EP4121701A1

EP4121701A1 - Facility for spraying water and generating energy

Info

Publication number: EP4121701A1
Application number: EP21710507.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Tina LE MAO
Original assignee: Stepsol
Current assignee: Stepsol
Priority date: 2020-03-19
Filing date: 2021-03-12
Publication date: 2023-01-25
Also published as: WO2021185691A1; FR3108391A1; FR3108391B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a facility for spraying water in the form of snow or in liquid form, comprising a plurality of reservoirs (1, 2, 3) at least one of which is associated with a water spraying device. Furthermore, pipes and a pumping and turbine system are used so as to benefit from an energy storage and discharge capacity by transfer of water between the reservoirs.

Description

Water projection and energy generation installation TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of installations comprising water tanks. It finds a particularly advantageous application in the field of equipment for the production of artificial snow, or irrigation and watering. For example, it can be used to extend the use of mountain facilities or all areas with watering basins and water spray nozzles, in the golf sector in particular.

STATE OF THE ART

The management of water and snow has led to the formation of installations comprising several reservoirs, for example in the form of basins, natural or not, associated with water projection devices. This is particularly the case in the mountains. Water reservoirs, on several sites at different altitudes, are used, for example, to supply snow cannons in winter. In other situations, these water reservoirs deliver irrigation water, for example for golf courses. Such installations are often expensive and have a very specific vocation (irrigation, watering and / or manufacture of artificial snow).

There is a need to expand the interest.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a method and an installation which use a plurality of reservoirs and which offer a new functionality compared to known techniques.

The other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent on examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It is understood that other advantages can be incorporated. ABSTRACT

To achieve this objective, according to one embodiment, a water projection installation in the form of snow or in liquid form is provided, comprising: at least two reservoirs placed at different altitudes; - associated with at least one of the tanks, a device for spraying water in the form of snow or in liquid form;

Advantageously, it further comprises: at least one pipe placing two of the reservoirs in fluid communication; - an electrical pumping and turbine system configured to operate in several modes comprising a mode of energy storage by pumping water from one of the reservoirs, to another, at a higher altitude, of the reservoirs, and a mode of destocking of energy by water turbining, from one of the reservoirs to another, at a lower altitude, from the reservoirs, a photovoltaic electric energy generation system, configured to supply electric energy, with an electric power of 'input, the electrical pumping and turbine system, in the energy storage mode, - an electrical energy delivery circuit connected to the electrical pumping and turbine system, configured to deliver electrical energy, with an output electric power, in the energy destocking mode.

Another aspect relates to a process for spraying water in the form of snow or in liquid form and for storing and removing energy, comprising: the provision of at least two tanks placed at different altitudes; providing a device for spraying water in the form of snow or in liquid form associated with at least one of the reservoirs, placing at least two of the reservoirs in fluid communication by at least one pipe; providing an electrical pumping and turbine system configured to operate in multiple modes including a mode of energy storage by pumping water from one of the reservoirs to another, higher elevation, of the reservoirs, and a method of de-stocking energy by turbining water, from one of the reservoirs to another, at a lower altitude, from the reservoirs, an electric power supply, with an input electric power, from the electric pumping system and turbine, in the mode of energy storage by means of a photovoltaic electric power generation system, a supply of electric energy by the electric pumping and turbine system, configured to deliver electric energy , with an output electric power, in the energy destocking mode.

Advantageously, advantage is thus taken of an installation having a vocation for spraying water or snow, in an application that is a priori unrelated, namely energy management in connection with electrical equipment, a different application which does not 'would not have been perceived as having a logical connection with the first one. By enriching the installation with energy storage and de-stocking means, the profitability of the installations is increased and their uses are diversified.

In doing so, the additional cost involved in this diversification can be controlled to the extent that one takes advantage of pre-existing technical means for the function of water or snow projection. This is the case with at least some of the reservoirs, but also, potentially, with pumping equipment or pipelines.

Optionally but not limited to: the reservoirs comprise at least a first, a second and a third reservoir, respectively placed at a first altitude (H1), at a second altitude (H2) lower than the first altitude, and at a third altitude (H3 ) lower than the second altitude, the at least one pipe comprises at least a first pipe and a second pipe, the first pipe placing the first reservoir and the third reservoir in fluid communication, the second pipe placing the second reservoir and the third reservoir in fluid communication, the electrical system pumping and turbining comprises a first electrical pumping and turbining device associated with the first pipe and the second pipe, the first device being configured to operate according to the energy storage mode by pumping water from the third reservoir, to the first reservoir and / or the second reservoir, and the energy recovery mode by water turbining, from the first reservoir and / or from the second reservoir, to the third reservoir.

