Renewable power generation and storage using photovoltaic modules, solar thermal storage, and batteries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lithium-ion batteries are economically unviable for intermediate-term and long-duration energy storage, and existing energy storage solutions face inefficiencies in converting thermal energy to electrical energy.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) generator with a high temperature heat source, ambient temperature heat sink, and solar thermal collector, combined with battery storage devices, to efficiently convert thermal energy into electrical energy and store it for short, intermediate, and long durations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If lithium-ion batteries are used for energy storage, then short-term storage (two hours) is cost-effective, but intermediate-term (four-six hours) and long-duration storage become prohibitively expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different energy storage technologies: lithium-ion batteries for short-term storage and thermal energy storage systems for intermediate and long-duration storage. This hybrid approach allows the system to leverage the high efficiency of batteries for immediate needs while using the cost-effective thermal storage for extended duration requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between storage duration and cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal energy storage system serves multiple functions: it stores energy for intermediate and long-duration needs, and can also be converted to electricity when needed. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace expensive battery storage for longer durations while maintaining flexibility to meet varying energy demands across different time scales.
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional thermal to electrical conversion systems are used, then thermal energy can be converted to electricity, but the conversion process is inefficient and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the waste heat that would normally be discarded in conventional thermal to electrical conversion systems. By capturing this waste heat and storing it in the thermal energy storage system, the patent improves overall conversion efficiency while simplifying the system architecture, as the thermal storage can directly store heat without requiring complex intermediate conversion mechanisms.
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 achieves a higher round-trip efficiency and cost-effectiveness by simplifying the process, reducing construction and maintenance costs, and increasing energy storage capacity and duration.
Implementation Method 1
The solar thermal collector includes a photovoltaic (PV) module, and the solar thermal collector is configured to convert a first portion of sunlight to thermal energy and a second portion of the sunlight to electrical energy
Implementation Method 2
The solar thermal collector is configured to convert a first portion of sunlight to thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
the generator working fluid receives heat from the high temperature heat source and exhausts heat to the ambient temperature heat sink
Implementation Method 4
the generator working fluid with a boiling temperature greater than the temperature of the ambient temperature heat sink
Implementation Method 5
the generator working fluid receives heat from the high temperature heat source and exhausts heat to the ambient temperature heat sink
Implementation Method 6
The one or more battery storage devices are configured to receive electricity from the PV module and the ORC generator
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing electrical power includes a high temperature heat source, an ambient temperature heat sink, an ORC generator, a solar thermal collector, and an SDES device. The ORC generator includes a generator working fluid with a boiling temperature greater than an ambient temperature of the ambient temperature heat sink, and the generator working fluid receives heat from the high temperature heat source and exhausts heat to the ambient temperature heat sink. The solar thermal collector is in thermal communication with the high temperature heat source to heat the high temperature heat source. The solar thermal collector includes a photovoltaic (PV) module, and the solar thermal collector is configured to convert a first portion of sunlight to thermal energy and a second portion of the sunlight to electrical energy. The SDES device receives electrical energy from one of the ORC generator and the PV module.