EP3545602A1 - Système de stockage d'énergie massive à mouvement vertical ou quasi-vertical de masse lourde - Google Patents

Système de stockage d'énergie massive à mouvement vertical ou quasi-vertical de masse lourde

Info

Publication number
EP3545602A1
EP3545602A1 EP17874263.1A EP17874263A EP3545602A1 EP 3545602 A1 EP3545602 A1 EP 3545602A1 EP 17874263 A EP17874263 A EP 17874263A EP 3545602 A1 EP3545602 A1 EP 3545602A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
conductors
container
passage
vertical
nearly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP17874263.1A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP3545602A4 (fr
Inventor
Daming Zhang
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2016904783A external-priority patent/AU2016904783A0/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP3545602A1 publication Critical patent/EP3545602A1/fr
Publication of EP3545602A4 publication Critical patent/EP3545602A4/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/38—Arrangements for parallely feeding a single network by two or more generators, converters or transformers
    • H02J3/381—Dispersed generators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J15/00—Systems for storing electric energy
    • H02J15/007—Systems for storing electric energy involving storage in the form of mechanical energy, e.g. fly-wheels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2300/00—Systems for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by decentralized, dispersed, or local generation
    • H02J2300/20—The dispersed energy generation being of renewable origin
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J2310/00—The network for supplying or distributing electric power characterised by its spatial reach or by the load
    • H02J2310/10—The network having a local or delimited stationary reach
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J3/00—Circuit arrangements for ac mains or ac distribution networks
    • H02J3/28—Arrangements for balancing of the load in a network by storage of energy
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
    • Y02P90/00—Enabling technologies with a potential contribution to greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions mitigation
    • Y02P90/50—Energy storage in industry with an added climate change mitigation effect

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a massive energy storage system. It is based on gravitational potential energy in heavy mass stored in a container, which is moved vertically or nearly vertically between a low platform and a high platform
  • the renewable energy mainly includes wind energy, solar energy, geo-thermal energy and tidal wave energy etc. Most of them are intermittent. To cope with such intermittence, massive energy storage is indispensable.
  • energy storage systems such as battery storage, pumped-hydro storage, fly-wheel storage, super-conducting magnetic energy storage, super-capacitor energy storage etc. Each of them has pros and cons.
  • Battery storage is the most convenient one but its price is quite high.
  • a battery energy storage with 1kWh capability costs around 150USD.
  • this invention introduces a heavy mass based energy storage system with less losses by shifting the heavy mass vertically or nearly vertically from low platform to high platform.
  • the heavy mass can be iron ore or other materials with high mass density and relatively affordable prices.
  • the heavy mass is stored in a container, which is moved between low platform and high platform.
  • the container could be moulded steel -reinforced plastic one or others.
  • the main issue in such a heavy mass energy storage system is energy loss due to friction.
  • this invention worked out a new linear machine system, which moves the heavy mass stored in a container vertically or nearly vertically to reduce friction.
  • Such massive energy storage system could be built in a mountain, where the top of the mountain and some of the mountain interiors can be used to construct multi-layer high platforms, and the foot of the mountain could be used to build the lower platforms.
  • the containers could be hung on the bars or stationed on the platforms formed by the bars at both low and high platforms.
  • Multiple machine systems are installed in the pole-bar grid system for lifting up or lowering down the containers.
  • pole-bar system can be built either on land or in sea/river.
  • the most convenient and cheapest way could be to build tracks along the slope of a mountain/mound or river/sea side between their banks and beds, which have steep slopes.
  • the present invention overcomes or ameliorates at least one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.
  • This invention is on a massive energy storage system using potential energy in heavy mass stored in a container which is moved vertically or nearly vertically from a low platform to a high platform by operating the system as a motor, when there is surplus energy in grid/mi crogrid due to renewable energy generation; vice versa, when there is a shortage of renewable energy generation, the container with the heavy mass is lowered down to the low platform from high platform by operating the system as a generator.
  • the energy is exchanged between potential energy in the heavy mass and electric energy in the AC microgrid/power grid through power electronics converters.
  • Such heavy mass energy storage system can also be used to ride through peak power demand in a power grid. When there is less power demand, extra energy from generations is stored in the heavy mass energy storage system At peak power demand hours, the stored energy in the heavy mass is released to the power grid.
  • a heavy mass energy storage system comprising containers with heavy masses; vertical supporting poles or supporting tracks mounted on the slope of a mountain/ mound or supporting tracks installed along the river/sea sides between their banks and beds; one passage or more passages for lowering down the containers; one passage or more passages for lifting up the containers; one or more high platforms at one layer or multiple layers for parking the containers; one or more low platforms at one layer or multiple layers for parking the containers; an integral body for lifting up and moving with each container with the heavy mass along supporting poles or tracks, the integral body consisting of the moveable parts of a linear machine for lifting up or lowering down each container either vertically or nearly vertically along the supporting poles or tracks each time, the linear machine being either one of two configurations, the first configuration containing one or multiple nearly closed-loop magnetic paths spreading from the top to the bottom of a passage; one or multiple sets of set-S conductors, with DC current flowing through them for producing constant magnetizing field, spreading from the top
  • a method for operating the heavy mass energy storage system wherein a constant current is produced by a separate AC/DC converter connected with an AC grid/mi crogrid or a separate DC/DC converter connected with a DC grid/mi crogrid to flow in each individual circuit formed by the set-S conductors for generating constant DC magnetic field between two walls; a group of bidirectional converters are installed at one platform, are to power each individual circuit formed by the set-R conductors mounted on the integral body for lifting the container to work in either motoring or generating modes; for each uplifting passage, at least one such group of bidirectional converters is used; for each lowering-down passage, at least another one such group of bi-directional converters is used.
  • a method for operating the heavy mass energy storage system in which the integral body is adopted to lift up or lower down each container; in a vertical or nearly vertical passage for lifting up the container system to store energy, each time after the container system reaches the top of the vertical or nearly vertical passage, it is dismounted from the container and moved down along the supporting poles or tracks to the bottom of the vertical or nearly vertical passage for lifting up next container; during the downward movement, the integral body together with the set-S conductors is operated in a generating mode to release the potential energy in the integral body and feed the power generated to power grid; in a vertical or nearly vertical passage for lowering down the container system to release potential energy to generate electricity, each time after the container system reaches the bottom of the vertical or nearly vertical passage, it is dismounted from the container and moved up along the supporting poles or tracks to the top of the vertical or nearly vertical passage for lowering down next container; during the upward movement, the integral body together with the set-S conductors is operated in a motor
  • a method for managing the movement of container on either high or low platforms in the heavy mass energy storage system wherein there are two sets of horizontal movers, the first sets and the second sets; the second set is for receiving the container from the exit of a vertical or nearly vertical passage, then shifting to the first set of the horizontal mover, from which the container is transferred to the parking tracks of the parking platform; or for sending the container to the entrance of a vertical or nearly vertical passage from the first set of horizontal mover; the first set of horizontal mover is to receive the container from the second set of horizontal mover when the container arrives from a vertical passage, then to move it to the parking tracks of the platform; or to move the container from the parking platform to the second set of horizontal mover when the container is to be transferred, then to be lowered down from a vertical or nearly vertical passage; the second the exit of a uplifting passage or the entrance of a lowering-down passage.
  • a system adopting the heavy mass energy storage system, wherein a floating artificial island or a real island with protruding support around it or a series of floating artificial islands or floating platforms are built on the surface of sea/river with positioning poles or tracks; the heavy mass energy storage system is built with the artificial or real islands, wherein low and high parking platforms are built under the sea/river; some or all of the parked containers at high and/or low platforms are hung to the artificial or real islands or to other floating buoys either under sea/river or at its surface through rope-l i ke or sol id- rod mechanic systems.
