massif, high-rise building, industrial chimney or a comparable vertical or inclined structure. Claim 4: System according to one of the preceding claims, with automated control unit for real-time control of air velocity, turbine speed and energy output. Claim 5: System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an integrated energy storage system that uses excess energy to vertically lift weights, wherein, when required, energy is fed back to a generator by controlled lowering of the weights. Claim 6: System according to claim 5, wherein the weights are made of high-density material and are guided in a separate shaft or section of the tunnel. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) Claim 7: System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tunnel cross-section is designed to be adaptable along its length in order to optimize flow velocity and turbine efficiency depending on external conditions. Claim 8 (Procedure): Method for generating electricity using a vertical or inclined tunnel, comprising the following steps: a) generating an airflow by means of natural air pressure or temperature differences; b) passing the air through a turbine to convert it into electrical energy; c) regulating the air velocity by means of tunnel geometry; d) optionally heating the air in the lower tunnel area by means of external energy sources. Claim 9: Method according to claim 8, wherein the airflow direction is influenced by controllable flaps or adaptive tunnel structures. Claim 10: Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein an automated control system continuously monitors and regulates temperature, air pressure and energy output. Claim 11: System or method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generated energy is fed into a power grid or stored for decentralized use. Claim 12: System according to one of the preceding claims, designed for urban applications, by integration into existing building infrastructures such as high-rise buildings, towers or transport infrastructures. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)