WO2013011333A2

WO2013011333A2 - Solar thermal hydro electric power plant with direct pumping system

Info

Publication number: WO2013011333A2
Application number: PCT/HR2012/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zvonimir Glasnovic; Jure Margeta
Original assignee: Zvonimir Glasnovic; Jure Margeta
Priority date: 2011-07-19
Filing date: 2012-07-19
Publication date: 2013-01-24
Also published as: HRP20110536A2; WO2013011333A3

Abstract

Solar thermal hydro power plant with direct pumping system, it is a new type of power plant consisting of a modified pump storage hydroelectric 6-9 coupled with solar thermal power plant 3-5. Such power plant is based on the use of available local energy resources, primarily solar energy 1, and local water resources 2, for continuous supply of some consumer with exclusively green energy, throughout the year. At the same pumping system 6, which transport water from the lower reservoir or any water source 9 in the upper reservoir 7, powered by mechanical energy of a thermodynamic system 4, while the hybridisation of solar thermal power plant 3-5 carried out an electric heater 5 which is supplied with electricity produced by reversible hydro power plant 6-9.

Description

SOLAR THERMAL HYDRO ELECTRIC POWER PLANT WITH DIRECT PUMPING SYSTEM

Description of the Invention

1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new self-sustaining and fully controllable source of electrical power which is consist of solar thermal power plant which is a thermodynamic system directly connected to a pumping system that transports water from the lower to the upper reservoir of reversible hydro electric power plant, for the continuous supply of electricity consumption of a consumer (house, village, town, island, region, factory, etc.). In this way, a new type of energy source, that uses only natural energy sources (solar and hydro energy resource), have reliable, useful and cost-effective contribute to the implementation of renewable energy sources.

2) TECHNICAL PROBLEM

(for the solution which requires patent application)

Today, there is an obvious problem of providing increasing quantity of necessary energy for the economic development of each country. On the other hand, over 70% carbon dioxide air pollution (and other greenhouse gases) comes from the energy sector, where the pollution has negative effects on the climate of the Earth (global warming, etc.).

From all renewable energy sources, solar energy has the greatest potential, whereby this invention interesting conversion solar energy into kinetic and gravitational potential energy for continuous production of electricity.

However, problems of greater use of solar energy on the one hand is still attached to the relatively high cost of solar system, on the other hand for intermittency of solar radiation. And while the cost of solar thermal systems are increasingly reducing (especially with the increase of production and the advancement of technology), the biggest problem still remains which is the problem of continuous production of energy, and its storage for a period when there is insufficient solar energy. Specifically, today's solar thermal power plants can not self supply a consumer, but they only hand over electricity to power system at a time when the solar energy is available, while the production of energy, at a time when no solar radiation, using fossil fuels (so. hybridisation). Therefore, electricity must be used when it is produced.

So, the obvious problem of finding such a technical-technological solution that would replace the fossil fuels and ensure continuous energy production from ST power plant during the day and year, but so that it is exclusively from renewable energy sources. Thereby the consumer can mean only one residential unit (house), smaller or larger villages, factories, islands, cities all the way to supply full electrical energy entire countries and regions from renewable energy sources. 3) THE STATE OF TECHNOLOGY

(display and analysis of known solutions of defined technical problems)

Until now there was only one technical solution that combines in a single technological system solar photovoltaic power plant and pumped storage plants (WO2009118572), but there was no solution for that system that combines solar thermal power plants and pumped storage plants.

In order for solar thermal (ST) power plant could continuously supply with electrical energy some consumer, they combine, that hybridised electrical power plant with fossil fuel or daily storage of a thermal energy. Fossil fuels provide thermal energy needed to operate a power plant during nights and cloudy days during the year. However, the problem of this solution is that it not only provides green energy from ST electrical power plant and thus remains a source of air pollution. Daily thermal energy storage with phase-changing materials serve to maintain the operational readiness of solar thermal power plant mostly for relatively short time, that is usually for one night's bridge and cloudiness in one day. Therefore, daily storage of thermal energy extending the work of ST power plants, but because of their relatively small capacity, they can not balance the multi-day solar radiation defects, and especially seasonal surpluses and deficits of solar energy and therefore can not provide continuity of supply exclusively green energy and power, throughout the year.

