EP4328444A1 - Hydropower system and method for operating a hydropower system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a hydroelectric power plant (100) and a method for operating a hydroelectric power plant (100). The hydropower plant (100) comprises at least three buffer stores (120), each of which has a closure element (122) to the upper water (2) and a closure element (124) to the downstream water (4) as well as a storage area (128), at least one generator module ( 170), as well as a regulating and/or control device (180). The buffer stores (120) and the generator module (170) are fluidly connected via at least two collecting lines (110, 112). During normal operation, at least one of the at least three buffer stores (120) is in a first phase at all times, in which it is open to the upstream water (2). At the same time, at least one other of the at least three buffer stores (120) is in a second phase in which it is open to the underwater (4). At least a third of the at least three buffers (120) is in the first or second phase or in a transition between the phases.

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to a hydroelectric power plant and a method for operating a hydroelectric power plant.

Current waters such as rivers have limited passage for organisms or sediments due to cross structures such as dams.

It is known to create fishways around the transverse structure, which hinders continuity. Such bypass options are available in different designs, for example as slot passes, bypass channels or natural basin passages.

From the EP 3156546 A1 A fish lock is known for overcoming height differences in such waters in order to enable organisms to migrate in both directions. The fish lock consists of two chambers that are equipped with closure devices for the upper and lower water. The closure elements are controlled in such a way that one chamber is always open to the upper water and the other chamber to the lower water. After a time interval has elapsed or after the number of organisms in the chambers, the closure organs are activated again, so that the chamber that was previously open to the upper water is now open to the lower water and the second chamber to the upper water.

To attract the organisms, a lure current is provided that enters from the upper water, leads through a channel and then exits into the downstream water. There is a generator drive in the channel, which provides electrical energy or limits the flow.

Disclosure of the invention

One object of the invention is to provide a hydroelectric power plant that enables organisms and/or sediment to pass through the water during continuous operation or at least quasi-continuous operation of a generator.

Another task is to provide a method for operating such a hydroelectric power plant.

The tasks are solved by the features of the independent claims. Favorable refinements and advantages of the invention result from the further claims, the description and the drawing.

A hydroelectric power plant is proposed which is designed to be located in a body of water with a gradient in a direction of gravity between the upper water and the lower water of the body of water. The hydroelectric power plant includes at least three intermediate storage facilities, each of which has a closure element to the upstream water and a closure element to the downstream water as well as a storage area. The hydroelectric power plant further comprises at least one generator module, which has a working chamber in which a drive of a generator is arranged. The hydropower plant also includes a regulating and/or control device for, in particular cyclically, opening one of the closure elements and closing the other of the closure elements of each of the buffer stores.

The intermediate storage and the generator module are fluidly connected via at least two manifolds. One of the collecting pipes supplies water to the working chamber from the headwater. The other of the collecting pipes drains water from the working chamber to the underwater.

In normal operation, at least one of the at least three buffer stores is in a first phase at all times, in which this at least one buffer store is opened to the upper water and one of the collecting lines between this buffer store and the generator module is activated. At the same time, at least one other of the at least three buffers is in a second phase, in which this at least one buffer is opened to the underwater and one of the collecting lines between the generator module and that buffer is activated, while at least a third of the at least three buffers is in the first or in the second phase or in a transition between the phases.

The regulating and/or control device is set up to cyclically switch the at least three buffers between the two phases and to adapt the power of the generator module accordingly so that a critical flow velocity is not exceeded.

The storage area of the buffer store is advantageously used for the temporary storage of aquatic organisms and/or aquatic sediment that enters the buffer store from the upper water or from the downstream water through opened closure elements. Because there is always a flow path between the upper water and the lower water through the generator module, the generator can be operated continuously or at least quasi-continuously, especially for a short time with reduced power.

At the same time, however, aquatic organisms can always enter from the upper water and be released into the lower water when the closure element of the respective intermediate storage is open, or vice versa. Conveniently, at least one valve is provided between the storage area of the respective buffer store and the manifolds, which can be designed, for example, as a check valve.

A large number of buffers can be provided. If there are sufficient numbers, the generator can be operated continuously. An interruption in operation can be avoided. Advantageously, the buffers can be arranged parallel to one another with their longitudinal extent between the closure elements on the upstream and downstream sides.

The collecting lines can advantageously comprise segments of the buffer, which can be formed by an area of the buffer between the storage area and at least one or more openings in a side wall of the respective buffer. If the intermediate stores are arranged next to one another, in particular parallel to one another, in such a way that the openings of adjacent intermediate stores overlap, in this case the collecting lines are formed which extend transversely to the longitudinal extent of the intermediate stores. If a buffer is arranged between further buffers or a buffer and, for example, the generator module, this buffer has corresponding openings on both side walls. A buffer as an end piece expediently has openings only on one side wall, or is otherwise closed at the free end.

