Hydroelectric pumped-storage
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system comprising:
- a first aquifer;
a second aquifer;
one or more fluid communication channels that facilitate fluid flow between the first and second aquifers;
a turbine-generator arranged to convert kinetic energy of fluid flowing from the first aquifer to the second aquifer through one or more of the fluid communication channels into electrical energy; and
a pump to move fluid from the second aquifer to the first aquifer,wherein at least one of the first or second aquifers is a naturally-occurring underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Hydroelectric pumped-storage includes monitoring electrical demand on a system over time. If the monitored demand exceeds a predetermined first value, fluid is allowed to flow substantially under the influence of gravity from a first aquifer to a second aquifer. Kinetic energy from the flowing fluid is converted into electrical energy. If the monitored demand drops below a predetermined second value, fluid from the second aquifer is moved to the first aquifer.
83 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A system comprising:
-
a first aquifer; a second aquifer; one or more fluid communication channels that facilitate fluid flow between the first and second aquifers; a turbine-generator arranged to convert kinetic energy of fluid flowing from the first aquifer to the second aquifer through one or more of the fluid communication channels into electrical energy; and a pump to move fluid from the second aquifer to the first aquifer, wherein at least one of the first or second aquifers is a naturally-occurring underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A system comprising:
-
a body of fluid; an aquifer; one or more fluid communication channels that facilitate fluid flow between the body of fluid and the aquifer; a turbine-generator arranged to convert kinetic energy of fluid flowing from the body of fluid to the second aquifer through one or more of the fluid communication channels into electrical energy; and a pump to move fluid from the second aquifer to the first aquifer; wherein the aquifer is a naturally-occurring underground layer of water-bearing permeable rock or unconsolidated materials. - View Dependent Claims (14)
-
Specification