Variable Displacement Machine for Wind Energy Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wind turbines often experience mechanical spillage of wind energy when the kinetic energy exceeds the electrical generation capacity, leading to inefficiencies and wasted power, while also facing capacity vacancies due to inconsistent wind speeds.
Innovation Solution
A system that incorporates a variable displacement machine to compress excess wind energy into a fluid, such as air, for storage in a tank, which can then be used to supplement power generation during low wind conditions or when the generator's capacity is not met, utilizing a gearbox and continuously variable transmission to manage power distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If wind energy exceeds generator capacity, then mechanical spillage occurs and energy is wasted, but adding storage capacity increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
A variable displacement machine serves as an intermediary component between the wind turbine and storage tank, enabling energy transfer and conversion while managing system complexity. The machine can operate in compression mode to store excess energy and in expansion mode to release stored energy, acting as a flexible mediator that resolves the contradiction between energy loss and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable displacement machine changes its operational parameters (displacement, compression ratio, operating mode) dynamically based on wind conditions and energy storage needs. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize energy capture during high wind conditions while maintaining manageable complexity through adaptive control rather than fixed complex infrastructure.
2Reliability
If wind speed is inconsistent, then capacity vacancies occur in power generation, but increasing storage capacity increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The variable displacement machine operates dynamically, switching between compression and expansion modes based on real-time wind conditions and power demand. This dynamic operation allows the system to maintain reliable power generation during inconsistent wind speeds without requiring oversized static storage capacity, thereby managing system complexity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic compression and expansion cycles through the variable displacement machine, storing energy during high wind periods and releasing it during low wind periods. This periodic action pattern smooths out power generation inconsistencies while avoiding the need for continuously complex control systems.
3Productivity
If excess wind energy is compressed into storage, then energy utilization improves, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable displacement machine performs multiple functions: it acts as a compressor during energy surplus, an expander during energy deficit, and can directly drive the generator under certain conditions. This multi-functionality improves energy utilization across varying wind conditions while avoiding the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable displacement machine can operate in a self-service manner where excess mechanical energy from the wind turbine directly drives the compression process without requiring additional external power inputs. The system uses its own generated energy to maintain storage pressure and operate, improving overall energy utilization while minimizing additional mechanical complexity.
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 increases overall power generation, reduces output intermittency, enhances spinning reserves, and improves low voltage ride-through capacity, while enabling black start ability and efficient energy utilization by converting mechanical spillage into stored energy.
Implementation Method 1
A wind turbine (also referred to as an aerofoil-powered generator) is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into electrical power
Implementation Method 2
a variable displacement machine configured to use the wind energy to compress a fluid such as air
Data Source
AI summary
A wind energy to compressed fluid conversion system has a compressor to compress fluid when the wind energy exceeds a capacity limit of the generator. Instead of trimming blades to create mechanical spillage, excess energy is converted and stored, and can furnish power when the generator experiences a capacity vacancy.