EXCHANGEABLE MARINE ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

There is disclosed an exchangeable marine energy storage system including a mobile battery configured to be used as a power source of the operating ship after replaced with a mounted battery mounted on an operating ship; a mobile charging ship configured to move in a state of loading the mobile battery; and a charging station configured to float on the sea together with the mobile charging ship and charge the mobile battery loaded on the mobile charging ship by using generated electricity.

Claims

1. An exchangeable marine energy storage system comprising: a mobile battery configured to be used as a power source of an operating ship after replacing a mounted battery mounted on the operating ship; at least one mobile charging ship configured to move the mobile battery; and a charging station configured to float on the sea with the at least one mobile charging ship and charge the mobile battery loaded on the at least one mobile charging ship by using electricity generated by the charging station.

2. The exchangeable marine energy storage system of claim 1, further comprising: an operation controller wirelessly configured to be connected with the operating ship, the at least one mobile charging ship and the charging station, and configured to control operations of the at least one mobile charging ship and the charging station based on a location and a navigation route of the operating ship transmitted to the operation controller.

3. The exchangeable marine energy storage system of claim 2, wherein the operating ship is supplied electricity through the mounted battery or the mobile battery which generate a propulsion power of the operating ship by operating an electric motor provided in the operating ship.

4. The exchangeable marine energy storage system of claim 2, wherein the at least one mobile charging ship is a plurality of mobile charging ships configured to dock with the charging station and charge the mobile battery of each pf the plurality of mobile charging ships by using electricity transmitted to the plurality of mobile charging ships through the charging station.

5. The exchangeable marine energy storage system of claim 2, wherein the at least one mobile charging ship is operated by an unmanned system configured to automatically operate based on a control signal of the operation controller.

6. The exchangeable marine energy storage system of claim 2, wherein the charging station comprises, a station body configured to float on the sea; and a power generator disposed in the station body and configured to generate electricity by using at least one of solar light, wind power and tidal power.

7. The exchangeable marine energy storage system of claim 6, wherein the charging station comprises a first docking connection part protruding from a lateral surface of the station body, and wherein the at least one mobile charging ship comprises a second docking connection part connected with the first docking connection part.

8. The exchangeable marine energy storage system of claim 7, wherein, in a state in which the first docking connection part and the second docking connection part are connected with each other, electricity stored in the charging station is transmitted to the at least one mobile charging ship to charge the mobile battery.

9. A control method of an exchangeable marine energy storage system comprising: calculating a moveable distance of an operating ship through a mounted battery mounted in the operating ship; implementing an operating controller, which has received the movable distance and a movement route of the operating ship, to set an exchanging position and time of the mounted battery mounted in the operating ship; and replacing the mounted battery with a mobile battery mounted on a mobile charging ship after moving the operating ship to the exchanging position.

10. A control method of an exchangeable marine energy storage system of claim 9, further comprising: dividing the moving route of the operating ship into a plurality of zones; determining a total retained energy capacity of each zone based on a number of the mobile charging ship and the charging station measured in each of the divided zones; and moving at least one of the mobile charging ship and the charging station to a zone having an insufficient total retained energy capacity after determining the total retained energy capacity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a view showing an exchangeable marine energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 2 is a view showing a charging station and a mobile charging ship according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] FIG. 3 is a view showing a state a route of an operating ship is divided into a plurality of zones;

[0044] FIG. 4 is a plane view showing a charging station and a mobile charging ship according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 5 is a block view showing an exchangeable marine energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0046] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control method of an exchangeable marine energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0047] 1: Exchangeable marine energy storage system 10: Operating ship 20: Mounted battery 30: Mobile battery 40: Mobile charging ship 41: Ship body 42: Mobile power generation unit 43: Second docking connection part 50: Charging station 51: Station body 52: Power generation unit 53: Electricity storage unit 54: First docking connection part 60: Operation controller A1: First zone A2; Second zone A3: Third zone S10: Calculating step S20: Dividing step S30: Measuring step S40: Adjusting step S50: Exchange-position setting step S60: Exchanging step

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

[0048] The above objects, features and advantages will be described later in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and accordingly, those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0049] Although first, second, and the like may be used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another component, and unless otherwise stated, the first component may be the second component, of course.

