WO2012037571A2 - Energy storage and conversion systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A system for producing and storing energy may include a first module configured to blend hydrogen generated from electrolysis of water using renewable energy and hydrogen extracted from cellulosic plant residue to create blended hydrogen. This blended hydrogen may be utilized in a second module configured to synthesize anhydrous ammonia using the blended hydrogen. A third module may be configured to convert anhydrous ammonia from various sources into electrical energy.

Description

ENERGY STORAGE AND CONVERSION SYSTEMS

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61 /384,214 filed September 17, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

This application also incorporates by reference in its entirety for all purposes the following material: U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/406,894, filed March 18, 2009.

Section 1 - Overview

A Hybrid Hub (Hub) is a fully integrated, cleantech energy storage and conversion system. Hub technology produces new energy-dense fuels and a wide variety of valuable renewable, zero-low carbon (green) products from a single, integrated operating system.

Hubs convert intermittent energy from wind, solar and other renewable sources, along with energy extracted from advanced energy crops, into firm power for the electric grid, important ancillary power services, high purity industrial gases, fuel for transportation and other products.

Hubs create two of the most energy dense, renewable fuels in the world - advanced biomass fuel and green anhydrous ammonia (green NH₃) - from a fully integrated manufacturing system. This unique Hub system creates and blends hydrogen from plant and water sources, extracts nitrogen from the atmosphere, coincidentally manages biomass and intermittent power sources, creates and recycles carbon dioxide (C0₂), and manufactures, certifies and tracks additional high-value green products - all with a zero-low carbon profile.

Hub green fuel synthesis and power generation plants can be built from small to large scale and distributed at key locations throughout the world. They open a practical, near-term, zero-low carbon path for the energy, agriculture, transportation, advanced electronics and other global industries. Using a combination of existing, modified, and new technologies Hubs can be built and operating within two years. They are designed integrate seamlessly into the existing global energy, agriculture and transportation infrastructure. The Hybrid Hub combines ten major process functions, or modules, to create, store and track new green products (see Section III below). This creates unique resource use efficiencies by virtue of the cross cutting development of products and higher net energy efficiencies throughout the integrated modular functions. The result is a complex suite of green energy products that can compete in price and availability with carbon-based alternatives. Hubs provide new zero-low carbon products to power and supply the emerging green global economy.

Hybrid Hubs are highly scalable. They can be sized to meet the needs of small communities in the developing world or the energy demands of the densest urban areas. Hubs operate year-round - on or off the power grid. They can be located virtually anywhere in the world where there is water, arable soil, and renewable energy resources.

In the developed world, the U.S. electric power industry alone consists of some 3,000 investor-owned and publicly owned utilities with combined revenues in 2009 of $130 billion. These utilities are looking for a new technology that can efficiently absorb intermittent renewable resources - particularly wind and solar energy - and convert them into firm power generation at reasonable prices.

Hubs do this while also meeting utility peak power needs. Power grid operators can also manage Hub loads - dispatching them during peak periods. Hubs give grid operators unique operational flexibility to insure power grid stability - all with zero-low carbon resources.

Section II - Hybrid Hub Products

An example Hybrid Hub will convert energy from 3, 100 acres of an advanced energy crop and 7 megawatts of intermittent wind energy into a suite of products with a certified zero-low product profile. There are ten major Hub product categories and many more specific Hub products. The major Hub product categories include:

(1 ) Green Anhydrous Ammonia (Green NH3)

We reference a modest sized, example Hybrid Hub 27.5 tons a day (9,250 tons per year operating at 92% capacity) of green NH3. Anhydrous ammonia is the densest non-carbon fuel on the planet. But it is made today using almost exclusively natural gas or coal. Hub green NH3 is made from all renewable sources. Green NH3 is certified, tracked and sold to a variety of markets. The Hybrid Hub fully integrates in real time two separate sources of green hydrogen for producing green NH₃ - water and biomass.

In the first process, electricity from renewable energy resources is used to power the Hub electrolysis process. Water is separated into hydrogen gas and oxygen gas through electrolysis. The hydrogen molecules are then bonded with nitrogen from the air by employing the Haber-Bosch ammonia synthesis process, or newer alternatives such as the Solid State Ammonia Synthesis (SSAS) process. This forms green NH₃ from all renewable, zero-low carbon sources.

In the second process, the Hub also extracts hydrogen from the cellulose residue of plants (see the Advanced Biomass Fuels section below). This low- carbon, bio-hydrogen is then blended with hydrogen electrolyzed from water using wind energy, for example. This unique combination of water-based hydrogen and bio-hydrogen production at the Hub allows for the high-capacity, year-round production of high purity green NH3 at the Hub synthesis site - even when the wind energy subsides.

The specific, zero-low carbon profile of green NH₃ is then certified by Hub Intelligence software (see Hub Intelligence System below). It is then stored and shipped to a wide variety of markets. Green NH₃ can be used as a fuel to power distributed Hub generation sites with zero pollution. The example Hub would produce some 9,250 tons per year of green NH₃. Of this amount, some 1 ,900 tons could be sold to power a 5-megawatt Hub peak power generation site operating at 7.5% capacity per year (see power generation products below).

The remaining 7,350 tons of green NH₃ can be sold to farms as a renewable fertilizer, to industries for large-scale refrigeration and to utilities for selective catalytic reduction of coal plant emissions. High purity green NH₃ also can also be sold for the manufacture of high-efficiency lighting to the fast growing light-emitting diode (LED) industry.

In recent years, the price of a ton of carbon-based, merchant ammonia for use primarily as a fertilizer in agriculture ranged from $400-$1 ,200 per ton in the Pacific Northwest. There is the energy by mass equivalent of 150 gallons of diesel fuel in a ton of NH₃. At $600 per ton ammonia equals a little over $4.25 per gallon of diesel fuel. The price of Hub green ammonia will be kept low by using low-cost hydrogen from biomass and capturing value from coincidentally produced Hub products like high purity oxygen (see below).

(2) Advanced Biomass Fuels

In addition to creating green NH₃ from plant residual waste, Hubs also create energy-dense fuels from advanced hybrid crops. Secondary bio-butanol (2BtOH) is a new, particularly powerful, biomass-based fuel. Sweet sorghum (sorghum) is an advanced energy crop.

At the example Hybrid Hub, 3, 100 acres of sorghum is planted. Sorghum in warm climates can be harvest twice a year and requires significantly less water than other crops. The Hub sorghum crop can produce at estimated 3.5 million gallons of 2BtOH per year.

The Hub accomplishes this by employing a new, proprietary, three-step process. The process converts the primary grains and sugars of the sorghum plant into 2BtOH. The new indirect fermentation process allows 2BtOH for the first time to be made in large quantities. It does so by overcoming the tendency of other butanol isomers toward chemical self-poisoning at high concentration levels.

2BtOH is considered by many experts to be a "drop in" fuel - more easily integrated into the global energy infrastructure than any alternative bio-fuel. 2BtOH is 25-30% more energy dense than ethanol with less moisture content. Unlike ethanol, 2BtOH can be blended at high concentrations with gasoline and diesel fuel. 2BtOH can be used to rapidly increase the renewable profile of existing diesel- powered electric generation systems. It can also be easily blended with gasoline for use in cars, trucks, ships and transportation fleets.

The total number of gallons of 2BtOH manufactured at the Hub site can be increased dramatically by capturing and recycling C0₂. Both the Hub 2BtOH production process and the Hub internal power generation process (Section III - Module 7) release significant amounts of C0₂.

The Hub C0₂ absorption module (Section III, Module 6) captures C0₂ from these two processes and feeds it into a separate system (Module 5) where C0₂ is recycled and converted via Phototropic Aquatic Organisms (algae is used in the example Hub) into large additional quantities of 2BtOH. C0₂ continues to be produced at reduced levels as a byproduct of this interaction. This, in turn, allows the Hub Modules 5 and 6 to continuously process C0₂ into energy dense fuel.

The Hub C0₂ absorption and conversion processes have the potential to increase production of 2BtOH at the Hub by an estimated 200-300%. This raises the projected 2BtOH output from 3.5 million gallons to 10.4 million from the 3, 100-acre example Hub agricultural site. This dramatically increases the output of Hub energy- dense fuels, reduces operating costs, and creates a very low carbon profile for Hub- produced 2BtOH and related products.

