Underground Compressed Air Storage Balloon for Wind Solar Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The variability of wind and solar energy sources leads to intermittent power output, causing instability in energy distribution and low capacity utilization of wind and solar plants, necessitating a system that can effectively integrate and store energy for consistent power generation.
Innovation Solution
A compressed air storage system that utilizes compressed atmospheric air at a predetermined pressure, integrating with solar and wind energy sources to stabilize energy output and improve capacity utilization, featuring an air compressing system, thermal energy storage, and a hybrid power generation system that combines wind and solar energy for efficient electricity production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solar panels are designed to convert solar energy only during sunny daylight hours, then they can efficiently generate electricity during sunny periods, but they cannot produce significant amounts of energy on cloudy days or during night hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by compressing and storing atmospheric air during periods when solar and wind energy are available (daytime and windy periods). This stored compressed air is then expanded through a turbine during periods when renewable energy sources are unavailable (nighttime or calm periods), thereby producing electricity when it is most needed and ensuring continuous reliable power supply regardless of weather conditions or time of day
2Reliability
If wind energy is used for generation of electricity, then clean renewable energy is produced, but the output fluctuates due to seasonal and daily variations in wind speed and power
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by compressing atmospheric air during periods when wind energy is available and storing it. When wind speed varies or becomes insufficient, the pre-compressed air is expanded through the turbine to maintain consistent electricity generation. This decouples the electricity production from the immediate wind conditions, ensuring stable and reliable power output regardless of seasonal or daily wind variations
3Reliability
If power from wind farms is curtailed to prevent overloading the grid during nighttime when demand is low, then grid stability is maintained, but capacity utilization of wind plants decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by compressing and storing air during nighttime hours when wind energy is abundant but electricity demand is low. Instead of curtailing the wind power, the system captures and stores the excess energy in the form of compressed air. During daytime or peak demand periods, this stored compressed air is expanded through the turbine to generate electricity, thereby utilizing the full capacity of the wind plant throughout all hours and eliminating the need for curtailment while maintaining grid stability
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 reduces intermittency effects, decreases the levelized cost of energy, and enhances capacity utilization, enabling more efficient and reliable energy production, particularly during peak demand hours in urban and suburban areas.
Implementation Method 1
A compressed air storage system that utilizes compressed atmospheric air at a predetermined pressure
Implementation Method 2
integrating with solar and wind energy sources to stabilize energy output and improve capacity utilization, featuring an air compressing system, thermal energy storage
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A compressed air storage system for storing compressed air provided by an air compressing system comprises an underground pressure tank (485) including a cavity (52) arranged in a borehole (51) made in the ground at a predetermined depth, an inflatable elastic balloon (53) arranged in the cavity (52) and configured for storing the compressed air, said inflatable elastic balloon (53) having a balloon port (530) for providing access to an inner volume of the inflatable elastic balloon (53); an air valve (60) configured to switch the compressed the air storage system from a filling up mode to a discharging mode.