[0050] Hereinafter, the arrangement of an arbitrary component on the upper portion (or lower portion) or upper (or lower) of a component means that an arbitrary component is placed in contact with the upper (or lower) surface of the component. In addition, it may mean that other components may be interposed between the component and any component disposed on (or under) the component.

[0051] In addition, when a component is described as linked, coupled or connected to another component, the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, but other components may be interposed between each component, or each component may be linked, coupled or connected through other components.

[0052] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, each component may be singular or plural.

[0053] Singular expressions used herein include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as consisting of or comprising should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification. It should be construed that it may not include some of the components or some of the steps. Or may further include additional components or steps.

[0054] Throughout the specification, when it says A and/or B, it means A, B or A and B, unless otherwise specified, and when it says C to D, it means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise specified.

[0055] Hereinafter, an exchangeable marine energy storage system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a control method thereof will be described.

[0056] FIG. 1 is a view showing an exchangeable marine energy storage system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a view showing a charging station 50 and a mobile charging ship 40 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the exchangeable marine energy storage system 1 according to an embodiment may provide a mobile charging ship 40 and a charging station 50 that store electrical energy along a navigation route of an operating ship 10, and may be configured to supply electrical energy to the operating ship 10.

[0058] That is, the mobile charging ship 40 mounting a mobile battery 30 therein may be located on the navigation route. Accordingly, the battery loaded on the mobile charging ship 40 may be exchanged with the mounted battery 20 loaded on the operating ship 10, so that the movable distance of the operating ship 10 can be increased.

[0059] Since the mounted battery 20 loaded on the operating ship 10 is exchangeable with the mobile battery 30 mounted in the mobile charging ship 40, a smaller capacity mounted battery 20 compared to the conventional battery may be used and then the total weight of the operating ship 10 may be reduced so that the electrical energy consumed may be saved.

[0060] A plurality of mobile charging ships 40 may be provided per one charging station 50, and each mobile charging ship 40 may be supplied electrical energy through the charging station 50 or supplied with electrical energy by self-generation using sunlight or wind power.

[0061] The charging station 50 may be modified in various ways such as remaining anchored at sea or moving to preset coordinates based on a control signal.

[0062] The operating ship 10 may be supplied electricity through the mounted battery 20 or the mobile battery 30, and generate propulsion by operating an electric motor provided therein. The operating ship 10 may be used for various purposes such as a cargo ship or a passenger ship, and the mounted battery 20 may be installed in the operating ship 10.

[0063] The route of a cargo ship or a passenger ship, which is operating, may be determined as the most efficient route. The charging station and the mobile charging ship may be disposed near the navigation route. The charging station and the mobile charging ship may be disposed near the route, but they may be preferably disposed in an area where the weather is uniformly clear enough to favor solar power generation, an area where the wind speed and direction are constant to favor wind power generation, and an area with strong waves to favor wave power generation.

[0064] The electrical energy of the mounted battery 20 may generate rotational power by driving an electric motor provided in the operating ship 10, and the rotational power may rotate a screw to move the operating ship 10.

[0065] The operating ship 10 may be provided with a separate power generation facility for charging the mounted battery 20. The power generation facility may generate electrical energy, using at least one of solar light, wind power and tidal power. The power generation facility may be modified in various ways such as generating electrical energy by using petroleum as a raw material.

[0066] The mounted battery 20 may be a battery mounted inside the operating ship 10 and configured to store electrical energy. The mounted battery 20 may be used as a power source of the operating ship 10.

[0067] The mobile battery 30 may be exchanged with the mounted battery 20 mounted in the operating ship 10 to be used as a power source of the operating ship 10.

[0068] The mounted battery 20 and the mobile battery 30 are batteries having the same size and the same electrical energy storage capacity. However, for convenience of description, the battery mounted in the operating ship 10 is referred to as the mounted battery 20 and the battery mounted in a mobile charging ship 40 is referred to as the mobile battery 30.

[0069] FIG. 4 is a plane view showing a charging station 40 and a mobile charging ship 50 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the mobile charging ship 40 may be a ship capable of performing maritime movement by itself, and the mobile battery 30 to be exchanged with the mounted battery 20 may be installed inside the mobile charging ship 40.

