Hydroelectric power generation and desalination
OwnerIlan Sadehinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydroelectric power generation system includes at least one conduit extending from beneath the sea surface a predetermined depth into the ground below the sea floor level, a turbine connected to an underground distal end of each of the at least one conduit, and an underground reservoir to collect seawater flowing down through the at least one conduit and the connected turbine. The hydroelectric power generation system may be part of a distributed hydroelectric power generation system which includes a plurality of hydroelectric power generation systems, the distributed hydroelectric power generation system additionally including an underground reservoir to collect seawater flowing down through all of the conduits and connected turbines in the plurality of hydroelectric power systems.
Claims18
A hydroelectric power generation system comprising:
- at least one conduit extending from beneath the sea surface a predetermined depth into the ground below the sea floor level, wherein said at least one conduit conducts gravity-induced seawater flow;
- a turbine connected to an underground distal end of each of said at least one conduit to convert gravitational energy of all seawater flowing down said at least one conduit into rotational mechanical energy, wherein all said seawater flowing down said at least one conduit directly is directed onto said connected turbine during hours of high electricity demand;
- a generator connected to said turbine to convert said rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy;
- a power transmission means to transfer electricity generated by said generator to an electric grid;
- an underground seawater reservoir in fluid communication with said at least one conduit and said connected turbine, said underground reservoir configured to:
- collect all said seawater flowing down through said at least one conduit and said connected turbine,
- dispose of at least a portion of said collected seawater by seepage into the ground to reduce a need for active pumping and enhance energy efficiency, and
- store residual seawater not disposed of by seepage for desalination or later controlled release into the sea;
- an underground desalination system to desalinate said residual seawater collected in said underground seawater reservoir;
- and
- an underground pumping system, wherein said underground pumping system is configured to:
- be selectively activated during low electricity demand hours, and
- pump into the sea residual seawater in said underground seawater reservoir and not used for desalination, thereby minimizing energy consumption and optimizing system efficiency.
A distributed hydroelectric power generation system comprising:
- a plurality of hydroelectric power generation systems, each hydroelectric power generation system comprising:
- at least one conduit extending from beneath the sea surface a predetermined depth into the ground below the sea floor level, wherein said at least one conduit conducts gravity-induced seawater flow;
- a turbine connected to an underground distal end of each of said at least one conduit to convert gravitational energy of all seawater flowing down said at least one conduit into rotational mechanical energy, wherein all said seawater flowing down said at least one conduit directly is directed onto said connected turbine during hours of high electricity demand;
- a generator connected to said turbine to convert said rotational mechanical energy into electrical energy;
- and
- a power transmission means to transfer electricity generated by said generator to an electric grid;
- an underground seawater reservoir in fluid communication with said at least one conduit and said connected turbine in each hydroelectric power generation system, said underground reservoir to:
- collect all said seawater flowing down through all of said conduits and said connected turbines in said plurality of hydroelectric power generation systems,
- dispose of at least a portion of said collected seawater by seepage into the ground to reduce a need for active pumping and enhance energy efficiency,
- store residual seawater not disposed of by seepage for desalination or later controlled release into the sea;
- an underground desalination system to desalinate said residual seawater collected in said underground seawater reservoir;
- and
- an underground pumping system, wherein said underground pumping system is configured to:
- be selectively activated during low electricity demand hours, and
- pump into the sea said residual seawater in said underground seawater reservoir and not used for desalination, thereby minimizing energy consumption and optimizing system efficiency.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.