  • a pole-bar grid system adopting the heavy mass energy storage system, wherein a plurality of poles are planted vertically on earth; horizontal bars are to join the vertical poles to form the pole-bar grid; the heavy mass energy storage system is adopted to store the energy, wherein low and high parking platforms are built using bars with the support of poles.
  • a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided a method for building the platforms in the heavy mass energy storage system, in which the platforms are built between two passages, one for lifting up container while the other for lowering down the container; there are multiple tracks on each platform; there is a downward slope at each high platform pointing from the uplifting passage to the lowering-down passage; there is a downward slope at each low platform pointing from the lowering-down passage to the uplifting passage.
  • an interleaved linear machine as illustrated in the heavy mass energy storage system, in which one or multiple nearly closed-loop magnetic paths spreading from the beginning to the end of a passage along which the machine moves, the magnetic paths adopting interleaved or alternating magnetic configuration with one layer being permeable material and neighbouring layer being non-permeable material along the direction of movement of the machine, each layer having the same length; one or multiple sets of set-S conductors with DC current flowing through them for producing constant magnetizing field, spreading from the beginning to the end of a passage, with each set being placed inside one nearly closed-loop magnetic path; one pair or multiple pairs of AC-current- carrying set-R conductors being part of the integral body, each of two sets in one pair of the set- R conductors containing two parts being insulated and embedded in magnetic materials, named as Y -bar part and X -bar part, with a distance between Y -bar part and X -bar part bei ng the same
  • Figure 1 a shows container with heavy mass and part of positioning or supporting poles, and grooves
  • Figure 1 b shows cut cross section of the container system with the set-S and set-R conductors and permeable plates
  • Figure 2a shows container and its positioning or supporting poles, trough, the rest cavity for the pole stopper, grooves;
  • Figure 2b shows magnified cross sectional view of poles " positioning mechanism in Fig. 2a, including bearings mounted on the three-side surfaces of the container, the bearings being all the way along vertical direction of the container, bearings mounted on the side surface of pole stopper;
  • Figure 2c shows magnified pole stopper and its movement facilitator, including two bars in rectangular shape sitting on bearing structure through two channels inside it, which can be moved along the bearings horizontally, and another rod fixed to the pole stopper, which is for pushing or pulling the pole stopper from its rest cavity to position for fastening the supporting poles;
  • Figure 3a shows the system with the set-S conductors, and permeable plates such as si I icon- iron or steel which extends through the whole passage linking high and low platforms;
  • Figure 3b shows the terminal connection of the set-S conductors at one end of the vertical passage
  • Figure 3c shows the terminal connection of the set-S conductors at another end of the vertical passage
  • Figure 3d shows the interleaved structure with both highly permeable materials such as steel or si I icon- iron and low permeable material or non- permeable permeable along the direction of the movement of the contai ner to save cost
  • Figure 4 shows (a) vertical cut cross section through A1A2 as seen from Fig. 3a, which contains permeable plates through the whole passage linking high and low platforms, the set-R current-carrying conductors, position-fixtures; (b) one illustration of series and/or parallel connections of some of the set-R conductors; (c) arrangement of connections to join the set-R conductors in series and/or in parallel; (d) a vertical side view of the container system; (e) integral body A which is shared by all containers and can move along the supporting poles acting as either generator or motor with the set-S conductors;
  • Figure 5a shows the system with set-S conductors, and several of the set-R conductors and DC power supplies to the two sets of conductors;
  • Figure 5b shows side view of a heavy mass energy storage system for its movement along the steep slope of a mountai n or sea/river side between its bank and sea bed;
  • Figure 5c shows top view of a heavy mass energy storage system with three guiding poles for its movement along the steep slope of a mountain or sea/river side between its bank and sea bed;
  • Figure 5d shows side view of the integral body which is shared by all the containers and i ntegrated with the supporti ng or gui di ng pol es;
  • Figure 6 shows the horizontal cut cross section of a second possible structure of the system with three supporting poles, and a concrete shell in rectangular shape, made of steel or other rigid materials reinforced concrete;
  • Figure 7a shows horizontal cut cross section of third possible structure of the energy storage system with two supporting poles, and two set-S conductors, and one set-R conductors, two nearly-closed magnetic paths, and two plate rows of the set-R conductors " terminal connection;
  • Figure 7b shows horizontal cut cross section of the modified third possible structure of the energy storage system with two nearly closed magnetic paths, and two plate rows of conductors " termi nal connecti on and three supporti ng pol es for steep si i cati ons;
  • Figure 7c shows a part of the half of magnetic paths in the structure in Fig. 7b spanning from the bottom to the top of a passage and with two si ots for the termi nal connecti ons of the set- R conductors;
  • Figure 7d is similar to the configuration as shown in Fig. 7b but with no air gaps formed by mechanic strengthening parts;
  • Figure 7e shows one possible configuration of the moveable components in the structure as shown in Fig. 7d;
  • Figure 7f shows the second possible configuration of the moveable components in the structure as shown in Fig. 7d with the conductors insulated and embedded in the moveable magnetic materials;
  • Figure 7g illustrates another possible configuration with only one nearly-closed magnetic path and one set-S conductors
  • Figure 7h illustrates the arrangement of conductors in the interleaved configuration
  • Figure 8a shows the top view of an interleaved structure
  • Figure 8b shows part of the nearly-closed magnetic paths with the set-R conductors in Fig. 8a;
  • Figure 8c shows the set-R -subset- 1 and set-R-subset-2 conductors used in the interleaved structure in Fig. 8a;
  • Figure 8d shows currents in the set-S conductors, set-R -subset- 1 conductors and set-R- subset-2 conductors for the adopti on of i nterl eaved structure i n F i g. 8a;
  • Figure 8e illustrate top-view of a second possible arrangement of the interleaved structure
  • Figure 8f shows top-view of the two pairs of set-S conductors and one set-R conductors and mechanic support in the second possible arrangement of the interleaved structure in Fig. 8e;
  • Figure 8g shows the top-view of the interleaved magnetic structure in Fig. 8e;
  • Figure 8h illustrates the cross sectional view from the cross section of A1 A 2 in Fig. 8e;
  • Figure 8i shows the cross sectional view from the cross section of B1 B2 in Fig. 8e;
  • Figure 8j shows the cross sectional view from the cross section of C1 C2 in Fig. 8e;
  • Figure 8k shows the cross sectional view from the cross section of D1 D2 or E 1 E2 in Fig. 8e;
  • Figure 8I shows the two sets of set-R conductors for the second interleaved structure as shown in Fig. 8e;
  • Figure 8m illustrates top-view of a third possible arrangement of the interleaved structure
  • Figure 8n shows top-view of the three pairs of set-S conductors and two sets of set-R conductors and mechanic support in the third possible arrangement of the interleaved structure in Fig. 8m
  • F i gure 8o shows the top-v i ew of the i nterl eaved magneti c structure i n F i g. 8m;
  • Figure 9a shows one possible structure of energy storage system with two platforms and two vertical passages
  • Figure 9b shows the top view of each platform in Fig. 9a;
  • Figure 9c shows details of the first set of horizontal mover, containing two horizontal tracks, rail where the container can sit, push-pull locomotive;
  • Figure 9d shows details of the second set of horizontal mover, containing two horizontal tracks, rail where the container can sit, push-pull locomotive;
  • Figure 10 shows vertical cut cross sectional view of the structure in Fig. 9a;
  • Figure 11 shows vertical cut cross sectional view of a system with multiple layers of both high platforms and low platforms, and multiple uplifting and lowering-down passages;
  • Figure 12 shows equivalent circuit of the system working in the motoring mode with increased potential energy in the heavy mass when the container is lifted from low to high platforms along the vertical passage;
  • Figure 13 shows equivalent circuit of the system when working in the generating mode with reduced potential energy in the heavy mass when the container is lowered down from high to low platforms along the vertical passage;
  • Figure 14 shows cable connection system to power the set-S conductors installed in the two walls, and to power the set-R conductors mounted on the integral body through a cabling system and pulley system
  • Figure 15a shows the diagram for calculating magnetic field in the region between two walls, which is produced by the set-S conductors embedded in the two walls;
  • Figure 15b x-direction magnetic field between two walls calculated from exact method
  • Figure 16a shows multiple identical AC/DC/DC converter circuits for working with the different circuits formed by the set-R conductors;
  • Figure 16b shows multiple identical AC/DC/DC converter circuits in parallel to supply higher current
  • Figure 17 shows equivalent circuits: (a) during the operation in motoring mode for lifting up the container from low platform to high platform; (b) during the operation in generating mode for I oweri ng down the contai ner from hi gh pi atf orm to I ow pi atf orm;
  • Figure 18 shows controller for the steady-state operation: (a) during motoring mode or duri ng I i fti ng up the contai ner from I ow pi atf orm to hi gh pi atf orm; ( b) duri ng generati ng mode or during lowering down the contai ner from high platform to low platform.
