ELECTRICAL ENERGY PRODUCTION PLANT THAT CAN BE INSTALLED ON STRUCTURES AND/OR AGRICULTURAL GROUNDS

Abstract

An electrical energy production plant includes a support structure formed by support poles aligned along a first axis (X) fixed to the ground in any orientation. On the support structure, there is a movement system for solar energy receptors (P), suitable for allowing the movement of these devices around at least a first axis (X).

The plant includes an electronic processing unit capable of controlling the movement of these receiving devices (P), and below this support structure, there are agricultural crops in different shapes, and this electronic processing unit, by using the movement of the receptor devices regulates the shadow generated on the ground according to the need for direct light, or the best conditions of air temperature and soil moisture, in order to optimize the development or growth of these crops.

Claims

1. An electrical energy production plant comprising: • a support structure formed by support poles aligned along a first axis (X) fixed to the ground in any orientation, • on said support structure being present a movement system for solar energy receptors (P), suitable for allowing the movement of these devices around at least a first axis (X), • an electronic processing unit capable of controlling the movement of these receiving devices (P), below this support structure there are agricultural crops in different shapes and this electronic processing unit by movement of the receptor devices regulates the shadow generated on the ground according to a need for direct light, or the best conditions of air temperature and soil moisture, in order to optimize the development or growth of agricultural these-crops, wherein such agricultural installations are structures for hydroponic cultivation comprising a complex of tubular elements which develop substantially vertically, in which housings are obtained for positioning plants, such that plant roots are placed inside the complex of tubular elements, and a nutrient solution is flowed from top to bottom which reaches the aforementioned roots, wherein said support structure constrains for assembling the complex of tubular elements, wherein command and control equipment of the hydroponic structure are controlled by the electronic processing unit of the plant and command and control equipment are powered by electricity generated by the plant.

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

5. (canceled)

6. The plant according to claim 1, in which the assembly of tubular elements is constrained to the poles, leaving space for agricultural cultivation on the ground free.

7. (canceled)

8. (canceled)

9. The plant according to claim 1, in which this plant support structure is used to convey the liquid nutrient solution to the top of the complex of tubular elements.

10. The plant according to claim 1, wherein said support structure is a two-dimensional checkerboard.

11. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the receiving devices are photovoltaic panels.

12. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the receiving devices also rotate around a second axis (Y) substantially orthogonal to the first axis (X).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description of an embodiment of the disclosure, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the schematic attached drawings, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a plant according to the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a front view of the plant in FIG. 1;

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the plant of FIG. 1;

[0022] FIG. 4a shows a front view of the plant according to the present disclosure provided with a first structure for hydroponic cultivation; and

[0023] FIG. 4b shows a front view of the plant according to the present disclosure provided with a second structure for hydroponic cultivation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] With reference to the aforementioned figures, the electrical energy production plant according to the present disclosure essentially comprises a support structure formed by support poles 2 preferably held in position by a network of tie rods or steel bars 3, both the support poles and the tie rods being fixed to the ground by means of suitable pins, for example hinge pins. This structure can advantageously be configured with the poles aligned along a first axis X in any orientation, or two-dimensional along this axis X and a second axis Y substantially orthogonal to the first one so as to form a “chequered” structure and can be installed on agricultural grounds, as it is raised and the distance between the support poles is such as to allow the passage of even large agricultural vehicles.

[0025] In addition, agricultural installations can be obtained on this plant.

[0026] This support structure can alternatively be made by piling in concrete poles, which will have a portion driven into the ground and a part above ground capable of giving the structure adequate height from the ground. Said piling may be or may not be connected by tie rods or steel bars.

[0027] Systems for the movement or the orientation of solar devices are positioned on said support structure and in particular on rows of poles. Wind devices can also be positioned on the tops of these poles.

[0028] The system allows the movement on the first axis X and also on the second axis Y, of the devices suitable to receive sunlight, to allow them to maintain the desired and correct orientation towards the sun. For example, such devices are photovoltaic panels or other devices capable of capturing solar energy.

[0029] Each movement system comprises a main profile 4 rotating around its own axis, and arranged in place substantially horizontally, to which a plurality of secondary profiles 5 are connected, preferably fixed perpendicularly to the main profile in a rigid manner or alternatively by means of appropriate actuation systems suitable to confer the ability to rotate. The solar devices are fixed on these secondary profiles, in the specific case illustrated the photovoltaic panels P.

