US 10,097,065 B2 · Bioenergy storage and management system and method

Abstract

A bioenergy management system and method for generating and supplying on-demand auxiliary electrical power is disclosed. The system/method includes a biogas generation unit (BGU) that produces biogas from dairy farm manure and stores the biogas in a biogas storage unit (BSU). An stored energy electric generation unit (SEGU) converts the stored biogas to electricity. A biogas control unit (BCU) measures the quality and quantity of biogas stored in the BSU and calculates available electric power (AEP) from this information. Depending on auxiliary electrical power requirements, a utility control unit (UCU) initiates an on-demand request for electric power (REP) to the BCU using a producer communication device (PCD)/utility communication device (UCD) data link. The BCU processes the REP from the UCU and negotiates electrical power (NEP) quantity. The BCU may electrically connect the SEGU to an electric transmission grid (ETG) to allow instantaneous/scheduled NEP delivery to the ETG.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A bioenergy storage and management system comprising:

(a) an anaerobic digester unit (ADU) to generate and store biogas;
(b) stored energy electric generation unit (SEGU);
and
(c) biogas control unit (BCU);
wherein
said ADU is configured to store an amount of said biogas needed for demand and to transfer said biogas to said SEGU;
said SEGU is configured to generate electric power with said transferred biogas;
and
said BCU is configured to initiate said SEGU in response to a request for on demand power from an utility company, an independent system operator, a utility intermediary entity, from an energy storage device, or from an onsite consumer.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Bioenergy storage and management system and method

Life of this patent

Bioenergy storage and management system and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16