Energy supply system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural facilities face inefficiencies in energy supply due to inadequate heat energy transfer from distant power plants and reliance on solar energy, leading to increased costs and competitiveness issues.
Innovation Solution
An energy supply system incorporating a hot waste water pipe, ground heat exchanger, solar cell modules, and a server for individual control of thermal, geothermal, and electrical energy based on environmental conditions, with a control valve and communication devices to manage energy flow efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hot waste water is fixedly transferred from a power plant to an agricultural facility located at a distance, then thermal energy can be supplied to the facility, but sufficient heat energy is not supplied or excessive heat energy beyond necessary energy is supplied according to the facility's situation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the hot waste water transfer system by equipping agricultural facilities with heat storage tanks and control valves. The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate and timing of hot waste water transfer based on real-time facility needs, environmental conditions, and facility status, transforming a static fixed transfer system into a dynamic adaptive system that optimizes thermal energy supply efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If solar cell modules are installed to utilize renewable energy, then electric energy can be generated, but when the generated energy is less than the facility's consumption, additional energy must be supplied from the power plant which becomes a burden on farms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple energy supply sources (solar cell modules, hot waste water transfer system, ground heat exchanger, and power plant connection) into an integrated hybrid energy supply system. This unified system coordinates different energy sources based on availability and facility needs, allowing solar energy to be prioritized when available while seamlessly supplementing with other sources, thereby reducing overall complexity compared to managing separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional energy supply system that can operate in multiple modes: solar-powered mode, hot waste water heating mode, ground source heat pump mode, and grid connection mode. The system universally handles different energy types (solar, thermal, geothermal, electrical) and can switch between them based on conditions, making the farm energy system self-sufficient and adaptable to various scenarios without requiring separate dedicated systems for each energy source.
3Productivity
If multiple energy sources are integrated to supply thermal, geothermal, and electrical energy, then energy supply efficiency can be improved according to facility needs, but the system complexity increases with multiple components and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intelligent intermediary that coordinates and controls the entire hybrid energy supply system. The server receives data from sensors monitoring facility environmental conditions and energy status, processes this information, and automatically controls various energy supply components (hot waste water transfer valves, ground heat exchanger operation, solar module configuration, power plant connection). This centralized intelligent mediation simplifies the control architecture and reduces operational complexity despite the multi-component system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor facility environmental conditions (temperature, humidity), energy consumption levels, and energy source availability. This real-time feedback is transmitted to the control server, which adjusts energy supply parameters dynamically - such as modulating hot waste water flow rates, adjusting ground heat exchanger operation, or switching between energy sources - thereby optimizing energy supply efficiency while automatically adapting to changing conditions without manual intervention.
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 system improves energy supply efficiency by optimizing the use of thermal, geothermal, and electrical energy according to facility needs, reducing heating and cooling costs and minimizing reliance on external energy sources.
Implementation Method 1
a hot waste water pipe connecting a power plant and at least one facility so as to supply thermal energy to the at least one facility through hot waste water discharged from the power plant
Implementation Method 2
a ground heat exchanger buried under a ground and connected to the at least one facility so as to supply geothermal energy to the at least one facility
Implementation Method 3
at least one solar cell module disposed in the at least one facility and supplying electric energy to the at least one facility
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an energy supply system using hot waste water that controls a supply of energy required according to a situation of agricultural facilities. The energy supply system includes a hot waste water pipe connecting a power plant and at least one facility so as to supply thermal energy to the at least one facility through hot waste water discharged from the power plant; a ground heat exchanger buried under a ground and connected to the at least one facility so as to supply geothermal energy to the at least one facility; at least one solar cell module disposed in the at least one facility and supplying electric energy to the at least one facility; and a server configured to individually control the thermal energy, the geothermal energy and the electrical energy supplied to the at least one facility according to an environmental state of the at least one facility.