Graded Terrace Network for Ice Cap Water Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for collecting and storing ice cap runoff are limited in capacity and efficiency, particularly in areas beyond the normal catchment of a reservoir, which restricts the volume of available water and hydroelectric power generation potential, especially in regions like southwestern Greenland experiencing high ice melting rates.
Innovation Solution
A graded terrace network is implemented to collect ice cap runoff from non-catchment areas and direct it into a reservoir, enhancing water storage capacity and utilizing the additional water for hydroelectric power generation, including a pumped storage hydroelectric power station to manage electricity demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If dams are built to collect runoff from glaciers, then water storage capacity is improved, but the system is limited to normal catchment areas and cannot collect water from beyond the reservoir's natural drainage basin
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends water collection from the natural two-dimensional catchment area (defined by topography and drainage patterns) into a third dimension by constructing artificial graded terraces on ice cap surfaces. These terraces create additional collection surfaces that intercept runoff before it reaches natural drainage channels, effectively adding vertical layering to the collection system and capturing water from areas beyond the reservoir's natural catchment boundary.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the ice cap surface into multiple segmented terraces with graded slopes, where each terrace segment collects runoff from a specific zone and channels it to a common collection point. This segmentation allows the system to cover and collect water from extensive areas beyond the normal catchment, with each terrace acting as an independent collection unit that contributes to the overall water storage capacity.
2Quantity of substance
If the reservoir catchment area is expanded to collect more runoff, then water volume increases, but the system complexity and infrastructure requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a system of graded terraces with controlled slopes that channel water flow through gravity alone, maintaining equipotential flow paths where water naturally descends from higher to lower terraces without requiring additional pumping or energy input. This gravitational flow system simplifies the infrastructure by eliminating the need for complex mechanical water transfer systems while still achieving extensive water collection from expanded areas.
3Power
If more water is stored in the reservoir, then hydroelectric power generation potential increases, but the infrastructure cost and engineering complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The graded terrace system is designed to be self-constructing and self-maintaining, where the flow of water itself helps to shape and maintain the terrace channels through natural erosion and deposition processes. The system requires minimal artificial intervention after initial construction, as the water flow automatically adjusts the channel morphology to optimize collection efficiency, reducing long-term maintenance costs and engineering complexity.
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 graded terrace network significantly increases the volume of available water and electrical power generation capacity, enabling the production of up to 3.9 gigawatts of renewable energy on a year-round basis, sufficient for approximately 4 million residential customers.
Implementation Method 1
A graded terrace network is implemented to collect ice cap runoff from non-catchment areas and direct it into a reservoir
Implementation Method 2
utilizing the additional water for hydroelectric power generation, including a pumped storage hydroelectric power station to manage electricity demand
Data Source
AI summary
A reservoir (102) near an ice cap (104), and a graded terrace network (116) on the surface of the ice cap (104). The graded terrace network (116) collects runoff water across a wide area, both within the limits of the reservoir's (102) ice cap natural catchment area (112), and beyond it in the ice cap non-catchment area (114). The graded terrace network (116) directs the collected water into the ice cap natural catchment area (112) and from there it drains into the reservoir's ice-free catchment area (106), and then into the reservoir (102). This increases the volume of water stored in the reservoir (102). This additional stored water is used to power a hydroelectric power station (300) and for other uses. A second reservoir (406), connected to the reservoir (102) by a water pump (402) and a second hydroelectric power station (410), adds additional water storage and power generating capacity.