Hydrogen-Carbon Co-Production for Power Grid Fluctuation Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing volatility in electricity production due to renewable energy sources leads to challenges in power supply fluctuations, which existing technologies such as gas-fired power plants and storage technologies struggle to compensate for efficiently and economically, resulting in high costs and a higher carbon footprint.
Innovation Solution
A facility comprising a device for producing hydrogen and solid carbon from C1-to-C4-alkane-containing gas using electric energy, combined with a power plant unit having a low carbon footprint, and a controller that coordinates the operation based on external power grid information to balance energy supply and demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If gas-fired power plants are used to compensate for power supply fluctuations, then flexibility in operation is improved, but mechanical stress and wear down increase due to frequent start-ups and shut-downs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a hydrogen production device with a gas-fired power plant unit into an integrated facility. The hydrogen device can operate independently to produce hydrogen from alkanes using electric energy, while the power plant unit provides backup power generation. This merging allows the system to compensate for power fluctuations without requiring frequent start-ups and shut-downs of the power plant, thereby reducing mechanical stress while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated facility serves multiple functions: the hydrogen production device can generate hydrogen for various applications, the power plant unit can generate electricity when needed, and the system can operate in different modes (hydrogen production mode, power generation mode, or combined mode). This multi-functionality allows the system to adapt to varying power supply conditions without compromising the reliability of individual components through excessive cycling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gas-fired power plants operate at reduced load or undergo frequent load changes, then operational flexibility is improved, but inefficiency and high costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the hydrogen production device with the power plant unit, the system can meet varying power demands through the hydrogen device's flexible operation while keeping the power plant unit running at optimal load levels. The hydrogen device handles the variable load requirements, allowing the power plant to maintain high efficiency operation without frequent load changes or reduced load operation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If coal-fired power plants are phased out to reduce carbon footprint, then environmental impact is improved, but capacity to provide power during low renewable generation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces coal-fired power generation with a hybrid system combining renewable energy sources and a gas-fired power plant unit. The gas-fired unit serves as a cleaner alternative to coal, providing necessary backup capacity during low renewable generation while having a lower carbon footprint. Additionally, the hydrogen production device can store excess renewable energy, further reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based power generation and lowering overall carbon emissions while maintaining reliable power supply capacity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If additional gas-fired power plants are constructed to provide flexible operation, then power supply flexibility is improved, but specific costs and mechanical wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of constructing separate additional gas-fired power plants, the patent merges the hydrogen production device with an existing gas-fired power plant unit. This integration allows the system to achieve flexible operation capabilities without the high specific costs associated with building and operating standalone power plants. The shared infrastructure and coordinated operation of the integrated facility reduce overall costs while maintaining the necessary flexibility to compensate for renewable energy fluctuations.
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 solution enables flexible and economical energy production and consumption, reducing the carbon footprint and increasing the return on investment by achieving high annual full load hours, thus effectively compensating for power supply fluctuations while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a device for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon from a C 1 - to C 4 -alkane-containing gas by use of electric energy
Implementation Method 2
a power plant unit with a predefined maximum carbon footprint
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a facility comprising a device for the production of hydrogen and solid carbon from a C1- to C4-alkane-containing gas by use of electric energy, a power plant unit with a predefined maximum carbon footprint and a controller configured to output a command which determines the operation state of the device and the power plant unit depending on an information with respect to a power in an external power grid. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for operating such a facility.