Hybrid Power System Using DAC and ECBM for Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are intermittent, unable to meet demand at all times, and current battery technologies are insufficient for storing and releasing electricity effectively, leading to reliance on fossil-fuel power plants and limited carbon dioxide reduction.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid power generation system combining renewable energy with direct-air-capture (DAC) technology, where excess renewable electricity powers DAC to capture CO2, which is stored in coal seams, releasing methane that can be used as fuel for natural gas turbines when demand exceeds supply, and the cycle is repeated to store and generate electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If renewable energy sources (solar and wind) are used to generate electricity, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but energy supply becomes intermittent and cannot meet demand at all times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by capturing CO2 from the air during periods of excess renewable energy generation and storing it in coal seams, where it will be available for later use when renewable energy is insufficient. This advance preparation resolves the contradiction by ensuring both emission reduction during storage and energy availability during demand periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces CO2 as an intermediary substance that serves dual purposes: it acts as a storage medium for excess energy (by being captured and stored in coal seams) and as a means to retrieve stored energy (by displacing methane through pressure injection). This intermediary resolves the contradiction between emission reduction and reliable energy supply.
2Duration of action of moving object
If batteries are used to store electricity from renewable sources, then energy can be released when renewable sources are not working, but battery capacity is insufficient to store huge amounts of electricity
Solution Approach 1:
The system fundamentally changes the storage parameter from electrical charge in batteries to physical displacement of gases in coal seams. By injecting CO2 at high pressure into coal seams, the system can store vastly larger quantities of energy equivalent than batteries, resolving the capacity limitation while maintaining long-duration storage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional battery storage to three-dimensional subsurface coal seam storage. By utilizing the underground volume of coal seams, the system achieves huge storage capacity that far exceeds battery capabilities, while the pressure-driven displacement mechanism enables long-duration energy retrieval.
3Reliability
If fossil-fuel power plants are used to meet demand when renewable sources fall short, then energy supply reliability is maintained, but carbon dioxide emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers stored CO2 that was previously discarded during renewable energy excess periods. By injecting this captured CO2 back into coal seams to displace methane, the system transforms a waste product into a valuable energy carrier, enabling reliable energy supply without fossil fuel combustion and thus avoiding additional CO2 emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful CO2 emissions problem into a beneficial energy storage and retrieval mechanism. The CO2 that would normally be a pollutant is instead used as the active medium for storing and releasing energy, transforming an environmental harm into a solution that provides both emission reduction and reliable energy supply.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If CO2 is captured and stored in coal seams, then greenhouse gas concentration is lowered, but energy storage and retrieval mechanism must be established
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by combining CO2 storage and energy storage into a single process. The same CO2 injection infrastructure serves both to sequester greenhouse gases and to store energy for later retrieval, reducing overall system complexity while achieving both environmental and energy security goals simultaneously.
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 system creates a scalable battery technology that complements renewable resources by stabilizing energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by capturing and utilizing CO2, addressing both energy deficits and carbon footprint issues.
Implementation Method 1
direct-air-capture (DAC) technology, where excess renewable electricity powers DAC to capture CO2
Implementation Method 2
stored it in coal seams, where the CO2 would accelerate the release of methane from the coal seams
Implementation Method 3
route the removed carbon dioxide (e.g., compressed carbon dioxide) to an enhanced coal bed methane (ECBM) well
Implementation Method 4
The methane may act as a reservoir of fuel for a natural gas turbine or generator set
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and computer-readable medium where an integrator application identifies an excess energy condition based on a supply load of electricity exceeding a consumptive load. The integrator application directs an air scrubber to utilize the excess electricity to remove carbon dioxide from the ambient air and routes the carbon dioxide to an enhanced coal bed methane well where methane is displaced by the carbon dioxide. In response to identifying an energy deficient condition based on the consumptive load exceeding the supply load, the integrator application routes the methane to a gas power plant and directs the gas power plant to convent the methane to electricity.