Hydrogen Power Plant Integration for Grid Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power plants face inefficiencies in production, usage, and storage of electrical power due to fluctuations in renewable energy supply and consumer demand, leading to sub-optimal operation, thermal gradients, and increased emissions.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a gas turbine power plant with electrolyzers and hydrogen storage systems, along with advanced control systems, to stabilize operation, balance active and reactive power, and maximize renewable energy use, while minimizing thermal gradients and emissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If power plants operate to meet fluctuating consumer demand and renewable energy supply, then power supply reliability is improved, but thermal gradients and emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a thermal energy storage system as an intermediary between the gas turbine power plant and the grid. This mediator absorbs excess thermal energy during high-demand periods and releases it during low-demand periods, decoupling the power plant operation from grid demand fluctuations. Consequently, the power plant can operate at stable conditions reducing emissions and thermal gradients, while still meeting variable consumer demand through the storage system.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal energy storage system performs preliminary action by pre-heating water or generating steam during periods of high power demand when the gas turbine is operating efficiently. This stored thermal energy is then utilized during periods of low demand, allowing the power plant to maintain optimal operating conditions in advance rather than responding to demand fluctuations in real-time, thereby reducing emissions and thermal stress.
2Adaptability or versatility
If gas turbine power plants operate at variable loads to balance grid demand, then adaptability is improved, but operational efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage system acts as a buffer that decouples the gas turbine from grid demand variations. The turbine can operate at a constant base load for maximum efficiency, while the storage system handles the variable demand component, thus maintaining both adaptability and operational efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically shifts the variability from the gas turbine operation to the thermal storage system. The turbine operates statically at optimal conditions, while the storage system dynamically adjusts its charge/discharge cycles to match grid demand, effectively separating the adaptive function from the efficiency-critical component.
3Loss of energy
If electrolyzers are used to produce hydrogen from excess renewable energy, then renewable energy utilization is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage system serves multiple functions: it stores thermal energy, provides grid balancing, enables renewable energy integration, and can supply process heat. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while maximizing renewable energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the thermal energy storage function with the existing gas turbine power generation system, integrating it into the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) infrastructure. This merging approach utilizes existing components and pathways, adding minimal complexity while enabling effective utilization of excess renewable energy through coordinated operation with electrolyzers.
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 stable power output, maximizes renewable energy utilization, reduces emissions, and enhances grid stability by balancing power demand and supply efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a gas turbine engine configured to combust hydrogen from the hydrogen generation system to generate a gas stream that can be used to rotate a turbine shaft
Implementation Method 2
a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) configured to generate steam with the gas stream of the gas turbine engine
Implementation Method 3
the steam turbine, a steam turbine configured to rotate the turbine shaft with the steam from the heat recovery steam generator
Implementation Method 4
an electrolyzer configured to produce hydrogen and oxygen with electricity from the grid power system
Data Source
AI summary
A power plant is configured to output power to a grid power system and comprises a hydrogen generation system configured to produce hydrogen, a gas turbine combined cycle power plant comprising a gas turbine engine configured to combust hydrogen from the hydrogen generation system to generate a gas stream that can be used to rotate a turbine shaft and a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) configured to generate steam with the gas stream of the gas turbine engine to rotate a steam turbine, a storage system configured to store hydrogen produced by the hydrogen generation system, and a controller configured to operate the hydrogen generation system with electricity from the grid power system when the grid power system has excess energy and balance active and reactive loads on the grid power system using at least one of the hydrogen generation system and the gas turbine combined cycle power plant.