  • the articles ' a . and ' an . are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article.
  • an element refers to one element or more than one element.
  • the term ' about is used herein to refer to quantities that vary by as much as 30%, preferably by as much as 20%, and more preferably by as much as 10% to a reference quantity.
  • the use of the word : about " to qualify a number is merely an express indication that the number is not to be construed as a precise val ue.
  • any one of the terms: ' including , or ' which includes , or ' that includes , as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements features that follow the term, but not excluding others.
  • ' including is synonymous with and means ' comprising . .
  • ' real-time . for example ' displaying real-time data, refers to the display of the data without intentional delay, given the processing limitations of the system and the time required to accurately measure the data.
  • the term ' near-real-time . refers to the obtaining of data either without intentional delay ( ' real-time . ) or as close to realtime as practically possible (i.e. with a small, but minimal, amount of delay whether intentional or not within the constraints and processing limitations of the of the system for obtaining and recordi ng or transmitti ng the data.
  • inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods, of which an example has been provided.
  • the acts performed as part of the method may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments may be constructed in which acts are performed in an order different than illustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, even though shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.
  • a reference to ⁇ and/or B _ when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as ' comprising , can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
  • ' or_ should be understood to have the same meaning as ' and/or_ as defined above.
  • ' or_ or ' and/or_ shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as ' only one of _ or ' exactly one of, _ or, when used in the claims, ' consisting of _ will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements.
  • the phrase ' at least one,_ in reference to a list of one or more elements should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
  • This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase ' at least one_ refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified.
  • ' at least one of A and B _ can refer, in one embodiment to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
  • transitional phrases such as ' comprising, , ' including, , ' carrying, , ' having, , ' containing, , ' involving, , ' holding, , ' composed of, , and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean ' including but not limited to . . Only the transitional phrases ' consisting of . and ' consisting essentially of . alone shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.
  • Set-S conductors are defined for the vertical conductors, which are the stator conductors in a machine. There are at least two sets of such conductors, each set of conductors being placed vertically at one side of permeable plates. Each set contains multiple conductors in parallel and arranged side by side. Each set forms a wall. Two sets, one each being at each of the two sides of the permeable plates form a pair of walls. There may be more than two sets, such as four sets, each of two sets being placed at one side of the permeable plates. Solid conductors embedded in a rigi d wal I are adopted for the set-S conductors.
  • a 11 the set-S conductors from a pai r of the wal Is can be divided into several groups.
  • the conductors in each group are connected in series to form an individual circuit, which is supplied by either a DC source or by a DC current from an AC source via a separate AC/DC converter.
  • Set-R conductors are to produce the lifting electromagnetic forces to lift up or lower down the container. They are the rotor conductors in a machine. There are joining parts for the set-R conductors to achieve series and/or parallel connection. There may be more than one set of set-R conductors in each heavy mass energy storage system The electromotive force inducing part of the set-R conductors are placed between and perpendicularly to a pair of walls with the embedded set-S conductors. Reinforcement is adopted to integrate the set-R conductors with the other parts of the i ntegral body to bear the el ectromagneti c force.
  • the first set of horizontal mover is defined as an electric and mechanic device which shifts the container horizontally at each platform to transfer the container from the second set of horizontal mover as described immediately below to the tracks onto a parking platform with multiple parking tracks, or to transfer the container from the tracks of the parking platform to the second horizontal mover as described immediately below. It is formed by a rail, where the container can sit, two tracks, which support the rail to move along them, locomotive, which could push or pull the rail with the container horizontally along the two tracks.
  • the second set of horizontal mover is defined as an electric and mechanic device which shifts the container from the exit of a lifting-up passage to the first set of horizontal mover, or shift the container from the first set of horizontal mover to the entrance of a lowering-down passage. It is formed by a rail, where the container can sit, two tracks, which support the rail to move along them, locomotive, which could push or pull the rail with the container horizontally along the two tracks.
  • the tracks are horizontally moveable. This is because the two tracks need be used for bridging the exit of a passage when the container reaches there, and also for bridging the entrance of a passage when sendi ng a contai ner from there.
  • a nearly closed-loop magnetic path is defined as a loop path along which most parts are formed by magnetic or permeable materials except those parts occupied by current-carrying set- R conductors insulated and embedded in permeable magnetic materials. There is one set of set-S conductors enclosed by each nearly closed-loop magnetic path, through which the magnetizing field is produced. Such nearly- closed magnetic paths spread from the top to the bottom of a passage. In an interleaved structure, such nearly closed-loop magnetic paths " layers alternately join along the direction of movement of the container with one layer being formed by permeable materials and the neighbouring layer being formed by non- permeable materials. The overall nearly closed-loop magnetic path from the top to the bottom of a passage is supported mechanically to have sufficient strength to stand vertically or nearly vertically.
  • Massive energy storage is an indispensable forming component in an independent grid or an islanded microgrid for self-sustainable and self-sufficient operation.
  • pumped hydro storage can achieve such requirement. Nevertheless it takes quite much space and there are also issues of water evaporation and availability of water.
  • potential energy storage using heavy mass such as iron ore etc could potentially be a good substitute of pumped hydro storage based energy storage. This is because some heavy mass such as iron ore or other heavy masses has a mass density several times as high as that of water. Hence such energy storage system takes less space.
  • the heavy masses can be repetitively used for many years.
  • USA patent US 8,593,012 B2 the inventors proposed to use trains to drive the heavy mass from low platform to high platform to store energy. In such energy storage system, energy losses due to friction are quite high, making overall system efficiency low.
  • Container 100 which stores heavy masses such as iron ore etc is shown in Fig. 1a and Fig. 2a.
  • Positioning or supporting poles 200 and 201 are shown in Fig. 2a, which could be made of assemble-able multiple segments.
  • the grooves 290, 291, 292 and 293 as shown in Fig. 1a are for sliding in the container with heavy mass into linear machine system for lowering down or lifting up movement
  • the pole stoppers 255 shown in Fig. 2b and 2c are moved to their respective rest cavity 220 in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b.
