Abstract

A power production system (1) comprises: a hydraulic turbine (2), installable in a penstock (3) and being rotatable in a first rotation direction by effect of a flow of fluid flowing in the penstock (3) in a downward direction; an energy converter group (4); an accumulator (5); a control unit (6), configured to operate the system (1) in a power generation mode, in which the energy converter group (4) receives an input mechanical power from the hydraulic turbine (2) rotating in the first rotation direction, generates an output electric power and supplies said output electrical power to an external grid (7) and/or to the accumulator (5), and in a downward pushing mode, in which the energy converter group (4) absorbs an input electrical power from the accumulator (5) and generates an output mechanical power to move the hydraulic turbine (2).

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 13/06 - Stations or aggregates of water-storage type
• F03B 15/00 - Controlling

Abstract

A submersible hydraulic assembly (6) for an energy storage plant (1) comprises: • at least one hydraulic machine (12); • at least one first buoyancy chamber (46, 50, 63) filled with at least one first buoyancy element (47, 51, 64); the at least one first buoyancy chamber (46, 50, 63) being configured in such a way that the hydraulic machine (12) is substantially neutrally buoyant when submerged in an environmental liquid. The invention further relates to an energy storage plant (1), to a method for performing maintenance operations on an energy storage plant (1) and to a method for assembling/disassembling an energy storage plant (1).

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 13/06 - Stations or aggregates of water-storage type
• F03B 13/10 - Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
• F03B 3/10 - Machines or engines of reaction typeParts or details peculiar thereto characterised by having means for functioning alternatively as pumps or turbines
• F03B 17/06 - Other machines or engines using liquid flow, e.g. of swinging-flap type

Abstract

An hydroelectric unit (12) extends along a longitudinal axis (B) and comprises:. at least one rim-driven hydraulic machine (14) comprising an impeller (18) provided with at least two blades (21);. at least one motor/generator (17; 117) configured to selectively supply mechanical energy to the impeller (18) or convert mechanical energy produced by the impeller (18) into electricity; the motor/generator (17; 117) comprising an annular rotor (55; 155) arranged about the impeller (18) and an annular stator (56; 156) arranged, at a distance, about the annular rotor (55; 155); the annular rotor (55; 155) being coupled to the impeller (18) and comprising a plurality of rotor poles (58; 158), which are distributed along an annular surface (63; 25), are arranged parallel one to another and extend transversal to a plane (I) containing the longitudinal axis (B) forming a first angle (oil; a2) with the plane (I) containing the longitudinal axis (B); the annular stator (56; 156) comprising a plurality of stator windings (60; 160) and a plurality of stator slots (61; 161) configured to guide the magnetic flux and to house respective stator windings (60; 160); the stator slots (61; 161) being arranged parallel one to another and extending transversal to a plane (I) containing the longitudinal axis (B) forming a second angle (β1; β2) with the plane (I) containing the longitudinal axis (B).

IPC Classes  ?

• F03B 3/10 - Machines or engines of reaction typeParts or details peculiar thereto characterised by having means for functioning alternatively as pumps or turbines
• F03B 13/08 - Machine or engine aggregates in dams or the likeConduits therefor
• H02K 1/27 - Rotor cores with permanent magnets
• H02K 21/14 - Synchronous motors having permanent magnetsSynchronous generators having permanent magnets with stationary armatures and rotating magnets with magnets rotating within the armatures
• F03B 13/06 - Stations or aggregates of water-storage type
• F03B 13/10 - Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
• F03B 17/06 - Other machines or engines using liquid flow, e.g. of swinging-flap type
• H02K 1/278 - Surface mounted magnetsInset magnets

Abstract

The invention is related to storage and transportation systems for liquids on a body of water (seas, lakes, etc.). More specifically, the invention relates to a floating reservoir for storage of liquids denser than the environmental body of water (such as sea salt brine), wherein the reservoir is flexible to adapt to environmental body waves such as sea waves. The invention also concerns a method of operation of the reservoir and an underwater energy storage system that uses such a reservoir.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65D 88/16 - Large containers flexible
• B65D 88/78 - Large containers for use in or under water

Abstract

The invention is related to storage and transportation systems for liquids on a body of water (seas, lakes, etc.). More specifically, the invention relates to a floating reservoir for storage of liquids denser than the environmental body of water (such as sea salt brine), wherein the reservoir is flexible to adapt to environmental body waves such as sea waves. The invention also concerns a method of operation of the reservoir and an underwater energy storage system that uses such a reservoir.

IPC Classes  ?

• B65D 88/16 - Large containers flexible
• B65D 88/78 - Large containers for use in or under water