Energy Store, Power Plant having an Energy Store, and Method for Operating the Energy Store

Abstract

An energy storage device for a power plant includes a heat exchanger arranged in a floating manner in a lower basin that is fillable with water via a first supply line. A second supply line supplies water from the lower basin. A third supply line is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger. A heat pump provides coolant to the heat exchanger via the third supply line such that energy is extracted via the heat exchanger while freezing of the water in the lower basin or in the form of sensible heat from the water in the lower basin, wherein the energy is passed on to a consumer for heat dissipation or for cold dissipation.

Claims

1-18: (canceled)

19. An energy storage device, comprising: a heat exchanger arranged in a floating manner in a lower basin that is fillable with water via a first supply line; a second supply line, wherein water is supplied from the lower basin via the second supply line; a third supply line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; a heat pump, wherein coolant is provided to the heat exchanger from the heat pump via the third supply line such that energy is extracted via the heat exchanger while freezing of the water in the lower basin or in the form of sensible heat from the water in the lower basin, the energy passed on to a consumer for heat dissipation or for cold dissipation.

20. The energy storage device according to claim 19, with which the heat exchanger is formed by pipes through which the coolant flows.

21. The energy storage device according to claim 20, wherein the pipes are arranged in the form of a spiral ring.

22. The energy storage device according to claim 21, further comprising radially arranged struts that support the pipes arranged in the spiral ring.

23. The energy storage device according to claim 19, wherein the heat exchanger is surrounded by an outer wall that defines a vertical partition around an outer circumference of the heat exchanger such that the heat exchanger is formed as a ring-shaped body.

24. The energy storage device according to claim 23, wherein the ring-shaped body comprises a diameter of between 50 m to 200 m.

25. The energy storage device according to claim 19, wherein the heat exchanger is anchored to a base of the lower basin.

26. The energy storage device according to claim 19, wherein the heat exchanger is formed by pipes through which the coolant flows and configured such that an ice layer forms in the heat exchanger radially from an inside towards an outer circumference of the heat exchanger.

27. The energy storage device according to claim 19, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises an upper inlet through which water is introduced into the heat exchanger above the ice layer during freezing, such that the ice layer is located below the water surface of the lower basin.

28. The energy storage device according to claim 27, wherein the water supplied above the ice layer forms an insulating layer between the ice layer and ambient air.

29. The energy storage device according to claim 27, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises an air inlet through which air is introduced to form an air cushion below the ice layer.

30. The energy storage device according to claim 26, wherein the pipes are arranged in the heat exchanger such that multiple superimposed layers of ice can be formed within the outer circumference of the heat exchanger.

31. The energy storage device according to claim 30, wherein the heat exchanger further comprises one or more air inlets or water inlets disposed so as to form insulating layers of air or water between the superimposed layers of ice.

32. A power plant, comprising: a lower basin of a pump storage power plant that can be filled with water, the lower basin connected to a pump via a first supply line and to an upper reservoir via the pump and a supply line between the pump and the upper reservoir; the lower basin further comprising an energy storage device, the energy storage device comprising: a heat exchanger arranged in a floating manner in the lower basin that is fillable with water via the first supply line; a second supply line, wherein water is supplied from the lower basin via the second supply line; a third supply line in fluid communication with the heat exchanger; and a heat pump, wherein coolant is provided to the heat exchanger from the heat pump via the third supply line such that energy is extracted via the heat exchanger while freezing of the water in the lower basin or in the form of sensible heat from the water in the lower basin, the energy passed on to a consumer for heat dissipation or for cold dissipation.

33. The power plant according to claim 32, wherein the upper reservoir is part of a wind power plant, and the pump is driven by electrical energy generated by the wind power plant to pump water from the lower basin into the upper reservoir.

34. A method for the operation of an energy storage device according to claim 1, the method comprising controlling the heat pump as a function of ambient temperature, solar radiation, and water temperature, such that an ice layer is formed on the heat exchanger when no energy can be extracted from the water temperature of the lower basin.

35. The method according to claim 34, further comprising lowering the ice layer in the water in the lower basin to protect the ice layer from solar radiation.