Optionally but without limitation, the method comprises: providing at least a first, a second and a third reservoir, respectively placed at a first altitude (H1), a second altitude (H2) lower than the first altitude (H1), and at a third altitude (H3) lower than the second altitude (H2), the formation of at least a first pipe and a second pipe, the first pipe putting in fluid communication the first reservoir and the third reservoir, the second pipe putting in fluid communication with the second reservoir and the third reservoir, the supply, in the electric pumping and turbining system, of a first electric pumping and turbining device associated with the first pipe and with the second pipe, the first device being configured to operate in several modes including the mode of energy storage by pumping water from the third tank, to the premie r reservoir and / or the second reservoir, and the energy recovery mode by water turbines, from the first reservoir and / or the second reservoir, to the third reservoir.

Another aspect relates to an electrical system comprising a water projection installation, a set of electricity consuming equipment connected to the installation by a network. Preferably, the installation is configured to deliver, in the energy storage mode by water turbining, an electrical power corresponding to the electrical power consumed by the set of equipment in low season. This consumed power may for example be greater than 80% of an average power consumed in low season and / or less than 120% of this average power. This set of equipment can correspond to a mountain station. One potential benefit is to allow, at least part of the year, autonomous operation of the station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The aims, objects, as well as the characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment thereof which is illustrated by the following accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a water projection installation that can be transformed into an installation according to the invention. Figure 2 shows such a transformation.

Figure 3 illustrates an annual change in the electrical power consumed by a set of equipment, for example a mountain station.

Figures 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show characteristic operating curves of an example pump. Figure 5 shows a selection case for the use of a pump with variator and its power operating range.

FIG. 6A illustrates a first case of positioning the operating range of a pump relative to the admissible hydraulic power due to the configuration of the pipes. FIG. 6B illustrates another case of positioning the operating range, here more reduced, of a pump relative to the admissible hydraulic power due to the configuration of the pipes.

Figure 7 shows the operating ranges of a turbine with variator. The drawings are given by way of example and are not limiting of the invention.

They constitute schematic representations of principle intended to facilitate understanding of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Before starting a detailed review of embodiments of the invention, the following are optional features which may optionally be used in combination or alternatively: the pumping and turbining system comprises a controller configured for, in cooling mode energy storage:

• determine if the pumping power operating range of the first device is compatible with the input power (PV) to pump water to the first tank;

• determine if the pumping power operating range of the first device is compatible with the input power (PV) to pump water to the second tank;

• if the pumping power operating range is only compatible for pumping water to one of the first tank and the second tank, pump water to said one from the first tank and the second tank.

The controller is configured for, in energy storage mode:

• if the pumping power operating range of the first device is compatible for pumping water to both of the first tank and the second tank, pump water to that of the first tank and the second tank which allows a maximum value of the pumping output power of the first device.

The first device comprises at least one pump and / or at least one turbine associated with a power variator of said at least one pump and / or at least one turbine, said variator being configured to extend the power operating range of the at least one pump and / or at least one turbine.

The pumping and turbine system comprises at least one reversible pump forming a pump in energy storage mode and a turbine in energy destocking mode.

The first device includes a plurality of hydraulic pumps having different individual pumping power operating ranges, so as to form an extended pumping power operating range for the first device. The installation comprises a third pipe placing the first reservoir and the second reservoir in fluid communication, a second electrical pumping and turbine device associated with the third pipe, the second device being configured to operate in several modes comprising a storage mode of 'energy by pumping water from the second reservoir to the first reservoir and an energy destocking mode by water turbining, from the first reservoir to the second reservoir, and in which the photovoltaic electric energy generation system is configured to supply electrical energy, in the energy storage mode, to the second device.

The pumping and turbining system is configured to supply pressurized water to the water blasting device in a water blasting mode.

The installation is configured to deliver electrical power of less than one megawatt in the water storage energy recovery mode.

The installation proposed here benefits from pre-existing equipment intended to provide a projection of irrigation water, sprinkling or snow. This projection is understood to mean any device allowing the generation of a flow of snowflakes, any irrigation or any watering, which may be in the form of a jet, or even a mist.

It should be noted that energy storage and de-stocking installations employing reservoirs at different altitudes, sometimes called "STEP" (Station for the Transfer of Energy by Pumping) are usually of too large a capacity to be considered compatible with a water or snow projection installation; for example, “WWTP” pumps are usually much more powerful than those of a sprinkler system or snow cannons. Likewise, the pipes, generally in cast iron, used for traditional WWTPs do not make sense in the context of agricultural fields, golf courses, mountain snow installations, for which the pipes are often made of polymer material, such as small diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In addition, while the volumes of water displaced by the energy storage and destocking facilities by WWTPs are usually several million cubic meters per cycle, the reservoirs dedicated to the projection of water or snow are typically a few thousand cubic meters, generally a maximum of 100,000 m ³ .