Conveniently, the respective area can be separated from the storage area with at least one shielding arrangement. The shielding arrangement ensures that no organisms or sediment can enter the manifolds.

One manifold forms an inlet manifold for water to the respective working chamber. At the same time, this inlet manifold forms an outflow manifold for the respective buffer stores, whereby the water from the buffer stores can be fed to the respective working chamber. The other collecting line forms a drain collecting line for water that is discharged from the respective working chamber. At the same time, this drain manifold forms an inlet manifold for the respective buffer stores, with the water from the working chamber being fed to the respective buffer stores. Here, the inlet manifold to the working chamber can be arranged in the direction of gravity above the outlet manifold from the working chamber. Alternatively, the inlet manifold to the working chamber can be arranged at the same height as the outlet manifold from the working chamber. Advantageously, water can flow through the working space in the preferred direction; here the preferred direction is aligned so that the water reliably drives a generator in the working space.

The collecting lines can advantageously be provided with valves, in particular check valves, on the side of the respective buffer store. The valves can advantageously be arranged between the shielding arrangement and the breakthrough. The closure elements of a buffer and the two valves for the two manifolds form a switching group.

The flow rate of the water in the manifold to the working chamber is advantageously dependent on the number of buffers in the first phase. This allows the flow speed of the water in the manifold to the working chamber and the power of the generator coupled to the corresponding generator module to be easily adjusted as required.

The flow speed of the water in the respective storage areas of the intermediate storage does not change. Advantageously, different flow velocities of the water can prevail in the buffer stores and the collecting line to the working chamber.

As a result, if a plurality of buffer stores are operated, the further parallelization of the closure elements and any valves, in particular check valves, in the buffer stores allows an optimized flow speed for the generator on the one hand and the respective storage area of the buffer store, which provides the passage path for the organisms that have reached the storage area formed by the buffer, can be optimized independently of each other.

The flow speed of the water in the intermediate storage can therefore be favorably adapted to the survival conditions of existing aquatic organisms.

The flow speed of the water in the manifold to the working chamber can be adapted to the currently required power of the generator.

If at least three of the buffers are connected to the same generator module, continuous operation of the generator can be achieved. At least two intermediate storage devices establish a connection between the working chamber of the generator module and the downstream or upstream water at any time via appropriate manifolds.

A drive of the generator, which protrudes into the working chamber of the generator module, can absorb energy via the water flow through the working chamber. The drive can be a turbine or a propeller, in particular with rotating and/or adjustable blades. The direction of rotation of the drive and thus the generator remains the same.

A constant flow direction in the working chamber can be achieved thanks to the collecting lines and the presence of at least three intermediate stores. The flow rate in the manifolds depends on the number of coupled buffer stores. Through the manifolds and the closure elements of the intermediate storage, the working chamber can be divided into two flow paths, which are then only flowed through in one preferred direction. Additional parallel paths of the valve groups, in particular check valves, in the buffer stores or before or after the manifolds allow continuous operation. Further conversion into electrical energy corresponds to the state of the art.

The inflow of living beings into the working chamber can expediently be prevented using a shielding arrangement, such as a fine screen, a net, a grid or the like. The flow rate through the shielding arrangement can advantageously be below a critical value when water flows towards the working chamber. The total area of the shielding arrangement can be chosen to be at least so large that the cross section through which flow corresponds to that of the inlet pipe into the intermediate storage.

According to a favorable embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant, a valve, in particular a check valve, can be arranged between the storage area and the collecting line. The valve can advantageously prevent a backflow of water against the intended flow direction. This makes it possible, for example, to effectively prevent a backflow from the collecting line into one of the storage areas. Furthermore, the valve can simply be opened by a flow of water in the intended flow direction without any further technical elements such as sensors.

According to a favorable embodiment of the hydropower plant, the storage area can be formed between the closure elements and separated from the collecting lines with at least one water-permeable shielding arrangement, which shields aquatic organisms and / or aquatic sediment from the at least one working chamber.

Advantageously, aquatic organisms can stay safely in the storage area and the at least one shielding arrangement can effectively prevent aquatic organisms from getting into the collecting lines and working chambers that are dangerous for them. Furthermore, the sediment can be transported through the storage area, so that the transport of sediment downstream, as occurs in natural waters, can also be made possible despite the hydroelectric power plant. The at least one shielding arrangement can prevent sediments from getting into the manifolds and/or working chambers, settling there and/or clogging the manifolds.

Furthermore, the at least one shielding arrangement can prevent sediments from damaging the generator in the respective working chamber. Furthermore, cleaning of the collecting lines and/or the working chambers can be omitted or a cleaning interval can be extended if sediments do not get into the collecting lines and/or working chambers.

According to a favorable embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant, a common shielding arrangement for two valves, in particular check valves, at least one of the buffer stores can be present, in particular when the manifolds connected or connectable to the upstream and downstream water are arranged at the same height.