36. The method according to claim 34, further comprising forming multiple superimposed ices layers on the heat exchanger, wherein the ice layer closest to a surface of the water in the lower basin is a thin layer as compared to the other ice layers to absorb solar radiation or to insulate the lower basin.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Some embodiments are explained in more detail below on the basis of drawings. The following is shown:

[0051] FIG. 1 is a schematic presentation of a power plant in accordance with the invention for realizing the invention;

[0052] FIG. 2 is an energy storage device in accordance with the invention in a schematic representation;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a heat exchanger as a component of an energy storage device in accordance with the invention in a perspective side view;

[0054] FIG. 4 is the heat exchanger of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 3 in a side view;

[0055] FIG. 5 is the heat exchanger of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 3 in an additional side view;

[0056] FIG. 6 is the heat exchanger of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 3 in an additional side view; and

[0057] FIG. 7 is the heat exchanger of the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 3 in an additional side view.

[0058] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent components are provided with the same reference sign.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Reference will now be made to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are shown in the drawings. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not as a limitation of the invention. For example features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be combined with another embodiment to yield still another embodiment. It is intended that the present invention include these and other modifications and variations to the embodiments described herein.

[0060] In FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the invention is shown below. FIG. 1 schematically shows a power plant, which comprises one or several wind power plants WKA. The wind power plants WKA are arranged on a mountain ridge, for example, over a river valley or the like. A pump storage power plant KR is located below the wind power plants WKA, whereas the pump storage power plant KR is connected via a supply line LT to an upper reservoir OR of the wind power plants WKA. The upper reservoir may be formed, for example, as a basin, in which the individual wind power plants are arranged, such that the upper reservoir OR forms a foundation for the wind power plant WKA. In other embodiments, the upper reservoir OR can be integrated in a mast of the wind power plant WKA, or can be designed as a separate storage device adjacent to the wind power plant WKA.

[0061] Furthermore, the pump storage power plant KR features a generator GE, which is connected to the supply line LT and is formed in such a manner that water, which is fed from the upper reservoir OR via the supply line LT through the generator GE into a lower basin UB, can be converted into electrical power. In the opposite direction, water can be pumped from the lower basin UG to the upper reservoir via a first supply line ZU1 and a pump PU. The generator GE is connected to a power grid SN, such that the generated electrical energy can be fed.

[0062] Furthermore, the pump storage power plant KR features an ice layer EI in the lower basin UB, which, as will be explained in more detail below, is arranged on the surface of the lower basin UB filled with water WA, as indicated by the arrow PF in FIG. 1. The lower basin UB filled with water WA is connected to a heat pump WP via a second supply line ZU2.

[0063] In other embodiments, the lower basin UB can also be realized without a pump storage power plant KR; that is, for example, as a lake or generally as surface water.

[0064] A coolant for forming the ice layer EI can also be supplied via a third supply line ZU3 through the heat pump WP to a heat exchanger WTA arranged in the lower basin UB. Through the extraction of sensible heat from the water WA of the lower basin UB or through the extraction of latent heat from the ice layer EI in the lower basin UB, the heat pump WP generates heat that can be supplied to a multiple number of consumers VR in the form of district heating FW.

[0065] The heat pump WP requires electrical power, which can be provided, for example, by the generator GE. The heat pump WP is preferably located within the pump storage power plant KR or is arranged immediately adjacent thereto. The pump PU is advantageously supplied with the electrical power emitted by the wind power plants WKA.

[0066] The lower basin UB, together with the ice layer EI along with the water WA present in the lower basin UB, forms, together with the heat pump WP, an energy storage device EN.

[0067] FIG. 2 schematically shows the energy storage device EN, whereas, in accordance with FIG. 2, the individual liquid flows between the different components are shown in detail.

[0068] The lower basin UB forms a component of the pump storage power plant KR via the first supply line ZU1. Via the first supply line ZU1, water WA can thus be supplied to the lower basin UB or extracted from the lower basin UB, in order to be conducted via the pump PU into the upper reservoir OR. Furthermore, water WA of the lower basin UB is supplied via the second supply line ZU2 to the heat pump WP. The supply is indicated in FIG. 2 as ZU2-H. The return line, which allows the water WA contained in the lower basin UB to cool, typically after flowing through the heat pump WP, is marked with the reference sign ZU2-R in FIG. 2. The cooled water, on the one hand, can reach the lower basin UB via the supply line ZU2-R. Furthermore, it is possible to supply the cooled water via the upper supply line ZL to the heat exchanger WTA.

