Hydrogen Station Power Control Using Stored Hydrogen and Grid Requests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen station technologies face challenges in efficient power supply management, as hydrogen generation using grid electricity does not effectively improve power company efficiency, and transportation of hydrogen is costly, while private power generators lack sufficient power output.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen station equipped with an electrolytic cell for hydrogen generation, a hydrogen tank for storage, and a fuel battery that converts electricity into alternating current for the grid, controlled by a unit communicating with the power company to determine hydrogen generation and power sale based on device states and requests.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is generated using electricity supplied by the power grid when the hydrogen tank runs low, then the hydrogen tank is replenished, but the efficiency of power supply by the power company is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by generating hydrogen during periods of low power demand (off-peak hours) and storing it in the hydrogen tank. This allows the power company to sell electricity in advance when demand is low, and the stored hydrogen can be converted back to electricity during peak demand periods, thereby improving overall power supply efficiency and reducing the need for expensive peak-time power generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temporal parameter of power usage by shifting hydrogen generation to off-peak hours and electricity consumption to peak hours. This time-based parameter change allows the power company to optimize its generation schedule, utilizing base-load power plants more effectively and reducing reliance on expensive peak-load generation, thereby improving power supply efficiency.
2Ease of manufacture
If a private power generator is provided at the hydrogen station, then hydrogen can be generated locally, but the amount of power generated is not sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the private power generator with the public power grid, combining the small-scale local generation capability with the large-scale grid infrastructure. This allows the hydrogen station to generate some hydrogen locally using the private generator while supplementing with grid electricity when additional power is needed, thereby maintaining hydrogen generation capability without being constrained by the limited capacity of the private generator alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The power system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can generate electricity during peak demand periods using the fuel battery and hydrogen, supply power to the hydrogen generation device during off-peak periods, and interact with the power grid for both purchasing and selling electricity. This multi-functionality allows the system to overcome the limited capacity of the private generator by utilizing the grid as an additional power source.
3Quantity of substance
If hydrogen is transported to the hydrogen station from another location, then the hydrogen tank can be replenished, but the transportation cost is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by generating its own hydrogen at the hydrogen station using the hydrogen generation device and electrolyzer. Instead of relying on external hydrogen supply from other locations, the station produces hydrogen locally using electricity from the power grid or private generator, thereby eliminating transportation costs and the energy losses associated with transporting hydrogen over long distances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces electricity as an intermediary medium to convert between different forms of energy storage. Instead of transporting hydrogen physically (which is costly), the system transports energy in the form of electricity to the power grid, which then enables local hydrogen generation. This intermediary approach replaces expensive physical hydrogen transportation with more efficient electrical energy transfer and conversion.
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 allows for optimized power supply management by storing surplus power as hydrogen and selling power when needed, reducing surplus margins and improving power company efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an electrolytic cell configured to electrolyze water to generate hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a fuel battery configured to generate electricity from the hydrogen in the hydrogen tank
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit is configured to communicate with a terminal owned by a power company. When a hydrogen generation request is received from the terminal, the control unit determines whether hydrogen is to be generated based on a state of a hydrogen generation device, and transmits a determination result to the terminal. When a power sale request is received from the terminal, the control unit determines whether power is to be sold based on a state of the hydrogen generation device, and transmits a determination result to the terminal.