Method for on demand power production utilizing geologic thermal recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current geothermal systems are limited in providing dispatchable and flexible power output due to parasitic pumping losses, operational issues, and inability to quickly respond to changes in energy demand, making them unsuitable for supplementing intermittent renewable energy sources effectively.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop engineered geologic thermal recovery system that modulates the circulation of a working fluid within a geothermal formation to oscillate thermal output, allowing for on-demand energy generation by varying flow rates and residency time, thereby matching power output to user demand without incurring high parasitic power losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional geothermal systems increase flow rate to meet higher power demand, then power output increases, but parasitic pumping losses increase massively
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats the working fluid in storage tanks using geothermal brine during periods of low demand, so that when power demand increases, the pre-heated fluid can be rapidly circulated through the heat exchanger without requiring massive pumping power. This preliminary thermal charging eliminates the need for high pumping power during peak demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a thermal energy storage system with heat exchangers as an intermediary between the geothermal brine and the working fluid. This intermediary allows thermal energy to be transferred without requiring direct high-flow circulation of brine, thereby reducing parasitic pumping losses while maintaining power output capability.
2Power
If traditional geothermal systems pressurize the reservoir to increase flow, then power output can increase, but reservoir containment is lost and induced seismicity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses natural convection currents and density differences between heated and cooled fluids to drive circulation through the geothermal reservoir, eliminating the need for high-pressure injection that causes induced seismicity. The fluid circulation is self-sustaining through buoyancy-driven natural convection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional geothermal systems ramp flow up and down significantly to match demand, then power output becomes dispatchable, but operational issues occur including sand production, liner failure, and pump operating range problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats working fluid in storage tanks before peak demand periods, allowing the geothermal brine flow to remain relatively constant while still providing dispatchable power output. This eliminates the need for rapid flow ramping and associated operational problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic charging and discharging cycles of thermal energy storage, where brine flow is maintained at steady state during charging and then pre-heated fluid is discharged during peak demand. This periodic operation avoids continuous flow fluctuations and maintains operational reliability.
4Quantity of substance
If intermittent renewable energy sources are integrated into the grid, then carbon-free energy production increases, but system integration becomes difficult due to rapid declines and inability to replace energy when sun is not shining or wind is not blowing
Solution Approach 1:
The geothermal system with thermal storage provides continuous, dispatchable power output that can immediately replace intermittent renewable energy when solar or wind production declines. The pre-heated fluid ensures uninterrupted power generation, maintaining continuous useful action in the energy supply chain.
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 enables the production of dispatchable, scalable, and fast-ramping electricity, optimizing the use of geothermal energy capacity while minimizing operational challenges, thus effectively supplementing intermittent renewable energy sources and reducing grid integration issues.
Implementation Method 1
circulating a working fluid in the loop with a predetermined residency time to thermally load circulating working fluid through conduction from the formation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for providing on demand power to an end user in a variety of embodiments are disclosed. Closed loop thermal recovery arrangements are disposed within a geologic formation having a predetermined potential thermal output capacity. A power generation device is incorporated in the loop to recover energy. A working fluid is circulated within the loop at varying flow rates to oscillate thermal output about the predetermined potential thermal output capacity, to produce on demand power where the average thermal output may equal the predetermined potential thermal output capacity. Integrations with intermittent renewable energy sources are provided which optimize performance and distribution.