[0069] In a separately operating circuit of the heat pump WP, cooling liquid is supplied to the heat exchanger WTA via the third supply line ZU3. Here, the cooling liquid reaches the heat exchanger WTA via the supply line marked with the reference sign ZU3-H; in FIG. 2, the return line is indicated by the reference sign ZU3-R. As already mentioned, the heat pump WP is advantageously supplied with electrical power via the generator GE. The heat pump WP delivers district heating FW to the consumers VR, as explained in connection with FIG. 1.

[0070] A possible embodiment of the heat exchanger WTA will be described below with reference to FIG. 3. The heat exchanger WTA is arranged in a floating manner on the lower basin UB filled with water WA, and includes pipes RO arranged in the form of a ring spiral. To the outside, the heat exchanger WTA is bounded by an outer wall AW, which surrounds the heat exchanger WTA along its outer circumference. The pipes RO and the outer wall AW are held via radially arranged spokes SRC. The upper supply line ZL is arranged above the pipes RO on the outer wall AW.

[0071] In FIG. 3, the position of the supply of the cooling liquid via the third supply line ZO3-H is also indicated. By introducing the cooling liquid into the center of the pipes RO arranged in the form of a ring spiral, the water WA located in the lower basin UB can be cooled, such that the ice layer EI is able to form around the pipes RO. In this case, freezing takes place viewed radially from the inside outwards, which in particular increases the stability of the heat exchanger WTA floating on the lower basin UB. The thickness of the ice layer in the heat exchanger WTA can be controlled over the duration of the supply line or the temperature of the cooling liquid.

[0072] The embodiment of the heat exchanger WTA shown in FIG. 3 is once again shown in a side view with reference to FIG. 4. The side view according to FIG. 4 takes place along a radial section, which leads through the center of the heat exchanger WTA. It can be seen that the supply of the third supply line ZU3-H is arranged near the center of the heat exchanger WTA. The return (that is, the third supply line ZU3-R) is located closer to the outer wall AW.

[0073] The upper supply line ZL is arranged above the ring spiral RS. With this, the outer wall AW is designed in such a manner that the ring spiral RS is completely covered with respect to its height, such that individual sub-areas, which are also components of the heat exchanger WTA, are provided above the ring spiral RS and below the ring spiral RS. In the sub-area located below the ring spiral RS, air can be directed into the heat exchanger WTA via an air supply LZ, which will be explained below.

[0074] In order to enable a floating arrangement of the heat exchanger WTA in the lower basin UB, a post-like anchoring (not shown in FIG. 4) is provided; this is fastened to a base of the lower basin UB with its lower end. Along this post-like anchoring, the heat exchanger WTA can be moved axially, depending on the water level in the lower basin UB. This is illustrated schematically by a fastening point BS in FIG. 4, which is connected to the post-like anchoring through suitably movable connecting means. In place of the post-like anchoring, or also in addition to the post-like anchoring, the heat exchanger WTA can be connected to the bottom of the lower basin UB via suitably prestressed tensioning cables (not shown in FIG. 4). The tensioning cables can also be locked in the area of the shore of the lower basin UB.

[0075] The function of the heat exchanger WTA is explained in more detail below with reference to a first example.

[0076] FIG. 5 in turns shows the heat exchanger WTA in the lower basin UB filled with water WA. By supplying the coolant, the ice layer EI, which is bounded radially outwards by the outer wall AW, forms along the pipes RO. The latent heat can be utilized by means of ice formation in the lower basin in the form of the ice layer EI and can be re-dissipated via the heat exchanger WTA, for example for heating buildings at a consumer's premises. In order to preserve the ice layer EI when there is solar radiation, water WA is pumped via the upper inlet ZL, preferably via the cold water return ZU2-R, to the surface of the ice layer EI, such that the weight of the heat exchanger WTA is increased. Consequently, the ice layer EI sinks below the water surface of the water WA in the lower basin UB, and the layer of water WA arranged above the ice layer EI prevents solar radiation from directly striking the ice layer EI. Accordingly, the ice layer EI is decoupled from ambient air UL, such that the solar radiation is absorbed by the water in the lower basin UB. This increases the irradiated energy quantity, because otherwise the solar radiation would be largely reflected by the ice.

