Underground Energy Store Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage solutions, such as batteries, face challenges in maintaining a stable temperature and protecting against environmental influences, leading to potential malfunctions and inefficiencies, especially in lithium-ion accumulators.
Innovation Solution
An energy store arrangement where the battery is housed underground with a thermogenerator and/or heat exchanger outside, utilizing soil materials for heat dissipation and temperature regulation, and incorporating a protective housing with a thermally induced extinguishing agent and inert gas for safety and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the energy store is installed above ground with traditional cooling systems, then temperature control can be achieved through active cooling, but the system requires additional components (ventilation, air conditioning) increasing complexity and malfunction probability
Solution Approach 1:
The ground itself serves as the cooling medium, utilizing its natural thermal mass and temperature stability to passively regulate the battery temperature without requiring active cooling systems. The battery housing is simply placed in the ground where the soil automatically absorbs excess heat and maintains stable temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground soil acts as an intermediary thermal medium between the battery and the external environment, absorbing heat from the battery and maintaining a stable operating temperature range without requiring direct active cooling intervention.
2Ease of manufacture
If the energy store is exposed to environmental influences, then accessibility and installation simplicity are improved, but the probability of malfunction increases due to environmental damage and chemical emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The ground environment provides a naturally inert and protective atmosphere for the battery, isolating it from oxygen, moisture, and other environmental factors that could cause degradation or malfunction. The soil acts as a protective barrier that prevents oxidation and chemical reactions with the battery components.
3Temperature
If active cooling systems are used for the energy store, then temperature regulation can be achieved, but heat waste occurs without utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The heat generated by the battery, which would normally be waste heat to be dissipated, is instead utilized by the ground system. The ground absorbs and stores this thermal energy, which can then be recovered and used for heating purposes, converting what would be a loss into a useful resource.
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 maintains a stable temperature, reduces the risk of malfunctions, and enhances the service life of lithium-ion batteries by utilizing ground temperature stability and inert gases, while also providing fire protection and efficient heat utilization.
Implementation Method 1
the thermogenerator works according to a thermoelectric effect, in particular according to the Seebeck effect
Implementation Method 2
heat generated by the energy store can be released into the surrounding soil material
Implementation Method 3
heat generated by the energy store can be released into the surrounding soil material and can be used there
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an arrangement comprising an energy store, wherein the energy store is arranged in a housing, wherein the housing is arranged sunk into the ground, and thus in particular is at least partially surrounded by soil, sand, gravel, stones and/or water.