In the context of the present invention, it is thus possible to implement means of more limited size than those usually known for WWTPs. For example, this may comprise at least one of the following parameters: pipes made of polymer material and / or of small diameter, in particular less than 600 mm; volume of reservoirs less than 100,000 m ³ , use of pumping and / or turbine devices with an electrical power less than 1 MW, electrical energy generation capacity less than 1 MW, maximum difference in level between two reservoirs connected by a pumping device and / or 250 m turbine; this difference in height is advantageously at least 30 m. An object of the invention is to provide a mixed installation, in the sense that it allows water spraying, but also energy storage and removal. An energy storage mode is implemented when water is moved from a reservoir located lower to a reservoir located higher in altitude. Conversely, an energy destocking mode is implemented by passing water from a reservoir located higher to a reservoir located lower in altitude.

Figure 1 provides an example of an installation used for spraying water that can be modified to serve as a mixed installation, adding functionality related to energy storage and de-storage. In the schematic representation illustrated, a first reservoir 1 is arranged at an altitude H1. It is associated with a first water projection device 41. Such a device 41 may comprise a snow cannon or any outlet making it possible to project water, in particular in a context of watering, for example with a nozzle. projection and a pipe upstream of the nozzle.

A device 11 is used to supply the device 41 with water. To this end, it may include at least one pump.

A second reservoir 2 is shown in a similar fashion and is placed at a second altitude H2 which is strictly lower than H1. Still similarly, a second water projection device 42 can produce snow or sprinkle water. In this context, a second device 12 is associated with the reservoir and with the device 42, and typically comprises at least one pump. The example given shows a third reservoir 3, a third water projection device 43 and a device 13, here called the first device 13. The third reservoir 3 is located at a third altitude H3 strictly lower than the second altitude H2. There is thus an arrangement of a plurality of reservoirs located at different altitudes which offers a difference in level making it possible to play on the potential energy of the water present in one or the other of these reservoirs to store or destocking energy by transferring this water between two reservoirs.

The representation of Figure 1 is in no way limiting. In particular, it is quite possible that only one or only two of the reservoirs 1, 2, 3 are equipped with a water projection device 41, 42, 43. In this context, it is also not no longer necessary for the three devices 11, 12, 13 to be present. Only one is sufficient, associated with at least one installation water projection device.

In some cases, the water projection installation may be pre-existing, for example in the context of mountain equipment for the production of artificial snow or for the watering of an area, such as a snow course. golf. We can therefore reuse part of the existing technical means to combine the function of energy storage and release. Thus, the initial configuration of the installation may vary depending on the application context.

By way of illustration, it is quite possible that the installation, before being made mixed, is equipped with pipes connecting at least some tanks.

For example, a tank can be larger in volume and serve as a primary storage point. The pipes are then intended to distribute the water as and when required in the other reservoirs.

Figure 2 provides an example of a mixed installation reusing tanks and other technical means having a water projection destination. In this context, there are the three reservoirs of FIG. 1, the three devices 11, 12, 13 as well as the three projection devices 41, 42, 43. In addition, the installation also comprises, at this stage, a first pipe 31 connecting the first device 13 to the first reservoir 1, so as to pump water from the third reservoir 3 towards the first reservoir 1. The flow of water in the pipe 31 can be conditioned by a valve, such as shown under the reference 311 in Figure 2.

Equivalently, a hydraulic connection exists between the second reservoir 2 and the first device 13 via a second pipe 32. The latter can also be equipped with a valve 312. It is understood that this assembly makes it possible to direct the water present. in the third tank 3 to at least one of the first tank 1 and the second tank 2, respectively via the pipes 31, 32. Advantageously, this pumping is carried out only to one among the first tank and the second tank 2, so that one of the valves 311, 312 is closed when the other is open. Optionally, a pipe 21 can connect the first tank 1 and the second tank 2, the second device 12 then being able to serve for pumping water towards the first tank 1. As previously, a valve can equip this pipe.

The invention does not make any assumption on the type of pipes used. However, these can be pipes of small diameter, so as to be compatible with pipes used for irrigation, watering or snow production. Typically, it is possible to use pipes made of polymer material, such as PVC and / or with pipe diameters of less than 600 mm.

It is understood that one can take advantage of the devices 11, 12, 13 to operate pumps used for the projection of water, in an energy storage context, by transferring water to a reservoir located at a higher altitude.