Advantageously, costs for additional shielding arrangements can be saved. In addition, the shielding device can be cleaned by alternating the flow direction. Furthermore, the net or the fine screen can have a correspondingly large area, so that the development of a critical flow speed for the aquatic organisms in the direction of the shielding arrangement can be made more difficult.

Furthermore, one shielding arrangement can be used to prevent aquatic organisms from flowing out of the storage area through the valves, in particular check valves. Furthermore, the shielding arrangement can prevent sediments from the storage area from flowing through the valves.

According to an alternative embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant, a separate shielding arrangement can be present for each valve, in particular check valve, at least one of the buffers, in particular when the manifolds connected or connectable to the upstream and downstream water are arranged with a height offset. Advantageously, by assigning a shielding arrangement to a valve, it is possible to prevent aquatic organisms from flowing or swimming from the storage area through the corresponding valve without any design effort. Furthermore, the respective shielding arrangement can prevent sediments from flowing from the storage area through the respective valves, in particular check valves.

According to a favorable design of the hydropower plant, the valves can include passive flaps, which can be opened or closed by water pressure. This type of valve can advantageously be obtained easily and inexpensively in different designs. Furthermore, their maintenance effort is low.

According to a favorable embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant, the collecting lines can be arranged transversely to the buffers, in particular by the segments of joined buffers separated from the storage area of the respective buffer by means of at least one shielding device, if the openings in the respective side walls are placed congruently overlapping. This arrangement enables the manifolds to be implemented in a way that saves installation space and building materials. Furthermore, the hydroelectric power plant can be easily expanded with such a structure if the width of the corresponding body of water allows this.

According to a favorable embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant, a shut-off module, such as a shelter module, can be arranged between the buffer storage adjacent to the generator module and the generator module, which has closure elements for shutting off and releasing the manifolds. Advantageously, the closure elements of the shut-off module assigned to a generator module can have a shut-off state, which prevents water from flowing into or out of the generator module. This advantageously enables maintenance of the corresponding generator module and/or the connected manifolds and/or intermediate storage. The closure elements can have the releasing state during normal operation.

According to a favorable embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant, the intermediate storage can be designed in the same way with a closure element to the upper water, a closure element to the underwater, a storage area between the closure elements, and two openings in at least one side wall. Advantageously, with a similar design of the intermediate storage, a construction of the hydroelectric power plant and/or an expansion of a hydroelectric power plant and/or an upgrade of a hydroelectric power plant with intermediate storage can be facilitated. If a buffer is arranged between further buffers or a buffer and, for example, the generator module, this buffer can have corresponding openings on both side walls. A buffer as an end piece can expediently have openings only on one side wall, or is otherwise closed at the free end or its free side wall.

According to a favorable design of the hydroelectric power plant, the buffer stores can each have a supply line at their inlet, which protrudes from the shut-off element to the headwater. This has the advantage that the hydropower plant can be operated in a manner adapted to different total head heights.

According to a favorable embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant, the at least one generator module can be arranged between a plurality of buffer stores. This makes possible, for example, an operation in which the pressure drop in the manifolds can be reduced or even minimized by an alternating distribution of the operating phases along the manifolds. The changes to a different phase can be staggered so that continuous operation is possible.

Other distributions of the phases are also conceivable. Through the manifolds, a flow of the generator module in the preferred direction is possible regardless of the arrangement of the buffer stores and regardless of the distribution of the phases in which the respective buffer stores are.

In an alternative embodiment of the hydropower plant, the generator module can be arranged on one side of a plurality of buffer stores. Through the manifolds, a flow of the generator module in the preferred direction is possible regardless of the arrangement of the buffer stores and regardless of the distribution of the phases in which the respective buffer stores are. This means that continuous operation is possible even with a one-sided arrangement of the buffers.

According to a favorable embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant, at least two generator modules can be coupled to a plurality of buffer stores. This allows the performance of the hydroelectric power plant to be increased. Furthermore, operation can be enabled even if one of the generator modules is defective or is being serviced. The reliability of the hydroelectric power plant can be advantageously increased by additional generator modules. Furthermore, this approach makes it possible to easily standardize the system, since the number and/or size of the buffer storage and the generator modules can be optimized independently of one another.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method for operating a hydroelectric power plant is proposed, wherein a regulating and/or control device operates at least three buffer stores, each of which has a closure element to the upper water and a closure element to the underwater as well as a storage area. In normal operation, at least one of the at least three buffer stores is kept open to the upper water at any time in a first phase and water flows via a collecting line between this buffer and generator module. At the same time, at least one other of the at least three buffer stores is kept open to the underwater in a second phase and water flows via a collecting line between the generator module and that buffer store, while the third of the at least three buffer stores is kept open in the first or second phase or carries out a transition between the phases becomes.

The regulating and/or control device cyclically switches the at least three buffers between the two phases.

