CHP Plant with Exhaust-Heated Battery for Flexible Peak Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combined heat and power plants lack flexibility in electricity and heat generation, making them unsuitable for varying demand, and require external systems for peak load coverage, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A decentralized combined heat and power plant incorporating a prime mover for electrical energy generation, a high-temperature battery for efficient electrical energy storage using exhaust gas heating, and a heat accumulator for thermal energy storage, along with an electrical heating device and recirculation of exhaust gas for enhanced efficiency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If combined heat and power plants operate with constant electricity-to-heat production ratio, then the system maintains simple operation and design, but the system lacks flexibility to serve varying electricity and heat demand
Solution Approach 1:
The combined heat and power plant is divided into separate electricity generation units and heat generation units, allowing independent control and operation of each component to match varying demand requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates dynamic load adjustment capabilities where the electricity and heat production ratios can be varied in real-time based on demand, allowing the plant to adapt from base load operation to peak load coverage
2Adaptability or versatility
If combined heat and power plants are operated in partial load mode to increase flexibility, then the system can adapt to varying demand, but electricity and heat generation decrease simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
Energy storage systems are pre-charged during periods of high generation, allowing the plant to maintain high productivity during base load operation while storing excess energy for later use during peak demand periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous high-level generation through multiple units operating at optimal loads, with storage systems bridging any temporal mismatches between generation and consumption, ensuring uninterrupted supply
3Adaptability or versatility
If external electrical grid connection and fuel-fired peak load boiler are added to cover peak demand, then the system achieves sufficient flexibility, but the system complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple generation units and storage systems are merged into an integrated system where electricity and heat production are coordinated, allowing internal peak load coverage without external grid dependency
Solution Approach 2:
Energy storage systems act as intermediaries between generation and consumption, buffering the mismatch between base load generation and peak demand, thereby eliminating the need for external peak load facilities
4Reliability
If external infrastructure for electricity and heat supply is used, then secure supply including peak load coverage is ensured, but decentralized energy generation and cost reduction are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The decentralized combined heat and power plant is designed to perform multiple functions including base load generation, peak load coverage through storage, and heat production, replacing multiple separate infrastructure systems with a single multi-functional unit
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
The system provides a secure, flexible, and efficient decentralized power and heat supply, capable of handling peak loads and storing excess energy, reducing self-discharge and operational costs by utilizing exhaust gas for battery heating and integrating storage devices for demand-oriented energy reproduction.
Implementation Method 1
The high-temperature battery can be supplied by means of the exhaust gas provided by the engine to keep the high-temperature battery warm
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat accumulator in which the heat energy provided by the exhaust gas is stored
Implementation Method 3
the prime mover comprises at least one generator coupled to the prime mover element, to which the mechanical energy provided by the prime mover element is supplied. The mechanical energy provided is converted into electrical energy by means of the generator
Implementation Method 4
the engine includes at least one engine element, by means of which mechanical energy is provided by burning fuel
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a combined heat and power plant (10) for the decentralized supply of power and of heat, having at least one prime mover (12), by means of which electrical energy can be provided whilst providing waste gas, having at least one thermal store (22) for storing thermal energy provided by the waste gas, and having at least one high-temperature battery (24), in which the electrical energy provided by the prime mover (12) can be stored, wherein the high-temperature battery (24) can be supplied by means of the waste gas provided by the prime mover (12) to keep the high-temperature battery (24) warm.