In addition or as an alternative, at least one other pump can be present in at least one of the devices 11, 12, 13 to perform the pumping function in energy storage mode. According to one possibility, at least one of the pumps present in at least one of the devices 11, 12, 13 is a reversible pump having the function of a turbine in an energy storage mode, by passing water through from a higher reservoir to a lower reservoir.

In addition or as an alternative, at least one of the devices 11, 12, 13 comprises at least one turbine, separate from the pump or pumps, to perform the turbine function in energy recovery mode.

All of these pumping and turbine means are here called an electrical pumping and turbine system. These means are optionally grouped together in a single device, for example the first device 13, but can also be distributed among several devices, such as the devices 11, 12, 13 shown. The system is electrical in the sense that the energy supplied to the pumps is electrical in nature and the energy supplied by the turbines is electrical in nature.

It is understood that the mode of energy storage in the reservoirs involves at least one source of electrical power. In this context, the installation comprises a system 53 for generating photovoltaic electrical energy. This system typically comprises at least one photovoltaic panel connected to a signal conversion circuit, for example to an inverter, serving to supply the electrical supply signal useful for the operation of at least part of the electrical pumping and turbine system, in pumping mode corresponding to energy storage. The electrical system can be centralized, for example near a device 11, 12, 13 or even be made in several parts distributed over the installation, for example near other devices 11, 12, 13.

FIG. 2 also shows diagrammatically the capacity for delivering electrical energy in destocking mode, this energy being able to be recovered by an electrical energy delivery circuit 6 and delivered to an electrical network 7. The latter network is for example itself connected to a larger electrical network, such as a national electrical network and / or can be used to supply a plurality of electrical equipment, such as for example the electrical equipment of a mountain station or a golf club. Of course, the photovoltaic electric energy generation system 53 can be linked, directly or indirectly, with the delivery circuit 6 and / or with the network 7 to supply electric energy to this network in addition to or as an alternative to the supply of electrical energy to the electrical pumping and turbine system. FIG. 3 shows an example of the use of the electrical energy coming from the photovoltaic system 53. In this context, we recall the example of a mountain station for which the consumption of all the electrical equipment represents a maximum power. evolving as represented on the graph, over a rolling year. During a certain period, the equipment consumes little and represents a maximum power corresponding to a P-heel value. This typically corresponds to low season consumption. During the rest of the time, the electrical equipment consumes more and represents a maximum power corresponding to a P-average-SEASON value. This power may for example be at least five times, or even at least ten times greater than the P-heel power. This difference can be explained by the number of occupants of the resort, the consumption of ski lifts, restaurants, snow cannons, etc.

In this context, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the P-heel value is used as a reference for the sizing of the turbine power and therefore of the energy required for the turbine to operate all night. The PV power is determined, generally much greater than Ptalon (to cover P heel during the day, while having enough surplus for the turbine to cover Ptalon in the evening).

In season, consumption is considered far too high for all of the energy to be supplied by photovoltaic panels. On the other hand, in the low season, one can seek to maximize the self-production of the station, thanks to the invention.

It should also be noted that the operation in storage and release of energy can be carried out at periods complementary to those of the water projection. For example, for a mountain resort, self-production will be maximized out of season, that is to say during a period during which the production of artificial snow is non-existent. Thus, in particular, pumps can be used for water projection in high season, and for energy storage and de-stocking, in low season.

Returning to the graph of Figure 3, the photovoltaic electric power generation system can be configured to be able to supply excess power relative to the needs of the station's electrical equipment, or at least at certain times. For example, if the needs of the station's equipment do not reach the power that the photovoltaic system can reach, a residual part of the photovoltaic electric energy can be exploited for storage, through the reservoirs. This is what Figure 3 shows, with phases where the P-heel power is greater than the power consumed by the station, the delta freeing up energy storage capacity. Voluntarily, the photovoltaic system is advantageously oversized compared to P-heel (for example at least 200% of P-heel, or even at least 300%) so as to be able to respond to P-heel during the day, but also to store the surplus via the reservoirs and the electrical pumping and turbine system.

This storage is useful, in particular for, in turn, recovering energy in phases where the photovoltaic system is not able to meet the needs for power supply. Typically the case when there is insufficient or no lighting, especially at night. This can also be the case during occasional peaks in consumption.

An example of the operation of the installation in an energy storage mode is presented below. As indicated previously, this phase of operation takes place by using water pumping generating potential energy, the water being pumped from a reservoir located lower to a reservoir located more high in altitude. For example, returning to the case of FIG. 2, this pumping can be carried out from the third reservoir 3 to one and / or the other of the first and second reservoirs 1, 2.

