Hydro-Pneumatic Energy Storage for Deep Sea Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing offshore wind, tidal, and wave energy technologies face challenges in storing energy due to intermittency, leading to inefficiencies in energy transmission and utilization, particularly in deep water sites where direct electricity generation is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A hydro-pneumatic energy storage system that stores pressurized deep sea water, utilizing wind, tidal, and wave turbines to pump sea water under pressure for later use in generating electricity and providing cooling, integrated with a floating support structure and sea-bottom accumulator chamber connected by an air umbilical for efficient energy storage and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If wind, tidal, and wave turbines are used to generate electricity directly, then electrical energy can be produced, but energy storage and transmission become inefficient due to intermittency and distance from consumption centers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using compressed air to store energy and drive hydraulic turbines for electricity generation. The system compresses air during periods of excess energy production and uses the stored compressed air to drive turbines during peak demand, resolving the contradiction between energy storage efficiency and transmission efficiency by converting electrical energy to pneumatic/hydraulic form for storage and later conversion back to electrical energy.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If batteries are used for energy storage, then electrical energy can be stored for later delivery, but durability and maintenance problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrochemical battery system with a pneumatic-hydraulic mechanical system. Instead of storing energy chemically in batteries, the system stores energy mechanically by compressing air in storage chambers and using that compressed air to drive hydraulic turbines, thereby eliminating durability and maintenance issues associated with batteries while maintaining long-term energy storage capability.
3Reliability
If ultracapacitors are used for energy storage, then environmental friendliness and longevity improve, but cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive compressed air storage chambers and hydraulic turbines instead of expensive ultracapacitors. The system uses readily available materials and simple mechanical components that can be manufactured at low cost, while the compressed air serves as a reusable energy storage medium that does not degrade over time, achieving both longevity and cost-effectiveness.
4Loss of energy
If pumped hydro systems are used for energy storage, then excess energy can be stored by pumping water to elevated reservoirs, but system complexity and geographical requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from the conventional pumped hydro approach using vertical elevation differences to a horizontal compression approach using compressed air storage. Instead of pumping water to elevated reservoirs requiring significant vertical dimension changes, the system compresses air horizontally in storage chambers, eliminating the need for complex elevation changes and reducing overall system structural complexity while maintaining energy storage capability.
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 system provides a regulated supply of pressurized deep sea water, enabling efficient energy storage and utilization, reducing costs by minimizing the use of copper and rare earth materials, and addressing intermittency issues, while maintaining stability and long service life with minimal moving parts.
Implementation Method 1
The floating air chamber is configured for holding compressed air
Implementation Method 2
holding compressed air and the DSW to store the DSW under pressure of the compressed air
Implementation Method 3
The sea-bottom accumulator chamber is configured for holding compressed air and the DSW to store the DSW under pressure of the compressed air
Implementation Method 4
The floating air chamber and the sea-bottom accumulator chamber are pneumatically interconnected with an air umbilical
Data Source
AI summary
A hydro-pneumatic energy storage system for deep sea water (DSW) is described. The system includes a floating support structure including a floating support platform, and a floating air chamber mounted on the floating support platform. The floating air chamber is configured for holding compressed air. The system also includes a sea-bottom mounted structure including a sea-bottom accumulator chamber configured for holding the compressed air and the DSW to store the DSW under pressure of the compressed air, and an air umbilical pneumatically interconnecting the floating air chamber with the sea-bottom accumulator chamber.