Thermal Energy Storage for Flexible Power Plant Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power plants face challenges in providing a flexible and efficient power supply due to their inflexibility in transitioning from full-load to part-load operations, leading to energy losses and reliance on inefficient thermal storage solutions that fail to utilize waste heat effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a power plant thermally coupled with a thermal energy store and an energy conversion device, allowing for the storage of excess electricity as low-temperature thermal energy, reducing cooling requirements and enabling the use of waste heat, with a control device prioritizing renewable energy feed into the grid, and utilizing heat or cold storage for district heating/cooling networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional power plants operate at full load to maintain efficiency, then energy efficiency is improved, but flexibility to adapt to varying power demand deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy store is charged in advance during periods of power oversupply (when renewable energy production exceeds demand), storing thermal energy before it is needed. This preliminary action allows the power plant to maintain full-load operation without immediately responding to fluctuating demand, thus preserving both efficiency and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal energy store acts as an intermediary between the power plant and the power grid. It decouples the power plant's continuous full-load operation from the variable power demand, allowing the plant to maintain optimal operating conditions while the thermal store buffers variations in demand.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional power plants switch from full-load to part-load operation to match demand, then flexibility is improved, but energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of reducing power plant output to match demand fluctuations, the system performs preliminary action by charging the thermal energy store in advance during periods of excess supply. This allows the power plant to maintain full-load operation and avoid the energy losses associated with part-load operation.
3Quantity of substance
If thermal energy storage is implemented at high temperature levels, then energy density is improved, but heat losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the thermal energy storage from conventional high temperatures to low temperatures (specifically 0°C to 100°C). This parameter change reduces heat losses to the environment while still providing sufficient energy density for the application, as the thermal store is used to balance power supply rather than to store large amounts of energy for long periods.
4Loss of energy
If power plants are operated at partial load to prevent excess electricity generation, then energy losses are reduced, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy store serves as an intermediary that absorbs the excess electricity generation without requiring the power plant to reduce its output. This allows the plant to continue operating at full load (maintaining productivity and avoiding increased operational costs) while the thermal store prevents energy losses from curtailment.
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
Enables flexible and efficient power supply management by reducing energy losses, utilizing waste heat, and integrating conventional power plants into smart grids with prioritized renewable energy integration, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first thermal store (T1) being thermally coupled to a condenser (15) of the power plant (10)
Implementation Method 2
the coupling of the thermal store to a condenser of the power plant opens up the possibility of dissipating thermal energy, which reduces the cooling requirement in the condenser of the power plant
Implementation Method 3
an energy conversion device, which is designed to charge the thermal energy store in a time interval of a power oversupply
Data Source
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AI summary
The energy storage arrangement according to the invention for increasing the flexibility of power plants controls the provision of electricity to an electrical grid, such that the electricity supply from the power plant is reduced to the current electric power demand by charging a thermal energy store and thus the provision of electricity by renewable energy sources to the electrical grid can be given precedence. To achieve this, the power plant can be arranged with a heat pump or also with a refrigeration unit and can be connected in particular to said pump or unit by means of thermal stores. The thermal energy stores can preferably be discharged via district heating - or district cooling networks.