Advantageously, aquatic organisms and/or aquatic sediment are temporarily stored in the storage area of the buffer, which reach the buffer from the upper water or from the downstream through opened closure elements. Because there is always a flow path between the upper water and the lower water through the generator module, the generator can be operated continuously or at least quasi-continuously, especially for a short time with reduced power. At the same time, however, aquatic organisms can always enter from the upper water and be released into the lower water when the closure element of the respective intermediate storage is open, or vice versa.

One manifold can form an inlet manifold for water from the respective intermediate storage. The other collecting line can form a drain collecting line for water that is discharged from the respective intermediate storage.

The collecting lines can advantageously be provided with valves, in particular check valves, on the side of the respective buffer store. The closure elements of a buffer and the two valves for the manifolds form a switching group.

The flow rate of the water in the manifold to the working chamber is advantageously dependent on the number of buffers in the first phase. This allows the flow speed of the water in the manifold to the working chamber and the power of the generator coupled to the corresponding generator module to be easily adjusted as required. The flow speed of the water in the respective storage areas of the intermediate storage does not change. Advantageously, different flow velocities of the water can prevail in the buffer stores and the collecting line to the working chamber.

As a result, if a plurality of buffer stores are operated, the further parallelization of the closure elements and any valves, in particular check valves, in the buffer stores allows an optimized flow speed for the generator on the one hand and the respective storage area of the buffer store, which provides the passage path for the organisms that have reached the storage area formed by the buffer, can be optimized independently of each other.

The flow speed of the water in the intermediate storage can therefore be adapted favorably to the survival conditions of existing aquatic organisms.

The flow speed of the water in the manifold to the working chamber can be adjusted to the currently required power of the generator.

If at least three of the buffers are connected to the same generator module, continuous operation of the generator can be achieved. At least two intermediate storage devices establish a connection between the working chamber of the generator module and the downstream or upstream water at any time via appropriate manifolds.

A drive of the generator, which protrudes into the working chamber of the generator module, can absorb energy via the water flow through the working chamber. The drive can be a turbine or a propeller, in particular with rotating and/or adjustable blades. The direction of rotation of the drive and thus the generator remains the same. A constant flow direction in the working chamber can be achieved thanks to the collecting lines and the presence of at least three intermediate stores. The flow rate in the manifolds depends on the number of coupled buffer stores.

Through the manifolds and the closure elements of the intermediate storage, the working chamber can be divided into two flow paths, which are then only flowed through in one preferred direction. Additional parallel paths of the valve groups, in particular check valves in the buffer stores or before or after the manifolds, allow continuous operation. Further conversion into electrical energy corresponds to the state of the art.

If there is a high proportion of suspended matter, a purely time-based switchover can be advantageous, which can potentially make it more difficult to detect the load in the intermediate storage. At times of intensive fish migration, for example, it may make sense to switch over each individual buffer every few minutes, for example every 5 minutes. If no large migrations of living beings are to be expected, switching each individual buffer at longer intervals, for example every hour, may be sufficient. This value can be adjusted if necessary if the water has a high particle load. Optionally, the operational management can advantageously be adapted for individual intermediate storage facilities so that sediment loads that change transversely to the flow direction can be taken into account.

If the proportion of suspended matter is low, it may be useful to detect incoming or outgoing living beings, for example using sensors, such as light barriers or ultrasonic sensors. Detected objects within the hydropower plant could therefore trigger a switchover within the next few minutes, for example within the next 3 minutes. If no objects are detected, switching over at a longer interval, for example every hour, may also be sufficient here.

According to a favorable embodiment of the method, the closure elements can be switched cyclically in a matter of minutes. This can advantageously reduce the residence time of aquatic organisms and/or sediments in the respective buffer stores.

drawing

Further advantages result from the following drawing description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the figures. The figures, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into further sensible combinations.

They show, for example:

Fig. 1

a circuit diagram of a hydroelectric power plant according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2

as a sectional view of a buffer storage of a hydroelectric power plant according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in a first phase in connection with a headwater;

Fig. 3

in an isometric view of the buffer Figure 2 in a first phase;

Fig. 4

as a sectional view of the buffer Figures 2 and 3 in a second phase in connection with an underwater;

Fig. 5

in an isometric view the buffer from the Figures 2 to 4 in a second phase;

Fig. 6

an isometric view of a generator module of a hydroelectric power plant according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7

A sectional view of the generator module Figure 6 ;

Fig. 8

an isometric view of a hydroelectric power plant according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention with two generator modules with shut-off modules and with a plurality of buffer stores connected in parallel;

Fig. 9

as a front view, a shut-off module according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 10

The shut-off module is shown in an isometric view Figure 9 ;

Fig. 11

a circuit diagram of a hydroelectric power plant according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12

as a sectional view of a buffer storage of a hydroelectric power plant according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention in a first phase in connection with a headwater;

Fig. 13

as a sectional view of the buffer Figure 12 in a second phase in connection with an underwater;

Fig. 14

an isometric view of a hydroelectric power plant according to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention with a generator module and with a plurality of buffer stores connected in parallel;

Fig. 15

a side view of the generator module Figure 14 ;

Fig. 16

a flowchart of a method for operating a hydroelectric power plant.

