Hydrogen Grid Storage for Battery Aging and Temperature Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The storage capacity of batteries used in power grids decreases over time due to temperature variations and aging, making them inefficient for storing excess renewable energy.
Innovation Solution
A power storage device comprising a dihydrogen production unit that converts excess electric power into dihydrogen, which is stored, and an electric power production unit that converts stored dihydrogen back into electricity, using a rectifier, electrolyser, fuel cell, and transformers to manage and convert energy efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batteries are used to store excess power from renewable energy sources, then the power can be stored and released when needed, but the storage capacity decreases over time due to temperature variations and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage medium from chemical batteries to physical dihydrogen storage. By converting excess electricity into dihydrogen gas through electrolysis and storing it in a tank, the system avoids the chemical degradation and aging issues inherent in batteries. The dihydrogen can be stored indefinitely without capacity loss, and when needed, it is converted back to electricity through a fuel cell, providing stable long-term energy storage.
2Productivity
If batteries are used for power storage, then energy can be stored and released, but the storage efficiency decreases due to temperature sensitivity and aging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dihydrogen as an intermediary substance between electricity storage and electricity generation. Excess electricity is converted to dihydrogen through electrolysis, stored in a tank isolated from temperature extremes, and then converted back to electricity via fuel cell when needed. This intermediary approach decouples the storage process from temperature-sensitive battery chemistry, eliminating temperature sensitivity and aging effects while maintaining high round-trip efficiency.
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 provides a stable and long-lasting energy storage method that is less sensitive to temperature and aging, allowing for efficient energy storage and retrieval, thereby addressing the limitations of traditional battery storage.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolyser unit connected to the output terminals and configured to be supplied by the rectifier to produce dihydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a fuel cell unit connected to the power converter and configured to supply the first power converter with electric power generated from dihydrogen stored in the dihydrogen production unit
Data Source
AI summary
A power storage device is described. The power storage device has a dihydrogen production unit connected and configured to produce dihydrogen from electric power supplied by a grid and to store the produced dihydrogen, and an electric power production unit configured to supply the grid with electric power from dihydrogen produced by the dihydrogen production unit.