Abstract

An energy transportation and grid support system utilizes at least one transportable containment module capable of storing thermal or chemical energy typically produced from renewable or geothermal sources and providing connectivity with energy conversion equipment typically located in a land or sea-based operating facility. The system includes circuitry to hookup to an adjacent electricity grid for the provision of grid support and/or piping to move thermal energy typically used to drive steam turbines generating ' electricity. The operating facility also includes a communication arrangement to link with and exchange operations control data with a grid or heating operator and the energy transportation operator. The invention is directed to both apparatus and method for the energy transportation and grid support system.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02J 15/00 - Systems for storing electric energy
• B63B 25/00 - Load-accommodating arrangements, e.g. stowing or trimmingVessels characterised thereby
• B63B 38/00 - Vessels or like floating structures not otherwise provided for
• H02J 3/38 - Arrangements for parallelly feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers

Abstract

An improved control arrangement is used in a high power rectifier and comprises two or more power controllers ganged together in parallel. Each power controller rectifies an AC voltage signal using zero voltage crossing switching to produce a binary switched signal and each power controller is connected to an independent connectible load. Each power controller includes a fast acting binary power switch that selectively connects the respective independent connectible load to the rectified AC voltage signal. The control arrangement selectively activates the power controllers to define a desired connected load. This high power rectifier and control arrangement is advantageously used to provide fast up down power regulation to a grid by selective storage of thermal energy and deriving power from the thermal energy storage system to add fill in power to the grid.

IPC Classes  ?

• H02M 1/08 - Circuits specially adapted for the generation of control voltages for semiconductor devices incorporated in static converters
• B60L 7/06 - Dynamic electric resistor braking for vehicles propelled by AC motors
• B60L 7/14 - Dynamic electric regenerative braking for vehicles propelled by AC motors
• B60L 7/22 - Dynamic electric resistor braking, combined with dynamic electric regenerative braking
• B61H 9/06 - Brakes characterised by, or modified for, their application to special railway systems or purposes for storing energy during braking action
• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or
• H01L 31/058 - including means to utilise heat energy, e.g. hybrid systems, or a supplementary source of electric energy
• H02M 7/04 - Conversion of AC power input into DC power output without possibility of reversal by static converters
• H02J 15/00 - Systems for storing electric energy

Abstract

High temperature energy can be provided using a containment vessel (204), a heat retention matrix (202) contained within the containment vessel (204), a volume of a working fluid (206) contained within the containment vessel (204) and in contact with the heat retention matrix (202), and, optionally, a reactive compound removal system (220) that removes reactive compounds from the working fluid. The heat retention matrix (202) includes an allotropic form of carbon. The working fluid (206) includes nitrogen gas and one or more noble gases. Related systems and methods are also described.

IPC Classes  ?

• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or