GB2472184A

GB2472184A - Apparatus and method for supplying electricity to an electrical supply system.

Info

Publication number: GB2472184A
Application number: GB0909995A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Platt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-06-11
Filing date: 2009-06-11
Publication date: 2011-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 2029-06-11
Also published as: GB0909995D0; GB2472184B

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for supplying electricity to the National Grid (15) comprises a wind turbine (3) connected to the National Grid (15) to supply electricity thereto. A plurality of electro-magnets (23) is spaced around the wind turbine (3) and is arranged, when energised, to cause rotation of the wind turbine (3). A battery pack (13) is connected to the wind turbine (3) and to the electro-magnets (23), whereby the battery pack (13) is charged by the wind turbine (3) driven by wind, and the battery pack (13) is arranged to energise the electro-magnets (23) to cause the rotation of the wind turbine (3) so that electricity is generated, when required, for supply to the National Grid (15). The battery pack (13) may also be charged by the wind turbine (3) driven by induction from the National Grid (15) energising the plurality of electro-magnets (23).

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SUPPLYING ELECTRICITY

TO AN ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SYSTEM

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for supplying electricity to an electricity supply system and, more particularly, to the high voltage power transmission system of the National Grid. This high voltage power transmission system is henceforth referred to as "the grid".

Power for the grid is produced by generation stations. These stations need to send power out at a frequency of 50 cycles per second. In order to maintain this frequency, the stations tend to have an output frequency slightly higher than 50 cycles per second. Too high or too low a frequency can damage electrical equipment. Thus, this high voltage electricity transmission system balances supply with demand on a minute by minute basis.

When the demand for electricity from the grid is at its peak, the frequency is reduced and power input to the grid needs to be increased in order to maintain the frequency. Peak demand as recognized by the National Grid usually happens over a short period of time of up to 30 minutes. However, if, for any reason, the grid cannot meet the peak demand, the grid will at least partly shut down, causing power cuts over a wide area.

Thus, there is a problem of how to maintain a stable frequency. This can be achieved by using standby generators to produce additional electricity when required, but this is expensive.

Also, peak loading can be localized and there is another problem that electric storage schemes, such as the pump storage system in North Wales, may be too far away from the location of peak loading to respond.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method to alleviate at least one of the above-mentioned problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for supplying electricity to an electricity supply system, such as the National Grid, comprising: a wind turbine connectable to said electricity supply system to supply electricity thereto; electro-magnetic means arranged when energised to cause rotation of the wind turbine; and battery means connectable to the wind turbine and to the electro-magnetic means, whereby the battery means is arranged to be charged by the wind turbine driven by at least one external force, and the battery means is arranged to energise the electro-rnagnetic means to cause said rotation of the wind turbine so that electricity is generated when required for supply to the electricity supply system.

When the electro-magnetic means is energised it forms a linear motor with the wind turbine.

The at least one external force may be wind and/or induction. The induction may be from the electricity supply system which energises the electro-magnetic means.

The apparatus enables there to be an increase in power when it is needed to stabilise the frequency. As wind/induction is used to charge the battery pack this apparatus would be less expensive than having standby generators to produce additional electricity when the frequency needs to be stabilised. The apparatus or part thereof may be placed in, say, existing electricity pylons and thus electricity can be fed into the electricity supply means, such as the grid, when there is a localized peak loading. The apparatus may be thus strategically placed along the grid allowing electricity generating companies to supplement the capacity in exactly the location that it is required.

The apparatus may include switching means between the wind turbine and the battery means and an electrical connection connectable to the electricity supply means, wherein the switching means in a first position connects the wind turbine to the battery means and the switching means in a second position connects the wind turbine to the electrical connection.

The apparatus may include control means for causing the battery means to energise the electro-magnetic means. The control means may be arranged to control the switching means and set the switching means to the second position to direct generated electricity to the electricity supply system when the battery means energises the electro-magnetic means. The control means may be arranged to receive a signal from a remote source in order to cause the battery means to energise the electro-magnetic means.

The battery means is preferably connectable to the electricity supply means to receive energy from the electricity supply means, and the control means may be arranged to receive a signal from a remote source in order to charge the battery means with energy from the electricity supply means. Such energy would preferably be supplied to the battery means during off peak times.

Electricity produced by the electricity supply means is either totally used during peak times or some is lost due to non-use during off peak times. Thus, otherwise lost electricity can be supplied to the battery means at negligible cost to the grid. Even if additional electricity has to be produced to charge the battery means, this would not result in such a significant additional cost, because electricity produced off peak is not as expensive as peak power.