Embodiments of the invention

In the figures, components of the same type or with the same effect are numbered with the same reference numerals. The figures only show examples and are not to be understood as limiting.

Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that it is not limited to the respective components of the device or the respective process steps, since these components and processes can vary. The terms used herein are intended solely to describe particular embodiments and are not used in a limiting sense. Furthermore, if the singular or indefinite articles are used in the description or in the claims, this also refers to the plurality of these elements, unless the overall context clearly indicates otherwise.

Directional terminology used below with terms such as "left", "right", "above", "below", "before", "behind", "after" and the like only serves to better understand the figures and is in no way intended to limit the represent generality. The components and elements shown, their design and use can vary according to the considerations of a person skilled in the art and can be adapted to the respective applications.

The Figures 1 to 10 show a first exemplary embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention as well as detailed representations of buffers 120, generator modules 170 and shut-off modules 160 of the first exemplary embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention. This exemplary embodiment is suitable for generating electrical power in the range of 10 - 500 MW.

The Figures 11 to 15 show a second exemplary embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention and. Detailed representations of buffers 120 of the second exemplary embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention. This exemplary embodiment is suitable for generating smaller electrical powers of advantageously 500 kW to 5 MW.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment, not shown, combinations of the exemplary embodiments shown are possible. Furthermore, other components not shown are possible.

Like from the Figures 1 to 5 , 8th , and 10 to 13 As can be seen, the illustrated embodiments of the hydropower plant 100 according to the invention are each designed to be arranged in a body of water with a gradient in a direction of gravity between the upper water 2 and the lower water 4 of the body of water.

The illustrated exemplary embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention each include at least three buffer stores 120 ( Figures 8 and 14 ).

Each of the intermediate stores 120 has a closure element 122 to the upper water 2 and a closure element 124 to the underwater 4 as well as a storage area 128 ( Figures 1 to 5 and 11 to 13 ), which extends between the closure elements 122, 124.

The illustrated embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention further comprise at least one generator module 170, which has a working chamber 130 in which a drive 134 of a generator 132 is arranged ( Figure 7 ). The drive 134 can be, for example, a turbine or a propeller.

The first in Figure 8 The illustrated embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention includes two generator modules 170, but an embodiment with only one generator module 170 or with more than two generator modules 170 is also conceivable.

The second in Figure 14 The illustrated embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention includes a generator module 170, but an embodiment with more than one generator module 170 is also conceivable.

The illustrated exemplary embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention further comprise a regulating and/or control device 180 for, in particular cyclically, opening one of the closure elements 122, 124 and closing the other of the closure elements 122, 124 of each of the buffer stores 120 ( Figures 1 and 11 ).

In the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention, the intermediate storage 120 and the generator module 170 are fluidly connected via at least two collecting lines 110, 112. One of the collecting lines 110 supplies water from the upper water 2 to the working chamber 130 and the other of the collecting lines 112 leads water from the working chamber 130 to the lower water 4 ( Figures 1 to 8 and 11 to 15 ). The collecting lines 110, 112 lead through areas of the buffers 120 transversely to the longitudinal extent of the buffers 120. In addition, the collecting lines 110, 112 open into the respective working chamber 130.

In normal operation, at least one of the at least three buffer stores 120 is in a first phase at any time. In the first phase, the corresponding buffer 120 is opened to the headwater 2 and one of the collecting lines 110 between this buffer 120 and the generator module 170 is activated ( Figures 1 to 3 and 11 to 12 ). The flow direction 118 of the water (symbolized by block arrows with solid lines) in the first phase runs within the buffer 120 from the closure element 122 in the area of an inlet 102 of the buffer 120 to the released manifold 110. From there the water flows to the working chamber 130 of the with this Collector line 110 coupled generator module 170.

Here, a collecting line 110 in the illustrated embodiment is formed by segments of several buffers 120 and is thereby fluidly coupled to several inlets.

At the same time, at least one other of the at least three buffers 120 is in a second phase, in which it is open to the underwater 4 and one of the collecting lines 112 between generator module 170 and that buffer 120 is activated ( Figures 1 , 4 , 5 , 11 and 13 ). The water flows from the working space 130 of a corresponding generator module 170 into a collecting line 112 coupled to the generator module 170. From there, the water can flow into the intermediate storage 120 in the second phase. Here, a collecting line 112 in the illustrated embodiment is formed by segments of several buffer stores 120 and is thereby fluidly coupled to several buffer stores 120. The flow direction 119 of the water (symbolized by block arrows with broken lines) in the buffer 120 in the second phase runs from the coupling with the manifold 112 in the direction of the closure element 124 in the area of an outlet 104 of the buffer 120. Here is a manifold 112 or the working chamber 130 is fluidically coupled to several intermediate stores 120 and thereby to several outlets 104.

