Subgrade Battery Vault Utility Pole for Grid Outage Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Urban infrastructure, such as utility poles, often occupy valuable space in public right-of-ways and lack the capability to store significant amounts of energy independently, making them inefficient for modern energy demands, especially during grid outages or peak usage periods.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a sub-grade battery storage vault beneath utility poles, allowing for the storage of rechargeable batteries and connection to the grid or renewable sources, with mechanisms for accessing and managing the batteries, including temperature control and fire suppression systems, enabling the poles to operate independently during power failures and balance grid loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If battery storage vault is integrated beneath utility poles, then energy storage capacity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery storage vault is nested beneath the existing utility pole infrastructure, utilizing the sub-grade space under the pole. This allows the battery storage system to be integrated into the existing utility pole footprint without requiring additional above-ground space or structures, thereby increasing energy storage capacity while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility pole is transformed into a multi-functional structure that simultaneously supports traditional utilities (street lights, power lines, cell equipment) and serves as an anchor for the battery storage vault. This universal approach allows existing infrastructure to perform multiple functions, improving energy storage capability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If battery storage vault is integrated beneath utility poles, then energy storage capacity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The battery storage vault is designed to be installed in the sub-grade space before the utility pole is erected. This preliminary action allows the vault to be positioned and secured in place prior to pole installation, simplifying the overall construction process and reducing labor costs compared to installing the vault after the pole is in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the battery storage system from the above-ground dimension to the sub-grade dimension. By placing the vault beneath the utility pole in the underground space, the system utilizes previously unused spatial resources, avoiding the need for additional above-ground infrastructure and reducing material and installation costs.
3Ease of operation
If pole moves relative to battery storage vault for access, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The utility pole is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to shift position relative to the battery storage vault. This dynamic feature enables the pole to move to a second position that exposes the access opening, providing easy battery access when needed while returning to its original position for normal operation, thereby improving operability with a relatively simple movement mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
Utility pole system having a battery storage housing defining a top portion, a bottom portion, and an interior volume with an access opening extending through the top portion; a pole with an upper end and a lower end attached to the top portion of the battery storage housing; and means for moving the pole from the first position where the lower end of the pole covers the access opening of the battery housing, and a second position where the lower end exposes the access opening. The utility pole system might also include electrical components powered by a battery provided in the battery storage housing, such battery charged by utility power.