Power plant system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current renewable energy systems, such as solar power, face inefficiencies and limitations in energy production due to weather dependence, low light conditions, and lack of effective storage solutions, leading to surplus energy and challenges in maintaining consistent energy supply.
Innovation Solution
A power plant system incorporating converging lens arrangements to concentrate incident light, even in moderate conditions, onto energy converters, combined with a self-contained laser radiation system and storage elements for surplus electricity, enabling efficient energy conversion and storage, especially during low-light phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional solar systems are used, then they can generate electricity from solar radiation, but they cannot achieve sufficiently high temperature values for efficient operation of downstream energy converters
Solution Approach 1:
The solar field is divided into multiple individual solar collectors, each equipped with its own converging lens system and energy converter. This segmentation allows each unit to independently focus light and achieve high temperatures, while the collective array provides substantial energy output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a third dimension by placing converging lenses above the solar collectors to focus light from above, in addition to the conventional front-facing solar absorption. This multi-directional light concentration enables achieving high temperatures while maintaining large energy capture area.
2Reliability
If solar energy systems are installed on roofs, then they can provide heating and electricity, but their energy output is dependent on weather conditions and solar irradiation
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-concentrates solar radiation during high-irradiation periods using converging lenses to heat thermal oil, storing thermal energy in heat exchangers. This preliminary action ensures energy availability during low-irradiation or adverse weather conditions, maintaining reliable and consistent energy supply.
3Temperature
If new ferroelectric crystal systems are used, then they can achieve temperatures many times higher than conventional solar technologies, but this leads to excessive surplus electricity energy that cannot be consumed or stored in the short term
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thermal oil as the heat transfer medium, which has appropriate thermal capacity and temperature range characteristics. By selecting suitable thermal storage media and adjusting operational parameters, the system balances high temperature achievement with manageable energy storage requirements, avoiding excessive surplus energy production.
4Power
If solar radiation is used to produce hot water and energy sources, then energy can be generated, but the system reaches upper temperature and energy limits depending on weather and irradiation conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Thermal oil serves as an intermediary substance that absorbs concentrated solar radiation, transfers heat to water through heat exchangers, and stores excess thermal energy. This intermediary enables the system to achieve higher temperatures than direct water heating while maintaining stable energy generation capacity under varying weather 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
This system enhances the efficiency of energy converters by increasing light intensity, allows for effective storage and reuse of surplus electricity, and ensures a consistent energy supply by integrating laser light during low-light conditions, thereby addressing the limitations of existing renewable energy systems.
Implementation Method 1
A power plant system incorporating converging lens arrangements to concentrate incident light, even in moderate conditions, onto energy converters
Implementation Method 2
combined with a self-contained laser radiation system and storage elements for surplus electricity, enabling efficient energy conversion and storage, especially during low-light phases
Data Source
AI summary
A power plant system comprising a number of energy converters fed by light, which are preceded on the light side by a converging lens arrangement.