DE102021005398A1 - Combination of storage tubes with photovoltaic systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The expedient combination of an underground storage tube with an open-space photovoltaic system includes an arrangement of the module rows (2) above the pipe sections (4) by selecting suitable relational design parameters depending on the latitude of the site using the same floor space.

Description

The present invention relates to a device which comprises the combination of an underground storage tube with an open-space photovoltaic system.

Tube storage - sometimes also referred to as optimization lines - are used to store liquid or gaseous media (6). In particular, energy carriers such as natural gas or hydrogen are among the media that are stored in tubular storage systems. The individual pipes (3) of a storage pipe are often arranged underground at a depth of about 1m to 5m. In this case, several individual pipes (3) are usually joined together to form straight pipe sections (4). A large number of these straight pipe sections (4) are typically arranged horizontally parallel to one another. The individual pipe sections (4) are usually connected to one another via connecting pipes (9) and form a coherent pipe store.

Photovoltaic systems are used for regenerative power generation by directly converting the energy of solar radiation into electrical energy. Photovoltaic systems often consist of individual modules (1) that have a defined inclination in the vertical and alignment in the horizontal. Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems are located on undeveloped areas and are therefore to be distinguished from other photovoltaic systems that are installed, for example, on roofs or integrated into building facades. The inclination and alignment of the modules (1) can be designed to be fixed in open-space photovoltaic systems or variable by tracking. Fixed inclination angles of the modules (1) between 20° and 40° with a southern orientation are common in Central Europe. Occasionally, inclination angles of up to 90° are realized when aligning the modules (1) to the east or west. The modules (1) of an open-space photovoltaic system are usually arranged at a height of approximately 0.5 m to 3 m above the ground (5). This height can be determined, among other things, by requirements for the substructure of the modules (1) or the vegetation below the modules (1). The individual modules (1) of an open-space photovoltaic system are usually lined up in a straight line. A large number of these rectilinear rows of modules (2) are typically arranged horizontally parallel to one another. The individual rows of modules (2) often have an electrical connection (7) to one another and form a coherent photovoltaic system.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide the appropriate combination of an underground storage tube with an open-space photovoltaic system.

The present invention comprises an open-space photovoltaic system whose rows of modules (2) are arranged in a suitable manner above an underground storage tube. The same floor space is used for two complementary purposes. The orientation of the pipe sections (4) to the rows of modules (2), the horizontal offset of the rows of modules (2) to the pipe sections (4), the ratio of the width of the modules (1) to the pipe diameter, the ratio of the length of the rows of modules (2) to the length of the pipe sections (4) and the ratio of the number of module rows (2) to the number of pipe sections (4) are selected depending on the latitude of the location in such a way that the tubular storage tank is shaded by the open-space photovoltaic system from the sun's rays. The shading reduces the temperature of the ground (5) compared to the case of direct solar radiation. Consequently, the temperature of the individual tubes (3) is reduced. Likewise, the temperature of the stored medium (6) is lowered. The lower temperature leads to a reduced specific volume of the stored medium (6), so that a larger quantity of the medium (6) can be stored in the existing volume of the tubular storage tank while the pressure remains the same. With the same volume, the medium (6) can be stored at lower pressure due to the reduced temperature. The shading also has the effect that the maximum temperature to which the medium (6) is exposed is reduced and accordingly the temperature fluctuations over the course of the day and year are reduced. As a result, the amount of medium (6) that can be stored also fluctuates to a lesser extent with the pressure remaining the same, or the pressure of the medium (6) with the volume remaining the same. This circumstance allows the pipe sections (4) to be laid at a shallower depth with the same range of fluctuation in the temperature of the medium (6), because the temperature damping, which increases with increasing depth in the ground (5), is achieved to a certain extent by the shading from solar radiation becomes.

Ground-mounted photovoltaic systems are usually protected against access by unauthorized persons. Protection against vandalism, sabotage, theft, etc. is ensured by fencing, video surveillance, motion detectors and similar devices. Such protective devices can be used together when combining an open-space photovoltaic system with an underground tube storage system.

Another complementarity of photovoltaic systems to underground storage tubes is with regard to corrosion protection. Effective corrosion protection for the individual pipes (3) of the tubular storage tank is essential because the individual pipes (3) are embedded in the ground (5) at a depth where precipitation water is stored almost all year round in the temperate climate zones. The direct current generated by the photovoltaic system can be used to ensure effective cathodic corrosion protection using external current. A battery or some other form of electrical energy storage is preferably used in order to reliably ensure a continuous protective current.

