US 12,326,139 B2 · Systems and methods for compressed air energy storage and control thereof

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for energy storage are provided. A system for energy storage includes a thermomechanical-electrical conversion subsystem for converting energy formats and a mechanical and thermal storage unit for storing energy formats. The thermomechanical-electrical conversion subsystem includes a storage subsystem including a compressor and a first thermal energy exchanger and a generation subsystem including a power generator and a second thermal energy exchanger. The storage subsystem compresses a fluid to generate compressed fluid and thermal energy. The generation subsystem generates power from the compressed fluid and the thermal energy. The mechanical and thermal storage unit includes a pressure vessel for storing the compressed fluid and a thermal energy storage for storing the thermal energy generated by the fluid compression and for providing the thermal energy to the generation subsystem for generating power.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A control system for a compressed air energy storage (“CAES”) system, the control system comprising:

a first temperature sensor for recording a first temperature measurement of compressed air that is output from a pressurized air storage vessel to a heat exchanger, prior to entering the heat exchanger;
a second temperature sensor for recording a second temperature measurement of the compressed air after passing through the heat exchanger;
and
a flow sensor to measure a flow rate of the compressed air exiting the pressurized air storage vessel;
a control unit for:
receiving the first and second temperature measurements from the first and second temperature sensors, respectively, and the flow rate;
adjusting a heat rate of an electric heater of the CAES system based on the second temperature measurement and the flow rate, the electric heater disposed between the heat exchanger and a turbine of the CAES system, the electric heater for heating the compressed air after passing through the heat exchanger and before entering the turbine;
and
controlling flow of the compressed air entering the heat exchanger using a flow control valve, based on the first temperature measurement and the flow rate.

6 more elements

A method of controlling operation of a compressed air energy storage (“CAES”) system, the method comprising:

recording, with a first temperature sensor, a first temperature measurement of compressed air exiting a pressurized air storage vessel and entering a heat exchanger;
recording, with a second temperature sensor, a second temperature measurement of the compressed air after passing through the heat exchanger;
measuring a flow rate of the compressed air exiting the pressurized air storage vessel;
adjusting flow of the compressed air into the heat exchanger using a flow control valve, based on the first temperature measurement and the flow rate;
and
controlling a heat output of an electric heater of the CAES system based on the flow rate and the second temperature measurement, the electric heater disposed between the heat exchanger and a turbine of the CAES system, the electric heater for heating the compressed air after passing through the heat exchanger and before entering the turbine.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for compressed air energy storage and control thereof

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for compressed air energy storage and control thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18