In addition, hybridisation of solar thermal power plant using the stored energy or from any source of electricity, how it provides with this solution, has not used up to now, but the hybridisation was performed with fossil fuels (mainly with coal and natural gas).

4) PRESENTATION OF ESSENCE OF INVENTIONS

(so that the technical problem and its solution can understand the technical guidance and news compared to the prior art)

The proposed fully viable solar thermal hydro power plant with direct drive pumping system, basically composed of solar thermal power plants (ST) 3-5 and pump storage hydroelectric (PSH) 6-9 which are each other functionally related so they could provide continuous supply of electricity consumption for any consumer and power throughout the year. For this purpose, this hybrid power system (ST-PSH) that are functionally related to each other and seasonal energy storage, or adjustment of production and consumption of energy of any consumer. However, in addition to using solar energy ST-PSH system additionally uses energy from water resources (rainfall and surface water), which contributes to its sustainability, in fact it is more economically because the local water resources generate additionally mass of water compared with the over pumping, which means less need to invest in whole ST-PSH system required for the same energy.

ST power plant is composed of solar thermal collectors 3 that may be of various types and that convert solar radiation into thermal energy, thermodynamic system 4 that converts thermal into mechanical energy and electric heaters 5 which maintains the operational readiness of a thermodynamic system 4 during the transitory hourly and daily cloudiness. The essential difference with the previous ST power plant is that the operational readiness of the system and work at a time when there was no solar radiation, achieved energy from fossil fuels (mainly coal or gas), so. hybridisation with conventional fuels, while the patent solution, for this purpose, uses electricity produced by reversible hydro power plant 6-9, and that it may make throughout the day and during the year.

However, substantial differences compared to previous systems is that solar thermal power plants 3-5 does not convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, as has been done before, than the mechanical energy of a thermodynamic system 4 using directly to drive the pumping system (P) 6 which transports water from the lower reservoir or source of water (sea, river, aquifer, etc.) 9 in upper reservoir 7 located at higher elevations of the terrain and which then serves as a reservoir of water, and energy provided by the ST system.

The water in the reservoir 7 accumulates for continuous production of energy coupled to the hydro power plant (including periods when there is no solar radiation), in fact on the turbine and generator circuit (TG) 8 which can then be continuously fed any consumer with electrical energy. In this way the reservoir 7 used for daily and seasonal energy storage obtained during sunny weather by ST plant 3-5.

With the use of solar energy, patented solution allows the additional use of available water resources (surface water, rainfall and collection of water from artificial rainfall). Namely, ST-PSH system allows the parallel use of solar energy and water resources available, with higher water flows into the upper reservoir 7, can reduce the size ST electrical power for the same conditions of energy supply.

The proposed power plant has its great advantages because it is a local source of electricity that for their work, not wasting resources, requires no supply of raw materials or any significant transfer of energy to consumers. This means that energy can produce and consume in isolated, from traffic and supply routes distanced locations (islands etc.). In this way, is a lower cost of building transmission systems and energy losses that occur due to energy transfer. At these locations, plants can be today competitive to conventional energy sources because it does not require the construction and operating costs associated with transport, nor energy, nor raw materials for energy production. Electrical power plant can be constructed at all locations where there are water resources and the corresponding hydro potential. Using the ST power plant 3-5 and local topography this potential can be to artificially created.

This type of power plant is particularly advantageous for the supply of specific consumer as an isolated military base, strategically important buildings in isolated locations and similar because it is completely viable locally.

5) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing is included in the description and which forms part of the description of the invention, illustrates the previously discussed the best way to carry out the invention and help to explain the basic principles of the invention.

Picture 1. Solar thermal hydro power scheme with direct drive pumping system.

6) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE

WAYS CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

This section will be referred to in detail this assumed realisation of the invention, which is a basic example illustrated with drawings attached.

Solar thermal hydro power plant with direct pumping system consists of the following elements:

1) Solar radiation;

2) The available water resources;

3) Solar thermal collectors;

4) Thermodynamic system;

5) Electric heater;

6) Pump system (P);

7) The upper reservoir (new or existing);

8) Turbine and generator (TG);

9) The lower reservoir or source of water (sea, large river, aquifer, etc.).

In the case of using the existing hydro power plant parts 8 and 9 are not built but used available existing hydroelectric facilities.

