Energy Storage Unit for Electricity-Heat Network Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power into electricity and heat distribution networks is hindered by fluctuations in energy production, leading to operational reliability issues and increased transmission losses in heat distribution networks, which result in impaired electricity quality and inefficient heating solutions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an intermediate energy storage unit that adjusts power balance and quality in electricity distribution networks by converting surplus or loss energies into heat, which is then stored using phase transition materials like sodium nitrate or water, and subsequently supplied to heat distribution networks as needed, optimizing energy utilization and reducing losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If renewable energy sources (wind and solar power) are integrated into electricity distribution networks, then the utilization of renewable energy is improved, but operational reliability deteriorates due to high and difficult-to-predict fluctuations in power production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate energy storage unit that acts as a mediator between the electricity distribution network and the heat distribution network. This storage unit absorbs fluctuating energy from renewable sources and releases it when needed, smoothing out power variations and maintaining operational reliability while enabling full utilization of renewable energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage unit utilizes phase transition materials (such as salt hydrates or paraffin) that change phase between solid and liquid states. During phase transition, these materials absorb or release large amounts of latent heat, enabling the storage unit to buffer energy fluctuations from renewable sources and provide stable energy delivery to the heat distribution network.
2Productivity
If heat is transmitted through pipelines in heat distribution networks, then heating requirements are met, but transmission losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of water in the energy storage unit before distribution. By pre-heating the water to the required temperature using stored thermal energy, the system reduces the temperature differential during transmission, thereby minimizing heat losses in pipelines while ensuring adequate heating power delivery.
3Productivity
If additional heating power is produced to meet maximum loads in district heating networks, then heating requirements are satisfied, but production costs increase and environmental pollution worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage unit enables continuous operation of base-load heating plants at optimal capacity by storing excess thermal energy during low-demand periods and releasing it during peak demand. This eliminates the need for additional polluting heating plants or increased fuel consumption, maintaining heating power supply while reducing environmental pollution and production costs.
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 enhances operational reliability and efficiency by stabilizing electricity distribution, reducing heat transmission losses, and enabling the full utilization of renewable energy sources, while providing a flexible and environmentally friendly energy storage solution that can be scaled and deployed flexibly within the heat distribution network.
Implementation Method 1
the energy storage unit is a water storage unit or a mass storage unit applying a phase transition process for the storage of energy
Implementation Method 2
Storage units that are based on latent heat use energy released or absorbed in a phase transition process
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger circuit between the energy storage unit and the heat distribution network with controls for supplying thermal energy to the heat distribution network
Implementation Method 4
supply means for supplying energy released by adjustment of the electricity distribution network to the energy storage unit
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to a corresponding system for controlling energy streams in order to connect operations of an electricity distribution network (1) and a heat distribution network (2) by means of an intermediate energy storage unit (3). According to the invention, the power balance and quality of current and voltage of the electricity distribution network (1) are adjusted by supplying the losses provided by adjustment of the electricity distribution network to the energy storage unit (3) in the form of heat, and from the energy storage unit the heat is extracted to the heat distribution network (2) according to the heat requirement of the heat distribution network.