AU2011100926A4

AU2011100926A4 - Energy storage and reproduction system

Info

Publication number: AU2011100926A4
Application number: AU2011100926A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Daniel Wos
Original assignee: POLYWORLD Pty Ltd
Current assignee: POLYWORLD Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-07-28
Filing date: 2011-07-28
Publication date: 2011-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2019-07-28

Abstract

An energy storage and reproduction system comprising: renewable energy generating 5 means adapted to produce a first electrical current; electrolytic reactor means adapted to utilise the first electrical current to produce hydrogen from water; hydrogen collection and storage means to collect and store the hydrogen produced; internal combustion engine or turbine means specially adapted to be fuelled by the hydrogen; dynamo or alternator means powered by the engine or turbine to produce a second electrical 10 current, wherein in operation, combustible energy stored in the form on the ongoing collection of hydrogen reserves can be converted and utilised as electrical energy on demand. - 11 - Solar and wind power are harnessed. Rectr ra hrnssd negyto Hydrogen In stored. . ower s t~n prod :a eergy splt water Into Its primary I 1A-~ B 2

Description

INNOVATION PATENT APPLICATION ENERGY STORAGE AND REPRODUCTION SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the field of energy production from renewal sources in particular 5 but not limited to an electrical storage and reproduction system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The demand for renewable energy sources and resources is becoming a consideration in the importance of climate change associated with the by-production of carbon. 0 In most developed countries, renewable energy sources have taken the form of solar photo voltaic panels, wind turbines organised in wind farms as well as devices utilising directional or tidal changes in under sea current to produce electrical. energy. In a domestic or residential market, this often takes the form of roof mounted solar panels which feed energy generated back to the main grid. In all of the above examples, the 15 problem of the actual storage of energy obtained from free sources such as the sun, wind or tidal movements cannot be stored effectively even by utilising current advances in battery storage technology. - 1- The use of batteries, such as automotive batteries, in the domestic situation results in the creation of carbon polluting industries in the manufacture and use of undesirable chemicals. Furthermore the effect on the environment and the cost of using fossil fuels to generate 5 electricity on demand results in its own problems thereby providing a great incentive to develop renewable energy resources. In countries with a high incidence of sunshine such as Australia, free solar energy is really available for the production of electricity. The problem of course is again the storage of the electricity produced for use during times when demand is high. This often 0 occurs when the sun is not shining such as during winter and for the heating and filtering of swimming polls during off peak periods. In countries which do not enjoy a similar climate to that of Australia or other countries having high incidence of sunlight, the production of solar energy is slightly limited however again the requirement for efficient storage is a significant consideration. The obvious advantages of the use of solar energy 15 is that it is both carbon emission and pollution free. The electricity generated by wind mills is also not harmonised with demand which results in electricity being generated which cannot easily be stored. The same problem occurs with electricity generated by tidal movements as well as hydro electric power which -2relies on dam water which may or may not be available depending on the amount of rainfall. The disadvantage of coal or oil power generators is obvious in terms of carbon pollution. These sources of energy are gradually being depleted wherein the production of energy from these fuels will become prohibitively expensive. 5 OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to seek to ameliorate or eliminate some or all of the above disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel and innovative energy storage and reproduction system. 0 15 -3- STATEMENT OF INVENTION In one aspect, the invention resides in a energy storage and reproduction system comprising: renewable energy generating means adapted to produce a first electrical current; 5 electrolytic reactor means adapted to utilise the first electrical current to produce hydrogen from water; hydrogen collection and storage means to collect and store the hydrogen produced; internal combustion engine or turbine means specially adapted to be fuelled by the hydrogen; 0 dynamo or alternator means powered by the engine or turbine to produce a second electrical current, wherein in operation, combustible energy stored -in the form on the ongoing collection of hydrogen reserves can be converted and utilised as electrical energy on demand. 15 Preferably the renewal energy generating means is an array of photo voltaic panels. In the alternative, the renewable energy generation means can be a wind farm comprising wind turbines or under water devices or apparatus generating electricity from sea current or tidal movement. -4- Hydroelectric power generating means may also be used as a source of the first electrical current. Preferably the energy storage and generation means includes large reservoirs or tanks to store the hydrogen. 5 In a preferred example, the reservoir or tanks may be of an inverted bell configuration wherein the bell is sealed by a liquid interface and the bell raised or displaced according to the volume of hydrogen stored inside the ball. -5- BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order for the invention to be better understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein; Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of the preferred embodiment of the 5 invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a schematic representation of a energy and reproduction system according to the invention. Electrical energy produced from solar 10 or wind power 12 is harnessed for use by an electrolytic reactor 14 to split hydrogen 0 from water. Hydrogen thus produced is then stored preferably in liquid form in large tanks 16. The hydrogen can then be used at a generating station 18 to fuel internal combustion engines or turbines when required to operate generators or alternators to produce electricity on demand, the electricity produced can 15 then be fed into the electrical grid 20 for general use. 22 As the electricity is produced by solar panels or wind turbines it depends on the ambient climate, hydrogen produced by the electrolytic reactor 14 is stored as it is produced to be used whenever power is required. The main advantage is that the energy that is -6produced by the solar panels and wind turbines is effectively free of cost and hydrogen reserves can be built up over time without considerable effort or significant expenditure. 5 -7- VARIATIONS It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope 5 and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. In the specification the terms "comprising" and "containing" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of 0 any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing" such as "comprise", "comprises", "contain" and "contains". 15 20 -8-

Claims

1. An energy storage and reproduction system comprising: 5 renewable energy generating means adapted to produce a first electrical current; electrolytic reactor means adapted to utilise the first electrical current to produce hydrogen from water; hydrogen collection and storage means to collect and store the hydrogen produced; internal combustion engine or turbine means specially adapted to be fuelled by the 0 hydrogen; dynamo or alternator means powered by the engine or turbine to produce a second electrical current, wherein in operation, combustible energy stored in the form on the ongoing collection of hydrogen reserves 15 can be converted and utilised as electrical energy on demand.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the renewal energy generating means is an array of photo voltaic panels. -9-

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the renewable energy generation means is a wind farm comprising wind turbines or under water devices or apparatus generating electricity from sea current or tidal movement.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the hydroelectric power generating means is the 5 source of the first electrical current.

5. A system of any of the above claims wherein the energy storage and generation means includes large reservoirs or tanks to store the hydrogen.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the reservoirs or tanks includes an inverted bell configuration wherein the bell is sealed by a liquid interface and the bell raised or 0 displaced according to the volume of hydrogen stored inside the ball. 15 20 25 -10-