In an alternative embodiment variant, a solar thermal system is used instead of a photovoltaic system in order to shade the underground storage tube. Instead of rows of modules (2), a series of mirrors are used, which reflect the sun's rays in a concentrated manner and thus shield the ground (5) from solar thermal radiation.

The cooling of the ground (5) is preferably additionally promoted by suitable vegetation. Planting with plants whose property is to cool the ground (5) through transpiration, interception and shading without restricting the accessibility of the rows of modules (2) is an option.

The advantages of the present invention are apparent from the detailed description and drawings.

character list

• 1 Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of the combination of an underground storage tube and a ground-mounted photovoltaic system in the northern hemisphere in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• 2 Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of the combination of an underground storage tube and a ground-mounted photovoltaic system in the northern hemisphere in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• 3 Fig. 12 is a schematic plan view of the combination of an underground storage tube and a ground-mounted photovoltaic system in the northern hemisphere in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• 4 Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-section of the combination of an underground storage tube and a ground-mounted photovoltaic system, neglecting the substructure, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention

The following will refer to the drawings 1 , 2 , 3 and 4 referenced. The orientation of the pipe sections (4) to the rows of modules (2) is preferably chosen so that the shading of the ground (5) above the pipe sections (4) is promoted. A parallel alignment of the pipe sections (4) to the rows of modules (2) is particularly advantageous. In a preferred embodiment, the horizontal offset of the rows of modules (2) to the pipe sections (4) is selected in such a way that the shadow (8) cast over that part of the ground ( 5) which lies above the pipe sections (4) while the solar radiation is intense. The choice of the horizontal offset of the rows of modules (2) to the pipe sections (4) is also dependent on the height at which the modules (1) are arranged above the ground (5). The ratio of the width of the modules (1) to the diameter of the individual pipes (3) is preferably selected in such a way that the shadow (8) cast over the longest possible time periods over the course of the day and year extends over that part of the ground (5) that is above the Pipe sections (4) is located while the sun's rays are intense. The decisive factor is the width of the shadow that is cast on the ground (5) depending on the angle of inclination of the modules (1). A ratio of the width of the shadow projected by the rows of modules (2) to the diameter of the individual tubes (3) greater than one is particularly advantageous. The ratio of the length of the rows of modules (2) to the length of the pipe sections (4) is preferably selected in such a way that the shading of the ground (5) above the pipe sections (4) is promoted. A ratio of the length of the rows of modules (2) to the length of the pipe sections (4) greater than one is particularly advantageous. A favorable embodiment is characterized in that the ratio of the number of rows of modules (2) to the number of pipe sections (4) is as large as possible. A numerical ratio greater than one is particularly advantageous.

Connecting pipes (9) are individual pipes (3) which are distinguished by their function of connecting two or more pipe sections (4) to one another. Connecting tubes (9) are individual tubes (3) in which a medium (6) can be stored. The juxtaposition of two or more connecting pipes (9) forms a pipe section (4), which in turn connects two or more pipe sections (4) to one another.

Claims (8)

Combination of an underground tubular storage system with an open-space photovoltaic system using the same floor space, with the relational design parameters of the module rows (2) and pipe sections (4) being appropriately selected. combination after claim 1 , wherein the orientation of the pipe sections (4) to the rows of modules (2) is selected such that a reduction in temperature of the stored medium (6) is promoted by shading the ground (5) from the solar thermal radiation. combination after claim 1 , wherein the horizontal offset of the rows of modules (2) to the pipe sections (4) is selected such that a reduction in temperature of the stored medium (6) is favored by shading the ground (5) from the solar thermal radiation. combination after claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the width of the modules (1) to the tube diameter is chosen such that a temperature reduction of the stored medium (6) is favored by shading the ground (5) from the solar thermal radiation. combination after claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the length of the module rows (2) to the length of the pipe sections (4) is chosen such that a temperature reduction of the stored medium (6) is promoted by shading the ground (5) from the solar thermal radiation. combination after claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the number of rows of modules (2) to the number of pipe sections (4) is chosen such that a reduction in temperature of the stored medium (6) is promoted by shading the ground (5) from the solar thermal radiation. combination after claim 1 , where facilities for the protection of the tube storage and the photovoltaic system against access by unauthorized persons are shared. combination after claim 1 , whereby the direct current generated by the photovoltaic system is used to provide cathodic corrosion protection for the underground storage tube by means of external current.

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