Power Plant Electrical Heating Unit for Renewable Grid Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power plants struggle to effectively adapt to fluctuations in renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy, leading to inefficiencies and increased CO2 emissions due to the inability to quickly adjust fuel supply and manage excess electrical energy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an electrical heating unit that converts electrical energy into thermal energy, allowing for flexible operation of the turbine and generator units, with a control unit managing the heating outputs of both the electrical and burner units to optimize fuel usage and storage of excess energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the power plant shuts down during increased renewable energy generation, then excess electrical energy can be avoided, but the shutdown and restart process involves high material loads and slow response speed that cannot effectively track fluctuations in wind or solar power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electrical heating unit as an intermediary device between the generator and the turbine. This heating unit converts excess electrical energy into thermal energy that pre-heats the working fluid, allowing the turbine to maintain operation while effectively utilizing surplus renewable energy. The intermediary heating unit enables smooth adaptation to renewable energy fluctuations without requiring shutdowns or causing material stress.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the burner unit operates at full capacity, then sufficient thermal energy is generated for the turbine, but fuel consumption and CO2 emissions increase when renewable energy is abundant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the burner unit by controlling it to operate at reduced capacity or part-load conditions when renewable energy is abundant. The electrical heating unit compensates for the reduced burner output, maintaining sufficient thermal energy for turbine operation while significantly reducing fuel consumption and associated CO2 emissions. This parameter adjustment enables flexible adaptation to renewable energy availability.
3Speed
If the power plant operates continuously to maintain readiness, then quick response to renewable energy fluctuations is possible, but excess fuel is consumed during periods of high renewable generation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuous operation of the turbine and generator units, ensuring they remain ready to respond quickly to renewable energy fluctuations. The electrical heating unit continuously converts excess electrical energy into thermal energy, which is used to maintain turbine operation. This continuous useful action enables rapid response to renewable energy changes while eliminating wasted fuel consumption that would occur during shutdowns or idle operations.
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
Enables quick adjustment of fuel supply, reduces CO2 emissions, and effectively utilizes excess electrical energy by storing it as thermal energy, maintaining constant turbine operation and minimizing fuel consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an electrical heating unit by means of which electrical energy can be converted into thermal energy for driving the turbine unit
Implementation Method 2
a burner unit in which thermal energy can be generated by burning a fuel
Implementation Method 3
a turbine unit in which a rotary movement can be generated with the thermal energy
Implementation Method 4
a generator unit which is driven by the rotary movement to generate electricity
Data Source
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AI summary
The power plant (100) has a burner unit (10), in which thermal energy is produced by burning a fuel. A turbine unit (50) is provided, in which a rotational movement is produced with the thermal energy. A generator unit (60) is driven by the rotational movement to generate electrical power. An electric heating unit (20) is provided in addition to burner unit, through which electrical energy is converted into thermal energy to drive the turbine unit to produce the thermal energy. The control unit (30) is used to control the heating powers of heating and burner unit. An independent claim is included for a method for generating electrical power in a burner unit.