  • the container is shifted to the second set of horizontal mover such as 340 in Fig. 9b at either low or high platform, and the container is moved along opposite directions of the troughs 230 in Fig. 2a.
  • Figure 1 b shows the cross sectional view of the container with the linear machine system, where the cut cross sections of the two set-S conductors 110 and 111, permeable magnetic plates 240, and part of the set-R conductors 250 are included.
  • Figure 2c shows details of the pole stopper 255, which includes two bars 251 in rectangular shape sitting on bearing structure 253 and 254, which can be moved along the bearings horizontally, and another rod 252 fixed to the main part of the pole stopper.
  • FIG. 1a There is a concave in the container as shown in Fig. 1a, Fig. 1 b, and Fig. 2a where two walls with the embedded set-S conductors 110 and 111 (see Fig. 1 b) are placed, one each on each side of the permeable plates.
  • a more uniform magnetic field Hi a and Hib as shown in Fig. 3a is produced in the region between two walls by the currents f lowi ng through the set-S conductors.
  • Fig. 3d As highly permeable materials such as steel or silicon-iron is quite expensive, one possible solution to save the cost is shown in Fig. 3d, where interleaved structure is adopted to replace each of the vertical permeable plates as shown in Fig. 3a. It contains both highly permeable material such as steel or si I icon- iron and low- permeable 240 or non- permeable solid material 260. When adopting such structure, more set-R conductors spanning longer along the direction of supporting poles need be adopted to produce sufficient induced voltage, then energy exchange.
  • All the set-S conductors embedded in the two walls are divided into a certain number of groups.
  • the conductors in each group are connected in series to form an individual circuit, which is powered by a DC source or by an AC/DC converter.
  • One illustrative terminal connection is shown in Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c, where two independent circuits are formed, terminated at C1 C1T1 and C1 C1T2, C1 C2T1 and C1 C2T2 respectively.
  • each side may have more than one wall. By doing, more independent circuits are formed, each of which is powered by a separate AC/DC converter.
  • Plates 240 made of permeable material such as silicon-iron or steel are shown in Fig. 4a. Such multiple permeable plates extend the whole passage linking the low platform and high platform. They are covered by anti-friction layer for land applications. For sea/river, anti-erosion protection is also needed. They need be fixed well as they experience electromagnetic force produced by the current flowing through the set-R conductors.
  • the set-R conductors 250 placed between two neighbouring permeable plates, perpendicular to the walls which hold the set-S conductors, are also shown in Fig. 4a. There needs insulation around the set-R conductors. There are spaces between each column of the set-R conductors and two neighbouring permeable plates. This is to facilitate the movement of the set- R conductors along the passage.
  • the set-R conductors could be ci rcular i n shape or rectangular in shape. The rectangular shape is more preferable as it can take the force more uniformly. They are connected in series and/or in parallel through conductor conduit 241, bundle conduit 242 and 243 in Fig.
  • the bundle conduit 242 and 243 are placed inside the enclosure 244.
  • Such arrangement formed by 241, 242, 243, and 244 must be mechanically strong since the electromagnetic force acting on the set-R conductors is passed to them
  • the conductor conduit 241 could be extended in both vertical directions as shown in Fig. 4d. This allows more reinforcement to make it strong enough to bear the electromagnetic force.
  • the set-R conductors should be connected in a combination of series and parallel.
  • connection parts are split equally on the two sides of the permeable plates 240.
  • the terminals C1T1 and C1T2, C2T1 and C2T2 are connected to the box of cable connectors 245 as shown in Fig. 4d, where the cable system as shown in Fig. 14 will be joined with these terminals for DC current flowing.
  • the detailed connection part for joining conductors in series and/or parallel is shown in Fig. 4c, where those conductors for series and/or parallel connections are connected to conductor conduit 241, which then join in bundle conduit 242 and 243.
  • FIG. 5b and Fig. 5d Another way for such mounting and dismounting of the container with heavy mass is shown in Fig. 5b and Fig. 5d. It has bearing coupling with the vertical supporting poles, along which it moves.
  • a vertical passage for lifting up the container to store energy each time after the integral body A, which is moved with the container, reaches the top of a passage either 300 or 390 in Fig. 9a, it is dismounted from the container. After the container is moved out of the passage to the high platform, the integral body A is lowered down along the supporting poles 200 and 201 to lift up next container.
  • a sub-system which is formed by the integral body A, the supporting poles, the first sets of conductor, and converters system works in re-generative mode to release its potential energy when it is lowered down, and to feed the generated electricity to AC grid through the AC/DC/DC converter 400 in Fig. 13.
  • This one-round movement of the integral body A only results in copper losses, friction losses. There is no waste of potential energy or electricity.
  • Figure 5a shows part of the system with the set-S conductors, and illustrative several set-R conductors in parallel and DC power supplies to the two sets of conductors.
  • a machine system with its controller to move the container with heavy mass along the side of a mountain or sea/river side between its bank and the sea/river bed with a steep slope.
  • Such system is slightly modified from a vertical system by introducing a skew angle, one example design being shown in Fig. 5b (side view), and Fig. 5c (top view), where alpha is an angle of the si ope of a mountain or sea/river side between its bank and sea/river bed.
  • Fig. 5b one can see that the multiple permeable plates extend from the bottom of a passage to the top of the passage linking low and high platforms.
  • the system contains three supporting or guiding poles 201, 202 and 203 as seen in Fig. 5c.
  • protruding parts 206 in Fig. 5b and Fig. 5c along the passage between the high and low platforms located at the top and bottom of the mountain or sea/river.
  • protruding parts are joined solidly with the two supporting poles 202 and 203 at different locations. They are for installing the supporting poles 202 and 203 onto the slope of the steep mountain or sea/river side between its bank and sea/river bed.
  • Such structure formed by two supporting or guiding poles 202 and 203, and multiple 204 is very much similar to a railway track.
  • the bearing system 248 as shown in Fig. 5b, and Fig. 5d is three-sided for all three supporting poles 201, 202 and 203. Similar bearing system is shown in Fig. 2b, but with four- sided bearings. Such bearing system could become part of the integral body A as well, which is integrated with supporting poles and moves along them.
  • the cut cross section view of one such integral body A is shown in Fig. 5d, which contains all the set-R conductors, their terminal connections placed in conductor conduit 241, enclosure 244 which holds bundle conduits 242 and 243, terminal box 245 for joining the terminals of the set-R conductors with cables which link to converter circuits, the bearing systems 248, and mechanical strengthening parts for joining all these together.
  • the integral body A is shared by all the containers and can move along the supporting poles working in either motoring or generating mode with magnetic field produced by the DC currents flowing through the set-S conductors. Furthermore a fastening mechanic system is installed on the integral body A to fix the container for its movement between low and high platforms along the skew passage.
  • the method for the container to exit from or enter into the passage for the movement along the slope of a mountain or a slope of a sea/river side is similar to that for the vertical passage.
  • a transition mechanism from skew to vertical position of the container needs be adopted. This is for facilitating the container entering into and exiting from the passage.
  • the skew angle alpha is very close to 90 degrees, such transition can be made smoothly.
  • the working mechanism of the skew system is close, but with more friction along the tracks.
  • the main advantage of the skew system is that it is easier and cheaper to construct It can be built on the side surface of a mountain or side of a sea/river between its bank and bed.
  • the passage for moving the container with heavy mass between the high and low platforms along the slope of a mountain or sea/river side may contain multiple segments, each of which may have different angles of alpha.
  • the angle could be less than or equal to 90 degrees.
  • container system just moves vertically either on land or under the sea/river.
