Gravity Energy Storage Control System for Wellbores
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current renewable energy storage technologies, such as battery-based and supercapacitor techniques, are expensive and environmentally tenuous, limiting their commercial implementation, and there is a need for more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solutions to store intermittent energy sources like wind and solar power.
Innovation Solution
A control system for gravity energy storage utilizing wellbores, which includes an active front-end controller, rate limiter, speed control loop, and variable-frequency drive, allowing for precise control of charge and discharge rates to maximize energy storage efficiency and profitability in various energy markets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If battery-based or supercapacitor energy storage technology is used, then energy storage capability is achieved, but system cost increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, environmentally sensitive battery and supercapacitor systems with a gravity-based energy storage system using concrete blocks and wellbores. The concrete blocks serve as the storage medium, which is inexpensive, abundant, and environmentally benign compared to battery materials. The system uses existing wellbore infrastructure where available, further reducing manufacturing and installation costs.
2Productivity
If pumped-storage hydroelectricity is used, then energy storage effectiveness is improved, but environmental impact worsens and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes pumped-storage hydroelectricity with a gravity-based system using concrete blocks and wellbores. This approach achieves comparable energy storage effectiveness without requiring large-scale water reservoirs and complex hydroelectric infrastructure. The system has minimal environmental impact as it uses existing wellbore structures and concrete blocks, avoiding the ecological disruption associated with creating artificial lakes and altering water flows.
3Ease of manufacture
If gravity energy storage with wellbores is used, then cost and environmental impact are improved, but control precision and response time may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a control system with sensors and feedback mechanisms that monitor the position, speed, and operational status of the concrete blocks in real-time. This feedback enables precise control of the blocks' movement up and down the wellbores, ensuring accurate energy storage and discharge operations. The control system adjusts operational parameters dynamically to maintain precision despite the mechanical nature of the gravity-based system.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If gravity energy storage with wellbores is used, then environmental impact and cost are improved, but system complexity and control difficulty may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a comprehensive control system with multiple sensors monitoring block position, speed, tension, and wellbore conditions. This feedback network enables automated control that simplifies operation despite the system's mechanical complexity. The control system coordinates the movement of concrete blocks, manages energy conversion between gravitational potential and electrical energy, and ensures safe operation, thereby reducing the operational burden on users.
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 provides efficient and cost-effective energy storage by optimizing the control of gravity energy storage in wellbores, reducing environmental impact and operational costs, while enabling precise control to match energy demand and market opportunities.
Implementation Method 1
converting potential energy to electrical energy utilizing wellbores
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for gravity-based energy storage may utilize various controls. For example, a control system for a gravity well may include an active front end controller (AFE) configured to receive a plurality of reference signals and a plurality of target control parameters. The system may include a rate limiter coupled to the AFE controller and configured to adjust a rate of change associated with each of the plurality of target control parameters based, at least in part, on the plurality of reference signals. The system may include a speed control loop coupled to the AFE controller and configured to communicate with a variable-frequency drive (VFD), the VFD configured to store the plurality of target control parameters. The system may include an AFE component coupled to the AFE controller and configured to communicate with a grid based on the plurality of target control parameters.