Hydropower-Electrolysis Coupling to Cut Grid Transmission Losses

Solution Overview

Problem

Current industrial procedures for generating electrolysis products, such as hydrogen, involve transporting renewable electrical energy through the power grid, which leads to inefficiencies and increased costs due to energy losses and the complexity of intermediate electrical components.

Innovation Solution

A hydropower-electrolysis system that directly couples a hydropower assembly with an electrolysis assembly, using the kinetic energy of water to generate electrical power for electrolysis, thereby simplifying the power supply and reducing energy losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If renewable electrical energy is transported through the power grid to an electrolyser, then spatial decoupling of renewable energy generation and electrolysis product generation is achieved, but energy losses and increased costs occur due to transmission and intermediate electrical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial decouplingVSAvoidenergy losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the renewable energy generation and electrolysis product generation into a single integrated hydropower-electrolysis system. The hydropower assembly and electrolysis assembly are directly connected, eliminating the need for separate transmission through the power grid and reducing energy losses associated with transmission and intermediate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If renewable electrical energy is transported through the power grid to an electrolyser, then spatial decoupling of renewable energy generation and electrolysis product generation is achieved, but costs increase due to energy losses and intermediate electrical components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial decouplingVSAvoidcosts

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the renewable energy generation and electrolysis product generation into a single integrated hydropower-electrolysis system. The hydropower assembly and electrolysis assembly are directly connected, eliminating the need for separate transmission through the power grid and reducing energy losses associated with transmission and intermediate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If electrical energy is transformed and transmitted through the power grid, then spatial flexibility is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases due to multiple transformations and transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial flexibilityVSAvoidenergy efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the renewable energy generation and electrolysis product generation into a single integrated hydropower-electrolysis system. The hydropower assembly and electrolysis assembly are directly connected, eliminating the need for separate transmission through the power grid and reducing energy losses associated with transmission and intermediate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach enhances the efficiency and reduces the costs of generating electrolysis products by allowing continuous power supply to the electrolysis cells, increasing equipment utilization, and minimizing energy losses through reduced transformation of electrical current and voltage.

Implementation Method 1

a hydropower assembly being directly electrically connected to the electrolysis assembly for operating the electrolysis cells based on electrical power generated by the hydropower assembly

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydropower conversion: Water Turbine

Implementation Method 2

an electrolysis assembly comprising a plurality of electrolysis cells configured to generate, upon provision of a direct electrical current, at least one electrolysis product from a supply medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrolysis: Electrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250188633A1Hydropower-electrolysis system

Publication Date: 2025.06.12 SIEMENS ENERGY GLOBAL GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

The present invention relates to the generation of at least one electrolysis product, in particular to a hydropower-electrolysis system, a hydro power plant and a method for generating at least one electrolysis product. An electrolysis assembly includes a plurality of electrolysis cells configured to generate, upon provision of a direct electrical current, at least one electrolysis product from a supply medium. A hydropower assembly is electrically connected to the electrolysis assembly for operating the electrolysis cells of the electrolysis assembly based on electrical power generated by the hydropower assembly.