  • the passage segments with the angle being less than yet close to 90 degrees, the system just moves with the support of guiding poles, and along the surface of the mountain or along the sea/river side between its bank and bed. No matter it is the vertical segment or skewed segment, the two walls formed by the set-S conductors are arranged in parallel with the supporting or guiding poles.
  • pyramid structures For the application of the heavy mass storage system to sea/river, pyramid structures need be i nstal I ed on the top and bottom of the contai ner system to pave the way for its movement along the passage with reduced friction and other losses incurred by the water.
  • the pyramid structures need be integrated with the existing integral body A to move along the supporting poles to pick up next container after finishing delivering one.
  • Figure 6 shows the horizontal cut cross-section of the second possible structure of the system with three supporting poles, in which the concrete shell in rectangular shape, made of steel or other rigid materials reinforced concrete is also shown.
  • Figure 7a shows the horizontal cut cross-section of the third possible structure of the systems with two supporting poles, and two first sets of conductor, and a set-R conductors, two nearly-closed magnetic paths, and two rows of the set-R conductors " terminal connection.
  • Such design is more expensive because it uses more permeable materials to form the two nearly-closed magnetic paths spanning the whole passage linking high and low platforms. Nevertheless it can reduce the demand on currents in the set-S conductors. To save the cost, one may choose the cheaper yet permeable materials to form the nearly-closed magnetic paths.
  • a single air gap occupied by one column of the set-R conductors is g c .
  • the air gap gi should be several times greater than the total air gaps occupied by the all the columns of the set-R conductors. By doing so, the magnetic flux established by the DC currents flowing through the two set-S conductors are forced to enter the area formed by the magnetic plates and the set-R conductors.
  • Fig. 7a there are also other air gaps which allow connection of mechanic parts 641 with other parts in the integral body. Such mechanic parts can be extended vertically along the direction of supporting poles to gain greater mechanic strength.
  • the air gaps gi between two nearly closed magnetic paths also need be used to enhance mechanic strength for the integral body.
  • Fig. 7a one can see that there are two connections 542 for joining 247 with the set-R conductors.
  • the mechanic joining part 542 spans along the direction of the supporting poles as long as necessary to have enough mechanic strength. If the mechanic strength provided by two 642 is strong enough, then two mechanic parts 541 may not be necessary. By doing so, the total air gap in the nearly closed magnetic paths is reduced. Hence the ampere-turns demand on the set-S conductors is also reduced.
  • Figure 7b shows the horizontal cut cross-section of the modified third possible structure of the system, which is for steep slope application.
  • Figure 7c shows a part of the half of magnetic paths in Fig. 7b, which spans from the top to the bottom of a passage linking low and high platforms.
  • Figure 7d shows the configuration similar to that in Fig. 7b but with no air gaps formed by 641. For such configuration, less ampere-turns are required from the set-S conductors. In this case, two plate rows of the conductors " termination connection 651 and 652, two 642, one being each side, all the set-R conductors are solidly connected and join with other part 247 and bearings of the integral body. [00129] The configurations in Fig. 1 b and Fig. 6 only have permeable plates and the magnetic paths are not closed. For such systems, very high ampere-turns are required from the set-S conductors embedded in the walls.
  • Figure 7g shows another possible arrangement with only one nearly-closed magnetic path.
  • the permeable magnetic materials in this configuration also spans from the bottom to the top of a passage.
  • all the set-R conductors are divided into a certain number of groups. In each group, all the conductors are connected in parallel.
  • Two terminals of the each parallel circuit join the top of two plate rows of the conductors " termination connection 651 and 652, each of which is connected with the cable system as shown in Fig. 14.
  • termination connection 651 and 652 each of which is connected with the cable system as shown in Fig. 14.
  • these parallel circuits will either join in series or directly to be powered by the converters.
  • 651 and 652 are in plate shape. These plate rows not only serve as terminal connections of the set-R conductors, they also serve as mechanical strengthening parts as part of the integral body. They join solidly with the set-R conductors, then with other parts of the integral body through 641 and 642.
  • the mechanic supports 642 in Fig. 7b and Fig. 7d need be wide enough to provide sufficient mechanical strength.
  • Figure 7g shows another possible configuration with only one nearly-closed magnetic path and one set-S conductors. In such configuration, only the structure in Fig. 7e or Fig. 7f can be used and interleaved structure as shown in Fig. 3d cannot be used.
  • the structure as shown in Fig. 7e or Fig. 7f can be applied to the system as shown in Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b, Fig. 7d and Fig. 7g.
  • the currents in both first set and set-R conductors are constant DC ones. They flow in such a way that the electromagnetic force is upward to balance the weight of the heavy mass.
  • Fig. 7h shows the arrangement of part of set-R conductors in the interleaved configuration, where the conductors are insulated and embedded in the magnetic material such as steel to increase both mechanic strength and magnetic coupling effect.
  • the other non-permeable mechanic support is also included.
  • the shape of the conductors could be elliptical or polygon or other ones which are conducive to the magnetic coupling effect by the ampere-turns in the set-S conductors.
  • the spreading of the magnetic materials embedding the set-R conductors along the movement direction needs be sufficient long in order to produce effective flux density experienced by the moving set-R conductors.
  • the width of the embedding magnetic material as shown in Fig.
  • Such embedding magnetic materials are only adopted for conductors between magnetic plates for passing Y -bar conductors and air gaps (e.g. in Fig. 8g) for passing the X-bar conductors in Fig. 8c or Fig. 8e or Fig. 8I.
  • Those conductor parts for joining Y -bar conductors with X-bar conductors cannot have such embedding magnetic materials. But they still need mechanic reinforcement to have mechanic strength to lift up the heavy mass.
  • simplified conductors without embedding magnetic materials in the interleaved structure are used in Fig. 8b and Fig. 8c and other figures.
  • interleaved structure uses less magnetic materials. Hence such structure is cheaper than that which nearly all uses magnetic material from bottom to top of the passage, except moveable part as shown in Fig. 7e or Fig. 7f etc.
  • the non-magnetic layer in the structure as shown in Fig. 3d can be four- corner poles " support or other strong- enough support instead of solid one.
  • Fig. 8a shows the top view of such interleaved structure, where every part of the nearly closed magnetic paths is interleaved, not only for the plates " parts.
  • Fig. 8b illustrates part of the half of interleaved structure with the nearly-closed magnetic paths in Fig.
  • Figure 8a where permeable materials such as steel or silicon iron and non-permeable materials are alternately used.
  • Figure 8b only shows part of the nearly-closed magnetic paths with part of the set-R conductors.
  • the gap for mechanical strength reinforcement is introduced in the middle of the structure. Between each layer of set-R conductors, mechanical reinforcement needs also be used as shown in Fig. 7h.
  • the set-R conductors needs to contain two subsets, named as set-R-subset-1 and set-R-subset-2 as shown in Figs. 8c.
  • the height of permeable layer and non- permeable layer is the same, and equal to h.
  • the subset- 1 and subset-2 conductors are arranged in such a way that when the layers of subset- 1 conductors enter the transition point between permeable and non-permeable layers, the layers of subset-2 conductors just cross the middle of a layer, either permeable or non-permeable layer. Such arrangement is shown in Fig. 8c.
  • the set-R-subset-2 conductors may have fewer layers compared with set-R-subset-1 and it needs to accommodate a pulse current with several times higher magnitude as the current flowing through set-R-subset-1 conductors.
  • the lifting electromagnetic force is produced by X-bar conductors and Y -bar conductors as shown in Fig. 8c, each one being upward pointing.
  • the number of Y - bar conductors in parallel is n1.
