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

• US 8,097,967 B2
• Filed: 06/30/2008
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• 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:
  US12/165,405
• Publication Number:
  US 20090322084A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 290/1.A, 290/1.C, 290/4.R, 290/7, 290/50, 322/1, 322/14, 322/16, 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 providing method comprising:

controlling an operation of an energy device in an energy release mode of operation;

applying electrical energy from a power source to a motor of the energy device during the operation of the energy device in the energy release mode of operation;

using the motor, rotating a shaft of an induction generator of the energy device at a rotational speed greater than a synchronous speed of the induction generator, wherein the motor utilizes the electrical energy to rotate the shaft;

during the rotating, generating alternating current power using the induction generator; and

transferring the generated alternating current power to a power grid.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the use of the motor to rotate the shaft comprises consuming the electrical energy which is stored by an energy storage device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the motor is a direct current electric motor and wherein the applying comprises, using a pulse width modulator, applying a consistent amount of power to the direct current electric motor from the energy storage device while the direct current electric motor is rotating the shaft.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the motor is an alternating current electric motor and wherein the applying comprises, using a variable frequency drive, applying an alternating current having a consistent frequency to the alternating current electric motor while the alternating current electric motor is rotating the shaft.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the motor comprises a pneumatic motor.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the motor comprises a hydraulic motor.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the shaft comprises a first shaft;

the motor comprises a clutch and a second shaft coupled to the first shaft; and

the method further comprises;

engaging the clutch when the motor is enabled;

disengaging the clutch when the motor is disabled; and

wherein a rotational friction associated with rotating the second shaft is less when the clutch is disengaged than when the clutch is engaged.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the electrical energy from the power grid using the power source comprising an energy storage device; and

storing the electrical energy which is received from the power grid using the energy storage device.

9. An energy device comprising:

an induction generator comprising a shaft and wherein the induction generator has a synchronous speed;

a motor coupled with the shaft of the induction generator and configured to rotate the shaft of the induction generator;

a conductor configured to apply electrical energy from a power source to the motor;

control circuitry configured to control operation of the energy device in an energy release mode of operation wherein the conductor applies the electrical energy to the motor;

wherein the motor is configured to utilize the electrical energy to rotate the shaft of the induction generator at a rotational speed which is greater than the synchronous speed of the induction generator; and

wherein the induction generator is configured to generate alternating current power during the rotation of the shaft of the induction generator at the rotational speed which is greater than the synchronous speed of the induction generator and to output the generated alternating current power to a power grid.

10. The device of claim 9 further comprising an energy storage device configured to store the electrical energy.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the motor is a direct current electric motor, and further comprising a pulse width modulator which is configured to supply a consistent amount of the electrical energy from the energy storage device to the direct current electric motor while the direct current electric motor rotates the shaft.

12. The device of claim 9 wherein the motor is an alternating current electric motor, and further comprising a variable frequency drive which is configured to apply the electrical energy which is alternating current electrical energy having a consistent frequency to the alternating current electric motor while the alternating current electric motor rotates the shaft.

13. The device of claim 9 wherein the motor comprises a pneumatic motor.

14. The device of claim 9 wherein the motor comprises a hydraulic motor.

15. The device of claim 9 wherein the shaft comprises a first shaft, the motor comprises a clutch and a second shaft coupled to the first shaft, and wherein the clutch is engaged when the motor is enabled, the clutch is disengaged when the motor is disabled, and a rotational friction associated with rotation of the second shaft is less when the clutch is disengaged than when the clutch is engaged.

16. The energy device of claim 9 further comprising an energy storage device configured to receive the electrical energy from the power grid and to store the electrical energy from the power grid.