Carbon-Based Energy Storage and Dispatch System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current energy storage and distribution methods, particularly for renewable energy, face challenges in being storable, dispatchable, and efficient, due to limitations in transmission capacity, intermittency, and mismatch between energy supply and demand, leading to underutilization of renewable sources and reliance on conventional energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A process that transforms available energy into a dispatchable form by reducing carbon oxide to carbon, oxidizing it to generate energy on demand, and recycling the consequent carbon oxide, either physically or virtually, to enhance energy storage and distribution efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable energy sources are used to produce energy, then environmental impact is reduced and sustainability is improved, but energy cannot be stored or dispatched when and where needed due to intermittency and transmission limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by converting renewable energy into storable chemical energy carriers (such as hydrocarbons or hydrogen) in advance when renewable energy is abundant. This allows the energy to be stored and then dispatched later when needed, resolving the intermittency issue while maintaining the environmental benefits of renewable sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of energy by transforming electrical or thermal energy from renewable sources into chemical energy stored in carbon-based compounds. This parameter transformation enables long-term storage and on-demand dispatch, addressing the reliability issue while preserving the low environmental impact of renewable generation.
2Duration of action of moving object
If electricity is stored in batteries for later use, then energy can be dispatched on demand, but transmission capacity is limited and long-distance transport is impractical
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces chemical energy carriers (such as liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons) as an intermediary medium between renewable energy sources and end-use applications. These intermediaries can be stored indefinitely and transported over long distances via existing infrastructure, overcoming both the storage duration and transmission distance limitations of direct electrical storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/electrical storage system (batteries) with a chemical storage system. Instead of storing energy in electrochemical form with limited capacity and short duration, the system converts energy into chemical bonds that can be stored indefinitely and released on demand, enabling both long-term storage and long-distance transport.
3Reliability
If conventional generation capacity is built to meet peak demand, then energy reliability is improved, but the capacity remains underutilized most of the time leading to inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating and storing energy in advance during periods of low demand using renewable sources. The stored chemical energy carriers are then dispatched during peak demand periods, eliminating the need for oversized conventional generation capacity while ensuring reliable supply. This resolves the contradiction by decoupling peak demand supply from continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the energy system by creating a dispatchable storage system that can adapt to varying demand conditions. The chemical energy carriers can be stored when demand is low and converted to electricity when demand is high, allowing the system to dynamically match supply with demand without requiring permanent overcapacity.
4Ease of manufacture
If carbon oxide is emitted during energy generation, then energy production is simplified and costs are reduced, but environmental harm increases due to carbon dioxide emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the blessing in disguise principle by capturing carbon oxide that would otherwise be emitted as waste and converting it into useful chemical energy carriers. The carbon oxide is transformed into storable hydrocarbons or other fuel compounds, turning a harmful emission into a valuable energy storage medium. This eliminates carbon emissions while maintaining the simplicity of chemical-based energy production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers carbon oxide that would normally be discarded during energy generation processes. By capturing and reutilizing this carbon oxide to synthesize energy carriers, the system eliminates waste emissions while creating additional value. This recovery process maintains production simplicity while addressing environmental concerns.
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 reduces the maximum difference between energy demand and renewable supply, increases the utilization of conventional generation capacity, decreases energy generation costs, and allows renewable energy to replace conventional sources while minimizing carbon emissions and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
reducing carbon oxide to carbon
Implementation Method 2
oxidizing it to generate energy on demand
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to storing energy in a form that is carbon neutral, storable and transportable, so that it can be used on demand. The present invention provides a process and system for using energy as available to produce carbon from carbon oxide, and then oxidizing the carbon to generate useful energy on demand, while effectively recycling the carbon, oxidant, and carbon oxide used in the process or system. In one embodiment, the present invention effectively stores renewable energy as carbon, transports the carbon, oxidizes the carbon to generate useful energy on demand and recycles the carbon as carbon dioxide. This invention may increase the utilization of renewable energy, especially for electrical power generation, while producing no net carbon dioxide or other air pollutants.