DC Motor AC Generator Set for Renewable Energy Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar face challenges due to variability, high costs associated with inverters, and power quality issues, which hinder their effective integration into electricity grids and lead to environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A method integrating a DC motor and AC generator with hydrogen production via electrolysis, using fuel cells to convert renewable energy into regulated AC electricity, bypassing the need for expensive inverters and addressing harmonic issues, allowing for direct connection to the grid and efficient energy storage and utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If inverters are used to transform DC electricity to AC electricity from renewable sources, then electricity generation from renewable sources is enabled, but expensive equipment costs and harmonic voltage/current problems occur in the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the inverter component from the system by using a DC motor coupled to an AC generator instead. This removes the source of harmonic voltages and currents while still enabling conversion of DC electricity from renewable sources to AC electricity suitable for grid connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electronic inverter system with a mechanical-electromagnetic system consisting of a DC motor coupled to an AC generator. This mechanical substitution eliminates the harmonic problems associated with electronic inverters while maintaining the functionality of DC to AC conversion.
2Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic panels are used for electricity generation, then renewable energy conversion is achieved, but low efficiencies and high equipment costs occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal energy conversion system that can accept DC electricity from multiple renewable sources (wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, etc.) and convert it to AC electricity through the DC motor-AC generator combination. This multi-functional approach allows optimization for each specific energy source while maintaining a common efficient conversion platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces inefficient electronic inversion processes with a mechanical-electromagnetic conversion system that achieves higher efficiencies in transforming DC electricity to AC electricity, thereby improving the overall ease of manufacture and operational efficiency.
3Use of energy by moving object
If variable speed wind turbines are connected to the grid, then renewable energy generation is enabled, but power quality issues and grid stability problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a DC motor-AC generator combination as an intermediary between the variable speed wind turbine and the grid. The wind turbine drives a generator to produce DC electricity, which is then converted to synchronized AC electricity by the motor-generator set, ensuring grid compatibility while accommodating variable speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electronic connection and inversion with a mechanical-electromagnetic coupling system that naturally provides electrical isolation and synchronization, thereby improving grid stability and power quality while enabling variable speed wind energy generation.
4Reliability
If elaborate control mechanisms are used to control frequency of electricity output from wind turbines, then grid synchronization is achieved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic frequency control mechanisms with a mechanical-electromagnetic system where the AC generator naturally produces synchronized AC electricity through its rotational coupling with the DC motor. The synchronization is achieved through the physical coupling and electromagnetic interaction rather than elaborate electronic controls.
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 solution provides stable, controllable, and harmonic-free electrical power, reducing CO2 and NOx emissions, minimizing maintenance needs, and enabling cost-effective electricity generation while promoting grid stability and efficient energy use.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogen production via electrolysis
Implementation Method 2
fuel cells to convert renewable energy into regulated AC electricity
Implementation Method 3
connection of equipment, machines and technologies in a novel configuration... using a combination of a DC motor and an AC generator
Implementation Method 4
AC generator, replaces the expensive inverter that is currently used
Data Source
AI summary
The invention consists of a system for generating regulated and controllable AC electricity from renewable sources of energy that are intermittent in their power output. The whole configuration comprises a renewable energy source and an appropriate conversion mechanism, an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen from water, a hydrogen storage tank, fuel cells to generate DC electricity using hydrogen as the fuel, and an electromechanical energy conversion system, comprising a DC motor in series with an AC generator to convert the DC electricity output of the fuel cells to controllable, regulated, harmonics-free AC output, directly connected to the power system grid. Other features of the system include the capability to modify the system, so as to generate electricity from natural gas, propane and hydrogen that was produced by off-peak electricity.