Energy distribution network

• US 20070179672A1
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: 3793257 Canada, Inc. (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thorpe, Steven, Stewart, William, Stuart, Andrew, Dong, Charlie, Fairlie, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 7,519,453 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/54 Energy consumption estimation
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 2260/56 Temperature prediction, e.g. for pre-cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/30 for monitoring or controlling fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: B60L 58/34 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/0233 the reforming step being a steam reforming step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/025 containing a partial oxidation step
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1223 Methanol
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1235 Hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1241 Natural gas or methane
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/84 Energy production
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/00 Hydrogen; Gaseous mixtures containing hydrogen; Separation of hydrogen from mixtures containing it separation of gases by physical means B01D; Purification of hydrogen production of water gas or synthesis gas from solid carbonaceous material C10J; purifying or modifying the chemical compositions of combustible technical gases containing carbon monoxide C10K
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/02 Production of hydrogen or of gaseous mixtures containing a substantial proportion of hydrogen
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/32 by reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds with gasifying agents, e.g. water, carbon dioxide, air
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/36 using oxygen or mixtures containing oxygen as gasifying agents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/20 Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2250/402 Combination of fuel cell with other electric generators combination of fuel cells with other electrochemical generator H01M16/003
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04216 characterised by the choice for a specific material, e.g. carbon, hydride, absorbent
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04298 Processes for controlling fuel cells or fuel cell systems
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0438 Pressure; Ambient pressure; Flow
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/04753 of fuel cell reactants
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0612 : from carbon-containing material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 8/0656 : by electrochemical means H01M8/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/10 : Applications of fuel cells in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/32 : Hydrogen storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/36 : Hydrogen production from non-carbon containing sources, e.g. by water electrolysis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/50 : Fuel cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/133 : Renewable energy sources, e.g. sunlight
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/60 : Electric or hybrid propulsion means for production processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 90/40 : Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells

Abstract

An energy distribution network for providing hydrogen fuel to a user comprising; energy source means; hydrogen production means to receive the energy from the energy resource means; hydrogen fuel user means to receive hydrogen from the hydrogen production means; and data collection, storage, control and supply means linked to the energy resource means, the hydrogen production means, and the hydrogen fuel user means to determine, control and supply hydrogen from the hydrogen production means. Preferably, the network comprises one or more water electrolysers and provides for the distribution of hydrogen, for use as a fuel for vehicles, fuel cells, electrical and thermal generators, and the like.

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A hydrogen energy system for a facility that is disposed off-board a vehicle comprising:

a hydrogen generator disposed at said facility for generating hydrogen by water electrolysis using electrical energy received from at least one external source of electrical energy;

a hydrogen storage apparatus disposed at said facility for storing at least some of the hydrogen generated by said hydrogen generator; and

a controller having a computer processor for receiving and processing control inputs, said control inputs including real time data concerning the price of said electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator and data concerning one or more demands for hydrogen by one or more hydrogen users, said controller being operatively connected to said hydrogen generator for controlling the generation of hydrogen based at least upon said real time data concerning the price of said electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator and said data concerning one or more demands for hydrogen by one or more hydrogen users.

26. A system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said data concerning the availability of electrical energy for use by said hydrogen generator includes stored data and wherein said controller further controls the generation of hydrogen based at least upon said stored data concerning the price of electrical energy.

27. A system according to claim 25 wherein said at least one external source of electrical energy includes at least one non-grid source of electrical energy.

28. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein electrical energy for said at least one non-grid source of electrical energy is generated from at least one primary energy resource.

29. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein said at least one primary energy resource includes renewable resources.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29 wherein said renewable resources include at least one of wind, solar, nuclear and hydro.

31. A system as claimed in claim 28 wherein said primary energy resources include at least one of the following:

fossil fuels, wind, solar, nuclear and hydro.

32. A system as claimed in claim 25 wherein said control inputs further include data concerning said hydrogen storage apparatus.

33. A system as claimed in claim 25 further comprising a hydrogen conversion device disposed at said facility for receiving hydrogen from said hydrogen storage apparatus and converting said hydrogen into electricity.

34. A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein said controller modulates the generation of electricity by said hydrogen conversion device.

35. A system as claimed in claim 33 wherein at least some of said electricity generated by said hydrogen conversion device is transmitted to an electricity grid.

36. A system according to claim 25 wherein said at least one external source of electrical energy includes at least one non-grid source of electrical energy.

37. A hydrogen energy system for a facility that is disposed off-board a vehicle comprising:

a hydrogen generator disposed at said facility for generating hydrogen by water electrolysis using electrical energy received from at least one external source of electrical energy;

a compressor disposed at said facility for compressing said hydrogen to a minimum desired pressure;

a hydrogen storage apparatus disposed at said facility for storing said hydrogen; and

a controller having a computer processor for receiving and processing control inputs, said controller being operatively connected to said hydrogen generator for controlling the generation of hydrogen based upon said control inputs.

38. A system as claimed in claim 37 wherein said control inputs include data concerning the price of electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator.

39. A system as claimed in claim 38 wherein said data concerning the price of electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator includes real time data.

40. A system as claimed in claim 38 wherein said data concerning the price of electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator includes stored data.

41. A system according to claim 37 wherein said at least one external source of electrical energy includes at least one non-grid source of electrical energy.

42. A system as claimed in claim 41 wherein electrical energy for said at least one non-grid source of electrical energy is generated from at least one primary energy resource.

43. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein said at least one primary energy resource includes renewable resources.

44. A system as claimed in claim 43 wherein said renewable resources include at least one of wind, solar, nuclear and hydro.

45. A system as claimed in claim 42 wherein said primary energy resources include at least one of the following:

fossil fuels, wind, solar, nuclear and hydro.

46. A system as claimed in claim 37 wherein said control inputs include data concerning said hydrogen storage apparatus.

47. A system as claimed in claim 37 further comprising a hydrogen conversion device disposed at said facility for receiving hydrogen from said hydrogen storage apparatus and converting said hydrogen into electricity.

48. A system as claimed in claim 47 wherein said controller modulates the generation of electricity by said hydrogen conversion device.

49. A system as claimed in claim 47 wherein at least some of said electricity generated by said hydrogen conversion device is transmitted to an electricity grid.

50. A system as claimed in claim 37 wherein said control inputs include data concerning one or more demands for hydrogen by one or more hydrogen users.