(3) Wind Energy Integration

The Hub electrochemical green NH₃ synthesis technology can react very rapidly to output fluctuations from wind energy ramping events, non-firm hydropower, and other forms of renewable energy. Hub Intelligence software (Module 10) can be linked to predictive systems to anticipate approaching wind events.

As wind ramps up, the green NH₃ synthesis process acts like an energy sink. It instantaneously absorbs wind output ramps - then electrochemically reduces its load as the wind subsides. The biomass-fired internal Hub power plant will fill in the energy "gaps" - balancing the overall Hub energy equation. This insures year- round, high-capacity Hub operations.

Hubs thereby convert intermittent renewable energy into green NH₃ - the densest non-carbon fuel in the world, 2BtOH, and other valuable green products. This highly scalable wind energy integration system can provide a crucial operational stability for the power grid as intermittent resources expand.

At this moment, the Pacific Northwest provides an important example of the challenges posed by the integration of high levels of wind energy into the power grid. The Bonneville Power Administration (Bonneville) is the major power provider for the region. It has over 2,400 megawatts of wind Interconnected to its 10,500-peak load balancing area. This is one of the highest pro rata wind penetration rates in the country. By 201 1 , Bonneville estimates that wind penetration will increase to over 4,000 megawatts and by 2013 the total wind on Bonneville's system will approach 6,000 megawatts.

Bonneville has already been forced to curtail wind projects to maintain system reliability. Under these conditions, wind developers may not receive Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). As spring surpluses of renewable power continue to build in coming years due to non-firm hydro conditions and increasing wind penetration, prices will continue to plummet. Prices in the Northwest have already gone negative for significant periods do to the inability of the system to absorb excess renewable energy. Prices will likely continue to drop. Existing storage technologies can be limited in size. Many work only for short duration cycles and cannot effectively store energy between seasons.

By contrast the Hub flexible synthesis process can help transform this large pool of renewable energy into green NH3, manage wind energy ramps, store the energy in the form of green NH3 in large quantities between seasons, then generates firm power during winter or summer peaks at key locations on the power grid with zero pollution.

(4) Coordinated Load/Generation Management

Hubs offer added power system flexibility that is unique among energy storage systems. This flexibility both creates a high capacity, zero-low carbon peak power system plus a highly flexible synthesis load that can be dispatched during peak periods or for emergency conditions. Hub generation and load management can be simultaneously controlled by the Hub Intelligence system - linked to grid operating systems through smart technology.

When utility energy demand spikes a 10-megawatt Hub power generation site, for example, can be turned on near the center of load to generate peak power. Hubs' zero-carbon generation can operate even during peak pollution periods. It creates only water and nitrogen as emission byproducts. By contrast, carbon-based generation resources are often prohibited from operating during high-pollution episode days due to local air shed quality restrictions.

a. Cost Management Flexibility

Hub generation sites can help delay, reduce or cancel costs associated with building more electric transmission and distribution facilities. A major factor in building more poles, wires and substations is the requirement transfer power from centralized, distant carbon-based generation plants to the center of load. Hub generation sites can be sized and located precisely areas of electric energy demand. In addition, during periods of peak demand, existing transmission and distribution capacity maybe limited. Transmission congestion fees may also be assigned to distant, carbon-based power sources. Hub generation sites near the center of load would not be affected by these challenges. They may, in fact, qualify for carbon and location credits. Hubs provide a new cost management tool for the energy industry.

b. Power Grid Increments and Decrements

At the same time the Hub generation system is turned on a 10-megawatt Hub synthesis load elsewhere on the system, for example, can be temporarily turned down or dispatched entirely. This example of real-time load integration management, controlled by the Hub Intelligence System (Module 10), creates up to a 20-megawatt increment (INC) to the power system.

During periods of high output from renewable and other energy resources on the power system Hubs can maximize Hub synthesis load. The load acts as an energy sink for intermittent resources. Hub load can be rapidly shaped to absorb wind ramps. At the same time power from the distributed Hub generation site can be turned down - or turned off entirely. This combined set of actions creates up to a 20-megawatt decrement (DEC) for the power system when the system is facing generation overcapacity.

Hubs make their own fuel, generate their own power, and control both processes in real time with advanced software. As a result, they provide a unique ability to manage both load and power generation output at a scale ranging from 1 megawatt to hundreds of megawatts. Furthermore, the locations of both Hub load and generation can be chosen separately to maximize the value of INCs and DECs to the power grid.

(5) Distributed Power Generation

Hub electric power generation can be distributed at a wide scale to a number of key locations on the power grid.

Green NH₃ produced at the Hub synthesis site can be transported to Hub generation sites located near the center of load. High capacity energy is created at these sites from combustion turbines, spark-ignited internal combustion generators, compression-ignited generators, fuel cells, liquid air storage systems and other advanced electric generation technology designed to run on green NH3. They can also run on carbon-created merchant ammonia, or a combination of green and merchant ammonia. In either case, Hubs will produce zero-carbon emissions. Liquid air or compressed air storage systems powered by green NH3 can rapidly spin-up electric generation from the Hub, creating valuable ancillary products for the power grid.

The Hub site can also include diesel and gasoline fueled generators designed to run on a blend of advanced biomass fuels, such as 2BtOH, and gasoline and diesel fuel. This will create a reduced carbon profile based on the percentage of renewable 2BtOH in the blended fuel. Hub generators will be designed to run on 100% 2BtOH. Hub generation also can occur at the Hub synthesis site, as described in Section 6 below.

The example Hub synthesis site produces an estimated 27.5 tons of certified, green NH3 a day, or 9,250 tons per year operating at 92% capacity. Of this total an estimated 1 ,900 tons will be required to power a 5-megawatt Hub at 7.5% capacity (657 hours per year). Distilled water vapor emissions from green NH3 generation can be captured. An estimated 380 gallons of water per ton of green NH3 can be recovered and constantly reused as a hydrogen energy source.

At the example Hub distributed generation site, the zero-low carbon, green NH3 fueled peak generation can be supplemented with a separate, 5-megawatt generation system using an estimated 231 ,000 gallons of 2BtOH as a fuel. This allows electric power generation from two new, energy-dense fuels with a carbon zero-low carbon profile. As a result, the Hub has the operational and market flexibility of dual-fuel sourcing. By increasing green NH3 and 2BtOH storage on site firm power can be provide for extended periods of time - similar to natural gas or other carbon-based generation systems.

Hybrid Hubs are unique. They store, transport and convert their own fuels— creating other valuable green by-products in the process. They also allow for large- scale energy storage and conversion at scale, across seasons or years, in distributed locations best suited to the power grid. Moreover, all Hub green products are completely independent of foreign sources of fuel. (6) Hub Synthesis Site Power Generation

Zero-low carbon power generation can also occur at the Hub product synthesis site. Generation can range in size from 1 megawatt to hundreds of megawatts depending on the site's renewable fuel capacity.

Our example Hub will produce 5.6 megawatts of zero-low carbon, renewable energy. This firm power will power Hub internal operations. It can also be designed to provide additional firm energy for the local power grid. Energy produced at the Hub synthesis site is in addition to energy produced at Hub distributed power generation sites referenced at (5) above and in Section III (Module 8).

The example Hub synthesis site balances power generation from two sources

- biomass and wind. The 7 megawatts of wind energy Hare expected to blow about 30% of the time. Solar, geothermal and other renewable sources can also be integrated into the Hub. Wind resources ramp up and down from peak output. The Hub green NH₃ process acts an energy sink for wind power whenever it blows - absorbing the intermittent electrons and converting them into green NH3 and other valuable by products.

In addition to wind energy the Hub synthesis site will be powered by renewable energy from advanced biomass crops. Sorghum plant stalk residue left over from the production of is shaped and dried into energy-dense agro-pellets. These bio-pellets can be sold directly to the marketplace.

Alternatively, they can be converted into synthesis gas or green hydrogen gas through a process described at in Section III (Module 7). Synthesis gas and/or zero- low carbon hydrogen gas provide fuel to power up to 100% of the Hub internal energy requirements when energy from the 7 megawatt wind system is idle.

This bio-hydrogen gas also goes toward production of green NH₃. The bio- hydrogen is increased when hydrogen from water is reduced due to the periodic loss of wind energy driving the electrolysis process.