The advantage of having at least three tanks and pumping capacity from the third tank to the other two is that it offers significant flexibility in operation. In particular, the installation can adapt to different power levels available for energy storage, provided by the photovoltaic electric power generation system.

For example, if the electrical power required for a pump of the first device 13 to pump water towards the first tank 1 is greater than the available power from the photovoltaic system, it is possible that the power required for pumping from the third tank 3 to second tank 2 can be supplied by the photovoltaic system. In this case, the water will be stored in the tank which allows it. It is also possible that the storage can be operated in the direction of several reservoirs, and for example toward reservoirs 1, 2. In this case, we will preferably choose pumping to the reservoir offering the highest potential energy. In particular, the pumping means will be used as a priority towards the reservoir for which the means provide the maximum pumping power (hydraulic power). This hydraulic power can be determined by calculating the product of the electrical power supply available for the pump and the efficiency of the entire pumping chain (pressure drops in the pipes included).

Of course, if it is no longer possible to pump to this reservoir and / or at this power level, the storage is directed to another operating mode, employing another destination reservoir and / or another pump.

To carry out these determinations and these arbitrations, the pumping and turbine system advantageously comprises a controller. The latter may include structural IT resources and software; it may be at least one microprocessor, at least one memory, preferably partly non-volatile, and at least one computer program having instructions for carrying out the determination and control phases useful in pumping and turbine system.

With reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D, an example of data that can be used to determine the operating ranges of at least one pump is provided, in the example for integration into the device 13. This information can come from data supplied by the manufacturer of the pump.

Thus, FIG. 4A represents a curve relating the total manometric head values denoted HMT (reflecting a relative pressure between two altitudes; here, H1-H3 and H2-H3) corresponding to the difference in altitude between two reservoirs considered, and flow values in the storage phase, in the pipes (here, the value Q_3_1 reflects the flow rate in the pipe 31 and the value Q_3_2 reflects the flow rate in the pipe 32).

FIG. 4B provides a relation between the flow rate, which can be determined by the previous graph, and the corresponding hydraulic power, here respectively P_3_1 and P_3_2.

Figure 4C reflects the variation in the efficiency of a pump as a function of the flow rate, in the case of a pump with a valve, in laminar operation.

Finally, FIG. 4D makes it possible to follow the evolution of the power consumed by the pump according to the HMT value.

For example, by considering these characteristic curves corresponding to a pump P3 present in the first device 13, and the following assumptions:

H1 - H2 = 150m

H2 - H3 = 90m pump P3 can operate and supply tank 1 with a flow rate Q_3_1 and a power P3_1. P3 can also operate and supply tank 2 with a flow rate Q_3_2 and a power P3_2. Under these conditions, we will choose to feed one of the two possible reservoirs, preferably on the basis of a criterion for optimizing the useful (hydraulic) power of the pump. It is also possible to extend the operating selection capacity of one of the devices 11, 12, 13, as a function of the power available from the photovoltaic system and as a function of the pumping efficiency offered to each of the possible reservoirs in using additional pumps, preferably having different operating characteristics. The possible operating points are thus increased.

In addition, or as an alternative, at least one of the pumps can be fitted with a power variator.

Figure 5 is in this context. In fact, towards each of the reservoirs, 2, there is no longer a single operating point but, for each reservoir, a range of continuous operation corresponding to a range of percentages of the nominal power (P_3_1 and P_3_2).

In this example, the drive allows working between 60% and 100% of P_3_1 to tank 1 from tank 3 and 30% to 100% of P_3_2 to tank 2 from tank 3.

Advantageously, from the characteristic curves of the pump under nominal conditions, the operating conditions for each operating point (H MT, power) resulting from a variation in the operating speed of the pump using the variator are deduced. As indicated above, a nonlimiting advantage of the invention is to take advantage of the existing pipes of a water projection installation for the energy storage and destocking phases. In this context, considering that these pipes will rarely initially be configured for such an energy operating mode, it is possible to set, depending on the nature of the pipes, a maximum operating flow rate of the pump. In this way, too high a flow rate is avoided, which endangers the operation of the pump and creates significant pressure drops. For example, we could set a maximum flow speed in a pipe of this type at 2 m / s.

Under these conditions, we can find a maximum flow rate for the first pipe and for the second pipe defined by the product of the maximum flow speed allowed by the section of the pipe, depending on its diameter. A maximum admissible power is then deduced therefrom for each pipe which may possibly be less than the maximum operating power of the pump as such. In this case, the pumping power operating range of the device may or may not be less than the full operating range of the pump.