The apparatus may include an earthed connection. A power surge caused by, say, a wind farm may lift the power frequency of the electricity supply system and damage it but the earthed connection may prevent this. The earthed connection may be between the battery means and a connection connectable to the electricity supply system.

The electro-magnetic means may be rotatable to face the wind to improve wind speed on the wind turbine. The electro-magnetic means may also have wind deflector means.

The electro-magnetic means may comprise a plurality of electro-magnets spaced around the wind turbine.

The wind turbine is preferably connected to a generator to generate electricity from the rotation of the wind turbine. The wind turbine may be mounted on an axis which is preferably substantially vertical.

An electricity pylon, including the apparatus as previously described, may also be provided.

Placing the apparatus in an existing electricity pylon has the effect of minimising the visual impact of the apparatus.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for supplying electricity to an electricity supply system, such as the National Grid, comprising the steps of: storing in a battery means energy generated by a wind turbine driven by at least one external force; and using said stored energy to energise electro-magnetic means to cause the wind turbine to rotate so that electricity is generated when required for supply to the electricity supply system.

The battery means may be charged with energy from the electricity supply system when required.

The wind turbine may be driven by the wind. The wind turbine may be driven by induction from the electricity supply system energising the electro-magnetic means.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of an electricity pylon including the apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 on Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a diagram of the apparatus.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, an apparatus 1 for supplying electricity into the grid is mounted in an existing electricity pylon 2. The apparatus 1 has a wind turbine 3 comprising an aluminium rotor 22 mounted on a vertical axis 4 between a top support platform and a bottom support platform 6 which are both fixed to the pylon 2. The rotor 22 has a triangular cross-section with each side face 7 of the rotor 22 being curved in cross-section towards the axis 4. The wind turbine rotor 22 is within a shroud 8 comprising a pair of arc-shaped casings 9 each housing an electro-magnetic coil or winding 23. The two casings 9 are spaced around the turbine 3 and the shroud 8 is mounted between the top and bottom support platforms 5, 6 so as to be rotatable about the axis 4. Each arc-shaped casing 9 has a wind deflector fin 10 bolted on its outer surface at one end of the casing 9 and has a tail or direction fin 11 bolted on the outer surface at the other end of the casing 9.

Referring particularly to Figure 3, the wind turbine axis 4 is connected to a generator 12 and the generator 12 is connected to a battery pack 13 of lead acid batteries beneath the bottom support platform 6 (see Fig. 1) via a generator switch 14. The generator 12 is also connected to a power line 15 of the grid via the switch 14, a first transformer 16 and a first electrical connector 24. When the generator switch 14 is in a first position the generator 12 is connected to the battery pack 13 and when the generator switch 14 is in a second position the generator 12 is connected to the power line 15 via the first transformer 16.

The battery pack 13 is connected to the power line 15 via a power line switch 17, a second transformer 18 and a second electrical connector 25 to receive electricity from the power line 15. Between the second transformer 18 and the power line switch 17 is an earthed connection 27. The battery pack 13 is also connected to each electro-magnetic coil 23 via an electro-magnetic coil switch 19.

In addition, the apparatus 1 has control means 20 for receiving signals from the National Grid and the control means 20 is connected to the generator switch 14, the power line switch 17 and the electro-magnetic coil switches 19.

The control means 20 is also connected to a battery pack charge sensor 21 on the battery pack 13. The control means 20 is arranged to receive signals sent by the National Grid by telemetry or by the Internet and each pylon 2 is monitored by the National Grid and has its own code number so that the National Grid can send signals to the apparatus 1 in the required pylons. The battery pack charge sensor 21 enables the National Grid to know when the battery pack 13 is fully charged so that the battery pack 13 is able to give electrical output to the grid when required, and also to know if the battery pack 13 needs charging from the grid.

To charge the battery pack 13, the control means 20 sets the generator switch 14 to its first position and sets the electro-magnetic coil switches 19 to an open position. Thus, as the wind turbine rotor 22 is turned by wind, the electricity consequently generated by the generator 12 charges the battery pack 13. The apparatus 1 in this state is thus in a wind turbine mode. The deflector fins 10 are used to channel wind so as to increase wind speed on the turbine rotor 3 and the direction fins 11 are shaped so that the wind causes the shroud 8 to be turned so that the deflector fins 10 face the direction of the wind indicated by arrows 26 (see Fig. 2).

When the battery pack charge sensor 21 senses that the battery pack 1 3 is fully charged, the control means 20 sets the generator switch 14 to its second position so that surplus generated electricity is sent to the grid.