  • the current flowing through the X -bar conductor is the addition of the currents through all the n1 identical Y -bar conductors which are connected in parallel.
  • the cross sectional area of the X-bar conductors is n1 times the cross sectional area of each Y -bar conductor. For the same cross sectional area, there could be multiple combinations of length and width.
  • each Y -bar conductor has a cross sectional area of 1 cm X 1 cm, which can accommodate roughly 250A current to flow and there are twenty such Y -bar conductors i n paral I el, then the cross secti onal area of the X -bar conductor is 20cm 2 .
  • the height of the alternating magnetic and non-magnetic materials h is 25cm If one sets the length of the conductors equal to 5cm, then transition between layers for the set-R-subset-1 conductors and set-R-subset-2 conductors to produce upward lifting electromagnetic force is smooth. The air-gap is then 4cm. Instead, if one chooses 10cm to be the length of X- bar conductor, though the air-gap is reduced to 2cm, the transition becomes difficult and could experience problems. Such design also needs to consider the mechanic strength requirements in order to lift the container with heavy mass.
  • the method to operate the system is to change the currents " direction in the set-R conductors while the currents in the set-S conductors are kept as DC ones or constant and their directions are fixed as shown at the top of Fig. 8d.
  • the set-R-subset-1 conductors are connected with a converter circuit to produce independent controllable close-square AC source as shown in the middle of Fig. 8d.
  • the set-R-subset-2 conductors are connected with a converter circuit to produce independent controllable pulse AC source as shown at the bottom of Fig. 8d.
  • the purpose of the set-R-subset-2 conductors is to facilitate the transition of the set-R-subset-1 conductors between magnetic and non- magnetic layers by generating enough lifting electromagnetic force to balance heavy mass weight.
  • precision position sensors are installed to detect the position of moving conductors in set-R against permeable and non-permeable layers.
  • Each AC source connected to each of set-R-subset-1 conductors and set-R-subset-2 conductors is either bi-directional AC/AC converter or bi-directional DC/AC converter.
  • Figure 8e shows another possible arrangement of part of the top-view interleaved structure, where mechanic supports 701 and 702 integrated with the set-R conductors are also shown.
  • Figure 8f illustrates the mechanic supports and the set-R conductors while
  • Fig. 8g shows the top-view of the interleaved magnetic structure.
  • Figure 8h is the cross sectional view from cross section A 1A2 as shown in Fig. 8e, where the mechanic supports 701, 702, 703 are shown.
  • Figure 8i is the cross sectional view from the cross section B1 B2 as shown in Fig. 8e, where the mechanic supports 701, 702, 704 are shown.
  • Figure 8j is the cross sectional view from the cross section C1C2 as shown in Fig.
  • Figure 8e where the mechanic supports 701, 702, 705 are shown.
  • Figure 8k is the cross sectional view from the cross section D1 D2 or E 1 E2 as shown in Fig. 8e, where the mechanic supports 706, 707, 708 are shown.
  • Figures 8h, 8i and 8j include parts of the view of the set-R conductors as well. They need to be well insulated from the mechanic supports, such as 703, 704 and 705 etc.
  • Figure 8I illustrates the arrangements of two sets of conductor in the second set for the magnetic structure in Fig. 8e. Same as those in Fig. 8c, the set-R -subset- 1 and set-R-subset-2 conductors are arranged in such a way that when the layers of set-R-subset-1 conductors enter the transition point between permeable and non-permeable layers, the layers of set-R-subset-2 conductors just cross the middle of a layer, either permeable or non-permeable layer.
  • Figure 8m shows another possible arrangement of interleaved structure, which is for producing greater uplifting electromagnetic force to lift heavier mass.
  • Figure 8n shows the mechanic supports, three pairs of set-S conductors, 11 OA, 111A, and 112A, 113A, and 110B, 111 B and two sets of set-R conductors 250A, 250B. The currents flowing through each pair of first set conductors need be coordinated with the AC currents in the two sets of set-R conductors in order to produce uplifting electromagnetic forces.
  • Figure 8o shows the top-view of the interleaved magnetic structure for the structure in Fig. 8m.
  • the terminal connections of the set-R conductors in Fig. 7b, Fig. 7d, Fig. 7g, Fig. 8a, and Fig. 8e is relatively simple. This is because all those groups, each being with a certain number of conductors in parallel are connected in series. Their two terminals are to join with the electric cables as shown in Fig. 14 then with stationary converters.
  • Figure 9a shows one possible structure of energy storage system with two parking platforms 330 and 350, and two vertical passages 300 and 390, from each of which the containers are lifted up or lowered down.
  • Figure 9b shows mechanism of shifting the containers at each platform, which includes the first sets of horizontal movers 310 and 320, the second set of horizontal movers 340 and 360, the first sets being for receiving the container from the second set of horizontal mover, then parking it to each track on the platform, or for moving the parked container from each parking track to the second set of horizontal mover; the second set of horizontal mover being for shifting the container from the exit of the passage 300 in Fig. 9a to the first set of horizontal mover, or for shifting the container from the first set of horizontal mover, then moving the container horizontally to the entrance of the exiting passage 390 in Fig. 9a.
  • Figure 9c show details of the first set of horizontal mover, containing rail 313 where the container may sit, push-pull locomotive 312, two horizontal tracks 311, on which the rail with the container may sit and along which the rail is pushed or pulled to be aligned either with the second set of horizontal mover or aligned with tracks on the platform.
  • Figure 9d shows details of the second set of horizontal mover, containing two horizontal tracks 341, rail 343 where the container sits, push-pull locomotive 342; the two horizontal tracks 341 are made shift-able horizontally to bridge the exit of the passage-1 300 in Fig. 9a for receiving the container which reaches at the exit from the uplifting passage or for bridging the entrance of the exiting passage like passage-2 390 in Fig. 9a to lower down the container.
  • Figure 10 shows the vertical cross section view of the structure with two passages and two platforms of the structure in Fig. 9a, where a slope with angle theta is shown.
  • theta angle is properly chosen to balance between the friction losses due to shift of the container on each parking platform and the potential energy loss due to the difference of H1 and H2.
  • FIG. 11 A structure with both multi-layers of high and low platforms is shown in Fig. 11, which contain more than one uplifting passages, and also more than one lowering-down passages, and is for storing more energy. Supporting mechanics between multi-layers of the high platforms and between multi- layers of the low- layer platforms need be adopted.
  • a first set of AC/DC converter circuit 410 is shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 to power the set-S conductors 110 and 111 embedded in the walls.
  • the set-S conductors may contain multiple layers or walls, each of which could be powered by one separate AC/DC converter. By doing so, back-up magnetic field generation could be produced.
  • AC-DC-AC-AC-DC converters with medium-frequency or high-frequency transformer isolation could be also adopted to produce larger current in the set-S conductors. The main function of these converters is to produce constant currents flowing through the set-S conductors. By doing so, a unidirectional DC magnetic field is produced in the region between two walls.
  • Ri and L i in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 are the equivalent copper resistance and inductance of the set-S conductors, while R 2 and L 2 are the equivalent copper resistance and inductance of the set-R conductors.
  • a second set of AC/DC/DC converter circuits 400 is also shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 to power each individual circuit formed by the set-R conductors mounted on the integral body A.
  • circuits in Fig. 12 work in the motoring mode when the container is moved from low platform to high platform, while the circuits in Fig. 13 work in the generating mode when the container is moved from high platform to low platform.
  • Figure 14 shows the power supply to the set-R conductors mounted on each container.