The dynamic energy balance maintained between wind and biomass energy at the example Hub is controlled by proprietary Hub Intelligence technology. This allows the Hub to maintain a very high plant capacity factor using all-renewable, zero-low carbon energy resources. (7) Green Specialty Gases

Hubs produce at least four major high purity specialty gases for the advanced electronics and other industries. All these gases will have Hub-certified zero-low carbon profile.

a. High Purity Green NH₃

Because Hub green NH₃ is made from green hydrogen electrolyzed from water it has a very high purity level (99.9995% pure) coming out of the electrolysis process. Carbon-based fuels power virtually all other processes to create and purify the green NH₃ to high standards. Hub green NH₃ is expected to meet the high purity standards, with minor purification, for ammonia used in the fast growing, LED industry. It will do this with relatively low cost and high-energy efficiency. Green NH₃ from a Hub carries a certified, zero-low carbon profile.

Green NH3 can be sold to a variety of other markets including agriculture, refrigeration, transportation and selected catalytic reduction at coal power plants. The estimated wholesale price of high purity ammonia for the LED industry ranges from $2,000-$3,000 a ton. More detailed pricing and market demand for high purity ammonia LED manufacturing is being further explored.

b. Ultra High Purity Green Oxygen

Green oxygen is another byproduct of Hub green NH₃ synthesis. The example Hub produces an estimated 4,345 tons of oxygen gas per year through electrolysis from water with an estimated 99.5% purity level. This assumes the electrolysis process at the Hub will operate 31 .6% of the time.

The oxygen purity level from electrolysis compares well to the purity of oxygen extracted from the atmosphere using carbon-powered processes. Hub oxygen from water also has low argon content— an important factor in reducing subsequent purification costs. Carbon-based oxygen purifying systems must separate argon from atmospheric oxygen — an expensive process given the fact that argon has similar atomic properties to oxygen.

The Hub pressure swing absorption (PSA) process to produce nitrogen (discussed below) also produces oxygen as a byproduct. This oxygen can be certified as green because it is created using machinery powered by Hub zero-low carbon fuels. But this oxygen is of relatively lower purity because it is extracted from the air. Lower purity oxygen can be used to help increase the generation efficiency of the internal Hub power plant.

Hubs can use catalytic purification to further increase the purity of electrolyzed oxygen to 99.99999% pure or higher. This meets exacting UHP oxygen standards for micro-scale semiconductor manufacturing and other industries. The UHP green oxygen can then further pressurized or liquefied for transport. The Hub UHP green oxygen product will be certified and "tagged" with a specific zero-low carbon content using Hub Intelligence's green product certification, tracking, and verified use technology.

The wholesale value of UHP oxygen has been estimated at $500-$7,000 per ton. The wide range of prices depends on the size of the container, level of purity and other factors. Because oxygen is a "waste" stream in green NH₃ production, initial estimates indicate Hubs can produce, purify and liquefy UHP green oxygen for $100 a ton. The size and growth pattern of the UHP oxygen market going forward is being evaluated.

c. High Purity Green Hydrogen

The Hub also produces an estimated 1 ,660 tons per year of high purity, green hydrogen gas. It is used exclusively to produce green NH₃ in the example Hub. Depending on market conditions and prices, however, hydrogen output from electrolysis and biomass can be scaled up and sold to the advanced the semiconductor manufacturing, advanced electronics and other industries. The Hub electrolysis system can be oversized to produce green hydrogen in excess of the green NH₃ requirements of the Hub.

d. Green Nitrogen

The Hub also produces about 7,727 tons per year of nitrogen gas via a PSA process that extracts nitrogen from the atmosphere. This nitrogen is used to create green NH₃ in the example Hub. Again, the Hub nitrogen air separation unit can be increased in size to produced excess, certified green nitrogen and sold to outside markets. Competitive nitrogen extraction plants are typically powered by natural gas or coal worldwide and therefore have a significant carbon profile.

Depending on market demand, the Hub can be sized to produce excess high purity green NH₃, UHP green oxygen, high purity green hydrogen and high purity green nitrogen, or a combination of all four products. This creates the potential for a new suite of zero-low carbon products that are certified and tracked and verified by Hub Intelligence technology.

(8) Carbon Credits

The sorghum grown during two planting cycles per year on the 3,100-acre subtropical Hub site absorbs an estimated 151 ,965 tons of C0₂ per year. It also produces up to 10.4 million gallons of 2BtOH with energy content equal to 1 15,000 megawatt-hours — or 13 average megawatts - of diesel equivalent power year- round.

The Hub will release an estimated 23,432 tons of C0₂ per year in growing, harvesting and processing the sorghum crop into 2BtOH. When the 2BtOH is used as a combustion fuel to drive fuel cars and trucks or power generation systems, it will release some 78,440 tons of C0₂. All together, due to Hub efficiencies and zero-low carbon processes, an estimated 49,009 tons of the original 151 ,965 tons of C0₂ sequestered by the sorghum crop growth is permanently extracted from the earth's atmosphere compared to doing nothing.

The value of future carbon credits is uncertain. Reasonable projections for the cost of C0₂ in a carbon-constrained economy range from $25-$100 per ton. At $77 per ton of C0₂ (estimated based on an independent analysis of the Kyoto Protocol) carbon credit for 49,000 tons of C0₂ saved from the 3, 100 acre Hub site would total over $3.7 million. This does not include carbon saved from other zero- low carbon Hub modules described in Section III.

a. Other Standards and Credits

Hubs may also qualify for Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), reduced transmission congestion fees, smog and pollution abatement credits, incentives from renewable energy storage laws and regulations, transmission and distribution expansion savings, and other local, state, federal and international benefits associated with zero-low carbon and services.

(9) The Hub Intelligence Systems

Hub Intelligence Systems control and manage a variety of critical factors from fully integrating Hub internal operations; to providing security from power grid attacks and outages; to creating and tracking Hub green products; and to the development of 21 st century micro-grids. A full description of the elements with the Hub Intelligence System is at Section III (Module 10).

(10) Renewable Transportation Fuels

Hub green NH₃ and 2BtOH can be used to help power the transportation infrastructure and rapidly reduce the carbon profile of cars, trucks, ships and transportation fleets.

Hub distributed generation sites in cities and towns can have an important second purpose. They also can act as fueling stations for vehicles. Storage of key Hub fuels can be increased on site to account for both power generation requirements and increased transportation demand.

Hub generation sites can also create an extended network of zero-low carbon fuel sites that can be readily integrated into the existing carbon-based global transportation system. More details on the use of green NH₃ and 2BtOH are described at Section III (Module 9).

Section III - Hybrid Hub Modular Production Process

The Hybrid Hub combines ten primary manufacturing systems, or modules, into a single, integrated production process. All modules are designed to work together to capture the Hub's unique technological flexibility and zero-low carbon product manufacturing capacities.

The Hub modular process creates a suite of new, stamped and certified zero- low carbon products as described in Section II. These products are used in the energy, agriculture, transportation, advanced electronics, semiconductor manufacturing and other industries.

Some Hub production modules can operate independently, work in sub- combinations with other modules, or operate as a fully integrated Hub manufacturing system. Hub module combinations will depend on natural resources— including renewable energy resources - available at specific locations. Market demand and pricing for key Hub products will also influence modular design.

A conceptual design of a fully integrated Hybrid Hub system is captured at Figure 1 (FIG. 1 ). A more detailed description of a Hub with the ten key modular components follows. Module 1 - Advanced Agricultural Production

Advanced, energy-dense, biomass crops will be grown at the Hybrid Hub site. The lignocellulosic biomass (composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) will be planted, grown, harvested and processed into zero-low carbon products.

In the example Hub, we use sorghum as the advanced energy crop.

Advanced sorghum hybrid plants are estimated to use 65% less water, have a 65% lower cost of cultivation and a 65-75% shorter growing season than standard sugarcane. Other energy crops have different characteristics but can also be used as the biomass source in the Hub design.

One option is to use 2BtOH, created at the Hub from the sugars and grains of sorghum, to fuel Hub vehicles and machinery. At the same time, the Hub will use the lignocellulosic waste from sorghum plant stalks to help power Hub internal energy generation needs. Bio-hydrogen from the sorghum residues will also be used. It will be combined with hydrogen from the Hub electrolysis process to help create green NH₃ to provide zero-low carbon fertilizer for the sorghum crop. Hydrolysis of biomass and gasification of pyrolysis bio-oil are additional processes that may be considered.

These efforts taken together allow Hub Module 1 to achieve its first goal - the most carbon-negative and greenhouse gas emission-negative agricultural production process in the world.

a. Low-Carbon Vehicles and Machinery

The tractors, farm equipment, cars, trucks and transportation fleets used to plant, harvest, process, and move the crops to market are typically powered by gasoline, diesel fuel or natural gas. This creates a significant carbon profile for normal agricultural practices.

