Wind Turbine Power Transfer With External AC-DC Conversion for Hydrogen
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen production systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the need for multiple frequency and voltage conversions when integrating wind turbine power with the electrical grid, especially when power production exceeds demand or grid capacity.
Innovation Solution
A system that transports electrical power from a wind turbine to a hydrogen production system using an AC section operating at variable frequency, bypassing the need for AC-to-AC conversion and incorporating an AC-to-DC converter outside the turbine, allowing direct power transfer to the hydrogen production facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple frequency and voltage conversion steps are used to meet grid requirements, then electrical power can be fed into the power grid, but conversion losses increase and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the AC-to-DC conversion function from the wind turbine itself and places it at the hydrogen production facility. This removes the need for multiple conversion steps within the turbine, reducing conversion losses while maintaining grid compliance capabilities when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The power transport system is segmented into an AC section (from generator to AC-DC converter) and a DC section (from AC-DC converter to hydrogen production system). This segmentation allows the AC section to operate at variable frequency without requiring conversion, reducing energy losses.
2Reliability
If multiple frequency and voltage conversion steps are used to meet grid requirements, then electrical power can be fed into the power grid, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex AC-to-DC conversion infrastructure is extracted from the wind turbine and relocated to the hydrogen production facility. This simplifies the wind turbine system while maintaining the capability to deliver power to the grid when required.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of converting power at the source (wind turbine) to match grid requirements, the system inverts the approach by transporting power in its original AC variable frequency form and converting to DC only at the point of use (hydrogen production facility), simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Ease of operation
If AC-to-DC converter is integrated inside the wind turbine, then power conversion can be performed locally, but investment costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The AC-to-DC converter is extracted from the wind turbine and relocated to the hydrogen production facility. This reduces the complexity and cost of the wind turbine system while maintaining the essential power conversion function where it is most needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The power conversion function is merged with the hydrogen production facility infrastructure rather than being a separate component at the wind turbine. This consolidates resources and reduces overall system costs.
4Productivity
If variable speed operation is used to reduce structural loads, then wind turbine efficiency improves, but the need for full converter topologies increases conversion losses
Solution Approach 1:
The AC-to-DC conversion function is extracted from the wind turbine, allowing variable speed operation without requiring full converter topologies. This maintains wind turbine efficiency while eliminating the associated conversion losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters by allowing the AC section to operate at variable frequency directly from the generator, eliminating the need for fixed-frequency conversion and reducing energy losses in the process.
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 approach reduces conversion losses, lowers investment costs, and enhances efficiency by eliminating the need for additional power converters, enabling flexible operation with different generator types and frequencies, and facilitating centralized hydrogen production.
Implementation Method 1
The electrical power transport system comprises an AC (alternating current) section coupled to the generator, a DC (direct current) section coupled to the hydrogen production system, and an AC to DC converter coupled between the AC section and the DC section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system configured to provide electrical power from a wind turbine (201) to a hydrogen production system (60) is provided. The system (100) comprises at least one electrical power transport system (10), wherein the electrical power transport system (10) is associated with the wind turbine (201) and provides an electrical power transport path configured to transport electrical power from a generator (70) of the associated wind turbine (201) to the hydrogen production system (60). The electrical power transport system (10) comprises an AC section (20) coupled to the generator (70); a DC section (40) coupled to the hydrogen production system (60); and an AC to DC converter (30) coupled between the AC section (20) and the DC section (40). The AC to DC converter (30) is arranged outside the wind turbine (201). The AC section (20) of the electrical power transport system (10) is configured to operate at variable AC frequency.