[0077] The concept presented in FIG. 5 is continued in FIG. 6, in which an insulation layer IS is arranged between the water layer WA, which arrives in the heat exchanger WTA via the upper inlet ZL, and the ice layer EI, which insulation layer IS provides for further improvement with respect to the decoupling against the ambient air UL.

[0078] FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment with which, in particular, the insulation against the water WA in the lower basin UB is considered. Via the air supply LZ, an air cushion LT can be formed below the ice layer EI, which acts as insulation against the water WA of the lower basin UB.

[0079] However, the embodiments explained in connection with FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 can also be combined such that, for example, an insulation layer SI along with an air cushion LP can be formed. Furthermore, it is possible to install the pipes RO of the heat exchanger WTA in several levels, such that a multiple number of ice layers EI lying parallel one above the other are formed in the heat exchanger WTA. The individual adjacently arranged ice layers EI can be insulated from one another via insulation layers, similar to the insulation layer IS from FIG. 6. Furthermore, with the multi-layer construction, each layer can be provided with its own supply for the coolant, such that each layer can be controlled independently of the others. In this case, in particular, the uppermost layer can form a rapid-freezing level. For this purpose, a thin layer of ice can be formed quickly in the uppermost layer. This can be formed approximately up to 10 cm on each side of the cooling pipe. Such layer can cover power peaks, but also be used to isolate the lower basin from the atmosphere. The idea with rapid freezing is that, for example, an ice layer is formed overnight in order to isolate the lower basin from the atmosphere, while water is pumped over the ice during the day in order to absorb solar radiation and melt the thin ice layer. Thus, if the energy balance is positive (for example, during the day), the rapid freezing is to serve as a solar collector and, if the energy balance is negative (for example, a cold night), the rapid freezing is to serve as insulation. As a result, warm water is quickly obtained in the collector, and a high degree of efficiency is obtained at the heat pump. At night, due to the insulation only little energy is lost to the atmosphere

[0080] The operation of the energy storage device EN in the seasonal cycle takes place in such a manner that, during the energy input by solar radiation (that is, in northern latitudes, typically from spring to autumn), a temperature spread takes place. This reduces the radiating power of the surface of the lower basin UB by cooling the water WA contained therein through the heat pump WP. The temperature spread relative to the ambient temperature of the ambient air UL is approximately in the range from 5 C. to 10 C.

[0081] A cooling phase of the water WA in the lower basin UB to a temperature of approximately 0.5 C. commences, in order to enable an ice-free transition phase at the end of autumn (i.e., when the heating by solar radiation is abating).

[0082] During the winter time, the energy is extracted through freezing on the surface of the lower basin UB; that is, via the ice layer EI in the heat exchanger WTA. At this, continuous heat generation can be achieved via the heat exchanger WTA with the heat pump WP through a sufficiently large selected volume of the ice layer EI due to the high energy content for the crystallization of water WA to ice in the ice layer E.

[0083] During the spring months until the early summer, the ice of the ice layer EI continues to melt on the WTA heat exchanger with a simultaneous reduction in energy extraction, and the water temperature of the water WA in the lower basin UB is increased through solar radiation.

[0084] Thus, in an advantageous manner, the concept described above can be used for the supply of households with heat energy through the supply of district heating, whereas approximately 40,000 m.sup.3 of ice must be provided for approximately 2000 to 4000 households, such that a natural lake would be adequately dimensioned as a lower basin UB.

[0085] The existing ice of the ice layer EI can also be used for cooling at the premises of the consumer VR during times of high ambient temperatures.

[0086] The characteristics described above and the characteristics that are indicated in the claims and can be extracted from the figures can be advantageously realized both individually and in various combinations. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, but can be modified in many ways within the scope of the skilled art.