By contrast, the Hub fleet of trucks, tractors, and other transportation vehicles, along with harvesters and other agricultural production machinery, will all operate on a unique blend of diesel or gasoline plus 2BtOH for fuel. They can also be modified to run on zero-low carbon, green NH₃.

Hub vehicle fuel will consist of a 25-30% blend of 2BtOH mixed with the normal gasoline or diesel fuel. 2BtOH has 25-30% greater energy density than ethanol and 81 % of the energy density of gasoline by mass - the highest energy density of any biomass alcohol fuel. Some estimates indicate that existing internal combustion engines can run up to 100% 2BtOH with minor modifications.

Hub 2BtOH is created from sugars and grains from sorghum plus recycled CCVderived sugars from the Hub production process, as described in the Advanced Biomass Fuels (Section 2) above.

b. Low-Carbon Internal Power Operations

The Hub internally powered energy system will be driven by a combination of wind energy and thermal or chemical generation systems designed to run on green hydrogen, green NH3, synthesis gas.

The hydrogen is created by the Hub through electrolysis of hydrogen from water and bio-hydrogen extracted from sorghum biomass residue. The cellulose waste of the sorghum plant is converted to create 7% hydrogen by weight. The sorghum residue is separated from the sorghum sugars and grains that are devoted to production of 2BtOH.

The Hub power generation system will create zero-low carbon energy from the green hydrogen or green NH₃-based generation systems. Water vapor is the only emission by product from the green hydrogen process. Water and nitrogen are emissions from the optional green NH₃ fueled generators. The water vapor will be constantly recovered and recycled as a hydrogen fuel source for the Hub generation system.

The generation system can include combustion turbines, fuels cells, spark ignited or compression ignited internal combustion generators, or any other power generation technology designed to run on either green hydrogen or green NH₃. Green hydrogen or green NH3-based generation at the Hub synthesis site will significantly reduce the overall carbon profile of Hub Module 1 agricultural production compared to any other carbon-based or biomass-based agricultural process operation.

c. Low-Carbon Fertilizer

Energy dense crops typically require nitrogen to grow. Worldwide nitrogen comes from anhydrous ammonia produced from carbon-based energy process driven by natural gas and coal. Imported anhydrous ammonia, used as a global fertilizer, releases 1 .75 tons of C0₂ per ton of ammonia produced from natural gas and 5 tons of C0₂ per ton if it is produced from coal. The total amount of C0₂ required to produce 9,250 tons per year (the amount of green NH3 produced by the example Hub) of merchant ammonia would range between 16, 187 tons of C0₂ using natural gas as a power source to 46,250 tons per year of C0₂ using coal as a source. This does not count the carbon emitted by transportation systems that carry merchant ammonia to markets around the world.

By contrast, Hub green NH3 production has a zero-low carbon footprint. The Hub Agricultural Production Module will substitute green NH3 for merchant ammonia to fertilize its sorghum crop. If the Hub makes green NH3 fertilizer from the wind- driven electrolysis + green NH3 synthesis system no C0₂ will be produced. If bio- hydrogen is used partially in the production of green NH3, the carbon profile will rise slightly but remain very low compared to the amount of net C0₂ produced by imported merchant ammonia.

Plus, Hub green NH3 will be produced from all-renewable local sources. This minimizes additional C0₂ production from transportation. If Hub green NH3 is transported to outside markets the trucks and barges can operate on a 2BtOH fuel blend, or later modified to run on green NH3.

Module 2 - Renewable Energy Integration

Hub Module 2 helps solve one of the most serious problems facing the global energy industry. This problem is the integration of increasing amounts of wind and other intermittent renewable energy sources into the power grid, as described in the Wind Energy Integration section above.

The example Hub integrates 7 megawatts of wind energy. The size of the wind farm and the wind integration system can be increased to a much larger scale depending on specific conditions at the Hub site and demand for Hub products. The Hub can operate connected to, or isolated from, the power grid. (See the discussion of the Hub ability to capture large-scale, isolated, renewable energy sources below).

The Hub is linked to both the 7 megawatts wind farm and the local power grid through transmission interconnection. When wind energy output corresponds to local demand the energy is passed directly through to the power grid. During times of high output and weak demand the wind energy can be directed into the Hub where it helps power the green NH₃ synthesis process. This insures wind energy is not wasted.

The Hub balances wind energy with 5.6 megawatts of firm energy fueled by synthesis gas produced from biomass from the 3, 100 acre sorghum harvest. The synthesis gas also can be converted into green hydrogen gas to power a combustion turbine with zero pollution. In this case, the firm energy output of the internal Hub power plant would drop to just under 5 megawatts. Maintaining this constant, overall, wind/biomass energy balance insures a high, year-round operating capacity for the Hub.

Figure 2 (FIG. 2) represents the estimated wind/biomass balance of the example Hub in subtropical region with daytime trade winds. The objective is to show sources of hydrogen production in an average day. The chart shows hydrogen produced from three sources: 1 ) electrolysis of hydrogen from water powered by biomass-based cogeneration; 2) electrolysis of hydrogen from water powered by wind; and 3) production of bio-hydrogen from biomass.

The chart shows that synthesis gas fueled co-generation maintains minimum operations of the Hub, producing hydrogen from water when the wind isn't blowing. Cogeneration keeps electrolyzers "warm" and operating at about 20% capacity. This allows the electrolyzers to respond virtually instantaneously to absorb energy from wind turbines when the trade winds begin to blow. This minimum electrolysis output produces 5.1 % of the total hydrogen requirement between midnight and 8:30 a.m. when wind output is flat. The same co-generation maintains minimum electrolysis operations after the wind dies down between 6 p.m. and midnight. This produces 3.5% of the total hydrogen requirement.

The tradewinds begin to ramp in at about 8:30 a.m. Wind output peaks in the early afternoon and ends around 6 p.m. (18:00 hours). During the course of the day, wind energy has produced 23.0% of the total hydrogen output required by the Hub. It accomplishes this by taking over the electrolysis process separating hydrogen from water from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Figure 2 represents only one example of how wind is integrated into the Hub. The total percent of wind contribution to electrolysis can increase or decrease depending on the shape of wind at a given site and other factors.

But electrolysis alone is not the only method of producing the total hydrogen requirement of the Hub. Bio-hydrogen is extracted from the sorghum plant residue (see Bio-Hydrogen Production, Module 3) and blended with hydrogen from water to provide enough hydrogen for the Hub to produce 27.5 tons a day of green NH₃ fuel and other products. Over 68.4% of the total Hub hydrogen requirement in this example comes from bio-hydrogen extracted from plants.

The Hub Intelligence system manages the complex energy balance between renewable energy sources and power from advanced biomass-based fuels. This real-time energy management system insures the maximum utilization of these two, zero-low carbon energy sources. The Hub green NH₃ synthesis process (Module 3) will convert this energy balance into energy-dense green NH3. The green NH3 can be sold as a fuel to power zero-low carbon Hub distributed generation sites (Module 8), used to grow Hub sorghum crops as a zero-low carbon fertilizer (Module 1 ), sold as high purity green NH3 to advanced electronics industries (Module 4), or for other purposes.

a. Capturing Isolated Resources

Hub wind integration can also work at remote locations, at small or large scale, far from the power grid. The Hub creates sufficient power on site for its own internal operational requirements. It does this by capturing energy from advanced biomass plant production and/or by absorbing local renewable energy resources.

Hubs therefore can be placed in remote locations, either on land or water, where large-scale wind, solar, geothermal or other renewable resources exist. Many of these high-value renewable energy locations will remain isolated from the power grid due to the prohibitive costs of transmission construction and maintenance, environmental restrictions and delays, or other considerations.

Hubs uniquely solve the problem of isolated renewable energy sites. They offer the option of putting a scalable Hub synthesis load directly at the source of renewable energy. Hub energy-dense green NH₃ and 2BtOH fuels can be produced on site and moved to market by truck, train or pipeline. So can other valuable Hub green products. No power transmission lines are required to the isolated site. On water, Hub green NH₃ manufacturing can be placed on a dedicated platform near ocean or lake based wind farms. The resulting green NH₃ and other valuable products can be shipped by existing ammonia barges to Hub generation sites on land near the center of load. The barges can pull up to Hub generation sites at industrial locations located near the water. The green NH₃ is piped from the barge to storage tanks or directly into the Hub distributed generation system.

