Energy systems, energy devices, energy utilization methods, and energy transfer methods

• US 8,508,058 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2011
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enel X North America, Inc. (ENEL SPA)
• Original Assignee: Demand Energy Networks, Inc. (ENEL SPA)
• Inventors: Hamilton, Scott Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Ponomarenko, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US13/330,548
• Publication Number:
  US 20120153618A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.A, 290/1.R, 290/7, 290/40.R, 290/52, 322/1, 322/37
• US Class Current: 290/1.A
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/24 of photovoltaic origin
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/28 The renewable source being wind energy wind motors F03D
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2300/40 wherein a plurality of decentralised, dispersed or local energy generation technologies are operated simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/32 using batteries with converting means
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/381 Dispersed generators
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/46 Controlling of the sharing of output between the generators, converters, or transformers
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/04 Control effected upon non-electric prime mover and dependent upon electric output value of the generator
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 9/46 Control of asynchronous generator by variation of capacitor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/76 Power conversion electric or electronic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin

Abstract

Energy systems, energy devices, energy utilization methods, and energy transfer methods are described. In one arrangement, energy utilization methods include providing first energy from a power grid to an induction generator at a first moment in time; using the induction generator and the first energy from the power grid, charging an energy storage device; using second energy from the energy storage device, powering a motor causing the induction generator to generate third energy during a second moment in time; and providing the third energy to the power grid. Other arrangements are described.

Claims

1. An energy device comprising:

a motor configured to utilize electrical energy to provide a rotational force;

an induction generator which is configured to receive the rotational force provided by the motor and to generate electrical energy as a result of the received rotational force;

an interface which is configured to conduct the electrical energy generated by the induction generator to an AC power grid which is electrically coupled with the interface;

electrical energy storage circuitry configured to store electrical energy from a power source which is distinct from the AC power grid; and

wherein the electrical energy storage circuitry provides stored electrical energy to the motor to be utilized by the motor to provide the rotational force.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the motor is configured to utilize the stored electrical energy comprising a first form of electrical energy to provide the rotational force and the induction generator is configured to generate the electrical energy comprising a second form of electrical energy which is different than the first form of electrical energy.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the first form of electrical energy is direct current electrical energy and the second form of electrical energy is alternating current electrical energy.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein the induction generator utilizes excitation electrical energy from the AC power grid to generate the alternating current electrical energy which is synchronized with the excitation electrical energy.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the motor comprises an AC induction motor.

6. The device of claim 1 further comprising a variable frequency drive which is configured to provide the stored electrical energy from the electrical energy storage circuitry to the motor.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises an energy conversion device which is configured to provide the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein the enemy conversion device is configured to convert naturally occurring energy to the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the energy conversion device is configured to convert energy which is derived from the AC power grid to the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

10. The device of claim 7 wherein the energy conversion device is configured to convert rotational energy to the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

11. The device of claim 7 wherein the energy conversion device comprises a battery charger which is configured to provide the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

12. The device of claim 1 wherein the induction generator utilizes excitation electrical energy to generate the electrical energy, and wherein different sources provide the excitation electrical energy to the induction generator at different moments in time.

13. The device of claim 1 wherein the induction generator is configured to increase the amount of the electrical energy generated as a result of an increase in demand for electrical energy upon the AC power grid and the induction generator is configured to decrease the amount of the electrical energy generated as a result of a decrease in demand for electrical energy upon the AC power grid.

14. The device of claim 1 wherein the induction generator utilizes excitation electrical energy from the AC power grid to generate the electrical energy, and wherein the induction generator is configured to increase the amount of the electrical energy generated as a result of a decrease in frequency of the excitation electrical energy and to decrease an amount of the electrical energy generated as a result of an increase in frequency of the excitation electrical energy.

15. The device of claim 1 wherein the induction generator utilizes excitation electrical energy to generate the electrical energy, and wherein the generation of the electrical energy of the induction generator is automatically disabled in an absence of the excitation electrical energy.

16. The device of claim 1 further comprising a single housing which is configured to house the motor and the induction generator.

17. The device of claim 1 wherein the rotational force provided by the motor is provided to the induction generator via a single shaft.

18. The device of claim 1 wherein the induction generator comprises a shaft and the induction generator is configured to generate the electrical energy as a result of the received rotational force rotating the shaft at a speed which is greater than a synchronous speed of the induction generator.

19. The device of claim 1 wherein the induction generator comprises a stator which is configured to provide the electrical energy generated by the induction generator to the interface.

20. The device of claim 1 wherein the power source comprises the motor which is configured to provide the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

21. An energy transfer method comprising:

using a motor, generating a rotational force;

providing the rotational force to an induction generator;

using the induction generator, generating electrical energy as a result of the providing the rotational force;

conducting the electrical energy generated by the induction generator to an AC power grid;

using electrical energy storage circuitry, storing electrical energy from a power source which is distinct from the AC power grid; and

providing electrical energy from the electrical energy storage circuitry to the motor to be utilized by the motor to generate the rotational force.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the electrical energy provided from the electrical enemy storage circuitry to the motor is a first form of electrical energy and the electrical enemy generated by the induction generator is a second form of electrical energy which is different than the first form of electrical enemy.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the first form of electrical energy is direct current electrical enemy and the second form of electrical energy is alternating current electrical enemy.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the generating the electrical energy comprises generating using excitation electrical energy from the AC power grid and the electrical enemy generated by the induction generator is synchronized with the excitation electrical energy.

25. The method of claim 21 wherein the providing electrical energy from the electrical enemy storage circuitry to the motor comprises providing using a variable frequency drive.

26. The method of claim 21 further comprising, using the power source, converting energy from an initial form of energy to the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the converting comprises converting naturally occurring energy to the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein the converting comprises converting rotational energy to the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the converting comprises converting energy which is derived from the AC power grid to the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

30. The method of claim 21 further comprising, using a battery charger of the power source, providing the electrical energy which is stored by the electrical energy storage circuitry.

31. The method of claim 21 wherein the generating the electrical energy comprises generating using excitation electrical energy from different sources at different moments in time.

32. The method of claim 21 wherein the generating the electrical energy comprises increasing the amount of the electrical energy generated as a result of an increase in demand for electrical energy upon the AC power grid and decreasing the amount of the electrical energy generated as a result of a decrease in demand for electrical energy upon the AC power grid.

33. The method of claim 21 wherein the generating the electrical energy comprises:

generating using excitation electrical energy, increasing the amount of the electrical energy generated as a result of a decrease in frequency of the excitation electrical energy, and decreasing an amount of the electrical energy generated as a result of an increase in frequency of the excitation electrical energy.

34. The method of claim 21 wherein the generating the electrical energy comprises generating using excitation electrical energy, and further comprising automatically disabling the generating the electrical energy in an absence of the excitation electrical energy.

35. The method of claim 21 wherein the providing the rotational force comprises providing the rotational force from the motor to the induction generator using a single shaft.

36. The method of claim 21 wherein the providing the rotational force comprises providing the rotational force from the motor to a shaft of the induction generator, and the generating the electrical enemy comprises generating the electrical energy as a result of the rotational force rotating the shaft at a speed which is greater than a synchronous speed of the induction generator.

37. The method of claim 21 wherein the conducting comprises conducting the electrical energy generated by the induction generator from a stator of the induction generator to the AC power grid.

38. The method of claim 21 wherein the power source comprises the motor, and the storing comprises storing electrical enemy from the motor.