Thus, in the case of FIG. 6A, the maximum powers theoretically offered by the pump P3 to tank 1 and to tank 2 (P_3_1 and P_3_2) are lower than the maximum powers admissible by the pipes, respectively P_diam-MAX_1_3 and P_diam- MAX_2_3). In such a context, the useful operating range of the pump is not limited, both in the direction of the first tank 1 and in the direction of the second tank 2.

On the contrary, in the illustration of FIG. 6B, the pipe 32 is not able to withstand the maximum possible operating power of the pump P3 of the device 13. In fact, the value P_diam-MAX_2_3 is less than the value y. value P_3_2. In this case, the pumping power operating range of the first device 13 in the direction of the reservoir 2 will not include the values between P_diam-MAX_2_3 and P_3_2.

Thanks to this refinement, the invention can be implemented with pipes offering low flow rates, without negatively impacting the operation of the pump in question.

It will be noted that, in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, the operating ranges corresponding to pumping towards the two upper reservoirs overlap, which reveals that the pump in question can be used for storage in the direction of the two reservoirs. This solution is not exclusive and, in other situations, a pump may only allow operation towards a single reservoir. In this case, a plurality of additional pumps should be used.

Preferably, the controller provides control taking into account at least some, and advantageously, all of the parameters indicated above. When the power delivered by the photovoltaic system is less than the power demanded by the station's electrical equipment (or any other set of equipment forming a local network), all of the photovoltaic energy is absorbed by the station. Optionally, if the power delivered by the photovoltaic system is insufficient, a de-stocking of energy, from reservoirs, can be operated to supplement it. Operation in energy de-stocking mode will be detailed later.

On the other hand, if the power of the photovoltaic system is greater than the power useful for all the station's electrical equipment (i.e. typically greater than the P-heel power), there is a residual power which can be used for energy storage.

In this context, the installation will operate in storage mode.

The controller will then determine the most appropriate operation in this mode, i.e. which tank is the best candidate to receive water and the best placement in the power operating range of the pump considered. The selection of the best tank used can also take into account a water level parameter. Thus, the pumping to a reservoir can be conditioned so as not to exceed a maximum level of the latter. It is also possible to condition the pumping from a reservoir so as not to break down a minimum filling threshold of the latter. For example, we will continue to pump tank 3 up to a level minimal prefixed. Optionally, this minimum level can be linked to a volume of water necessary for the use in water projection.

Of course, the example given above with three reservoirs and pumping from the lowest to the other two, via a single pump, can be refined by implementing pumping from and / or to other reservoirs. and / or with other pumps.

The rising water during the storage phases subsequently makes it possible to recover electrical energy by lowering it, while operating a turbine.

In this context, the electrical pumping and turbine system comprises at least one turbine in at least one device, and for example in the first device 13. According to one possibility, the turbine is separate from the pump (s). Alternatively, at least one of the pumps is reversible and is used as a turbine during turbining.

As before, the invention can implement a plurality of turbines, advantageously having different characteristics, so as to enrich the power operating range in the turbine mode.

Optionally, in energy destocking mode, the turbining can take place at constant electric power delivered, preferably corresponding to the P-heel power. This is especially the case when there is no dimmer. If a drive is present, it is the consumption profile, and in particular the variation in consumption around the P_talon value, which will make it possible to decide on the most appropriate turbine control.

The operation of, or, the turbines and the choice of the pipe to be used for the turbines will therefore be determined to offer the most efficient conditions for supplying this electrical power to be delivered to the network.

Figure 7 provides an example of the operating range of a turbine, formed by a reversible pump P3, either from the first reservoir to the third, or from the second reservoir to the third. In the case of the three preceding figures, the turbine includes a power variator making it possible to establish, from each of the tanks 1 and 2, continuous intervals of potential operating points. In this example, part of the operating range in turbine operation from tank 2 is excluded with the assumption that this would correspond to a turbine speed incompatible with the pipeline.

As in the examples of the three previous figures in pumping, the operating ranges for the two reservoirs overlap in this example, purely indicative. This means that the turbining can be done from either tank.

In a way equivalent to the explanations given with regard to pumping, we can choose to start with a turbine from the reservoir for which the turbine is the most efficient, that is to say which uses the least possible hydraulic energy to provide the setpoint output power, in particular P-heel. This will be the turbine offering the best efficiency to reach this setpoint, within the operating range.

As with the pumping mode, if it is no longer possible to use water from the optimal tank, we continue by emptying another tank, in decreasing order of turbine efficiency.