The same barges can transport fresh water captured and collected from Hub generation emissions back out the Hub green NH₃ synthesis site on water. The fresh water then can be used as the green hydrogen fuel source for production of additional green NH₃. This water to green NH₃ to water recycling process can happen again and again as little net water is lost in the Hub generation water vapor recovery process.

Module 3 - Green NH3 Production

A key renewable fuel produced by the Hub is green NH₃. Hub green NH₃ synthesis can be scaled to meet virtually any size green NH₃ requirement. They can operate at distributed locations, on or off the power grid, throughout the world.

The example Hub produces 9,250 tons per year of green NH₃ per year operating at 92% capacity. To accomplish this, the Hub first produces 1 ,660 tons of green hydrogen gas and 7,727 tons of green nitrogen gas and converts them into green NH₃.

There are three key stages to this process: 1 ) production of renewable hydrogen from water and biomass; 2) production of nitrogen; 3) the catalytic conversion of hydrogen and nitrogen into green NH₃ through a Haber-Bosch synthesis loop. In the future, green NH₃ also can be synthesized at the Hub through new, modular and efficient ammonia production processes now being designed, such as Solid State Ammonia Synthesis and others.

Liquid ammonia is the densest, non-carbon fuel on the planet. Even so, it has about half the energy by mass of the equivalent amount of diesel fuel. The ammonia can be tanked and shipped via truck, rail or barge to distributed Hydrogen Hub generation sites near the center of load (see Module 8). Over 100 million tons of merchant (non-renewable) ammonia is sold around the world in any given year. It is used primarily as a fertilizer for global food production.

b. Bio-Hydrogen Production

In the example Hub, green hydrogen is produced from two sources. The first is bio-hydrogen produced from the lignocellulosic residue of biomass such as sorghum. The second source is the electrolysis of hydrogen from water.

The Hub produces an estimated 3.5 million of gallons of 2BtOH from the sugars and grains of 3, 100 acres of sorghum plants harvested twice a year. Tens of thousands of tons of sorghum plant stalks and roots remain. This sorghum plant residue can be converted into 7% hydrogen by weight.

This residue is harvested and compressed into conventional bio-pellets. At this point, there is the option of selling the bio-pellets to fuel boiler-type power plants, provide feedstock for animals, or for other purposes depending on market conditions.

In the Hub, bio-pellets can go through an advanced agro-pellet process that reduces bio-pellet volume by a factor of four and doubles the energy content per unit of mass. This occurs with an exertion of only about 15% of the final energy content of the advanced agro-pellets. This densification also reduces the cost of handling, storage and transport while decreasing the potential for the agro-pellets to degrade over time. The hydrogen-rich agro-pellets are used for two primary purposes: 1 ) as fuel source for Hub internal power operations (Module 4); and 2) as a bio-hydrogen source for producing Hub green NH3.

Bio-hydrogen is released from the advanced agro-pellets in a four step process. First, the agro-pellets are either torrefied or carbonization. Second, the resulting char is then steam gasified into synthesis gas. Third, a portion of the synthesis gas can be put through a water-gas-shift process designed to maximize production of bio-hydrogen and C0₂. Fourth, the bio-hydrogen is compressed to a minimum of 30 bar then piped to a hydrogen buffer tank where it is combined with hydrogen from the Hub electrolysis process.

Remaining bio-hydrogen from the water-gas-shift process is used to power the Hub internal power generation system (Module 7). The C0₂ produced by the water-gas-shift is captured and recycled by the Hub C0₂ conversion process (Module 6) and converted into 2BtOH.

c. Electrolyzed Hydrogen Production

As described in Module 2, the Hub integrates 7 megawatts of wind energy. The Hub Intelligence System balances this wind energy with 5.6 megawatts of firm energy produced at the On Site Green Power Generation site. Up to 6.8 megawatts of electrolysis production is powered by this combination of renewable energy. Electrolysis produces, in turn, high purity hydrogen and oxygen gas from water. This turns intermittent wind energy into valuable energy-dense fuel and specialty gases.

Hub electrolysis uses local, commercially available water as a source fuel for hydrogen. The hydrogen is piped to a buffer tank and blended with bio-hydrogen. The blended hydrogen is then combined with nitrogen and catalyti cally converted in the Haber-Bosch synthesis loop into green NH₃. There is the capacity to run the electrolysis process at higher capacity if market demand for high purity hydrogen warrants.

Hub Intelligence will certify and track high purity green hydrogen and green NH₃ to final customer utilization (see Module 4). This allows ongoing verification of carbon credits for customers.

d. Zero-Low Carbon Nitrogen Production

The example Hub is designed to produce 7,727 tons of green nitrogen gas a year. The nitrogen is captured from the atmosphere using a PSA process. Like the electrolysis process, the Hub air separation unit is powered by a combination of renewable energy resources and biomass from sorghum. This allows the nitrogen to also be stamped and certified as an all-renewable, zero-low carbon product.

Green nitrogen can be catalytically converted into green NH3 at the Hub. It can also be sold to outside markets. This offers a competitive advantage over other nitrogen production plants that are typically powered by natural gas or coal and therefore leave a significant carbon footprint and may be subject to carbon taxes or other penalties.

e. Zero-Low Carbon Oxygen

The example Hub also produces an estimated 4,345 tons of high purity oxygen gas per year through electrolysis from water. This assumes the electrolysis process at the Hub will operate 31 .6% of the time. This level of production can be increased depending on market demand. The oxygen produced will have an estimated 99.5% purity level directly from the electrolyzer. It will be certified and tagged with a Hub green product profile.

The initial oxygen purity level from electrolysis is much cleaner than oxygen extracted from the atmosphere using carbon-powered processes. Hub oxygen from water also has low argon content - an important factor in reducing subsequent purification costs. Module 4 describes how Hubs can use catalytic purification to further increase the purity of electrolyzed oxygen to level of 99.99999% or higher. This meets or exceeds exacting UHP oxygen standards.

Module 4 - Green Specialty Gas Production

The Hub Specialty Gas (HSG) manufacturing facility produces four high purity industrial gases with very high purity levels, high efficiency and certified, green profiles. The gases include green NH₃, green oxygen, green hydrogen, and green nitrogen. The gases are commonly produced, and separately managed, at the HSG site.

Depending on market demand different elements of the Hub can be sized to produce each of the major gases - or a combination of all five products. This creates the potential for a new, highly flexible green product derivatives market tracked and controlled by Hub Intelligence technology (Module 10).

High gas production efficiencies are uniquely achieved at the HSG facility by: 1 ) concentrating the creation, purification, compression and/or liquefying of the four specialty gases at a single facility; 2) sharing energy input, capital and operating costs among a number of commonly produced product lines; 3) rapidly altering product output among and between specialty gases to respond to changes in market demand for each product; and 4) distributing the more scalable and modular Hub synthesis locations closer to major specialty gas markets.

All of the four major green specialty gases produced at the Hub have zero-low carbon content because they are made from renewable sources of biomass and energy (Module 3). Beyond this the Hub specialty gases can be exceptionally pure. For the first time the zero-low carbon content and the purity level of the gases can certified and tracked to the point of use. This creates a suite of new, high-value products for the marketplace.

The example Hub can produce up to 9,250 tons per year of green NH₃, up to 13,240 tons of green oxygen if all hydrogen is extracted from water in lieu of biomass, 7,727 tons of green nitrogen (producing green NH₃), and 1 ,660 tons of green hydrogen (producing green NH₃) per year operating at 92% capacity. The first three green products - green NH₃, green oxygen and green hydrogen - have high purity levels because they can be produced from water.

With green oxygen, the initial oxygen separated from water by the Hub electrolysis system emerges with a much lower argon concentration than oxygen extracted from the atmosphere using carbon-powered processes. This low argon content is an important factor in reducing subsequent purification costs.

The Specialty Gas Module includes a catalytic purification process. This increases electrolyzed oxygen to a purity level of 99.99999% or higher, meeting or exceeding exacting UHP oxygen standards. The estimated price range of UHP oxygen sales to the semiconductor industry ranges from $500-$7,000 a ton based on tank size, level of purity and other factors.

The size of this global market is limited, but growing. More information on the UHP oxygen market is being explored. The UHP oxygen is compressed and liquefied at the Hub site for transportation by truck, rail or barge to markets worldwide.