Solar thermal hydro power plant direct pumping system operates such that solar radiation 1 from environment, in solar thermal collectors 3, converted into thermal energy that is submitted to a thermodynamic system 4, which generates mechanical energy that directly handing pumping system (P) 6. pumping system (P) 6 transporting water to the upper reservoir 7 where it is stored for a day and seasonally and use to be discharged by the turbine and generator (TG) 8, thereby producing electricity submitted to consumers some local consumption. In doing so, the water is discharged to the lower reservoir 9, or sea, large rivers, aquifers, etc. Electricity produced by turbine and generator circuit (TG) 8 is also used to supply the electrical heating 5 which that electrical energy converts into thermal energy and submit to a thermodynamic system 4 in periods of insufficient solar radiation. Operation of this system implies achieving full independence supply a user with electricity which is mainly produced from solar energy, and the available water resources (rivers, rainfall, etc.). The proposed hybrid ST-PSH power plant is completely viable and no adverse impact on the environment because it is based solely on the use of renewable energy sources and with use of water as the main resource for transmission, store and generate energy. PSH 6-9 It is very flexible in working and energy production and therefore can be easily adapted to the needs of users unlike ST power plant 3-5 which work and intermittent power production dependent on solar radiation. Combining these two plants, gets a new type of highly cost-effective hybrid power plant which is suitable for permanent and manageable electricity production. An important feature of this new Hybrid solar thermal power plant is that it is not restricted to the size, so it can be used from the smallest to the largest units, that is, supply of residential units of a few kilowatts to strong power order of tens or even hundreds of megawatts.

Solar radiation is used to keep the water from the lower level 9 (reservoirs, aquifers, seas, lakes, rivers) transported to a higher level where it is stored in a reservoir 7. Stored water is used for production of electric energy formed in accordance with the hydropower potential (with height difference) on turbine and generator (TG) from which the water is discharged in water resource 9, from which it was pumped with pumping system (P) 6 which directly drives the thermodynamic system 4 ST power plant (picture 1). In this way is enabling permanent use of same water that circulates within the artificially created and a closed hydrological cycle. Available upper reservoir 7 is actually stored solar energy and energy from available water resources, available for permanent use on turbine and generator (TG) 8 (day and night) in accordance with the needs of the consumer.

The proposed plant is a source of energy which it can be constructed close to the place of consumption if there are all preconditions, which is very convenient, because energy does not need to be transported far away. A precondition for this plant is the occasional sun insolation, water and the height difference between the upper and lower reservoirs, at which exploits the force of gravity-hydropower. Hydropower potential can be formed according to the topographical features of the terrain wherever there is an appropriate level difference field. However, it can be anywhere build an artificial hydro potential creating the proper construction of a structure with a height difference between the upper and lower water. This means that a smaller or larger hydropower potential can be created anywhere, with of course different costs. With the necessary height difference where could be used the force of gravity water is necessary to turn a turbine. The system may be smaller or larger. Reservoirs however can be closed or open. All major systems are generally open, while small systems can be built as a closed. Theoretically, the water is necessary only for charging system and compensation for loss of water from the system. The best situation is when loading and restorations of losses can be achieved from natural resources, rainfall or using rainfall from the local catchments area, or water from a local stream, groundwater and sea. Losses are related to evaporation and seepage of water from the reservoir (the upper 7 and lower 9). With appropriate engineering measures, evaporation, and especially the leakage from the reservoir, could be significantly reduced or eliminated.

Local natural features, climate, water resources, topography, geology, etc. are the framework for the realisation of the power plant and its productivity. What is important to emphasize is that the plant is viable and as long as there is solar radiation and gravity, power plants can produce electricity. Energy price depends on a variety of elements, and cost- effectiveness depends on the price of competing with classical sources. At present, it is still expected that the classical energy (thermal and nuclear power plants) more competitive regardless of what is done on clean and renewable energy. However, in the long term it is expected that it will be a classic sources more expensive so that the proposed plant is likely to be more competitive and profitable.

