Multipurpose Powerplant Tidal Solar Energy Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydroelectric power generation systems face inefficiencies due to periods of unused energy production, particularly during tidal cycles, leading to energy wastage and the need for plant reconfiguration to store energy using pumps, which results in losses.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose plant design that utilizes tidal energy to convert hydraulic gravitational potential energy into electricity, incorporating a collecting tank, photovoltaic-powered pump, and hydroelectric turbines, allowing energy recovery without reconfiguring plant components, and includes modules for hydrogen production and desalination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydroelectric turbines operate continuously to generate electricity from tidal movements, then electricity production is maintained, but energy is wasted during periods when electricity demand is low
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using pumps to transfer water to upper reservoirs during periods of low electricity demand, storing energy in advance for later use when demand increases, thus preventing energy waste while maintaining continuous turbine operation
2Loss of energy
If pumps are used to store energy by changing the configuration of the plant, then energy storage is achieved, but losses occur during the energy transfer process
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the storage function into separate upper and lower reservoirs, allowing independent operation and reducing the complexity of reconfiguration. The pumps operate between fixed reservoir levels rather than requiring dynamic plant reconfiguration, minimizing energy losses
Solution Approach 2:
The lower reservoir acts as an intermediary between the tidal water source and the upper reservoirs, facilitating energy storage without requiring direct reconfiguration of the main plant components, thus reducing losses
3Adaptability or versatility
If the plant configuration is changed to direct energy to storage pumps instead of users, then energy storage is enabled, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic operation where the same hydroelectric turbines can flexibly switch between generating electricity for users and driving pumps for energy storage, depending on demand conditions, without requiring physical reconfiguration of plant components
Solution Approach 2:
The hydroelectric turbines serve multiple functions: they can generate electricity directly for users during high demand periods, or drive pumps to transfer water to upper reservoirs for storage during low demand periods, eliminating the need for separate dedicated storage turbines and simplifying operation
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 system efficiently recovers and stores tidal energy, reducing losses and providing a constant energy supply, while also producing hydrogen and fresh water, meeting local needs without reconfiguring plant components.
Implementation Method 1
converting the kinetic energy deriving from the movements of a water source due to the action of the tides, in such a way as to increase the potential head of the turbines for hydroelectric conversion
Implementation Method 2
returning the same fluid to a greater height, the head of which has been used for generating the energy to be stored. In this way, the gravitational potential energy head can be used again
Implementation Method 3
the operating machine comprises a pump powered with solar power by means of the connection with the photovoltaic apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a plant (1) for converting the kinetic energy deriving from the movements of a water source (S) due to the action of the tides, in such a way as to increase the potential head of the turbines (5) for hydroelectric conversion and also comprising a photovoltaic apparatus (3).