Abstract

Systems and methods for improving the efficacy of a wind turbine farm by providing a mechanical compressed air energy storage solution to provide power to the grid when electricity demand requires it. Specifically, a system for storing compressed air energy recovered from a wind turbine driven compressor. The system can include a primary spherical pressure vessel configured for fluid communication with a compressed air source and a secondary spherical pressure vessel in fluid communication with the primary spherical pressure vessel. Air stored in the pressure vessels can then be discharged to a combustion power generator to generate supplemental electrical energy or through a turbo expander to directly generate electricity.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03D 9/17 - Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy storing energy in pressurised fluids
• F02C 1/00 - Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of hot gases or unheated pressurised gases, as the working fluid
• F02C 6/14 - Gas-turbine plants having means for storing energy, e.g. for meeting peak loads
• F02C 6/16 - Gas-turbine plants having means for storing energy, e.g. for meeting peak loads for storing compressed air

Abstract

Systems and methods for improving the efficacy of a wind turbine farm by providing a mechanical compressed air energy storage solution to provide power to the grid when electricity demand requires it. Specifically, a system for storing compressed air energy recovered from a wind turbine driven compressor. The system can include a primary spherical pressure vessel configured for fluid communication with a compressed air source and a secondary spherical pressure vessel in fluid communication with the primary spherical pressure vessel. Air stored in the pressure vessels can then be discharged to a combustion power generator to generate supplemental electrical energy or through a turbo expander to directly generate electricity.

IPC Classes  ?

• F17C 13/00 - Details of vessels or of the filling or discharging of vessels
• F03D 9/17 - Combinations of wind motors with apparatus storing energy storing energy in pressurised fluids

Abstract

Systems and methods for improving the efficiency of a power plant exploit the temperature differential of the cooling water that may exist seasonally in some geographic locations. Specifically, new systems and ways of retrofitting existing systems to utilize the additional temperature differential of a power plant's coolant during colder months are provided in order to increase the efficiency of the plant. A second working fluid loop converts a portion of the condenser of the first working fluid loop into the boiler for the second working fluid loop in which the first and second working fluids in these respective loops are different. Thus, the energy output of the plant may be increased by the addition of a selectively operated secondary loop without an increase in fuel consumption.

IPC Classes  ?

• F01K 25/10 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours the vapours being cold, e.g. ammonia, carbon dioxide, ether
• F01K 9/00 - Steam engine plants characterised by condensers arranged or modified to co-operate with the engines
• F01K 23/00 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids
• F01K 23/04 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled condensation heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle