Hydrogen Buffer Absorbs Rapid Electrical Flux Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems face significant challenges in managing sudden and rapid variations in electrical flow from renewable energy sources, leading to premature battery wear due to high costs associated with using super-capacitors for stabilization.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage device comprising an electrochemical battery, a hydrogen storage unit with an alkaline electrolyser, and a control unit that measures and regulates electrical flow to absorb rapid variations, using a monopolar alkaline electrolyser and fuel cell to convert and store energy, thereby smoothing the charge level of the battery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If super-capacitors are used to reduce rapid charge variations, then battery lifespan is improved, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydrogen storage unit as an intermediary component between the renewable energy generator and the battery. This unit absorbs rapid charge variations through hydrogen production during high-generation periods and releases energy during low-generation periods, protecting the battery from sudden charge fluctuations without requiring expensive super-capacitors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the battery by using the hydrogen storage unit to buffer charge variations. The control unit adjusts the charging rate to the battery based on the state of the hydrogen storage unit, maintaining the battery within optimal charge ranges and reducing stress from rapid variations, thereby extending battery lifespan without adding super-capacitors.
2Reliability
If hydrogen storage unit is added to absorb rapid variations, then battery protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen storage unit serves multiple functions: it absorbs rapid charge variations to protect the battery, stores energy for later use, and provides a buffer between renewable energy generation and battery charging. This multi-functionality achieves battery protection without requiring additional specialized components like super-capacitors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If charge variations are reduced, then battery lifespan is extended, but energy storage capacity utilization decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrogen storage unit enables continuous energy storage and release operations. During periods when excess energy is available, it produces hydrogen; during periods when energy is needed, it releases stored energy. This continuous operation ensures that the battery is consistently protected from rapid variations while the hydrogen storage unit maximizes its energy storage capacity utilization through regular charge-discharge cycles.
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 solution effectively reduces rapid charge variations in the battery, extending its lifespan and reducing costs by using a hydrogen storage system that can absorb sudden electrical flux variations, thus enhancing the overall efficiency and longevity of the energy storage device.
Implementation Method 1
said storage unit comprising an alkaline electrolyser configured to convert the electric flux received into hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell configured to convert the stored hydrogen into electrical flux
Implementation Method 3
an electrochemical battery
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to an energy storage device (1) intended to be powered by at least one generating unit (17) of an electrical flux from a renewable energy source, said device (1) comprising the following equipment: - an electrochemical battery (3), - a hydrogen storage unit (7) mounted in parallel with the electrochemical battery (3), said storage unit (7) comprising an alkaline electrolyzer (9), and hydrogen storage means (13), said battery (3) and said storage unit (7) being intended on the one hand to store the energy supplied by the, at least one, generating unit (17) and on the other hand to power a load (5), said device also comprising - a first measuring sensor (19) of the electrical flux supplied by the, at least one, generating unit (17), - a second measuring sensor (21) of the electrical flux supplied to the load (5),- a control unit (23) connected to the first (19) and second (21) measuring sensors and configured to control the electrolyzer (9) according to the variations in electrical flux measured by said first (19) and second (21) sensors, the control of said electrolyzer (9) being carried out to absorb at least partially the rapid variations in the measured electrical fluxes, the rapid variations in the measured electrical fluxes corresponding to the variations whose absolute value of the derivative is greater than a predetermined threshold.