Energy distribution network

• US 7,519,453 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2007
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hydrogenics Corporation (Cummins Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Stuart Energy Systems Corp (Cummins Incorporated)
• Inventors: Stuart, Andrew T. B., Dong, Charlie, Stewart, William J., Fairlie, Matthew J., Thorpe, Steven J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shechtman; Sean P
• Application Number:
  US11/706,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20070179672A1
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 700/9, 700/19, 700/20, 700/22, 700/266, 700/273, 700/274, 700/286, 700/287, 700/291, 700/295, 700/297, 700/301, 205/343, 205/637, 429/12, 429/13, 429/21, 429 22- 25
• 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
• 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 for a facility that is disposed off-board a vehicle. The system includes a hydrogen generator disposed at the facility for generating hydrogen by water electrolysis, a hydrogen storage apparatus for storing at least some of the hydrogen generated by the hydrogen generator, and a controller having a computer processor for receiving and processing certain control inputs. The controller is operatively connected to the hydrogen generator for controlling the generation of hydrogen based on the control inputs.

Claims

1. 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 separating hydrogen from oxygen in water 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.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control inputs further include stored data concerning the price of said electrical energy available for use by said hydrogen generator and wherein said controller controls the generation of hydrogen based upon said control inputs including said stored data concerning the price of electrical energy.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein said at least one external source of electrical energy includes at least one non-grid source of electrical energy.

4. A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein electrical energy for said at least one non-grid source of electrical energy is generated from at least one primary energy resource.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said at least one primary energy resource includes renewable resources.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein said renewable resources include at least one of wind, solar, nuclear and hydro.

7. A system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said primary energy resources include at least one of the following:

fossil fuels, wind, solar, nuclear and hydro.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said control inputs further include data concerning said hydrogen storage apparatus.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a hydrogen conversion device disposed at said facility for receiving hydrogen from said hydrogen storage apparatus and converting said hydrogen into electricity.

10. A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein said controller modulates the generation of electricity by said hydrogen conversion device.

11. A system as claimed in claim 9 wherein at least some of said electricity generated by said hydrogen conversion device is transmitted to an electricity grid.

12. A system according to claim 9 wherein said at least one external source of electrical energy includes at least one non-grid source of electrical energy.