The wind turbine 3 may also be turned by the electro-magnetic coils 23 being energised by induction from the grid when power is leaked from the grid to the surrounding air. This may happen in certain climatic conditions.

The battery pack 13 can also be charged from the grid by the control means 20 closing the power line switch l7so that electricity is received from the power line 15 via the second transformer 18. This may involve the National Grid sending the control means 20 a signal, say, 3 hours before peak demand to fully charge the battery pack 13 depending on how much charge is already stored in the battery pack 13.

If there is a power surge from the grid which is not needed to charge the battery pack 13 it is dumped to earth via the earthed connection 27 and can thus prevent the power surge from damaging the grid.

To place the apparatus 1 in a generation mode, the electro-magnetic coils 23 are energised by the control means 20 closing the electro-magnetic coil switches 19 and setting the generator switch 14 to its second position. By closing the electro-magnetic coil switches 19, electricity from the battery pack 13 energises the electro-magnetic coils 23 which cause the wind turbine rotor 3 to rotate. Thus, the electro-magnetic coils 23 and the wind turbine rotor 3 form a linear motor. Rotation of the wind turbine rotor 3 causes the generator 12 to generate electricity which is fed into the power line 15 via the first transformer 16.

In a preferred embodiment, the top support platform 5 in the pylon 2 is located at a height of approximately 30.4 metres above ground level and the bottom support platform 6 in the pylon 2 is located at a height of approximately 7.9 metres above ground level. The battery pack 13 may be arranged to be fully charged in the morning at, say 6 am, and to be fully charged in the afternoon at, say 4 pm. An apparatus 1 may be installed in a pylon 2 at a spacing of, say, approximately every mile along required power lines of the grid.

Whilst a particular embodiment has been described, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the fins 10, 11 can be of any suitable number or shape for directing the wind/shroud 8. The wind turbine rotor 22 could be made of any suitable material. The battery pack 13 may comprise at least one battery of any

suitable type.

The apparatus may include a power regulatory device so that power in the grid by the apparatus is at a frequency of 49 to 51 cycles per second. This makes the grid more efficient in the vicinity of the apparatus. By having the apparatus with the power regulatory device strategically placed along the grid the general efficiency of the grid is improved.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An apparatus for supplying electricity to an electricity supply system, comprising: a wind turbine connectable to said electricity supply system to supply electricity thereto; electro-magnetic means arranged when energised to cause rotation of the wind turbine; and battery means connectable to the wind turbine and to the electro-magnetic means, whereby the battery means is arranged to be charged by the wind turbine driven by at least one external force, and the battery means is arranged to energise the electro-rnagnetic means to cause said rotation of the Q wind turbine so that electricity is generated when required for supply to the electricity supply system. (0 15
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, including switching means between the wind turbine and the battery means and an electrical connection connectable to the electricity supply system, wherein the switching means in a first position connects the wind turbine to the battery means and the switching means in a second position connects the wind turbine to the electrical connection.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including control means for causing the battery means to energise the electro-magnetic means.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claims 2 and 3, wherein the control means is arranged to control the switching means and set the switching means to the second position to direct generated electricity to the electricity supply system when the battery means energises the electro-magnetic means.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the control means is arranged to receive a signal from a remote source in order to cause the battery means to energise the electro-magnetic means.
6. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the battery means is connectable to the electricity supply system to receive energy from the electricity supply system.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claims 3 and 6, wherein the control means is arranged to receive a signal from a remote source in order to charge the battery means with energy from the electricity supply system.

Q
8. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, including an earthed connection. (0 15
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the earthed connection is between the battery means and a connection connectable to the electricity supply system.
10. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electro-magnetic means is rotatable to face the wind to improve wind speed on the wind turbine.
11. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electro-magnetic means has wind deflector means.
12. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the electro-magnetic means comprises a plurality of electro-magnets spaced around the wind turbine.
13. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wind turbine is connected to a generator to generate electricity from the rotation of the wind turbine.
14. The apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wind turbine is mounted on an axis which is substantially vertical.
15. An electricity pylon including the apparatus of any preceding claim.
16. A method for supplying electricity to an electricity supply system, comprising the steps of: storing in a battery means energy generated by a wind turbine driven by Q at least one external force; and using said stored energy to energise electro-magnetic means to cause (0 15 the wind turbine to rotate so that electricity is generated when required for supply to the electricity supply system.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the battery means is charged with energy from the electricity supply system when required.
18. The method as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein the external force driving the wind turbine comprises wind.
19. The method as claimed in claim 16, 17 or 18, wherein the external force driving the wind turbine comprises induction from the electricity supply system energising the electro-magnetic means.