[0030] The movement system also comprises a movement mechanism for the primary profiles and optionally a movement mechanism for the secondary profiles. Clearly, the materials for the various parts have been chosen appropriately for the right balance of weight and strength.

[0031] The movements of the motors that allow the aforesaid rotations around the axes X and Y are controlled by a special electronic processing unit that determines the angle that the panels must present throughout the day and in all weather conditions, with feedback from a special tilt sensor.

[0032] The primary and secondary profiles are shaped as primary and secondary tubes within which the respective movement mechanisms are located.

[0033] Since this system can move the panels according to the first axis X and also the second axis Y, the movement or the orientation of solar devices is always possible regardless of the arrangement of the system on the ground. According to the present disclosure below this support structure there are agricultural crops, comprising cultivation on the land T below the installation or agricultural installations, such as, for example, structures for hydroponic cultivation.

[0034] The electronic processing unit, through the movement of the receptor devices, regulates the shadow generated on the ground according to the need for direct light, in order to optimise the development or growth of these crops, also taking into account other parameters such as temperature and soil moisture.

[0035] Hydroponic cultivation refers to the cultivation of plants above ground, i.e. without earth and thanks to water, in which suitable nutrients capable of making the plants grow quickly and healthily are dissolved.

[0036] Such a structure comprises a complex of tubular elements 6 which develop vertically from top to bottom, for example with a cylindrical, helical, zig-zag inclined, or similar development, in which housings 7 (for example funnel-shaped holes) are obtained for positioning plants or the like, in such a way that their roots are placed inside the tubular elements. In such elements, a nutrient solution (for example water) is flowed from top to bottom which reaches the aforementioned roots. The solution is collected at the lower end of the structure and returned to the top thereof in order to be reintroduced into the pipes, for example thanks to a pump (not shown).

[0037] The Applicant has noted that such structures which develop vertically can be advantageously constrained to the support structure, for example to the poles 2, leaving however space for agricultural cultivation on the ground free. The support structure acts as a constraint on the complex of tubular elements and the relative command and control equipment of the structure such as pumps, sensors and actuators. This equipment can be directly powered by the electricity generated by the system and controlled by the electronic processing unit of the system itself. In addition, this support structure of the plant can be used to convey the liquid nutrient solution to the top of the complex of tubular elements, for example through the poles 2 and the rotating profiles 4 and/or 5, which when they are shaped like a pipe can accommodate inside them the ducts for such liquid solutions.

[0038] In order to achieve the best results with hydroponic cultivation, it is essential to monitor a number of essential parameters: temperature, moisture, CO2 level, light hours and intensity of illumination, ventilation, plant health and absence of diseases (although the spread of pest-related diseases in hydroponic cultivation is significantly lower than to what generally happens in conventional cultivation). According to the present disclosure, the plant is equipped with sensors for monitoring the environmental conditions in the plant such as those indicated above, which send their measurements to the electronic processing unit of the plant, which determines the movements of the solar panels and the regulations relating to the irrigation of the plants accordingly.

[0039] Depending on the crop below the plant and/or of the presence of the hydroponic cultivation structure, the standard operation of the system to regulate the shade generated on the ground according to the need for light can be modified.

[0040] The management of shading takes place through a program stored in the electronic processing unit of the plant which allows the operator to define a percentage of shading on the ground, defined as a shaded area on the reference area (which may coincide with the surface of the plant or a part of a plant where a specific species is grown). The defined shading percentage can refer to the whole day or to a time interval within the day.

[0041] The program calculates the new angles X and Y relative to the inclination of the primary and secondary axes of the plant, which allows the desired shading to be obtained. With the same positions which allow achieving the target shading, the program chooses the combination that maximises the electrical energy production, based on statistical meteorological data typical of the location where the plant is located.

[0042] The program also comprises the possibility of defining the percentage reduction of irradiation over the day/time interval instead of the shaded area. This will make it possible to take into account the variation in the intensity of solar radiation over the course of the day and as the season changes.

[0043] The processing unit is also able to generate an agricultural database in which, by selecting the crop in question and other parameters (such as irrigation, soil type), the ideal degree of shading for the crop is automatically calculated.

[0044] The processing unit is also capable of acquiring data on the cultivation parameters in situ (temperature and soil moisture) both as historical data and “real time”, for a definition of the optimal shade/irradiation percentage for the crop.