Thermal Storage for Grid-Coordinated Heating, Power, and Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Combined heating power and cooling systems face challenges in coordinating cooling and heating loads with power demand in active distribution networks, particularly during valley periods when electricity generation is not allowed, leading to inefficient energy utilization and unstable recovery of flue gas waste heat.
Innovation Solution
A combined heating power and cooling apparatus with energy storage type, incorporating a generation apparatus, energy storing electric heat pump, waste heat recovering and absorbing heat pump, and heat exchangers, which allows for stable recovery of flue gas waste heat and efficient energy utilization by adjusting operations during electrical load valleys and peaks through specific valve combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the combined heating power and cooling system operates by determining electricity based on cooling or heating demand, then the cooling or heating demand of users is met, but the cooling and heating load cannot be coordinated with the power demand of the network during valley periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing thermal energy in the energy storage tank during valley periods when electricity is available, so that the stored heat can be used during peak periods when power demand is high. This allows the system to decouple the timing of heat generation from heat consumption, enabling coordination with network power demand while still meeting user cooling and heating demands.
2Productivity
If an electricity storing apparatus is added to the system, then the system can operate during valley periods, but the energy consumption increases and the cost becomes expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the conventional electricity storage apparatus (electrical batteries) with a thermal energy storage system using phase change materials in the energy storage tank. This substitution uses thermal energy instead of electrical energy for storage, significantly reducing energy losses and costs while maintaining the ability to operate during valley periods and provide power during peak periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the storage medium from electrical to thermal form, utilizing the phase change properties of materials (latent heat) to store and release energy. This parameter change allows the system to achieve the same productivity benefit (operation during valley periods) with much lower energy consumption and cost.
3Loss of energy
If the system employs heat pump technology to recover flue gas waste heat, then energy utilization efficiency improves, but the operating manner of determining electricity based on heat does not fit electricity scheduling demands
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by recovering and storing thermal energy from flue gas in the energy storage tank during periods when heat is available, so that this recovered heat can be utilized during peak electricity periods. This decouples the heat recovery process from immediate heat consumption, allowing the system to operate in a determining electricity based on power availability mode that aligns with electricity scheduling demands while maintaining high waste heat recovery efficiency.
4Productivity
If the combined heating power and cooling system is incorporated into the active distribution network, then distributed power supply efficiency improves, but the cooling and heating load cannot be coordinated with power demand during valley periods when grid scheduling does not allow electricity generation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by generating and storing thermal energy during valley periods when grid scheduling allows electricity generation, so that the stored heat can be delivered during peak periods when power demand exceeds supply. This time-shifting capability enables the system to coordinate with grid scheduling requirements while maintaining high distributed power supply efficiency and ensuring continuous heat delivery to users.
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 solution stabilizes energy output fluctuations, ensures stable recovery of flue gas waste heat, and enhances grid regulation capabilities by improving energy utilization efficiency and adapting to peak and off-peak power differences.
Implementation Method 1
a water side outlet of a first evaporator of the energy storing electric heat pump is connected to a water side inlet of the low temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a water side outlet of the first evaporator of the energy storing electric heat pump is connected to a water side inlet of the low temperature energy storing canister
Implementation Method 3
a flue gas outlet of the generation apparatus is connected to a generator flue gas inlet of the waste heat recovering and absorbing heat pump
Implementation Method 4
a large amount of flue gas condensation heat is still not be recovered
Implementation Method 5
a flue gas outlet of the waste heat recovering and absorbing heat pump is connected to a flue gas inlet of the high temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger
Implementation Method 6
a flue gas outlet of the high temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger is connected to a flue gas inlet of the medium temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger, a flue gas outlet of the medium temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger is connected to a flue gas inlet of the low temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger
Implementation Method 7
the generation apparatus is connected to the generator for powering the generator
Data Source
AI summary
The Application relates to a combined heating power and cooling apparatus with energy storage for an active distribution network and its operating method. The apparatus is comprised of a generation apparatus, a generator, a waste heat recovering and absorbing heat pump, a high temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger, a medium temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger, a low temperature flue gas-water heat exchanger, an energy storing electric heat pump, a high temperature energy storing canister, a low temperature energy storing canister, a cooling tower, a number of circulating water pumps and a number of valves. The operating method changes the traditional operation modes of the system “determining electricity based on heat” and “determining electricity based on cooling”, causes the system to regulate power of the generated electricity on grid, participate in the regulation of grid load, solve the problem of a limited ability of generation peak regulation due to the inter-coupling of power generation, heat supply and cooling supply.