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Method and apparatus for storing power from irregular and poorly controlled power sources

  • US 9,184,593 B2
  • Filed: 02/28/2012
  • Issued: 11/10/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2012
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. The method of storing energy in a electric power grid having a fossil fuel plant and an irregular and poorly controlled electric power source for generating electric power, and users capable of consuming said electric power, and said fossil fuel plant is operable on low grade fossil fuel and high grade fossil fuel, said high grade fossil fuel having more energy per unit of mass than said low grade fossil fuel, said fossil fuel plant capable of variable output having high output and low output and consuming variable amounts of fossil fuel in a period, and said irregular and poorly controlled electric power source having periods in which output does not correspond to demand, said method comprising the steps of:

  • a. operating said irregular and poorly controlled electric power source to create one or more periods of excess energy in which the variable electric power source produces more power than demand and one or more periods of deficit energy when said variable electric power source does not produce enough power for demand;

    b. using said excess energy to power fossil fuel upgrading assembly to process low grade fossil fuel and create a higher grade fossil fuel, and storing said higher grade fossil fuel with greater energy per unit of mass than said low grade fossil fuel; and

    c. operating said fossil fuel plant on high grade fossil fuel during said period of deficit energy to allow said fossil fuel plant to utilize stored energy from said variable electric power source in said higher grade fossil fuel;

    wherein said irregular and poorly controlled electric power source is selected from the group consisting of solar power sources, wind power sources, tidal power sources, wave power sources, geothermal sources and combinations thereof.

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