Integrated Renewable Energy System with Algal Carbon Sequestration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and bio-mass struggle to provide reliable, continuous baseload energy due to intermittency and high costs, making it difficult to meet increasing energy demands while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
An integrated power generation system combining wind, solar thermal, and bio-mass energy sources, with advanced controls to seamlessly switch between fuels and optimize energy output, utilizing closed-cycle steam generators and efficient logistics for bio-mass management, and carbon sequestration through photobioreactors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If renewable energy sources (wind, solar, bio-mass) are used to generate electricity, then greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, but reliable continuous baseload energy cannot be provided due to intermittency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines three distinct renewable energy sources (wind turbines, solar thermal collectors, and bio-mass boiler) into a single integrated power generation system. The control system merges their outputs to provide continuous baseload energy, using each source to compensate for the intermittency of others, thereby achieving reliable electricity generation while maintaining zero fossil fuel consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system serves multiple functions simultaneously: wind turbines provide mechanical-to-electrical conversion, solar thermal collectors provide thermal energy for steam generation, and the bio-mass boiler provides backup thermal energy. The control system universally manages all three sources to maintain continuous power output, making the system adaptable to varying weather conditions and energy demands
2Productivity
If renewable energy technologies are deployed to meet increasing energy demand, then clean energy capacity is expanded, but high costs and expensive technology prevent economical operation
Solution Approach 1:
By merging three renewable energy technologies into one system, the patent achieves economies of scale and shared infrastructure costs. The common elements (steam generators, turbines, control systems) are shared across all three energy sources, reducing overall system cost per unit of energy produced while expanding total energy capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers and utilizes waste heat from various components for preheating feedwater and other thermal processes, improving overall energy efficiency. Additionally, the bio-mass system can utilize locally sourced organic waste materials as fuel, reducing fuel costs and transforming a waste management problem into an energy production asset
3Adaptability or versatility
If intermittent renewable energy sources are integrated into the power system, then renewable energy utilization is increased, but transmission and delivery reliability deteriorates due to unpredictable demand and weather dependence
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the output and availability of each energy source (wind speed, solar irradiance, bio-mass fuel levels) and dynamically adjusts their operation to maintain stable power output. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system can reliably meet energy demands by optimizing the contribution of each renewable source based on real-time conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of each energy source based on varying weather conditions and energy demands. The control system modulates the contribution of wind, solar, and bio-mass sources in real-time, allowing the system to adapt to intermittent renewable availability while maintaining stable and reliable power delivery to the grid
4Reliability
If fossil fuel capacity is built to augment renewable resources, then energy security is improved, but greenhouse gas emissions and pollution increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the inherent intermittency and unpredictability of renewable energy sources from a liability into an asset by using intelligent control to orchestrate their combined output. The system transforms variable wind, solar, and bio-mass resources into stable, reliable baseload power, eliminating the need for fossil fuel backup while maintaining energy security and achieving zero emissions
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 provides 100% availability of electric power 24/7, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and operates at cost-competitive levels with conventional fossil fuel plants, ensuring reliable and scalable renewable energy capacity.
Implementation Method 1
solar thermal system
Implementation Method 2
heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
wind system
Implementation Method 4
combustion of bio-mass
Implementation Method 5
steam driven turbines
Implementation Method 6
turbines driving electric generators
Implementation Method 7
condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A system for continuously generating baseload electrical energy entirely from renewable resources and transmitting the generated electrical energy to a transmission grid includes, in combination, a first energy generation device for continuously generating electrical energy output, which has a bio-mass fuel supply requirement for generating the electrical energy. One or more additional energy generation devices provide, as available, intermittent electrical and thermal energy for substituting, or supplementing, the electrical energy output of the first energy generation device, and for supplementing the fuel supply requirement for the first energy generation device. A switching device ensures a least-cost generation of baseload electrical energy from the generating system by selectively using the output of the first energy generation device or, as available, the one or more additional energy generation device for substituting, or supplementing, the electrical output of the first energy generation device, and selectively supplementing the fuel supply requirement of the first energy generation device providing, at a minimum, a baseload electrical energy output exclusively from renewable energy resources. A redundant supply of combustible bio-mass fuel assets are assured by a bio-mass harvesting and logistics system which supplies such fuels directly from the source to the first energy generation device for combustion. Effluent gasses containing CO2 from bio-mass combustion are sequestered in a body of fluid containing micro-algal bodies and light-emitting sources for causing, by photosynthesis in the presence of CO2, an increased mass of algal bodies by absorption of the CO2 and the emission of free oxygen. The increased mass of algal bodies are removed from the fluid body and used for the production of bio-diesel fuel. A method of operating an entirely renewable sourced electric power generation and transmission business is also provided.