With green NH₃, the purity level produced at the Hub (Module 3) from the Haber-Bosch process is estimated at 99.5% pure. This can be increased through catalytic purification if necessary to 99.9998% pure. This has high value for a number of industries. One is the LED manufacturing industry. According to some recent estimates, emerging demand for LED lighting is forecasted to grow from $5.1 billion in 2008 to $14.9 billion in 2013 - a compounded annual growth rate of 24.0%. There is additional demand for green NH₃ from energy, refrigeration, agriculture, and other industries.

High purity (99.99999% pure) green hydrogen is also in demand in the semiconductor, advanced electronics and other industries with estimated wholesale prices ranging up to $2,000-$3,000 per ton. High purity green hydrogen can be manufactured at the HSG facility using electrolyzed hydrogen from water and bio- hydrogen from sorghum.

The hydrogen can be catalytically purified, then liquefied, and sold to outside markets. Depending on the value of products in given markets at given times, high purity, green hydrogen can be used by the Hub to manufacture very high purity green NH3 or sold outright. If high market value persists, Hub green hydrogen and green NH₃ capacity can be increased to respond rapidly to demand at key locations around the world.

Green nitrogen is extracted from the atmosphere through a PSA process similar to carbon-powered air separation systems. The purity level of Hub nitrogen will therefore be similar to the purity of nitrogen produced from air by PSA units powered by natural gas or other carbon fuels.

But since the entire HSG module is powered by renewable energy, all Hub specialty gases - including nitrogen - will carry a unique, Hub-certified zero-low carbon profile. Competitive gases produced with carbon-based natural gas or coal may be subject to carbon fees or penalties. Smaller scale Hub synthesis sites also can be built faster, cleaner and closer to facilities requiring these key products. This saves time to market. It also saves on fuel costs and potential carbon penalties associated with long-distance transportation of specialty gases the point of use.

Module 5 - Advanced Biomass Fuel Production

Hubs create two of the most energy dense, renewable fuels in the world - advanced biomass fuel and green NH3 - from a fully integrated manufacturing system. In this module, the Hub produces advanced, biomass-based fuels.

While the Hub can produce various energy-dense bio-fuels, we focus in the example Hub on production of 2BtOH, an exceptionally powerful and practical biomass-based fuel manufactured from the sugars and grains of the sorghum plant. The Hub can also produce isobutanol, a similar fuel to 2BtOH.

The example Hub produces an estimated 3.5 million gallons of 2BtOH from the sugars and grains of 3, 100 acres of sorghum. The total number of gallons of 2BtOH manufactured at the Hub site can be significantly increased by capturing and recycling C0₂. Both the Hub 2BtOH production process and the Hub internal power generation process (Module 7) release significant amounts of C0₂. With recycling and conversion of C0₂ via Phototropic Aquatic Organisms (Module 6) the Hub can increase 2BtOH production up to an estimated 10.4 million gallons per year.

2BtOH is considered by many experts to be a "drop in" fuel— more easily integrated into the global energy infrastructure than any alternative bio-fuel. 2BtOH is 25-30% more energy dense than ethanol with less moisture content. Unlike ethanol, 2BtOH can be blended at high concentrations with gasoline and diesel fuel. 2BtOH can be used to rapidly increase the renewable profile of existing diesel- powered electric generation systems. It can also be easily blended with gasoline for use in cars, trucks, ships and transportation fleets.

The sorghum sugars and grains are harvested in the field and transported to the Hub new, indirect fermentation process (IFP). The IFP allows 2BtOH for the first time to be made in very large quantities. It does so by overcoming the other butanol isomers tendency toward chemical "self-poisoning" at high concentration levels. The IFP accomplishes this employing an advanced, three phased, two-step process for the indirect fermentation of monosaccharide sugars to 2BtOH.

In the Phase I of the IFP, simple sugars are fermented to 2,3-Butanediol (2,3- BD). This co-produces a small amount of hydrogen that is captured for use. It also produces a large amount of C0₂ that can be made available for recycling and conversion by the Hub in Module 6.

During the same step in the process a second chemical dehydration phase is continuously undertaken reacting the 2,3-Bd with a catalyst to produce methyl-ethyl- ketone (MEK) and water. The water can be recycled. The MEK is purified in a rectification column and then fed into a final hydrogenation step.

There, the MEK is chemically reacted with the recycled hydrogen from the fermentation phase to produce 2BtOH. The process may have flexibility to produce isobutanol. 2BtOH is the preferred fuel at the example Hub for a number of reasons, including its lower boiling point that provides 2BtOH production advantages.

The Hub stores 2BtOH in tanks on site prior to transporting it to market via truck, train, pipeline, ship or barge. Some elements of the Hub transportation fleet can initially use up to a 25-30% 2BtOH blend to move the 2BtOH to market - creating a low carbon footprint compared to standard transportation alternatives. Long-term, trucks, barges and other vehicles used to transport products to market may be designed to run on 100% 2BtOH.

The Hub Intelligence system tracks and certifies the unique renewable profile of 2BtOH through a multi-staged process designed to reduce C0₂ content at each iterative step. The stages include: 1 ) the choice of sorghum for the source plant absorbing that is expected to absorb 138, 150 tons of C0₂ with a 3, 100 acre, twice a year planting; 2) the zero-low carbon agricultural production practices from Module 1 ; 3) the zero-low carbon energy produced by internal Hub power generation at Module 7; and 4) the recycling and conversion of C0₂ via phototropic organisms in Module 6; 6) the zero-low carbon Hub transportation to market; and 7) other zero-low carbon Hub manufacturing processes.

Taken together the Hub unique, multi-staged, fully integrated manufacturing process produces an unmatched suite of certified, zero-low carbon products from renewable resources at competitive prices.

Module 6 - CO? Recycling and Conversion

Capturing, recycling and converting C0₂ produced at the Hub can significantly increase production 2BtOH and similar advanced biomass fuels. It can also lower the carbon and greenhouse gas profile of 2BtOH and overall Hub operations.

Hub C0₂ comes primarily from two major production modules at the Hub. C0₂ captured during the growing of sorghum is released as a by-product of Module 5's advanced biomass fuel fermentation process. Additional C0₂ is produced when advanced agro-pellets of sorghum are used to help fuel the Hub internal power generation system described at Module 7. The Hub-produced C0₂ from these locations is captured and piped to the C0₂ recycling and conversion system.

There are alternative options to convert C0₂ into 2BtOH. The preferred option at the example Hub employs a proprietary, photo-bioreactor (PBR)-based process. The PBR converts C0₂ via Phototropic Aquatic Organisms (algae is used in the example Hub) into sugars that, in turn, are reintroduced into Module 5's advanced biomass production process. This produces more 2BtOH that, in turn, produces more C0₂ as a byproduct. This process is repeated, continuously creating more 2BtOH and converting more additional C0₂. This increases the Hub net energy output and decreases its carbon and greenhouse gas profile. Inside the PBR manufacturing facility a series of tanks contain an advanced algae fermentation process. The Hub has the option of selecting specific phototropic plants for production of different fuels. In the example Hub, algae in the tanks can be exposed to natural light. They can also be exposed to specific light frequencies from surrounding panels of highly efficient, LEDs.

The LED option can increase plant production, maximize control of output, and minimize energy required by the PBR. It can minimize the interior size of the PBR building/s by precisely positioning the flexible LED light panels among and between tanks to maximize C0₂ phototropic conversion. This advanced Hub PBR design can help overcome the problem of sunlight shadowing among and between, for example, standard C0₂ conversion tanks placed outdoors. The indoor PBR tanks will not be exposed to outdoor elements. They are likely to experience longer productive life cycles and lower maintenance costs.

The unique Hub C0₂ recycling and conversion process has the potential to increase production of 2BtOH at the example Hub by an estimated 200-300% - from and estimated 3.5 million gallons to an estimated 10.4 million gallons. The Hub PBR significantly increases the output of Hub energy-dense fuels. It also control of product quality, allows Hub Intelligence to more easily certify and track product output, reduces operating costs, and creates a very low carbon and greenhouse gas profile for Hub-produced 2BtOH.

The 10.4 million gallons of 2BtOH produced from 3, 100 acres of sorghum at the example Hub equals some 1 15,000 megawatt-hours of diesel equivalent power. The net carbon effect of the Hub agriculture production in Module 1 , the 2BtOH manufacturing in Module 5, and the C0₂ recycling and conversion of Module 6 would cause an estimated overall reduction of over 45 million tons of C0₂ from the atmosphere compared to doing nothing.

