Energy network
First Claim
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1. An energy network comprising:
- a plurality of electricity generating stations;
a plurality of variable power loads connected to said generating stations by a grid; and
, a controller connected to said grid and operable to adjust demand from said power loads to approach a match of said demand with an availability of power from said generating stations.
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Abstract
An energy network is provided. An embodiment includes a network having a plurality of power stations and a plurality of loads interconnected by an electricity grid. The loads include electrolysers. The network also includes a controller that is connected to both the stations and the loads. The controller is operable to vary the available power from the power stations and/or adjust the demand from the electrolysers to provide a desired match of availability with demand and produce hydrogen as a transportation fuel with specific verifiable emission characteristics
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. An energy network comprising:
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a plurality of electricity generating stations;
a plurality of variable power loads connected to said generating stations by a grid; and
,a controller connected to said grid and operable to adjust demand from said power loads to approach a match of said demand with an availability of power from said generating stations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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- 8. A controller for an energy network having a plurality of electrical generating stations and a plurality of power loads connected to said generating stations by a grid, said controller comprising a processor having a plurality of programming instructions operable to adjust demand from said power loads to match said demand with an availability of power from said generating stations.
- 15. An electrolyser for receiving electrical power from a grid and for converting electricity into hydrogen, said electrolyser including a means to report a demand for electricity needed to generate hydrogen at said electrolyser to a controller connected to said grid, such that when said demand is reported to said controller, said controller is operable to adjust availability of power from said grid to meet said demand based on said reported demand.
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23. A method of transferring hydrogen comprising the steps of:
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converting, at a first location, a predefined quantity of hydrogen into electricity;
introducing said electricity into a electricity grid;
notifying a second location of a quantity of said electricity;
drawing, at said second location, said quantity of electricity from said grid; and
,converting, at said second location, said drawn quantity of electricity into hydrogen.
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24. A method of transferring hydrogen comprising the steps of:
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receiving at a first hydrogen storage station a request to transfer hydrogen to a second storage station;
converting a predefined quantity of hydrogen into electricity corresponding to said request;
introducing said electricity into an electricity grid.
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25. A method of generating hydrogen comprising the steps of:
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receiving at a hydrogen storage station a notification that a predefined quantity of electricity has been introduced into an electricity grid connected to said hydrogen storage station;
drawing, at said hydrogen storage station, said quantity of electricity from said grid; and
,converting, at said hydrogen storage station, said drawn quantity of electricity into hydrogen.
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26. A method of controlling an energy network comprising the steps of:
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receiving demand information representing an amount of electricity in demand by at least one electrical load, said at least one electrical load including an electrolyser for converting electricity into hydrogen;
receiving availability information representing an amount of electricity availability from at least one electrical generating station; and
,adjusting operation of said at least one of electrical load and said at least one electrical generating such that said demand information and said availability information approach a match there between. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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46. An energy network comprising:
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a plurality of generating stations;
a plurality of power loads connected to said generating stations by a grid, said power loads including at least one electrolyser;
a fuel cell connected to at least one of said electrolysers for converting hydrogen back into electricity for reintroduction to said grid; and
,a controller connected to said grid and operable to adjust demand from said power loads to approach a match of said demand with an availability of power from said generating stations, wherein said adjustment of availability includes activating said fuel cell for delivery of electricity to said grid.
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47. An energy network comprising:
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a plurality of generating stations;
a plurality of power loads connected to said generating stations by a grid, said power loads including at least one electrolyser; and
,a controller connected to said grid and operable to adjust demand from said power loads to approach a match of said demand with an availability of power from said generating stations, wherein said adjustment of demand includes activating one or more of said electrolysers to absorb excess availability from said generating stations.
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48. A method of increasing stability in an electricity grid comprising the steps of:
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receiving demand information representing a change in the amount of electricity in demand by at least one conventional electrical load connected to said grid;
receiving availability information from a plurality of electrical generating stations connected to said grid representing a potential instability in adjusting said availability from said generating stations to accommodate said change;
absorbing a decrease in demand causing said instability by activating at least one electrolyser connected to said grid; and
,absorbing a decrease in availability causing said instability by activating at least one fuel cell or turning down one electrolyser connected to said grid.
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49. A method of controlling an energy network comprising the steps of:
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receiving demand information representing an amount of electricity in demand by at least one electrical load, said at least one electrical load including an industrial electrolyser for converting electricity into hydrogen;
receiving availability information representing an amount of electricity availability from at least one electrical generating station; and
,instructing said industrial electrolyser to reduce production of hydrogen based on said availability information being less than said demand information according to an interuptibility contract.
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Specification