While two of the at least three latches 120 are in the first and second phases, a third of the at least three latches 120 is in the first or second phase or in a transition between the phases. This ensures that at least one fluid path from the upper water 2 through the working chamber 130 of the generator module to the lower water 4 is available.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the collecting lines 110, 112 are formed in that the intermediate stores 120 each have two opposite openings 114, 116 in at least one side wall and at least one area between the openings 114, 116 and the storage area 128, which is separated from the storage area 128 is separated. The openings 114 are assigned to the manifold 110 and the openings 116 are assigned to the manifold 112. In the exemplary embodiment shown, a collecting line 110, 112 is formed by arranging several buffers 120 in parallel next to one another and the openings 114, 116 overlap each other congruently.

The respective generator module 170 in the first and second exemplary embodiments as well as the respective shut-off module 160 also have such openings 114, 116 in their side walls, which adjoin the buffers 120, so that the openings 114, 116 each overlap congruently.

This shows Figure 8 as a front view of a shut-off module 160 according to an embodiment of the invention, while Figure 9 The shut-off module 160 is shown in an isometric view Figure 8 shows. With the shut-off module 160 arranged between the intermediate storage 120 adjacent to the generator module 170 and the generator module 170, the generator module 170 can be decoupled from the manifolds 110, 112, for example for maintenance purposes.

This has corresponding closure elements 162, 164 for shutting off and releasing the manifolds 110, 112. The closure elements 162, 164 allow isolation of partial areas and enable operation with at least half power in the event of simple errors or during maintenance work on the hydroelectric power plant 100 or the generator module 170.

The regulating and/or control device 180 is set up to cyclically switch the at least three buffer stores 120 between the two phases.

Due to the alternating operation of the closure elements 122, 124 of the buffer stores 120 for the corresponding phases, continuous operation of the generator 132 is possible with the appropriate circuit.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the collecting line 110 is always flowed through by the buffer stores 120 in the direction of the corresponding working chamber 130.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the collecting line 112 is always flowed through by the corresponding working chamber 130 in the direction of the intermediate storage 120.

In an alternative embodiment of the hydropower plant 100, additional collecting lines 110, 112 are also conceivable.

The constant flow direction in the working chamber 130 can be implemented through the collecting lines 110, 112. The flow strength in the manifolds 110, 112 depends on the number of coupled buffer stores 120. The working chamber 130 can be divided into two turbine paths by the manifolds 120 and the closure elements 122, 124, which then only run in the respective preferred direction, ie in the Flow directions 118, 119 are flowed through.

The first exemplary embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention differs, among other things, from the second exemplary embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 according to the invention in that the manifolds 110, 112 in the first exemplary embodiment have a height offset 129 (only in Figure 4 numbered). This height offset 129 can be used in the generator module 170 to reduce cavitation risks when converting the kinetic and potential energy of the water into rotational energy of the corresponding generator 132 or its drive 134. The rotational energy is converted into electricity in a known manner.

The manifolds 110, 112 of the second exemplary embodiment ( Figures 11 to 15 are arranged essentially at the same height. The conversion of height energy of the water into kinetic energy is ultimately implemented in the respective buffer stores 120 by the height offset between inlet 102 and outlet 104. The buffers 120 have a corresponding gradient in the storage area 128. The kinetic energy of the water conducted to the work space 130 via the corresponding collecting line 110 is also converted into rotational energy of the corresponding generator 132 or its drive 134. The rotational energy is converted into electricity in a known manner.

Like from the Figures 1 to 5 and 11 to 13 It can also be seen that in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant 100, a valve 125, 225, in particular a check valve, is arranged between the storage area 128 and the collecting line 110, 112. The valve 125 prevents water from flowing from the collecting line 110 into the intermediate storage 120 in the opposite direction to the preferred direction (corresponding to the flow direction 118).

The valve 225 prevents water from flowing from the buffer stores 120 into the collecting line 112 in the opposite direction to the preferred direction (corresponding to the flow direction 119). In the exemplary embodiments shown, the valves 125 include passive flaps that can be opened or closed by water pressure. Other versions are also conceivable as options.

Like from the Figures 2 to 5 , 12 and 13 It can also be seen that in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the hydroelectric power plant 100, the storage area 128 of the respective intermediate storage 120 is formed between the closure elements 122, 124 and separated from the collecting lines 110, 112 with at least one water-permeable shielding arrangement 126, 226, for example a fine screen, a net, a sieve or something similar. The at least one water-permeable shielding arrangement 126, 226 keeps aquatic organisms and/or aquatic sediment away from the at least one working chamber 130.

The flow velocity of the at least one shielding arrangement 126, 226 should be below a critical value when water flows towards the working space 130. For this purpose, the total area of a barrier of the shielding arrangement 126, 226 is expediently chosen to be at least so large in the exemplary embodiments shown that the cross section through which flow corresponds to the minimum cross section of the buffer 120.