[0071] The mobile charging ship 40 may move with the mobile battery 30 loaded therein. In addition, the charging of the mobile battery 30 may be performed once the mobile charging ship 40 is docked to the charging station 50. The mobile charging ship 40 may include an energy harvesting device (e.g., a solar panel) to charge the mobile battery 30 by itself. In addition, the mobile charging ship 40 may be moved along the navigation route of the operating ship 10, and may dock with the operating ship 10 or maintain a preset distance with the operating ship 10. While keeping this state, the exchange of the mounted battery 20 with the mobile battery 30 may be performed.

[0072] The mobile charging ship 40 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided in plural. The plurality of mobile charging ships 40 may dock with the charging station 50 and may charge the mobile battery 30 with electricity supplied by the charging station 50.

[0073] The mobile charging ship 40 may include a power generation unit 52 configured to generate power by using at least one of wind power, solar light and tidal power. A mobile power generation unit 52 according to an embodiment may be configured to generate electricity through solar power generation.

[0074] The power source of the mobile charging ship 40 may use the electricity generated in the power generation unit 52. Since it generates the electricity by using at least one of the wind power, solar light and tidal power, the power generation unit 52 may move the mobile charging ship 40 by operating a motor provided in the mobile charging ship 40. The mobile charging ship 40 may further include a separate battery for driving the motor. In addition, a separate emergency diesel fuel may be charged in the mobile charging ship 40 and an engine operated using such diesel fuel may be additionally provided in the mobile charging ship 40.

[0075] The mobile battery 30 may be charged as the mobile charging ship 40 docks with the charging station 50 or by the solar light generation of the mobile charging ship 40.

[0076] The mobile charging ship 40 may be operated by an unmanned system configured to be automatically operated based on a control signal of the operation controller 60. If necessary, a person may directly board the mobile charging ship 40.

[0077] The mobile charging ship 40 according to an embodiment may include a ship body 41, a mobile power generation unit 42 and a second docking connection part 43.

[0078] The mobile power generation unit 42 may have a ship shape, and may be modified in various ways such as being operated by electrical energy or a separate internal combustion engine provided therein.

[0079] The mobile power generation unit 42 may be disposed inside the ship body 41. The mobile power generation unit 42 may be configured to generate electricity by using at least one of wind power, solar light and tidal power. The mobile power generation unit 42 according to an embodiment may include a solar panel configured to generate electricity by using solar light.

[0080] The second docking connection part 43 may protrude outward from the ship body 41, and may be coupled to a first docking connection part 54 provided in the charging station 50 to secure the ship body 41 to the outside of the charging station 50.

[0081] The mobile ship 40 may be provided in plural to dock with the charging station 50. The plurality of mobile ships 40 may move to preset positions along the navigation route of the operating ship 10, respectively. The mobile charging ship 40 may be provided with communication equipment so that communication may be made between the mobile charging ship 40 and the operating ship 10 to exchange diverse information including location information with each other.

[0082] The electricity for power generation, which is stored in the charging station 50, may be transmitted to the mobile charging ship 40 to charge the mobile battery 30. The charging station 50 may be floating on the sea together with the mobile charging ship 40 and charge the mobile battery 30 loaded on the mobile charging ship by using the electricity generated in the charging station 50.

[0083] The charging station 50 floating on the sea may be modified in various ways within a technical feature of storing electrical energy by generating power and charging the mobile batter 30 loaded on the mobile charging ship 40. The charging station 50 may be installed at a position spaced apart from the operating ship 10, and configured to generate power by using at least one of solar light, tidal power and wind power.

[0084] The charging station 50 according to an embodiment may include a station body 51, a power generation unit 52, an electricity storage unit 53 and a first docking connection part 54.

[0085] The station body 51 may have a shape floating on water like the body of a ship. The station body 51 may have the same shape as a conventional ship, and may include a rectangular upper plate so that the plurality of mobile charging ships 40 can dock at the same time. The station body 51 may be modified in various ways within the technical feature of having the shape floating on the sea.

[0086] The power generation unit 52 may be disposed inside the station body 51 and configured to generate electricity by using at least one of the solar light, wind power and tidal power. The power generation unit 52 according to an embodiment may be configured to generate electricity by using solar light.

