Cross-Network Energy Conversion Using Gas Pipelines as Grid Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current energy infrastructure faces challenges in decarbonizing energy delivery, as most energy is still derived from fossil fuels, and the electric grid is underutilized, requiring significant infrastructure expansion to accommodate increased renewable energy use, which is costly and environmentally impactful.
Innovation Solution
The integration of energy converters that can transform energy forms between different energy delivery networks, such as electrical and natural gas systems, to manage energy storage and distribution efficiently, using controllers to coordinate energy flow and storage across networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electric grid maintains stability with sufficient spare capacity to survive the largest generation source failure at peak demand, then reliability is improved, but utilization deteriorates (delivering energy at less than half of peak power capacity)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a natural gas pipeline as an intermediary energy storage system between the electric grid and renewable energy sources. Excess electrical energy is converted to natural gas and stored in the pipeline infrastructure, then converted back to electricity when needed. This mediator enables the grid to maintain stability without requiring excessive spare capacity, thereby improving utilization while preserving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and storage parameters of energy by converting electrical energy to chemical energy (natural gas) for storage, then converting back to electrical energy. This parameter transformation allows energy to be stored in a different form with different characteristics, enabling the grid to decouple from the need for constant electrical storage capacity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If conventional storage (such as lithium ion batteries) is used to meet energy storage needs, then energy buffering capability is improved, but cost deteriorates (trillions of dollars)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses natural gas pipeline infrastructure as an intermediary storage medium instead of conventional battery systems. The existing pipeline network, already deployed for natural gas distribution, is leveraged to store converted energy, eliminating the need for expensive battery materials and reducing storage costs dramatically while maintaining energy buffering capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replicates the functionality of electrical storage by using a different physical medium (natural gas in pipelines) that serves the same energy buffering purpose. This copying approach allows the system to achieve storage capability without directly investing in expensive electrical storage technologies, instead utilizing existing infrastructure in a novel way.
3Productivity
If the electric grid expands installed infrastructure (transmission lines, substations, distribution lines) to triple energy delivery capacity, then energy delivery capacity is improved, but capital cost and carbon footprint deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the natural gas pipeline infrastructure multi-functional by using it not only for its traditional purpose of gas distribution but also as an energy storage system for the electric grid. This universal use of existing infrastructure allows the system to expand energy delivery capacity without building new transmission lines or substations, avoiding the associated capital costs and manufacturing carbon footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary conversion of excess electrical energy to natural gas and stores it in advance of when it will be needed. This preliminary action allows the grid to prepare energy storage capacity ahead of time using existing infrastructure, avoiding the need for last-minute infrastructure expansion and the associated costs and environmental impact.
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 allows for increased energy delivery capacity without expanding infrastructure, optimizing energy storage and utilization, reducing costs and environmental impact by leveraging existing networks for energy buffering and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
A first energy converter that can consume a first physical energy form of a first bulk energy delivery network, is controlled to produce a second physical energy form of a second bulk energy delivery network
Implementation Method 2
A second energy converter that can consume the second physical energy form of the second bulk energy delivery system is controlled to produce the first physical energy form of the first bulk energy delivery network
Data Source
AI summary
A first energy converter that can consume a first physical energy form of a first energy delivery network can be controlled to produce a second physical energy form of a second energy delivery network and inject the second physical energy form into the second energy delivery network. A second energy converter that can consume the second physical energy form of the second energy delivery system can be controlled to produce the first physical energy form of the first energy delivery network and inject the first physical energy form into the first energy deliver network. The controlling of the first energy converter and the controlling of the second energy converter can be coordinated. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.