It is very important that for the solar thermal hydro power plant determine the proper power ST power plant 3-5, which is the cost the largest. The main role in it has the upper reservoir 7 (accumulation). The upper reservoir 7 allows the accumulation of water in the longer term and thereby continuing production of hydropower energy which allows bridging a period of time when the input power of ST lower or there is no any. In this way, the size of the ST power plant 3-5 selected in accordance with the critical one-year period for a number of years so that it chooses its minimum than the maximum power necessary to ensure continuity of production hydropower in the critical period (required volume of water) and the selected level of security work (additional volume of water in the reservoir for incidental or unforeseen situations). If upstream from the upper reservoir 7 there is water that can be used, in fact divert into the reservoir, then the system is more efficient because the water filling the reservoir 7 takes and gravity, so that the power plant ST 3-5 for an equivalent amount was less. The system will be more effective if part of the solar energy in periods when solar radiation is very strong, used directly by the user, since the volume of the reservoir 7, capacity of the pumping system 6 and ST power plant 3-5 would be smaller.

The total cost of building affects construction costs of reservoir (7 the upper and lower 9). In doing so, various combinations are possible. The best is when the lower reservoir 9 is not necessary to build, and which is present in the case where the volume of water resources, which is used for gathering water, higher than needs (for example, when the lower reservoir 9 presented by sea, river or large aquifer) and when the construction of the upper reservoir 7 is simple and cheap, or if such a reservoir-Lake, is there. Hydropower plant (turbine and generator J(TG)) 8, in principle, it is more economical with disposable drop (potential energy) larger. However, it is necessary even greater power from ST plant 3-5 to transport the water into the reservoir 7. Also, the proposed solution can use existing hydro power plant, so it is not necessary to build any upper reservoir 7, nor the turbine and generator (TG) 8.

i j

Given that this is a technological solution which combines the unique technological system already developed ST power plant (on whose axles are not installed generators than is mechanical energy used directly to drive the pumping system) and pumped storage plants, a combination of the presented method can be implemented. In this way, is created a permanent, very useful and cost-effective system that can reliably supply power to consumption, all year round.

For experts will be obvious that they could make even more numerous modifications and upgrades to such a power plant system, without leaving the scope of the spirit of this invention.

7) METHOD OF INVENTION APPLICATION

Solving problems of daily and seasonal energy storage with hydropower potential, with direct use of mechanical energy from ST power plant to create hydropower potential and electricity from hydro electric power plant to maintain operational security during transient cloudy day, with this invention are open numerous opportunities for the application of such systems, which could strongly encourage solar thermal power industry and its components 3-5, and pumped hydro power plant, diversity as well as utilisation of available local water resources.

It also means that these systems are self-sustaining, which would ensure complete energy independence of electricity supply consumption, exploiting the maximal available solar energy and hydropower at some location, with a minimum impact on the environment, could have a secure future.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

REFERENCE SIGNS:

1) Solar radiation;

2) The available water resources;

3) Solar thermal collectors;

4) Thermodynamic system;

5) Electric heater;

6) Pump system (P);

7) The upper tank (new or existing);

8) Turbine and generator (TG);

9) The lower reservoir or source of water (sea, large river, aquifer, etc.).

Claims

) PATENT CLAIMS

1) Solar thermal hydro power plant with direct drive pumping system which consists of a solar thermal collectors 3, thermodynamic system 4, electric heater 5, pumping system 6, upper reservoir 7, turbine and generator 8, lower reservoirs or water sources 9, characterised thereby, parallel using solar energy 1 and available water resources 2 for the continuous power supply of some consumer, throughout the year;

2) Solar thermal hydro power plant with direct drive pumping system, as required 1, characterised thereby, that has a direct pumping system 6 by thermodynamic system 4;

3) Solar thermal hydro power plant with direct drive pumping system, as required 1-2, characterised thereby, to have daily and seasonal storage of electricity stored in the form of hydraulic energy of water in the upper reservoir 7, necessary to manage the planned energy production;

4) Solar thermal hydro power plant with direct drive pumping system, as required 1-3, characterised thereby, that has an electrical heater 5, by which is maintained daily readiness thermodynamic system 4, which is supplied with electricity produced by turbine and generator circuit 8;

5) Solar thermal hydro power plant with direct drive pumping system, as required 1-4, characterised thereby, the size of a thermodynamic system 4 and the upper reservoir 7 must be so dimensioned that they collect together as solar and hydro energy from environment for planning continuous power supply of some isolated consumer with electrical power, throughout the year, in accordance with the regime of energy consumption;

6) Solar thermal hydro power plant with direct drive pumping system, as required 1-5, characterised thereby, that the manner of its execution (elements 3-9) and the use of adapted local climatic and topographic and hydrologic characteristics as well as needs of electricity consumers.