[0087] The electricity storage unit 53 may be a device configured to store the electricity generated by the power generation unit 52. Various devices including a battery may be used as the electricity storage unit 53.

[0088] The first docking connection part 54 may protrude to a lateral surface of the station body 51 and may be connected with the second docking connection part 43 provided in the mobile charging ship 40. In a state where the first docking connection part 54 and the second docking connection part 43 are connected with each other, the electricity stored in the charging station 50 may be transmitted to the mobile charging ship 40 to charge the mobile battery 30.

[0089] The electrical energy stored in the charging station 50 may be transmitted to the mobile charging ship 40 wirelessly or through wire. Since the electricity for power generation stored in the charging station 50 charges the mobile battery 30 by being transmitted to the mobile charging ship 40, the time and cost required for charging the mobile battery 30 may be reduced.

[0090] Each of the operating ship 10, the mobile charging ship 40 and the charging station 50 may include a communication device. Communication between the operating ship 10 and the charging station 50 may be performed to exchange information, and communication between the charging station 50 and the mobile charging ship 40 may be performed to exchange information. Through communication between the operating ship 10 and the charging station 50, navigation information of the operating ship 10 including the location of the operating ship 10, the arrival time to the destination and the capacity of the mounted battery 20 may be transmitted.

[0091] FIG. 5 is a block view showing an exchangeable marine energy storage system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 5, the operation controller 60 may be wirelessly connected with the mobile charging ship 40 and the charging station 50. The operation controller 60 may function as a server and control each component provided in the exchangeable marine energy storage system 1.

[0093] The operation controller 60 may be provided inside the charging station 50. In another embodiment, the operation controller 60 may be modified in various ways such as being provided inside the operating ship 10 or in a separate controller installed on land.

[0094] The operation controller 60 according to an embodiment may control the operations of the mobile charging ship 40 and the charging station 50 based on the location and navigation route of the operating ship 10.

[0095] FIG. 3 is a view showing a state a route of an operating ship 10 is divided into a plurality of zones.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 3, the operation controller 60 according to an embodiment may divide the navigation route of the operating ship 10 into a plurality of zones. The energy supply of the operating ship 10 may be continuously controlled by distributing the mobile charging ship 40 and the charging station 50 for each zone. Accordingly, the movable distance of the operating ship 10 that can continuously operate without anchoring may be increased.

[0097] A plurality of mobile charging ships 40 may be provided and the navigation route of the operating ship 10 is divided into a plurality of zones. The mobile charging ships 40 may be moved to and anchored in each of the zones.

[0098] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation controller 60 may divide the route of the operating ship 10 into three zones. The area where the operating ship 10 departs may be set as a first area A1, and the area where the operating ship 10 arrives may be set as a third zone A3. The area between the first zone A1 and the third zone A3 may be set as a second zone A2.

[0099] The operation controller 60 may assign the charging station 50 and the mobile charging ship 40 to the first zone A1, the second zone A2, and the third zone A3, respectively. If necessary, the operation controller 60 may move the charging station 50 and the mobile charging ship 40 may move to another zone.

[0100] The size of the zone may be determined in consideration of natural factors that generate electrical energy such as solar radiation and wind power. The operation controller 60 may count the number of the charging stations 50 and the number of the mobile charging ships 40 in each zone, and calculate the energy capacity that can be generated in each zone.

[0101] If the energy capacity of a specific zone is small, the energy capacity of the corresponding zone may be increased by increasing the number of the charging stations or the mobile charging ships 40.

[0102] If the energy capacity of one of the divided zones is small and that of another one is large, the operation controller 60 may move the mobile charging ship 40 or the charging station 50 in the zone having the large energy capacity to the zone having the small energy capacity.

[0103] Hereinafter, referring to the accompanying drawings, a control method of the exchangeable marine energy storage system 1 according to an embodiment will be described in detail.

[0104] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control method of an exchangeable marine energy storage system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 6, the control method of the exchangeable marine energy storage system 1 may include a moveable distance calculating step S10 of calculating the distance that the operating ship 10 can be operated by using the mounted battery 20 mounted therein.

