Distributed hydrogen energy system and method
AssigneeBWR Innovations LLC
InventorsJoel A. Jorgenson, Thomas W. Nelson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A distributed hydrogen energy system adds onto existing infrastructure of a localized renewable energy microgrid and utilizes excess generated energy to power an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen gas on site that is compressed and stored in a stationary pressure vessel. The stored hydrogen gas can be used directly within the local renewable energy microgrid wherein the stored hydrogen gas is converted to energy through use of one or more fuel cells or can be used in the context of a distributed energy system wherein the stored hydrogen gas is shared as part of a larger distribution network via pipeline or via one or more portable pressure vessels.
Claims30
A distributed hydrogen generation system, comprising;
- an electrolyzer wherein the electrolyzer produces hydrogen gas from water;
- a compressor, wherein the compressor compresses the hydrogen gas to produce a compressed hydrogen gas;
- a stationary pressure vessel located at a first renewable energy microgrid, wherein the stationary pressure vessel stores the compressed hydrogen gas;
- a delivery means for delivering the compressed hydrogen gas from the stationary pressure vessel to a second renewable energy microgrid, wherein the first renewable energy microgrid and the second renewable energy microgrid each comprise a self-sufficient energy system that operates independently of a central grid;
- and
- a controller, wherein the controller is in communication with one or more components of the distributed hydrogen generation system, wherein the one or more components include the electrolyzer, the compressor, the stationary pressure vessel and the delivery means, and wherein the controller monitors operations of the one or more components.
A method for distributing hydrogen gas, comprising:
- powering an electrolyzer and a compressor located at a first renewable energy microgrid;
- converting water into hydrogen gas with the electrolyzer;
- compressing the hydrogen gas with the compressor to produce a compressed hydrogen gas;
- delivering the compressed hydrogen gas to a stationary pressure vessel located at the first renewable energy microgrid;
- delivering, with a delivery means, the compressed hydrogen gas from the stationary pressure vessel to a second renewable energy microgrid remote from the first renewable energy microgrid, wherein the first renewable energy microgrid and the second renewable energy microgrid each comprise a self-sufficient energy system that operates independently of a central grid;
- and
- monitoring, with a controller, operations of one or more of the electrolyzer, the compressor, the stationary pressure vessel, and the delivery means.
A method for distributing hydrogen gas, comprising:
- powering an electrolyzer and a compressor at a first renewable energy microgrid;
- converting water into hydrogen gas with the electrolyzer;
- compressing the hydrogen gas with the compressor to produce a compressed hydrogen gas;
- delivering the compressed hydrogen gas to a stationary pressure vessel located at the first renewable energy microgrid;
- and
- delivering the compressed hydrogen gas from the stationary pressure vessel to a second renewable energy microgrid remote from the first renewable energy microgrid, wherein the first renewable energy microgrid and the second renewable energy microgrid each comprise a self-sufficient energy system that operates independently of a central grid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.