Energy storage system for electric utility plant
First Claim
1. A method using a substantially closed fluid system for storing and retrieving excess energy produced during low energy demand periods by an electric utility, comprising the steps of:
- a. storing a gaseous primary fluid at low pressure in a low pressure underground storage cavern,b. compressing said primary fluid to high pressures utilizing energy output produced by said utility during low consumer demand periods,c. storing said compressed primary fluid in a high pressure underground storage cavern,d. transferring said compressed fluid during peak power demand from said high pressure storage cavern to a reaction zone,e. reacting an exothermic fuel constituent within said compressed primary fluid to generate a heated working fluid comprised of said primary fluid and any fuel reactants and products present,f. expanding said working fluid to produce an electrical output for supplementation of utility capacity, andg. returning at least the resulting expanded primary fluid to said low pressure cavern.
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Abstract
A method for storing excess energy produced by an electric utility during low energy demand periods, utilizing a closed system with a gaseous fluid as the energy storage medium and turbine working fluid. The fluid medium is stored at low pressure in an underground cavern which is located near a commercial electric utility system. During low energy demand periods, electrical output from the utility is channeled to the subject invention for conversion to potential energy, stored in the form of pressurized fluid in a second, high pressure cavern. This fluid transfer is accomplished by a compressor powered by excess electric output of the utility. During peak periods of power demand, a stream of the pressurized fluid is heated and expanded through a turbine/generator combination to generate electrical output. This electrical power is then used to supplement the utility output to meet the higher level of energy requirement arising during peak demand periods. The expanded fluid medium is subsequently returned to the low pressure storage cavern, pending recycle through the closed system. Various embodiments are disclosed illustrating use of excess electric utility output to accomplish the heating and to supply the compression energy to operate the system.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method using a substantially closed fluid system for storing and retrieving excess energy produced during low energy demand periods by an electric utility, comprising the steps of:
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a. storing a gaseous primary fluid at low pressure in a low pressure underground storage cavern, b. compressing said primary fluid to high pressures utilizing energy output produced by said utility during low consumer demand periods, c. storing said compressed primary fluid in a high pressure underground storage cavern, d. transferring said compressed fluid during peak power demand from said high pressure storage cavern to a reaction zone, e. reacting an exothermic fuel constituent within said compressed primary fluid to generate a heated working fluid comprised of said primary fluid and any fuel reactants and products present, f. expanding said working fluid to produce an electrical output for supplementation of utility capacity, and g. returning at least the resulting expanded primary fluid to said low pressure cavern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification