Energy distribution network

• US 7,062,360 B2
• Filed: 02/14/2005
• Issued: 06/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Inc.
• Inventors: Stuart, Andrew T. B., Stewart, William J., Fairlie, Matthew J., Thorpe, Steven J., Dong, Charlie
• Primary Examiner(s): RODRIGUEZ, PAUL L
• Application Number:
  US11/056,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20050145505A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 700/266, 700/286, 700/291, 700/295, 700/297, 205/343, 205/351, 205/637, 429/22
• US Class Current: 700/286
• 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

A hydrogen energy system is provided for one or more buildings. The system includes a hydrogen generator; at least one zone controller for receiving and processing demands from at least one hydrogen user associated with at least one zone of the one or more buildings; and a unit controller for receiving and processing hydrogen demand data received from the at least one zone controller.

Claims

1. A hydrogen energy system for one or more buildings, said system comprising:

(a) a hydrogen generator;

(b) at least one zone controller for receiving and transmitting demands for hydrogen associated with at least one zone of the one or more buildings;

(c) a unit controller for processing said demands for hydrogen received from said at least one zone controller and controlling said hydrogen generator in accordance therewith.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said demands include demands for electricity generated from said hydrogen.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said demands include demands for heat generated from said hydrogen.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unit controller further controls a device for converting hydrogen into electrical energy.

5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unit controller further controls a device for converting hydrogen into thermal energy.

6. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine.

7. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is a fuel cell.

8. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is a boiler.

9. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is a furnace.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system provides energy to a plurality of buildings.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10 wherein each of said buildings includes one of said unit controllers and at least one of said zone controllers.

12. A system as claimed in claim 11 further comprising a building network controller for receiving and processing hydrogen demand data from said unit controllers for each of said buildings.

13. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said building network controller controls the generation of hydrogen by said hydrogen generator and the supply of hydrogen to at least one hydrogen conversion device for a plurality of said buildings.

14. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said building network controller is in communication with an energy network controller that controls a network of energy sources each having energy source data associated therewith.

15. A system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said building network controller receives and processes energy source data in order to control the generation, storage and conversion of hydrogen to meet the demands for a plurality of said buildings.

16. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said unit controller also receives and processes energy source data in order to control the generation, storage and conversion of hydrogen to meet the demands of said one of more buildings.

17. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is adapted to deliver electrical energy to an electricity grid.

18. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a hydrogen dispenser for dispensing hydrogen to at least one hydrogen powered vehicle.

19. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least one zone controller includes a user activation interface for receiving data concerning a demand for hydrogen.

20. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said hydrogen dispenser includes a user activation interface for receiving user input concerning a demand for hydrogen.

21. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed remotely from said one or more buildings.

22. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed proximate to said one or more buildings.

23. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed within said one or more buildings.

24. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said zone controllers are interconnected in a network, said network being operably connected to said unit controller.

25. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said demands are transmitted wirelessly from said at least one zone controller.

26. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hydrogen generator is an electrolyser.

27. A hydrogen energy system for one or more buildings, said system comprising:

(a) a hydrogen generator;

(b) a hydrogen storage apparatus for storing hydrogen received from said hydrogen generator;

(c) a hydrogen conversion apparatus for converting hydrogen received from said hydrogen storage apparatus into a desired form of energy; and

(d) a controller in communication with a plurality of zones associated with said one or more buildings for controlling the generation, storage and conversion of hydrogen by said hydrogen generator, hydrogen storage apparatus and hydrogen conversion apparatus in accordance with demands received from one or more of said plurality of zones.

28. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus converts hydrogen into electricity.

29. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine.

30. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is a fuel cell.

31. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus converts hydrogen into thermal energy.

32. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is a boiler.

33. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is a furnace.

34. A system as claimed in claim 27 further comprising a compressor for compressing hydrogen generated by said hydrogen generator to a minimum desired pressure prior to being received by said hydrogen storage apparatus.

35. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen generator generates hydrogen at a minimum desired pressure.

36. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said system provides energy to a plurality of buildings.

37. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen generator generates hydrogen for supplying energy to a plurality of said buildings.

38. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said controller is also in communication with an energy network controller that controls a network of energy sources each having energy source data associated therewith.

39. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said controller also receives and processes data pertaining to a source of energy for said hydrogen generator in order to control the generation, storage and conversion of hydrogen to meet the demands for a plurality of said buildings.

40. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is adapted to generate and deliver electrical energy to an electricity grid.

41. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed remotely from said one or more buildings.

42. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed proximate to said one or more buildings.

43. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed within said one or more buildings.

44. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen storage apparatus comprises at least one hydride storage chamber.

45. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen storage apparatus comprises at least one container for storing pressurized hydrogen.

46. A system as claimed in claim 27 further comprising a hydrogen dispenser for dispensing hydrogen to at least one hydrogen powered vehicle.

47. A system as claimed in claim 46 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed remotely from said one or more buildings.

48. A system as claimed in claim 46 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed proximate to said one or more buildings.

49. A system as claimed in claim 46 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed within said one or more buildings.

50. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is disposed remotely from one or more of said buildings.

51. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is disposed proximate to one or more of said buildings.

52. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is disposed within one or more of said buildings.

53. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus converts hydrogen into electrical energy which is transmitted to one or more of said zones by an electrical energy transmission line.

54. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus converts hydrogen into thermal energy which is transmitted to one or more of said zones by a thermal energy transmission conduit.

55. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said demands are transmitted wirelessly from said zones.

56. A system as claimed in claim 27 wherein said hydrogen generator is an electrolyser.

57. A hydrogen energy system for one or more buildings, said system comprising:

(a) a hydrogen generator;

(b) a hydrogen storage apparatus for storing hydrogen received from said hydrogen generator;

(c) a hydrogen conversion apparatus for converting hydrogen received from said hydrogen storage apparatus into a desired form of energy;

(d) a hydrogen dispenser for dispensing hydrogen from said hydrogen storage apparatus to one or more hydrogen powered vehicles; and

(e) a controller in communication with at least one of said hydrogen generator, hydrogen storage apparatus, hydrogen conversion apparatus and hydrogen dispenser to control the generation and distribution of hydrogen and energy for one or more of said buildings and vehicles.

58. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus converts hydrogen into electricity.

59. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine.

60. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is a fuel cell.

61. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus converts hydrogen into thermal energy.

62. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is a boiler.

63. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is a furnace.

64. A system as claimed in claim 57 further comprising a compressor for compressing hydrogen generated by said hydrogen generator to a minimum desired pressure prior to being received by said hydrogen storage apparatus.

65. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen generator generates hydrogen at a minimum desired pressure.

66. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said system provides energy to a plurality of buildings.

67. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen generator generates hydrogen for supplying energy to a plurality of said buildings.

68. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said controller is in communication with an energy network controller that controls a network of energy sources each having energy source data associated therewith.

69. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said controller also receives and processes data pertaining to a source of energy for said hydrogen generator in order to control the generation, storage and conversion of hydrogen to meet the demands for a plurality of said buildings.

70. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is adapted to generate and deliver electrical energy to an electricity grid.

71. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed remotely from said one or more buildings.

72. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed proximate to said one or more buildings.

73. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed within said one or more buildings.

74. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen storage apparatus comprises at least one hydride storage chamber.

75. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen storage apparatus comprises at least one container for storing pressurized hydrogen.

76. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is disposed remotely from one or more of said buildings.

77. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is disposed proximate to one or more of said buildings.

78. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus is disposed within one or more of said buildings.

79. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed remotely from one or more of said buildings.

80. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed proximate to one or more of said buildings.

81. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed within one or more of said buildings.

82. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus converts hydrogen into electrical energy which is transmitted to one or more of said zones by an electrical energy transmission line.

83. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen conversion apparatus converts hydrogen into thermal energy which is transmitted to one or more of said zones by a thermal energy transmission conduit.

84. A system as claimed in claim 57 wherein said hydrogen generator is an electrolyser.

85. A hydrogen energy system for one or more buildings, said system comprising:

(a) a hydrogen generator;

(b) a hydrogen storage apparatus for storing hydrogen received from said hydrogen generator;

(c) a electrical energy conversion apparatus for converting hydrogen received from said hydrogen storage apparatus into electrical energy;

(d) a thermal energy conversion apparatus for converting hydrogen received from said hydrogen storage apparatus into thermal energy

(e) an electrical energy conduit for distributing electrical energy generated by said electrical energy conversion apparatus to one or more zones associated with said one or more buildings;

(f) a thermal energy conduit for distributing thermal energy generated by said thermal energy conversion apparatus to one or more zones associated with said one or more buildings; and

(g) a controller in communication with said hydrogen generator, said electrical energy conversion apparatus and said thermal energy conversion apparatus for controlling the generation and conversion of hydrogen and the distribution of electrical energy and thermal energy to said one or more zones.

86. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said electrical energy conversion apparatus is a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine.

87. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said electrical energy conversion apparatus is a fuel cell.

88. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said thermal energy conversion apparatus is a boiler.

89. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said thermal energy conversion apparatus is a furnace.

90. A system as claimed in claim 85 further comprising a compressor for compressing hydrogen generated by said hydrogen generator to a minimum desired pressure prior to being received by said hydrogen storage apparatus.

91. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen generator generates hydrogen at a minimum desired pressure.

92. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said system provides electrical energy to a plurality of buildings.

93. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said controller is in communication with an energy network controller that controls a network of energy sources each having energy source data associated therewith.

94. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said controller also receives and processes data pertaining to a source of energy for said hydrogen generator in order to control the generation and conversion of hydrogen.

95. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said electrical energy conversion apparatus is adapted to generate and deliver electrical energy to an electricity grid.

96. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed remotely from said one or more buildings.

97. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed proximate to said one or more buildings.

98. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen generator is disposed within said one or more buildings.

99. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed remotely from said one or more buildings.

100. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed proximate to said one or more buildings.

101. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen dispenser is disposed within said one or more buildings.

102. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen storage apparatus comprises at least one hydride storage chamber.

103. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen storage apparatus comprises at least one container for storing pressurized hydrogen.

104. A system as claimed in claim 85 further comprising a hydrogen dispenser for dispensing hydrogen to at least one hydrogen powered vehicle.

105. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein at least one of said electrical energy conversion apparatus and said thermal energy conversion apparatus is disposed remotely from one or more of said buildings.

106. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein at least one of said electrical energy conversion apparatus and said thermal energy conversion apparatus is disposed proximate to one or more of said buildings.

107. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein at least one of said electrical energy conversion apparatus and said thermal energy conversion apparatus is disposed within one or more of said buildings.

108. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein demands are transmitted wirelessly from said zones to said controller.

109. A system as claimed in claim 85 wherein said hydrogen generator is an electrolyser.

110. A hydrogen energy system for one or more buildings, said system comprising:

(a) a plurality of zone controllers for receiving and transmitting demands for hydrogen for a plurality of zones associated with said one or more buildings; and

(b) at least one unit controller for processing said demands for hydrogen received from said plurality of zone controllers and controlling the generation and distribution of hydrogen in accordance therewith.

111. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said demands include demands for electricity generated from said hydrogen.

112. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said demands include demands for heat generated from said hydrogen.

113. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said unit controller further controls a device for converting hydrogen into electrical energy.

114. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said unit controller further controls a device for converting hydrogen into thermal energy.

115. A system as claimed in claim 113 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is a hydrogen powered internal combustion engine.

116. A system as claimed in claim 113 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is a fuel cell.

117. A system as claimed in claim 114 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is a boiler.

118. A system as claimed in claim 114 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is a furnace.

119. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said system provides energy to a plurality of buildings.

120. A system as claimed in claim 119 wherein each of said buildings includes one of said unit controllers and at least one of said zone controllers.

121. A system as claimed in claim 120 further comprising a building network controller for receiving and processing hydrogen demand data from said unit controllers for each of said buildings.

122. A system as claimed in claim 121 wherein said building network controller controls the generation and the supply of hydrogen to at least one hydrogen conversion device for a plurality of said buildings.

123. A system as claimed in claim 121 wherein said building network controller is in communication with an energy network controller that controls a network of energy sources each having energy source data associated therewith.

124. A system as claimed in claim 121 wherein said building network controller receives and processes energy source data in order to control the generation, storage and conversion of hydrogen to meet the demands for a plurality of said buildings.

125. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said unit controller also receives and processes energy source data in order to control the generation, storage and conversion of hydrogen to meet the demands of said one of more buildings.

126. A system as claimed in claim 113 wherein said hydrogen conversion device is adapted to deliver electrical energy to an electricity grid.

127. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said unit controller further controls a hydrogen dispenser for dispensing hydrogen to at least one hydrogen powered vehicle.

128. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said at least one zone controller includes a user activation interface for receiving data concerning a demand for hydrogen.

129. A system as claimed in claim 127 wherein said hydrogen dispenser includes a user activation interface for receiving data concerning a demand for hydrogen.

130. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein a plurality of said zone controllers are interconnected in a network, said network being operably connected to said unit controller.

131. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said demands are transmitted wirelessly from said at least one zone controller.

132. A system as claimed in claim 110 wherein said hydrogen is generated by at least one electrolyser.