Module 7 - On Site Green Power Generation

The Hub synthesis site generates its own power from zero-low carbon energy sources - advanced biomass-based and renewable energy sources such as wind. The Hub green power generation module can also generate high-capacity, excess energy for sale to the local power. The example Hub integrates the intermittent energy output from the 7 megawatts of wind energy (Module 2) with 5.6 megawatts high-capacity, firm energy output from 3, 100 acres of sorghum harvested twice a year.

The Hub onsite green power generation integrates renewable energy from Module 2 and biomass-based energy from sorghum. The biomass-based generation can operate on at least three different fuels: 1 ) biomass-based synthesis gas made of carbon monoxide and bio-hydrogen; 2) pure bio-hydrogen; 3) green NH₃; or a combination of these fuels. The net energy output and fuel mix at the onsite generation plant will be managed by the Hub Intelligence System and depend on renewable energy output from Module 2, biomass harvest conditions, and other factors.

Historically moist biomass such as sugarcane bagasse has been used for power production in relatively straightforward biomass boilers. This drives steam turbine systems to power the plant the local power grid for a period during and after the harvest season. These systems historically have little in the way of emission controls and low efficiency due mainly to the high water content of the bagasse.

The Hub begins the biomass-based generation process by creating advanced agro-pellets with very high energy and exceptionally low moisture content.

After the sugars and grains are removed to produce 2BtOH the sorghum plant residue is harvested. This plant residue is then compressed into conventional bio- pellets. At this point, there is the option of selling the bio-pellets directly to fuel boiler-type power plants, provide feedstock for animals, or for other purposes depending on market conditions.

The Hub bio-pellets then undergo an advanced agro-pelletization process that reduces bio-pellet volume by a factor of four and doubles the energy content per unit of mass. This occurs with an exertion of only about 15% of the final energy content of the advanced agro-pellets. This densification also reduces the cost of handling, storage and transport while decreasing the potential for the agro-pellets to degrade over time.

The hydrogen-rich agro-pellets are then used for two primary purposes: 1 ) to fuel Hub internal power operations via synthesis gas or pure hydrogen gas; and 2) to produce Hub green NH3. Bio-hydrogen is released from the advanced agro-pellets in a five-step process.

First, the agro-pellets go through either an advanced carbonization or torrefaction process. This reduces the agro-pellets to bio-char and removes impurities. This pretreatment process can either be integrated with the gasification system or done separately.

Second, hydrogen-dense agro-pellet char is automatically introduced into a gasification system, such as a circulating fluidized bed. Here, the char is converted by a stream of steam estimated at 950-degrees Celsius into synthesis gas consisting of hydrogen and carbon monoxide.

Third, the synthesis gas is diverted into two separate streams. One stream is used to directly power the Hub generation system. The synthesis gas may require additional purification depending upon the feedstock.

The alternative synthesis gas stream is diverted into a water-gas-shift process designed to maximize production of bio-hydrogen and C0₂. The C0₂ produced by the water-gas-shift is captured and recycled by Hub Module 6 into 2BtOH.

Fourth, the bio-hydrogen is diverted into two optional paths. Some of it is compressed and piped to a hydrogen buffer tank where it is combined with hydrogen from the Hub electrolysis process. This hydrogen blend is used to make green NH3 at Module 3.

Fifth, the remaining bio-hydrogen can be used as an alternative fuel to synthesis gas to power Hub onsite generation. This offers environmental advantages. Green hydrogen-fueled Hub generators or fuel cells create energy and have zero carbon emissions - only water vapor.

This further lowers the overall carbon profile of Hub products. The distilled water vapor resulting from hydrogen or green NH3 generation can be captured and recycled at the Hub site.

a. Flexible Generation

Hub Intelligence software will divert a portion of the synthesis gas stream to fuel the Hub power generation system. The extent of diverted gas depends on the availability of renewable energy output from Module 2. At the example Hub this is a 7-megawatt wind farm. Hub generators options include combustion turbines, diesel or gasoline generators and fuel cells, liquid air and/or liquid oxygen energy storage systems, or other advanced, high-efficiency energy technologies modified to run on zero-low carbon Hub fuels.

For maximum energy efficiency, the Hub may employ a heat recovery steam generator system to create a high temperature steam feed to the gasifier. It can also create a high temperature steam feed to a steam turbine for additional electricity production. The exhaust of the steam turbine is also used for medium temperature plant steam - primarily for advanced bio-fuel production.

The Hub can use combined-cycle generators with heat recovery to power its relatively small-scale bio-refineries. This sets the stage for scalable Hub synthesis plants, distributed to key locations on or off the power grid, with highly efficient biomass co-generation providing not only plant power, but also firm energy for local power grids. Advanced agro-pellets, safely warehoused, provide a stable feedstock to bridge energy production across harvest seasons.

b. Alternative Fuels

Synthesis gas from the Hub can be used for many alternative fuels. It is not only a pathway to hydrogen, ammonia and power generation, but it also can be converted into middle distillates that can be refined to include diesel or jet fuel through Fischer-Tropsch Systems; methanol; DME; or gasoline through the Mobil or similar processes; methanol to a host of synthetic chemicals through various processes; and mixed alcohols through a fermentation process.

Module 8 - Off Site Distributed Power Generation

In addition to Hub power generation on at the synthesis site, separate Hub power generation plants can be distributed near the center of electric load. This helps utilities meet one of the most serious challenges - peak power demand.

Hub distributed generation sites (DGSs) can be precisely sized to meet peak load requirements. They can also be sited at other key locations within the transmission balancing authority where zero-carbon, high-capacity power generation has great value. The DGSs will be fueled with green NH3 and advanced biomass fuels (such as 2BtOH) transported to the site. The example Hub DGS site uses 1 ,500 tons of green NH₃ to generate 5 megawatts of peak power (7.5% capacity) with zero pollution. The power is generated with a combustion turbine, compression ignited generator, industrial fuel cell or other generation systems designed to run on green NH₃. In addition, the Hub provides 5 megawatts of low-carbon peak power fueled by an estimated 300,000 gallons of 2BtOH per year.

By increasing fuel storage tanks at the DGS, high-capacity firm power can be provided for extended periods of time similar to natural gas or other carbon-based generation alternatives. The Hub DGS power generation systems are all designed to run on either green NH₃ or advanced bio-fuels such as 2BtOH.

During combustion of green NH3 the only emissions from the generators are water vapor and nitrogen. With green NH3, the entire Hub synthesis-storage- generation process is designed to be carbon-free. The water vapor can be captured at the Hub DGS. It can be recycled and credited against water consumed at the green NH₃ synthesis site.

Alternatively, the recovered water can by shipped back to the nearest synthesis site in empty ammonia tanks and used to make additional green NH₃. These options minimize net water consumption and create a "closed" environmental loop. Nitrogen gathered from the atmosphere during the green NH₃ synthesis process is released back into the air via combustion of green NH₃ at the DGS location.

Hubs offers an energy storage and conversion system that creates its own fuels and other valuable green products. Hub green NH₃ and advanced energy fuels can also be transported by existing truck, rail, pipeline, ship or barge to Hub DGSs. The fuels can be stored across seasons at DGS sites where they can generate firm power on demand throughout the year.

Hub DGSs do this at a scale that can power villages, neighborhoods or small cities. Optional liquid air energy storage system, or similar technology, can be integrated into the distributed generation site. This can insure exceptionally fast response time to the grid at the DGS - creating additional, high-value ancillary services. Hub DGSs can generate power during the most serious pollution episode days because of their zero-low carbon emissions profile. High pollution periods are strongly correlated peak power demand conditions. Local carbon-based power generators can be prohibited from operating during these periods because they add pollution to the local air shed and when clean air requirements have already been met or exceeded.

In addition, as peak load conditions approach, power operators can use Hub

Intelligence technology to remotely turn on the Hub DGS generators and simultaneously dispatch the Hub synthesis load located at the DGS site or elsewhere. This creates unique, simultaneous load/generation increments and/or decrements to the power system (see Coordinated Load/Generation Management under Section II above).

This unmatched Hub system flexibility allows utilities to respond to rapid demand from plug-in hybrid and all-electric cars, avoid or delay transmission or distribution system construction, limit exposure to carbon penalties, avoid transmission congestion fees, and meet Renewable Portfolio Standards.