This ensures that living beings are not exposed to significantly greater stress on the shielding arrangement 126, 226 than on the remaining parts of the system that they pass through.

The storage areas 128 of the buffers 120 are suitable for the temporary storage of aquatic organisms and/or aquatic sediment, which can get into and out of the buffer 120 in the respective phase through the corresponding closure elements 122, 124. Since the closure elements 122, 124 of the buffers open alternately at regular intervals, the corresponding buffer 120 can be flowed through by aquatic organisms from both end regions 102, 104. Aquatic sediment usually flows through the intermediate storage 120 in the direction of flow from the upstream end region 102 to the downstream end region 104.

The first exemplary embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 differs, among other things, from the second exemplary embodiment of the hydroelectric power plant 100 in that, according to the first exemplary embodiment, each valve 125, 225 of a buffer 120 is coupled to a shielding arrangement 126, 226.

The shielding arrangements 126, 226 separate the storage area 128 from the valves 125, 225 and the segment of the buffer 120 of the upper manifold 110 in the gravity direction and the segment of the buffer 120 of the lower manifold 112 in the gravity direction. This means that organisms located in the storage area 128 are securely held in the storage area 128 and cannot reach the areas of the segments of the collecting lines 110, 112 in the intermediate storage 120 or the valves 125, 225.

In the first exemplary embodiment, the buffers 120 therefore have two separate segments for collecting lines 110, 112. A segment of the collecting line 110 is arranged in the upper region opposite the closure element 122. A segment of the collecting line 112 is arranged in the lower region opposite the closure element 124. A shielding arrangement 126, 226 is arranged in front of each valve 125, 225. This area or these areas of the intermediate storage 120 are separated from the storage area 128 by the valves 125, 225.

In the second exemplary embodiment, the buffer stores 120 have an upper area which is divided into two segments, each of which is separated from the storage area 128 by a valve 125, 225, in particular a check valve, with one segment forming a segment of the collecting line 110 and a segment a segment of the manifold 112 forms. A common shielding arrangement 126 is arranged in front of the valves 125, 225, which prevents sediment or living beings from getting into the collecting lines through one of the valves. The openings 114, 116 in the side wall of the buffer 120 are arranged at the same height.

The buffers 120 can advantageously be constructed as similar modules, with a closure element 122 to the upper water 2, a closure element 124 to the underwater 4, a storage area 128 between the closure elements 122, 124 and a first opening 114 in a side wall and a second opening 116 in same side wall. Valves 125, 225 are also present.

In the first embodiment with height-offset openings 114, 116, two shielding devices 126, 226 are present, so that the storage area 128 is separated from the openings 114, 116 and the valves 125, 225 by an upper and a lower shielding device 126, 226.

In the second embodiment with openings 114, 116 at the same height, a shielding device 126 is present, so that the storage area 128 is separated from the openings 114, 116 and the valves 125, 225 by the upper shielding device 126.

Figure 16 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method for operating a hydroelectric power plant according to the invention, wherein a regulating and/or control device 180 operates at least three buffer stores 120, each of which has a closure element 122 to the upstream water 2 and a closure element 124 to the downstream water 4 as well as a storage area 128.

In a first step S100, in a group of at least three buffers 120, one of the buffers 120 is in a first phase, in which the closure element 122 is open to the upper water 2 and the closure element 124 to the underwater 4 is closed. Another buffer 120 of the group is in a second phase, in which the closure element 122 is closed to the upper water 2 and the closure element 124 to the underwater 4 is open.

Each additional buffer store 120 of the group is in the first phase or second phase, with the sum of the buffer stores opened towards the upstream water ideally being equal to or greater than the sum of the stores opened towards the underwater direction.

In step S102, it is checked whether switching is required. The query is preferably carried out cyclically, with the rate depending on the number of buffers installed. The check must be carried out so frequently that it is possible to switch over each individual buffer every few minutes.

If no switching is required ("n" in the flowchart), the flow jumps back to step S100.

If yes ("y" in the flowchart), in step S104 the valves 122 and 124 of a buffer store 120 are first closed. The time of switching is chosen so that one of the buffer stores 120 always goes to the upper water 2 and one of the buffer stores 120 to the Underwater 4 is open and a fluid path for the water via the generator module 170 is present.

In step S106, one of the valves 122 and 124 of the buffer store 120, whose valves were closed in the previous step, is now opened so that this buffer store 120 is in the other phase compared to the state in step S102.

The frequency with which the intermediate storage is switched can advantageously be adapted to a sediment load in the water and/or a density of fish movements and/or other organisms in the water.

