Gas Turbine Inversion for Grid Frequency Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of renewable energy sources into electricity transmission or supply grids leads to fluctuations in power supply and demand, causing grid instability due to excess energy, which conventional methods address with delayed solutions that do not efficiently utilize available energy.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a gas turbine with a dynamoelectric machine to consume electrical energy from the grid as reverse power, stabilizing the grid by increasing electrical consumption based on grid signals, allowing for rapid energy utilization and reconversion, leveraging existing infrastructure with minimal investment and technological development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional approaches diminish power output from power plants to reduce excess power, then grid stability is maintained, but the available energy cannot be directly utilized and stabilization is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The gas turbine operates in reverse mode by consuming electrical power from the grid to drive the compressor, rather than generating power. This inverted operation allows immediate absorption of excess grid power, eliminating the delay inherent in conventional power plant load reduction approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The excess electrical power in the grid, which causes instability, is converted into a useful resource by having the gas turbine consume it. The harmful effect of power surplus is transformed into beneficial compression work, stabilizing the grid while performing useful mechanical work.
2Speed
If gas turbine operates as motor to consume electrical power rapidly, then grid stabilization is achieved quickly, but additional infrastructure investment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The gas turbine is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a power generator during normal conditions and as a power-consuming motor during grid stabilization needs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate infrastructure for each mode, reducing overall investment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the generator and motor functions into a single gas turbine system with a reversible dynamoelectric machine. By merging these functions, the system avoids the costs and complexity of maintaining separate generation and consumption infrastructure.
3Use of energy by moving object
If gas turbine consumes electrical power for compression, then excess grid energy is utilized, but the expander cannot drive the dynamoelectric machine for power generation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between operating modes based on grid conditions. During stabilization, the expander is disconnected and the turbine consumes power; during normal operation, the expander drives the generator. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize performance for the current operational requirement.
Solution Approach 2:
The gas turbine system is segmented into independent functional components (compressor, combustion chamber, expander, dynamoelectric machine) that can be selectively connected or disconnected. This segmentation allows the expander to be isolated during motor operation, enabling pure electrical power consumption without interference from power generation.
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
Enables rapid stabilization of the grid by utilizing excess energy, reducing grid instability, and providing a temporary reserve through the high inertia of rotating masses, while allowing for the reuse of energy in thermal or physical forms, thus enhancing operational efficiency and profitability.
Implementation Method 1
supplying electrical energy from the supply and/or transmission grid to a dynamoelectric machine of the gas turbine for operation as a motor
Implementation Method 2
the compressor of the gas turbine furthermore compresses an air mass flow and requires compression power
Implementation Method 3
the high inertia of the rotating masses in the gas turbine counteracts changes in the frequencies of the transmission grid in a stabilizing fashion
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing negative control power for an electrical supply and/or transmission network by means of the operation of a gas turbine, includes the following steps: a dynamo-electric machine of the gas turbine is supplied with electric power for motor operation from the supply and/or transmission network; the electrical input power is regulated or controlled by the motor operation on the basis of a network signal from the supply and/or transmission network to which the gas turbine is connected; and an operating parameter of the gas turbine for motor operation is altered as a result of this regulation or control for the purpose of deliberately increasing the electrical input power from the supply and/or transmission network.