  • all containers being uplifted through the passage 300 share the same set of AC/DC/DC converters installed at one platform
  • the connection cables between the output of these converters and terminals of the set-R conductors mounted on the integral body A are also shown in Fig. 14. They are hung through two pulleys. All the containers being lowered down through the passage 390 share another set of AC/DC/DC converters installed at one platform.
  • the sliding contact between terminals of the set- R conductors and the cables linking to converters in Fig. 14 is possible.
  • the container system with all the items which is moved vertically along the passage 300 or 390 in Fig. 9a should be arranged properly in terms of gravity center.
  • the mass in the whole system should be distributed in such a way that minimum friction between bearings and the supporting poles is achieved under the action of both weight of the system and lifting electromagnetic force on the set-R conductors.
  • such approach also needs be taken to ensure that minimum friction between bearings and the supporting poles is achieved.
  • a third set of conductors could be installed at on the container.
  • Such third set of conductors may be divided into several groups, each being installed at different locations in the container, and each being powered by a separate group of converter circuits, each of which is controllable by a separate AC/DC/DC converter 2 in the same way as shown in Fig. 14.
  • Pressure sensors could be installed along the supporting poles to sense the pressure imposed by the container on the supporting poles. Such sensed pressure could be used as input to control the AC/DC/DC converters to produce different levels of currents in each group of the third set of conductors.
  • the total conductors in set-R are divided into a number of groups. Conductors in each group could be connected in parallel. All the groups are connected in series then powered by one AC/DC/DC converter-2 400 as shown in Fig. 16a. This is not very practical as the total demanded current could un- realistically high. Furthermore parallel connection has unpredictable side effect The applied voltage to each of the conductors in parallel is the same. The induced voltage across each conductor is almost the same. If there is a small variation of the conductor resistance between any two conductors in parallel, then the currents shared by them are different This could lead to serious conductor overheating issue. Nevertheless if one can ensure minimum difference in the resistance of the conductors, they can be connected in parallel to reduce joining parts due to series connection.
  • each group could be connected in series to form each individual circuit and then powered by a separate AC/DC/DC converter-2 400 as shown in Fig. 16a.
  • the two terminals of each circuit formed by each group of conductors are connected with two terminals from each AC/DC/DC converter-2 400 through the cable system through pulleys as shown in Fig. 14.
  • Such AC power to DC power converters convert power from AC microgrid/grid when moving the container from low platform to high platform. By doing so, surplus electric energy from grid/mi crogrid is converted into potential energy stored in the heavy mass.
  • Such AC power to DC power converter can also be AC-DC-AC-AC-DC converters with medium-frequency or high-frequency transformer isolation. These converters must be bi-directional to facilitate both motoring and generating modes of operation.
  • both low and high platforms 330 and 350 built along a slope are formed by multiple tracks for parking the containers.
  • FIG. 1 Another approach to form parking platforms is to adopt a pole- bar system.
  • Such system may be suitable for the area close to dense population.
  • the high platforms are formed by the bars installed with the vertical poles. The containers just sit on two neighbouring bars in parallel.
  • the whole system works as a DC generator, seen from the inputs of the set-S conductors and the set- R conductors.
  • the downward- moving set-R conductors cut the magnetic field produced by the currents flowing through the set-S conductors, leading to an induced E M F E dcc
  • the circuit diagram is shown in Fig. 13.
  • the AC/DC/DC converter-2 400 still forces the circuit to produce the same direction current along the set-R conductors.
  • the magnetic field and flux established by the currents in the set-S conductors are still in the same direction. But movement of the set-R conductors is opposite or in downward direction.
  • FIG. 15a shows an approximate method based on a solenoid model to calculate the magnetic field between two set-S conductors 110 and 111 embedded in the two walls as shown in Fig. 5a.
  • N1/L1 is per- meter conductors for the set-S of the conductors.
  • total flux density is as follows
  • Lorentz force for calculating the force experienced by a current-carrying conductor immersed in a magnetic field is expressed as follows:
  • the design target is to produce a flux density of 1.2T in the air gap where the second sets of the conductors is placed.
  • the first set of conductor could divided into several groups, conductors in each group being connected in series as shown in Fig. 3b and 3c.
  • the conductors in each group are connected in series to form an individual circuit Totally in the illustration, there are two independent individual circuits formed, terminated at C1C1T1 and C1C1T2, and C1C2T1 and C1C2T2 respectively.
  • Each individual circuit is powered by one separate AC/DC converter circuit 410 as shown in Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. If the converter 410 can provide more current, individual circuits in set-S can be connected in parallel.
  • L.2 is assumed to be 1.5 meters
  • connection parts in the loop needs be addressed properly in order to avoid irregular interacting force between them
  • those connecting parts 243 within the immersion of the magnetic field produced by the current flowing through the set-S conductors embedded in the two walls they should be placed horizontally and along the direction of the magnetic field produced by the currents flowing in the set-S conductors. By doing so, there is nearly zero force acting on these parts.
  • Such parallel connection of the conductors may have a potential problem. This is because there may be a small variation of resistance in each conductor in set-R. Since the induced voltage and applied voltage are nearly the same in each conductor, a small variation of the resistance in the parallel conductors could result in significant difference of currents shared in each conductor, thereby leading to overheating issues in the overloaded conductors.
  • One of the functions of DC/DC converter 404 in Fig. 17 is for producing a suitable level of voltage applied to the circuitformed by each group of conductors at start-up or halt stage. This is because the induced E M F E ⁇ is zero when the container is stationary or very small value when the speed of the container is low. As it is hard to tune the output voltage of DC/DC converter 404 continuously, each circuit in Fig. 16a is inserted with a Rext, which is for limiting the currents in the circuit during start-up or halt stage. When the container gains speed, such resistance is gradually reduced to smaller value until being totally cut off from the circuits to avoid unnecessary losses.
  • V ice versa at halting stage, the Rext is increased from zero to gradual high value to limit the current flowing through the set-R conductors.
  • switches as indicated by SW21, SW22, till SW2m in Fig. 16a are used, which could be relay based electronic switches. This is because the polarities of induced voltage E ⁇ are opposite in the motoring and generating modes as indicated in Fig. 17a and Fig. 17b.
  • the set-R conductors in the configurations as shown in Fig. 7a, Fig. 7b, Fig. 7d and Fig. 8a, which contain nearly closed magnetic paths, are divided into a number of groups. All the conductors in each group are connected in parallel. Two terminals of each parallel circuit join two plate rows of the set-R conductors " terminal connection 651 and 652 in Fig. 7a.
  • I ess number of converters as shown i n F ig. 16b are needed.
  • Figure 17 shows the circuits during both motoring and generating modes of operation, where F i g. 17a i s f or the motori ng mode whi I e F ig. 17b i s f or the generati ng mode.
  • Equation for motoring mode of operation is given by (11) and Equation for generating mode of operation is given by (12).
  • Figure 18 shows simplified controllers for both motoring and generating modes of steady-state operation, where Fig. 18a is for the motoring mode while Fig. 18b is for the generating mode, and the controllers can be proportional -integral controllers or other types of controllers. In practice such controller needs be modified to consider all factors in the system, such as position of the container etc.
  • the purpose of the controllers is to control voltage across C2 in Fig. 17 to stabi lize at a suitable value in order to generate the targeted current i2 to follow its reference.
  • Equation for upward movement is given by (13) while the Equation for downward movement is given by (14) with v e i being the velocity or speed of the container movement F being the electromagnetic force acting on the set-R conductors, m being the mass of the whole container system, g being gravitational acceleration.
