Auxiliary Energy Store for Thermal Power Plant Cold Start Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal power plants face challenges in rapid startup and shutdown due to cold start requirements, leading to increased operational stress, energy losses, and economic inefficiencies, especially when transitioning from standby to operational states with fluctuating energy production.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an additional energy storage system within the thermal power plant, such as thermal, electrical, or chemical storage, to supply energy for preheating components and feeding into the electrical grid during startup, reducing the duration and stress of cold starts while optimizing energy use and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional thermal power plants perform cold starts from standby state, then the power plant can be restarted after shutdown, but the startup time is long (2-10 hours) and operational stress is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preheating the power plant components (steam turbine, boiler, pipes) before the actual startup process. Energy storage systems (thermal, electrical, or chemical) are used to supply heat or energy in advance, so that when startup is needed, the plant is already partially warmed up, significantly reducing the cold start duration from 2-10 hours to a much shorter period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy storage systems as intermediary components between the power plant and the external environment. These storage systems (thermal storage tanks, electrical batteries, or chemical energy stores) act as mediators that can rapidly deliver energy during startup without requiring the main power plant systems to be fully operational, thus accelerating the startup process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If thermal power plants are kept in standby state for rapid response, then they can quickly meet peak demand, but they require long cold start times and incur energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the physical state of energy storage systems between different modes. Thermal storage systems can switch between storing hot water/steam and being empty; electrical storage can switch between charged and discharged states. This allows the plant to maintain readiness for peak demand without continuous operation, reducing energy losses while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage systems serve multiple functions: they preheat components during standby periods, provide rapid energy delivery during startup, and can even generate power during peak demand. This multi-functionality allows the power plant to respond to various operational scenarios (standby, startup, peak demand) without incurring continuous energy losses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent shutdowns and restarts are performed to balance renewable energy production, then the power plant can support the energy distribution network, but the cold start process causes high operational stress and reduces service life
Solution Approach 1:
By using energy storage systems to preheat and prepare components before each startup, the patent reduces the thermal shock and mechanical stress associated with cold starts. This preliminary preparation allows for more gentle warming of components, reducing operational stress and extending the service life of the power plant even when frequent shutdowns and restarts occur for network balancing.
4Productivity
If additional energy storage systems are integrated into the thermal power plant, then startup time is reduced and operational efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage systems serve as intermediary components that can be integrated into existing power plant infrastructure without requiring complete system redesign. Thermal storage can use existing water/steam systems, electrical storage can interface with existing electrical infrastructure, and chemical storage can be integrated with existing fuel systems. This intermediary approach improves productivity while limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach shortens startup times, reduces energy losses, and enhances operational efficiency by using stored energy during peak demand, allowing for quicker temperature attainment of power plant components and enabling economic benefits from renewable energy oversupply.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal energy store which is set up to supply energy for heating components and/or media of the thermal power plant when the thermal power plant is started up
Implementation Method 2
an additional electrical, chemical or mechanical energy store which is set up to supply energy for heating components and/or media of the thermal power plant when the thermal power plant is started up
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a thermal power plant (1), in particular to a steam-electric power plant or a combined cycle power plant (CCPP), and to a method for operating a thermal power plant (1) of this type. In order to accelerate, or to technically and/or economically optimize the start-up of the thermal power plant (1), in particular to accelerate/optimize a cold-start phase of the thermal power station (1), according to the invention a thermal power plant (1) of this type has an auxiliary energy store (2) integrated into the power plant, said store, during the start-up of the thermal power plant (1), delivering energy for heating/pre-heating components (3) and/or media (4) of the thermal power plant (1), or for supplying (5) an electrical power distribution network (6).