According to one possibility, a minimum water level is assigned to each tank and the operation is conditioned at this level. Thus, one can maintain a sufficient water level for the water spray application in each tank that is dedicated to such use. Alternatively, we arrange for the pumping or turbine operations to be carried out so as to achieve a water level in each tank equivalent to that existing the day before at the same time. This configuration allows diurnal cycles cyclically replacing the installation in the same configuration of water volume in the tanks. According to one possibility, the entire electrical pumping and turbine system used for the energy storage and de-stocking modes employs means also assigned to the projection of water. For example, the first device 13 may comprise a reversible pump used either for the projection of water, or for the storage of water release between the reservoirs. An alternative situation is possible, namely that the pumping and turbine means used for the storage mode and the energy release mode can be distinct from the pumps used for the water projection. An intermediate situation is also possible, namely that certain pumping means of the water projection device are reused for energy storage but other means are added, in particular to extend the operating range of the installation. or again to equip with pumping and turbining means reservoirs which were not linked to a water projection device.

With regard to pipelines, the situation is similar. It is thus possible to reuse all of the pipes already present in the installation, or even to create them completely for the functionality of storage and destocking of energy, or supplementing existing pipes with other pipes. It will be noted that a pipe is understood to mean a line of fluid communication between two reservoirs and that this pipe may itself comprise several conduits or pipes, extending as parallel parts of the pipe.

We understand that the use in water projection and that in energy storage and destocking operate in synergy.

Operation is highly predictable, especially in the amount of energy and power that can be delivered at any time. This configuration is very complementary to the use of photovoltaic panels, whose energy capacity is variable. For example, we can guarantee the supply of a certain level of power or energy in specific time slots.

On the other hand, the invention makes it possible to limit, or even eliminate, the losses of excess electricity production from photovoltaic panels, this excess being reused for storage

The installation according to the invention allows decentralized electricity production capable of reducing line losses. In particular, it is possible to supply a set of equipment located nearby. The use of rotating machines, especially at night when turbines at constant power, offer great inertia. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and extends to all the embodiments covered by the claims.

Claims

1. Installation for spraying water in the form of snow or in liquid form, comprising: at least two tanks (1, 2, 3) placed at different altitudes; associated with at least one of the reservoirs (1, 2, 3), a device for spraying water (41, 42, 43) in the form of snow or in liquid form and configured to allow the projection of artificial snow, irrigation or watering; characterized in that it further comprises: at least one pipe placing two of the reservoirs (1, 2, 3) in fluid communication; an electrical pumping and turbine system configured to operate in several modes comprising a mode of energy storage by pumping water from one of the reservoirs (1, 2, 3), to another, of higher altitude, of the reservoirs (1, 2, 3), and a method of de-stocking energy by water turbining, from one of the reservoirs (1, 2, 3), to another, at a lower altitude, from the reservoirs (1, 2, 3), a photovoltaic electric power generation system (53), configured to supply electric power, with input electric power, to the electric pumping and turbine system, in the energy storage mode , an electric energy delivery circuit (6) connected to the electric pumping and turbine system, configured to deliver electric energy, with an output electric power, in the energy de-storage mode.

2. Installation according to the preceding claim, wherein: the reservoirs comprise at least a first, a second and a third reservoir (1, 2, 3), respectively placed at a first altitude (H1), at a second altitude (H2) below the first altitude, and at a third altitude (H3) below the second altitude, installation in which: the at least one pipe comprises at least a first pipe (31) and a second pipe (32), the first pipe (31) putting in fluid communication the first reservoir (1) and the third reservoir (3), the second pipe (32) putting the second reservoir (2) and the third reservoir (3) in fluid communication, the electrical pumping and turbining system comprises a first electrical pumping and turbining device (13) associated with the first pipe (31) and with the second pipe (32), the first device (13) being configured to operate according to the energy storage mode by pumping water from the third tank (3), to the first reservoir (1) and / or the second reservoir (2), and the energy recovery mode by water turbining, from the first reservoir (1) and / or from the second reservoir (2), to the third reservoir (3) ).

3. Installation according to the preceding claim, wherein the pumping and turbining system comprises a controller configured to, in energy storage mode: determine whether the operating range in pumping power of the first device (13) is compatible with the input power to pump water to the first tank (1); determining if the pumping power operating range of the first device (13) is compatible with the input power to pump water to the second tank (2); if the pumping power operating range is only compatible for pumping water to one of the first reservoir (1) and the second reservoir (2), pumping water to said one among the first tank (1) and the second tank (2).

4. Installation according to the preceding claim, wherein the controller is configured for, in energy storage mode: if the pumping power operating range of the first device (13) is compatible for pumping water to the two from among the first reservoir (1) and the second reservoir (2), pumping water to that among the first reservoir (1) and the second reservoir (2) which allows a maximum value of the pumping output power of the first device (13).

5. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrical pumping and turbine system comprises at least one pump and / or at least one turbine, and a power controller of said at least one. pump and / or at least one turbine, said variator being configured to extend the power operating range of at least one pump and / or at least one turbine.

6. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the pumping and turbine system comprises at least one reversible pump forming a pump in energy storage mode and a turbine in energy destocking mode.

7. Installation according to any one of claims 2 to 4, alone or in combination with any one of claims 5 or 6, wherein the first device (13) comprises a plurality of hydraulic pumps having individual operating ranges in different pumping power, so as to form an extended pumping power operating range for the first device.

8. Installation according to any one of claims 2 to 4 or 7, alone or in combination with any one of claims 5 or 6, comprising a third pipe (21) putting in fluid communication the first reservoir (1) and the second reservoir (2), a second electrical pumping and turbine device (12) associated with the third pipe (21), the second device (12) being configured to operate in several modes including a pumping energy storage mode water from the second tank (2) to the first tank (1) and a method of de-stocking energy by water turbining, from the first tank (1) to the second tank (2), and in which the Photovoltaic electric power generation (53) is configured to supply electric power, in the energy storage mode, to the second device (12).

9. Installation according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pumping and turbine system is configured to supply pressurized water to the water projection device (41, 42, 43) in a water projection mode. .

10. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to deliver an electrical power of less than one megawatt in the water storage energy recovery mode.

11. Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the tanks (1, 2, 3) each have a volume of less than 100,000 m ³ .

12. A method of spraying water in the form of snow or in liquid form configured to allow spraying of artificial snow, irrigation or watering and storage and release of energy, comprising: the provision of at least two tanks (1, 2, 3) placed at different altitudes; the provision of a device for spraying water (41, 42, 43) in the form of snow or in liquid form associated with at least one of the reservoirs (1, 2, 3), a fluid communication of at least two of the reservoirs by at least one pipeline; the provision of an electrical pumping and turbine system configured to operate in several modes including a mode of energy storage by pumping water from one of the reservoirs (1, 2, 3), to another, from higher altitude, reservoirs (1, 2, 3), and a method of destocking energy by water turbining, from one of the reservoirs (1, 2, 3), to another, at a lower altitude, reservoirs (1, 2, 3), an electric power supply, with input electric power, to the electric pumping and turbine system, in the mode of energy storage by means of a generation system photovoltaic electric power (53), a supply of electric energy by the electric pumping and turbine system, configured to deliver electric energy, with an output electric power, in the energy de-stock mode.

13. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising: providing at least a first, a second and a third reservoir (1, 2, 3), respectively placed at a first altitude (H1), a second altitude (H2) lower. at the first altitude (H1), and at a third altitude (H3) lower than the second altitude (H2), the formation of at least a first pipe (31) and a second pipe (32), the first pipe (31 ) putting in fluid communication the first tank (1) and the third tank (3), the second pipe (32) putting in fluid communication the second tank (2) and the third tank (3), the supply, in the electrical system pumping and turbining, a first electrical pumping and turbine device associated with the first pipe (31) and the second pipe (32), the first device being configured to operate in several modes including the storage mode d energy pa r pumping water from third reservoir (3), towards the first reservoir (1) and / or the second reservoir (2), and the energy storage mode by water turbining, of the first reservoir (1) and / or of the second reservoir ( 2), to the third tank (3).

14. Method according to the preceding claim, comprising a control of the pumping and turbine system, in energy storage mode, to: determine whether the operating range in pumping power of the first device (13) is compatible with the power. inlet for pumping water to the first tank (1); determining if the pumping power operating range of the first device (13) is compatible with the input power to pump water to the second tank (2); if the pumping power operating range is only compatible for pumping water to one of the first reservoir (1) and the second reservoir (2), pumping water to said one among the first tank (1) and the second tank (2).

15. The method of the preceding claim, wherein the control is configured for, in energy storage mode: if the pumping power operating range of the first electrical device (13) is compatible for pumping water to the two from the first tank (1) and the second tank (2), pump water to the one from the first tank (1) and the second tank (2) which allows a maximum pumping output power value of the first device (13).

16. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, comprising, in energy recovery mode, setting a minimum value of water volume in at least one reservoir among the first, second and third reservoirs ( 1, 2, 3), and the conditioning of a turbine from said reservoir to a water level, stored in said reservoir, greater than the minimum value.

17. Method according to one of the three preceding claims, wherein, in destocking mode, if a turbine is possible from the first tank (1) and the second tank (2), we start with a turbine from that among the first reservoir (1) and the second reservoir (2) which allows, in energy storage mode, a maximum value in turbine power of the first device (13).