[0106] Before the operation of the operating ship starts, information on the operation ship 10, the navigation route and information such as the capacity of the mounted battery 20 may be transmitted to the operation controller 60. The operation controller 60 may calculate the moveable distance of the operating ship 10 in consideration of weather information, a state of the operating ship 10 and the mounted battery 20, and the like.

[0107] The calculation of the moveable distance may include factors such as the navigation speed of the operating ship 10, current, wind speed and temperature.

[0108] The moveable distance calculation may be performed by the operating ship 10 or the operation controller 60. After the calculation is performed by the operating ship 10, coordinates requiring replacement of the mounted battery 20 may be transmitted to the operation controller 60. Alternatively, the operation controller 60 receives data from the operating ship 10 and calculates the coordinates requiring the replacement of the mounted battery 20 to transmit to the operating ship 10.

[0109] After the calculation step, the control method may include a dividing step S20 of dividing a navigation route of the operating ship 10 into a plurality of zones. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of zones may include a first zone A1, a second zone A2 and a third zone A3, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications are possible such as the number of the zones may be three or more or less.

[0110] After the dividing step S20, the operation controller 60 may perform a measuring step S30 of determining the total energy capacity of each zone based on the number of the mobile charging ships 40 and the charging stations 50 disposed in each of the divided zones.

[0111] For example, when the first zone A1 has more mobile charging ships 50 and charging stations 50 than the second zone A2, the operation controller 60 determines that the first zone A1 has more total energy capacity than the second zone A2.

[0112] After the measuring step S30, the operation controller 60 may perform an adjusting step S40 of moving at least one of the mobile charging ships 40 and the charging stations 50 to the zone having insufficient total energy capacity.

[0113] The operation controller 60 may re-adjust the arrangement of each zone and the number of the mobile charging ships and the charging stations 50 disposed in each zone, based on the movement route and movement distance of the operating ship 10 and the number of the mobile charging ships 40 and charging stations 50.

[0114] After receiving the moveable distance calculated by the operating ship 10 and the movement route of the operating ship 10, the operation controller 60 may perform an exchange location setting step S50 of setting an exchange location and time of the mounted battery 20 mounted in the operating ship 10.

[0115] The operation controller 60 may set points for exchanging the mounted battery 20 loaded on the operating ship 10 and select one of the mobile charging ships 40 that is located close to the movement route of the operating ship 10 and has completed the charging of the mobile battery 30.

[0116] Hence, the operation controller 60 may perform an exchanging step S60 of exchanging the mounted battery 20 with the mobile battery 30 mounted in the mobile charging ship 40 by moving the operating ship 10 to an exchange location.

[0117] The mobile charging ship 40 may move to the battery exchange location and exchange the batteries with the operating ship 10. The operating ship 10 may move to the destination, while repeating the battery exchange described above.

[0118] After the battery exchange, the mobile battery 30 loaded on the mobile charging ship 40 may be charged with electrical energy generated by the mobile power generation unit 42 of the mobile charging ship 40. The mobile charging ship 40 may move to the charging station 50 and dock with the charging station 50 so that the mobile battery 30 loaded on the mobile charging ship 40 may be charged through the charging station 50.

[0119] The mobile charging ship 40 in which the mobile battery 30 has been charged completely may be moved to a position adjacent to the charging station 50 or a preset position to standby.

[0120] The operation controller 60 may frequently check the total amount of energy in each zone. When the total amount of energy in one of the zones is a preset amount of less, the operation controller 60 may move at least one of the mobile charging ship 40 and the charging station 50 to the zone having the insufficient total energy amount.

[0121] When using the exchangeable marine energy storage system 1 according to the embodiment, the long-distance operation of the operating ship 10 having the mounted battery 20 with a smaller charging capacity than the conventional one of the prior art may be possible, thereby reducing transportation costs.

[0122] In addition, the supply of electrical energy may be continuously performed by exchanging the mounted battery 20 mounted on the operating ship 10 without charging it, thereby shortening the overall operating time of the ship and reducing the transportation costs.

[0123] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplified drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and idea of the present invention. Further, although the operating effects according to the configuration of the present invention are not explicitly described while describing an embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated that predictable effects are also to be recognized by the configuration.