Residential Load Shifting Storage with CHP and TEGs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Residential electric load shifting and combined heat and power systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the lack of effective energy storage solutions, with current battery technology being more expensive than running peaking power plants and thermo-electric generators (TEGs) being inefficient for residential use.
Innovation Solution
A residential electric load shifting energy storage system combined with a combined heat and power (CHP) system using micro-processors, batteries, and TEGs, where TEGs are heated by a modified natural gas fired tankless hot water heater and cooled through a hot water coil in the heating system, with load shedding capabilities and emergency power provisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If current battery technology is used for energy storage, then load shifting capability is provided, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a combined heat and power (CHP) system with an energy storage system to create a hybrid system that provides load shifting capability while reducing overall system cost. The CHP system generates electricity and captures waste heat, which is stored in a thermal energy storage tank, thereby reducing reliance on expensive battery technology alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: the CHP system provides both electricity generation and thermal energy production, the thermal energy storage tank stores both excess heat and cold, and the control system manages multiple energy sources (grid, CHP, thermal storage, batteries). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems.
2Reliability
If peaking power plants are used to meet intermittent residential demand, then power supply reliability is improved, but emission levels increase by 30%
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by generating electricity and storing thermal energy during off-peak hours when the CHP system operates efficiently and emissions are lower. The thermal energy storage tank captures and stores heat during these periods, so that during peak demand periods, the stored thermal energy can be released, reducing the need to operate high-emission peaking power plants.
3Device complexity
If conventional separate heating and power systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but overall efficiency drops to around 51%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the previously separate heating and power systems into an integrated combined heat and power (CHP) system. The CHP system generates electricity and simultaneously captures waste heat that would otherwise be lost. This integrated approach raises overall system efficiency from 51% to 75% by utilizing both electrical and thermal energy outputs from the same prime mover.
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 reduces CO2 emissions, lowers utility costs, and provides efficient energy use by shifting peak loads, offering emergency power and reducing the need for new infrastructure, with potential to remove the equivalent of 19.8 million tons of CO2 annually from 60 million homes.
Implementation Method 1
Thermo electric generators (TEG's) produce electric energy through a differential in temperature using what is known as the Seebeck effect
Implementation Method 2
The CHP can be cooled with a hot water coil placed in the hot air return duct of a residential forced hot air heating system
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for shifting residential electric load from a utility power grid to a battery system during preconfigured hours of electric use. The apparatus includes a memory configured to store computer executable instructions, and a microprocessor in communication with the memory, the microprocessor configured to execute the instructions to cause the apparatus to shift residential electric load from the utility power grid to the battery system for a first time period during a first calendar period of a calendar year, and to shift residential electric load from the utility power grid to the battery system for a second time period during a second calendar period of the calendar year.