Reference symbols

2

Upper water

4

Underwater

100

Hydroelectric plant

102

Intake

104

Sequence

110

manifold

112

manifold

114

Wall breakthrough

116

Wall breakthrough

118

first phase flow direction

119

second phase flow direction

120

Cache

122

Closure element

124

Closure element

125

Valve

225

Valve

126

Shielding arrangement

226

Shielding arrangement

128

Storage area

129

Height offset

130

Chamber of Labor

132

generator

134

Drive (propeller, turbine)

150

Dam wall

160

Shut-off module

162

Shut-off element

164

Shut-off element

170

Generator module

180

Regulating and/or control device

Claims (15)

Hydropower plant (100), which is designed to be arranged in a body of water with a gradient in a direction of gravity between the upper water (2) and the lower water (4) of the body of water at least three buffer stores (120), each of which has a closure element (122) to the upper water (2) and a closure element (124) to the underwater (4) and a storage area (128), at least one generator module (170) which has a working chamber (130) in which a drive (134) of a generator (132) is arranged, and a regulating and/or control device (180) for, in particular cyclically, opening one of the closure elements (122, 124) and closing the other of the closure elements (122, 124) of each of the buffer stores (120), wherein the intermediate storage (120) and the generator module (170) are fluidly connected via at least two manifolds (110, 112), one of the manifolds (110, 112) supplying water to the working chamber (130) from the headwater (2) and the other of the collecting lines (112, 110) drain water from the working chamber (130) to the underwater (4), wherein in normal operation at any time at least one of the at least three buffer stores (120) is in a first phase, in which this at least one buffer store (120) is open to the upstream water (2) and one of the collecting lines (110) between this buffer store ( 120) and the generator module (170) is activated and at the same time at least one other of the at least three buffer stores (120) is in a second phase, in which this at least one buffer store (120) is opened to the underwater (4) and one of the collecting lines (112 ) is activated between the generator module (170) and that buffer (120), while at least a third of the at least three buffers (120) is in the first or second phase or in a transition between the phases, wherein the regulating and/or control device (180) is set up to cyclically switch the at least three buffers (120) between the first and second phases. Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 1, wherein a valve (125, 225), in particular a check valve, is arranged between the storage area (128) and the collecting line (110, 112). Hydropower plant according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the storage area (128) is formed between the closure elements (122, 124) and is separated from the manifolds (110, 112) with at least one water-permeable shielding arrangement (126). Hydroelectric power plant according to claim 3, wherein a common shielding arrangement (126) for two valves (125, 225), in particular check valves, at least one of the buffer stores (120) is present, in particular in an arrangement with the upper water (2) and the lower water (4 ) connected or connectable manifolds (110, 112) at the same height. Hydropower plant according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a separate shielding arrangement (126) is present for each valve (125, 225) of at least one of the buffer stores (120), in particular in an arrangement of the ones connected to the upper water (2) and the lower water (4). or connectable manifolds (110, 112) with a height offset (129). Hydroelectric power plant according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the valves (125) comprise passive flaps which can be opened or closed by water pressure. Hydropower plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the collecting lines (110, 112) are arranged transversely to the buffer stores (120), in particular are formed by continuous openings of intermediate stores (120) joined together. Hydropower plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a shut-off module (160) is arranged between the intermediate storage (120) adjacent to the generator module (170) and the generator module (170), which closure elements (162, 164) for shutting off and releasing the manifolds (110 , 112). Hydropower plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate storage (120) are designed similarly with a closure element (122) to the upper water (2), a closure element (124) to the underwater (4), a storage area (128) between the closure elements (122, 124), as well as two openings (114, 116) in at least one side wall, and at least one area between the openings (114, 116) and the storage area (128), the at least one area being a segment of the respective manifolds (110, 112) forms. Hydropower plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the intermediate storage (120) each has a supply line at its inlet (102), which in particular projects upwards from the shut-off element to the headwater (2). Hydropower plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one generator module (170) is arranged between a plurality of buffer stores (120). Hydropower plant according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the generator module (170) is arranged on one side of a plurality of buffer stores (120). Hydropower plant according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two generator modules (170) are coupled to a plurality of buffer stores (120). Method for operating a hydroelectric power plant (100) in a body of water with a gradient in a gravity direction between upper water (2) and lower water (4), according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a regulating and/or control device (180) operates at least three buffer stores (120), each of which has a closure element (122) to the upper water (2) and a closure element (124) to the underwater (4) and a storage area (128), In normal operation, at least one of the at least three buffer stores (120) is kept open at any time in a first phase to the upper water (2) and water flows via a collecting line (110) between this buffer (120) and generator module (170) and at the same time at least one other of the at least three buffer stores (120) is kept open to the underwater (4) in a second phase and water flows via a collecting line (114) between the generator module (170) and that buffer store (120), while the third of the at least three buffer stores (120 ) is kept open in the first or second phase or a transition between the phases is carried out, wherein the regulating and/or control device (180) cyclically switches the at least three buffers (120) between the first and second phases. Method according to claim 14, wherein the closure elements (122, 124) are switched cyclically in the minute range.

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