Underground Fluid Bladder for Peak Load Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an environmentally friendly method to store large amounts of energy, particularly from intermittent sources like wind energy, to reduce reliance on less efficient 'peaking plants' and ensure consistent energy supply during peak demand periods.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a flexible underground bladder to store energy by injecting a compressible or incompressible fluid under pressure, which can be released to power hydraulic motors or turbines to generate electricity, allowing for efficient energy storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If large amounts of energy are stored using conventional methods, then energy supply during peak demand is improved, but environmental harm increases due to reliance on peaking plants
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful element (peaking plants) from the energy system by providing an alternative storage solution. By storing energy in underground bladders during off-peak hours and releasing it during peak demand, the system eliminates the need to operate inefficient, polluting peaking plants, thus maintaining reliability while removing environmental harm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary energy storage during off-peak hours when demand is low. Energy is captured and stored in underground bladders in advance, so that when peak demand occurs, the pre-stored energy can be released immediately, eliminating the need for harmful peaking plants without compromising supply reliability.
2Reliability
If wind energy is captured and stored, then energy reliability during peak demand is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The underground bladder system acts as an intermediary between intermittent wind energy sources and the electrical grid. The bladder stores mechanical energy from wind turbines during generation periods and releases it during peak demand, simplifying the integration of renewable energy while maintaining grid reliability without requiring complex conversion or control systems.
3Reliability
If peaking plants are used to meet additional demand, then energy supply during peak demand is maintained, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary energy storage during off-peak hours when base load plants operate at optimal efficiency. By pre-storing energy in underground bladders during these efficient operating periods, the system can meet peak demand using the stored energy rather than activating inefficient peaking plants, thus maintaining supply continuity while preserving operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts peaking plants from the operational sequence by providing an alternative energy source. Instead of bringing online inefficient peaking plants during peak demand, the system releases pre-stored energy from underground bladders, eliminating the need for low-efficiency peak generation while maintaining reliable supply.
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 enables the storage of energy generated during off-peak hours for use during peak demand, reducing the need for inefficient peaking plants and providing a reliable, environmentally friendly energy storage system.
Implementation Method 1
an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it such that, when a fluid is pumped into the receptacle in a quantity sufficient to fill the receptacle and cause it to expand somewhat, the mass above the receptacle places the fluid in the receptacle under pressure
Implementation Method 2
a pump means for pumping the fluid from the source of fluid into the receptacle such that the receptacle expands and lifts the overfill
Implementation Method 3
a generator means for converting fluid flow to electrical power, wherein the generator means includes a means for transmitting the electrical power generated to a load
Data Source
AI summary
Energy can be stored by directing fluid into an expandable receptacle that has a relatively heavy mass above it. The fluid fills the receptacle such that it expands and lifts up the heavy mass above it. At a time when energy is needed, the fluid can be allowed to flow out of the receptacle and through a turbine or hydraulic motor to generate power or electricity. Intermittent or unreliable sources of power can be used to fill the receptacle, or power from a power grid can be used to fill the receptacle at times that are off-peak. During peak-load times, the potential energy of the fluid in the receptacle can be converted to power. The receptacle can also be used to control water flows and can provide a source of power and potable water to a community.