  • the uplifted container When the uplifted container reaches the exit of passage-1 300 at the high platform 330 in Fig. 9a, it is moved purposely slightly higher than the exit Before the power in the circuits is turned off, the second set of horizontal mover 340 is quickly shifted to bridge its two sides of the exit of the passage 300. Then the current into the set-R conductors mounted on the container is reduced gradually to zero by controlling the AC/DC/DC converter 400. In the meantime, the rail 343 is pushed in by the locomotive 342 to the exit the vertical passage 300. By doing so, the container will be sitting on the rails 343 of the second set of horizontal mover 340 in Fig. 9d.
  • the locomotive 342 is to pull out of the rails 343 with the container sitting on it along the track 341. It then aims with the rail 313 on the first set of horizontal mover 310 in Fig. 9c. Then the container is pulled away by the locomotive 331 in Fig. 9b from the rail 343 of the second set of horizontal mover 340 and is pulled onto the rail 313 of the first set of horizontal mover 310. T hen the I ocomotive 312 sitti ng on the f i rst set of horizontal mover is to pul I or push the rai I 313 with the container sitting on it horizontally to aim at a target track on the high platform 330. Once aimed, the locomotive 331 joins in again to pull it along the designated track to park the container on it.
  • the locomotive sitting on the track of the second set of horizontal mover 360 pushes its rail with container sitting on it along its track to the entrance of the lowering-down passage 390.
  • the pole stopper 255 fastens the positioning or supporting poles 200 and 201.
  • the controller of the second set of converters is to control the currents into the conductors mounted on the container to lift up the container slightly.
  • the two tracks of the second set of horizontal mover 360 are shifted out of the entrance of the lowering-down passage 390 to receive the next container from the parking platform to be lowered down.
  • the method described above is an example control for the non- interleaved structure. In practice, it is more complicated than this.
  • the method for producing the DC current flowing through the set-S conductors is still straight forward, either from AC/DC converters or from AC/DC/DC converters. But the alternating currents into each of set- R -subset- 1 and set-R-subset-2 conductors need be produced through separate AC/AC converters or AC/DC/AC converters. Proper generation of AC current in set- R -subset- 1 and set- R-subset-2 conductors for motoring and generating operation need be addressed in the interleaved structure.
  • the whole heavy mass energy storage disclosed herein is to be equipped with automation and communication system.
  • Each individual part in the system is monitored by a list of mechanic, electric, thermal sensors and image sensors etc.
  • the information such as location, velocity etc of each container, the current and voltage in each circuit, working states of each of the first sets and second sets of horizontal movers, available parking space in each parking platform is collected and transmitted to and processed by local management systems. All commands are passed to local electric and mechanic parts and executed. Also collected local information and commands are transmitted to a central management system (CMS).
  • CMS central management system
  • CMS central management system
  • One useable heavy mass could be iron ore, though other heavy masses may also be used. It has a relatively higher ratio of mass density to the price and higher compactness.
  • Iron ore mass density 5.15X 10 3 kg/m 3 .
  • interleaved structure as demonstrated in Fig. 3d could be adopted to save cost.
  • the interleaved magnetic structure is taken, more set-R conductors need be adopted which should span longer in the vertical direction or direction along the guiding poles, in order to ensure the same electromagnetic lifting force is produced as that in non-interleaving structure.
  • :in accordance with " may also mean :as a function of " and is not necessarily limited to the integers specified in relation thereto.
  • Reference throughout this specification to One embodiment . , ' an embodiment . , ' one arrangement , or ' an arrangement means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment/arrangement is included in at least one embodiment/arrangement of the present invention.
  • appearances of the phrases ⁇ one embodiment/arrangement , or ⁇ an embodiment/arrangement , in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment/arrangement, but may.
  • the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments/arrangements.
  • any one of the terms: ' including , or ' which includes , or ' that includes , as used herein is also an open term that also means ' including at least , the elements features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.
  • Massive energy storage is one of the main obstacles to overcome in order to solve energy crisis problem faced by human-beings. If this invention turns out to be useful, then the inventor hopes reasonable invention fee or patent fee will be collected from users without putting heavy levy on them. Hence fee collection is maximally 16% of the market price of electricity generated using such kind of technology. To encourage its usage, no fee is collected in the first two years of usi ng such ki nd of energy storage system. After two years, fees wi 11 be col I ected.

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  • Charge And Discharge Circuits For Batteries Or The Like (AREA)
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Abstract

La présente invention concerne un stockage d'énergie massive avec un mouvement vertical ou quasi-vertical d'une masse lourde placée dans un contenant. Il est basé sur le mécanisme de travail de l'une ou l'autre de deux machines linéaires, chacune contenant deux ensembles de conducteurs, désignés sous le nom de conducteurs set-S et set-R. Les conducteurs set-S agissent en tant que conducteurs fixes tandis que les conducteurs set-R agissent en tant que conducteurs mobiles. Une structure magnétique entrelacée peut être adoptée pour fournir une conception alternative. Un trajet magnétique presque fermé est conçu pour améliorer le couplage entre le champ magnétique produit par les conducteurs fixes et les conducteurs mobiles. L'invention concerne également des plates-formes d'accompagnement destinées au stationnement de contenants. Grâce à l'adoption d'un mouvement vertical ou presque vertical de masse lourde, une perte minimale due au frottement pourrait être obtenue. Un tel système de stockage d'énergie conçu peut être construit sur terre ou le long de la pente d'une montagne/d'une colline ou dans/sur la mer/rivière pour obtenir un stockage d'énergie massive.
EP17874263.1A 2016-11-22 2017-07-26 Système de stockage d'énergie massive à mouvement vertical ou quasi-vertical de masse lourde Withdrawn EP3545602A4 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2016904783A AU2016904783A0 (en) 2016-11-22 A massive energy storage system with vertical movement of heavy mass
AU2016905317A AU2016905317A0 (en) 2016-12-22 A massive energy storage system with vertical or nearly vertical movement of heavy mass
PCT/AU2017/050769 WO2018094448A1 (fr) 2016-11-22 2017-07-26 Système de stockage d'énergie massive à mouvement vertical ou quasi-vertical de masse lourde

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AU2019201920A1 (en) * 2019-03-20 2020-10-08 Daming Zhang A massive energy storage system with distributed rotor or mover structure and transitional rotor pulse current
CN110498513B (zh) * 2019-09-02 2022-05-31 张松涛 一种城市水池用生态浮岛
AU2020202830B2 (en) * 2020-04-29 2022-02-17 Zhang, Daming DR Bi-directional Heavy Mass Energy Storage System
AU2020203124B2 (en) * 2020-05-12 2022-03-31 Zhang, Daming DR This invention relates to a material-shortage aware, cost-effective, environment-friendly, long-lasting massive energy storage system. It is based on the conversion between potential energy in heavy masses and electricity when containers with heavy masses are moved between low and high platforms. It uses elongated torus shaped electric machines to lift containers with heavy masses. This technology can lift up and lower down containers with heavy masses at relatively high efficiency and with the awareness of key material shortage.
CN113364135B (zh) * 2021-06-18 2022-09-06 哈尔滨工程大学 一种深远海上风电场电能传输系统

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US20040065080A1 (en) * 2002-10-04 2004-04-08 Fasca Ted S. Energy storage system and method
AU2010282738B2 (en) * 2009-08-11 2015-09-03 Advanced Rail Energy Storage, Llc Utility scale electric energy storage system
US8674527B2 (en) * 2010-05-20 2014-03-18 Energy Cache, Inc. Apparatuses and methods for energy storage
US9745963B2 (en) * 2014-10-11 2017-08-29 Daniel N. Boone Energy weight storage

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