Liquid Air Power and Storage System Part Load Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing penetration of renewable generation with variable characteristics is challenging the traditional dispatch order and cost structure of the electric generation system, leading to inefficiencies and increased greenhouse gas emissions, as traditional power plants are displaced by less efficient peaking units to manage intermittent energy sources.
Innovation Solution
A Liquid Air Power and Storage (LAPS) system that stores energy by liquefying air, regasifying it, and combusting the gas with a fuel to drive a heat engine, allowing for efficient operation at part load conditions and providing a flexible energy storage solution that complements existing generation and transmission assets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional power plants are displaced by less efficient peaking units to manage intermittent renewable energy sources, then the system can accommodate variable generation characteristics, but energy conversion efficiency decreases and greenhouse gas emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the heat engine by adjusting the mass flow rate of gaseous air or gaseous air components into the combustor proportionally to the changing mechanical load on the turbine, allowing efficient operation across a broad load range rather than requiring peaking units for part-load operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the mass flow rate of gaseous air or gaseous air components into the combustor proportionally to the changing mechanical load on the turbine, enabling flexible adaptation to variable generation characteristics while maintaining high efficiency across different operating conditions
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional power plants are displaced by less efficient peaking units to manage intermittent renewable energy sources, then the system can accommodate variable generation characteristics, but greenhouse gas emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the heat engine by adjusting the mass flow rate of gaseous air or gaseous air components into the combustor proportionally to the changing mechanical load on the turbine, allowing efficient operation across a broad load range rather than requiring peaking units for part-load operation
Solution Approach 2:
The LAPS system provides its own flexible operation capability through proportional adjustment of gaseous air or gaseous air components mass flow rate to mechanical load, eliminating the need for separate peaking units that would generate additional greenhouse gas emissions
3Adaptability or versatility
If gas turbine peaking plants operate at part load conditions, then the system can match variable generation output, but heat rate increases rapidly away from rating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the heat engine by adjusting the mass flow rate of gaseous air or gaseous air components into the combustor proportionally to the changing mechanical load on the turbine, allowing efficient operation across a broad load range rather than requiring peaking units for part-load operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the mass flow rate of gaseous air or gaseous air components into the combustor proportionally to the changing mechanical load on the turbine, enabling flexible adaptation to variable generation characteristics while maintaining high efficiency across different operating conditions
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 LAPS system enhances energy storage efficiency, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and maintains high efficiency across a broad load range, enabling efficient part-load operation and supporting grid stability with reduced fuel consumption compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
storing energy by liquefying air
Implementation Method 2
recovering stored energy upon regasifying the liquid
Implementation Method 3
combusting or otherwise chemically reacting the gas-fuel mixture to drive a heat engine such as a turbine
Implementation Method 4
combusting or otherwise chemically reacting the gas-fuel mixture to drive a heat engine such as a turbine
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, systems, and methods store energy by liquefying a gas such as air, for example, and then recover the energy by regasifying the liquid and combusting or otherwise reacting the gas with a fuel to drive a heat engine. The process of liquefying the gas may be powered with electric power from the grid, for example, and the heat engine may be used to generate electricity. Hence, in effect these apparatus, systems, and methods may provide for storing electric power from the grid and then subsequently delivering it back to the grid.