Compressed CO2 Power Plant for Adjustable Renewable Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power plants using variable renewable energy sources struggle to adjust output to match demand due to variability in energy production, leading to inefficiencies in energy storage and utilization.
Innovation Solution
A power plant design that includes a compression unit, storage unit, heating unit, drive unit, and adjustment unit to manage the ratio of energy supply to compression and storage, using carbon dioxide as the working fluid, allowing for efficient storage and release of energy based on demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If variable renewable energy is used for power generation, then green energy production is achieved, but output cannot be adjusted according to demand due to natural condition variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compression of the working fluid to a supercritical state and stores it in the storage unit when renewable energy is abundant. This preliminary action allows the system to have energy ready for later use, decoupling the timing of energy capture from energy utilization and enabling output adjustment according to demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the ratio between direct power generation mode and energy storage mode based on real-time demand conditions. The control unit varies the operational parameters of the compression unit and heating unit to optimize performance under different load requirements, making the output adaptable to changing demand.
2Volume of stationary object
If working fluid is compressed to supercritical state for efficient storage, then storage volume is reduced, but additional heating is required to generate sufficient electric power
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the compression process and heating process into an integrated energy storage and generation pathway. By compressing the working fluid to a supercritical state first and then heating it during power generation, the system achieves both compact storage and efficient energy conversion, utilizing the same working fluid cycle for both purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical parameters of the working fluid by compressing it to a supercritical state (changing pressure and temperature parameters) for compact storage, then further heating it (changing temperature parameter) during power generation to achieve the necessary energy output. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction between storage density and energy availability.
3Productivity
If compression unit and energy storage unit operate simultaneously, then energy utilization efficiency improves, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit implements feedback control by monitoring the operational states of the compression unit and energy storage unit, and adjusting their operation based on demand signals. The system receives demand information and automatically adjusts the ratio of energy allocation between direct power generation and storage, simplifying the control complexity through automated feedback mechanisms.
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 design enables flexible and efficient use of variable renewable energy by adjusting energy ratios and storage strategies, ensuring consistent power output despite fluctuations in energy production.
Implementation Method 1
a compression unit configured to compress the working fluid to a subcritical state or a supercritical state through use of a part of variable renewable energy to apply pressure energy to the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a heating unit configured to heat the working fluid through use of the energy stored in the energy storage unit to apply thermal energy to the compressed working fluid
Implementation Method 3
a drive unit configured to convert the pressure energy and the thermal energy applied to the working fluid into mechanical energy and perform drive through use of the mechanical energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A power plant of the present invention is a power plant for generating electric power through use of a working fluid, and includes: a compression unit configured to compress the working fluid to a subcritical state or a supercritical state through use of a part of variable renewable energy; a storage unit configured to store the compressed working fluid; an energy storage unit configured to store energy derived from another part of the variable renewable energy; a heating unit configured to heat the working fluid through use of the energy stored in the energy storage unit; a drive unit configured to convert the pressure energy and the thermal energy applied to the working fluid into mechanical energy and perform drive through use of the mechanical energy; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust a ratio between an energy amount of the variable renewable energy to be supplied toward the compression unit and an energy amount of the variable renewable energy to be supplied toward the energy storage unit. According to the present invention, the power plant capable of effectively using the variable renewable energy can be provided.