Mobile Energy Storage Media for Decoupled Charge and Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems fail to maximize utilization factors and financial returns due to limited charging and discharging cycles, reliance on traditional grid transmission, and inefficient use of charging co-products or byproducts, particularly in autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A distributed and decoupled energy storage system utilizing a universal charged media that separates charging and discharging locations, optimizing the design and control of components to increase charge/discharge cycles, leverage charging co-products or byproducts, and decouple oxygen consumption from electrical consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the vehicle is used solely as a dispatched energy storage system at the second location, then energy storage discharging function is achieved, but the vehicle asset cost remains dormant and utilization rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a logistics vehicle for transporting cargo or people between first and second locations, and as a mobile energy storage system that can discharge at the second location. This multi-functionality ensures the vehicle asset remains productive whether used for transportation or energy storage, eliminating downtime and maximizing utilization rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the second location based on the primary vehicle purpose (logistics of cargo or people). The vehicle can flexibly switch between transportation mode and energy storage mode depending on operational needs, allowing adaptive use of the vehicle asset to maintain high utilization rates while meeting energy storage requirements.
2Loss of energy
If charging and discharging take place at the same location in stationary energy storage systems, then time differential between peak and off-peak rate structures is realized, but transmission lines of the traditional grid are not bypassed and utilization factors are not increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the charging location from the discharging location. Charging occurs at the first location during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, and the vehicle transports the stored energy to the second location for discharging during peak hours when rates are higher. This spatial segmentation enables the system to bypass traditional grid transmission and capture greater value from peak-off-peak rate differentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile vehicle acts as an intermediary carrier that transports energy storage media between the first location (charging site) and the second location (discharging site). This intermediary function enables decoupling of charging and discharging operations in both space and time, allowing the system to exploit price differentials across different locations and time periods while increasing charge/discharge cycle rates.
3Productivity
If the vehicle operates with primary logistics function, then transportation service is provided, but secondary energy storage function is not utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the primary logistics function of the vehicle with the secondary energy storage function. The vehicle simultaneously serves as a transportation vehicle for cargo or passengers and as a mobile energy storage system. The energy storage media is integrated into the vehicle, allowing it to provide both transportation services and energy storage services without requiring separate systems, thereby maximizing asset utilization.
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
Significantly increases daily charge/discharge cycles, reduces transport and labor costs, maximizes financial returns, and enhances the utilization rate of energy storage systems by bypassing traditional grid transmission and utilizing charging co-products effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a distributed and decoupled energy storage system leveraging preferably a universal charged media operable in both stationary and mobile assets
Implementation Method 2
The system further comprises vehicle transportation equipment to transport the energy storage media from a first location to a second location
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for energy distribution with decoupled by time and space domains that integrates energy storage capabilities that feature co-products utilization at the point of energy storage charging, byproduct utilization at the point of energy production, and time and space decoupling of vehicle shuttling energy storage media discharge to accelerate return on investment, reduce system energy consumption, and maximize utilization of existing energy infrastructure. Additionally, the system executes the energy transactions by controlling and integrating distributed energy producers and consumers with minimal grid dependence.