Hub DGSs can also act as stand-by reserves, offer zero-low carbon back-up power for key loads such as server farms, form the backbone of emissions control, tracking and verification system, capture and recycle fresh water from green NH₃ emissions for local consumption, insure state-of-the-art cyber security, offer a viable neighborhood-based independent power producer option, and provide a wide variety of other benefits.

Module 9 - Off Site Fueling Stations

Hub distributed generation sites can have an important additional purpose to provide firm energy to the power grid. They also can act as fueling stations for cars, trucks and transportation fleets.

In addition to use as power generation fuels, Hub 2BtOH and green NH₃ also can be used to help fuel the transportation infrastructure - rapidly reducing the carbon profile of cars, trucks, ships and transportation fleets. Storage of key Hub fuels can be increased on site to account for both power generation requirements and increased transportation demand. Costs for this new zero-low carbon infrastructure can be shared by both the energy and transportation industries - decreasing capital requirements for both.

2BtOH is a fourth-generation, advanced biomass fuel. It can be readily blended with gasoline and diesel fuel at up to a 25-30% concentration of 2BtOH. It has significantly more energy density and less moisture content than ethanol. Use of blended 2BtOH can rapidly increase renewable energy use, reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, and decrease dependency foreign energy sources. With 2BtOH this can be accomplished while requiring relatively little modification to the existing transportation and carbon-fuel infrastructure.

A variety of power equipment and vehicles can operate on blended 2BtOH.

Some examples include lawnmowers, forklifts, motorcycles, gasoline-fueled cars and light trucks, diesel-fueled cars, light trucks and heavy trucks, trains, boats, barges, ships, small airplanes, and a wide variety of other machines.

As distributed Hub generation sites expand to serve the power grid, so will access to 2BtOH. This should increase demand in both the developed and the developing world. Cars, trucks and other machines can rapidly be modified to run on 100% 2BtOH or similar advanced, fourth energy fuels.

a. Military Base Applications

The use of green NH3 has applications for the military. Forward operating bases, for example, must have diesel fuel brought in to isolated areas in tanks at an estimated cost exceeding $50 or more a gallon in some areas. Potable water must also be brought into the base at significant additional cost.

Alternatively, a Hub DSG can be established at the forward base with spark ignited or compression ignited generators designed to run on green NH3. Tanks filled with green NH3 replace tanks filled with diesel fuel. The result is the forward operating base is powered by zero-carbon, renewable energy. In addition, by capturing highly purified, distilled water vapor emissions from the green NH3 generators, the base also generates ultra-clean drinking water for troops. Both water and energy are brought to the base in the same tank of green NH3. This creates important fuel and operational flexibilities for the military in the field.

Since green NH3 is the densest, non-carbon fuel in the world, it has potential for use in a variety of vehicles as well. Spark ignited internal combustion engines have already been modified to operate on ammonia, as have jets. The X-15 aircraft set speed records fuel by ammonia. Green NH3 can be formed into either a liquid or solid fuel. Special amine salts, for example, can safely hold similar energy content as liquid NH3 and can be readily rechargeable.

Military bases can establish Hub DGSs to both power the base with green

NH₃ or blended 2BtOH. It can also run base vehicles and machinery on fuels blending 2BtOH with gasoline or diesel fuel.

Hub synthesis sites can be located on military bases to assure uninterrupted access to key Hub fuels. This will create a new level of fuel flexibility for the military. Hubs will lessen the impact the serious supply disruption of oil from the Middle East or elsewhere and open a new, zero-low carbon fuels path to simultaneously serve both energy and transportation needs.

Modular 10 - Hub Intelligence Systems (HIS)

Hub Intelligence Systems control and manage a variety of critical factors from fully integrating Hub internal operations, to providing security from power grid attacks and outages, to creating and tracking Hub green products, to the development of 21 st century micro-grids.

a. Three-Dimensional Micro-Grids

Hubs can form the center of new "three-dimensional" micro-grids (3DMGs). 3DMGs are the hyper-efficient, zero-low carbon, cyber safe, self-contained energy islands of the 21 st century. A network of Hub generation sites can form a decentralized, resilient new power grid, controlled by the HIS.

With HIS systems managing the process, 3DMGs provide power to neighborhoods, creates zero-low carbon power generation at the center of load, acts as an energy sink for intermittent wind and other renewable resources, and provides the real time interface with the centralized power grid.

The 3DMG s can be owned and operated by neighborhood-based independent power producer (IPP) groups, created from virtual buying cooperatives, and organized through Web 2.0 technology linked to Hub Intelligence. Local investors and neighborhood citizen groups linked to local commercial enterprises can own their own zero-low carbon power plant. Excess power, or flexibility ancillary services from the Hub, can be sold by the neighborhood IPP to the local utility or grid operator. This keeps local rate down and offers the potential for profit.

Hub Intelligence manages interactions between the 3DMG generation sites and the centralized power grid. Hub synthesis sites can also be located within the 3DMG to help absorb intermittent renewable energy, turn it into firm power, and created associated green products. Hub fuels can power neighborhood vehicles or home-based generators. The 3DMG creates new local jobs with zero dependence on foreign energy or other resources.

b. Hub Cyber Security (HCS)

The centralized power grid faces serious security and stability challenges.

Hubs are designed to be independent islands of energy with the most advanced cyber security features in the world. Using white listing, virtual islanding and other cutting-edge protective features, Hub Intelligence turns Hybrid Hubs into islands of power grid stability during power outages. They offer state-of-the-art protection against cyber attack.

c. Hub Power Track (HPT)

Hubs will provide real-time electron sourcing. Through HPT will identify the relative carbon profile of all energy resources powering the Hub at any given moment. Hub Intelligence HPT also certifies the relative content level of foreign or domestic resources used in the production of Hub products. With the HPT label consumers for the first time will be able to determine both the carbon and foreign resource content of the products they consume. The goal is to establish and own a new consumer standard that will allow the Hub to track the level of domestic vs. foreign resources, and the carbon content, used in the production of Hub products. Hub products should have the lowest foreign and carbon resource scores in the world.

d. Green Product Management (GPM)

Working with the HPT, the Hub GPM system verifies in real time that electrons from the power grid driving the Hub process are sourced from surplus hydropower, wind, solar or other renewable energy sources. Tanks holding the Hub products created during this period are coded with a 100% carbon-free profile. The green profile of any Hub product is reduced, and appropriately labeled, if during subsequent periods carbon-based energy is used in part or in whole to create it. The GPM system then tracks Hub products through the transportation system and verifies final use. The consumer of Hub products can claim all, or part of, a carbon credit or offset depending on the GPM carbon profile. The Hub GPM system sets the foundation for a new green products derivatives market.

e. Hub Power Sink (HPS)

The HPS program manages in real time Hub increments and decrements to the power system. HPT manages the Hub synthesis plant to insure it absorbs variable wind, hydro, solar and other resources and turns them into flexible energy capacity with zero emissions. In addition, HPS can dispatch the Hub green NH3 synthesis and other loads during system peaks or emergencies as it simultaneously turns on Hub zero-low carbon generation. HPS manages this unique set of power system flexibilities in coordination with power grid managers.

Section IV - Conclusion

Hybrid Hubs can form the backbone of a new 21 ^st century infrastructure network providing important, zero-low carbon products for key industries throughout the world. Distributed Hub power generation and green product synthesis sites strengthen and stabilize the power grid, provide new energy-dense renewable fuels, open a zero-carbon path for global fertilizer production, create advanced fuels for transportation and provide high purity products for advanced electronics - all from renewable sources. A global network of Hybrid Hubs can help create a truly sustainable future.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1 . A system for producing and storing energy comprising

a first module configured to blend a first amount of hydrogen generated from electrolysis of water using renewable energy and a second amount of hydrogen extracted from cellulosic plant residue to create an amount of blended hydrogen; a second module configured to synthesize anhydrous ammonia using the blended hydrogen from the first module; and

a third module configured to convert anhydrous ammonia to electrical energy.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the third module is further capable of tracking respective origins of a plurality of sources of anhydrous ammonia.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the second module is further configured to capture and purify oxygen gas produced as a byproduct of ammonia synthesis.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein

the first module is configured to produce a first amount of blended hydrogen; the second module is configured to consume a second amount of blended hydrogen;

the first amount is greater than the second amount; and

excess blended hydrogen is captured and stored.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the cellulosic plant residue is at least partly provided by biomass crops grown on-site.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein

the anhydrous ammonia utilized by the third module comprises a plurality of sources of anhydrous ammonia; and

the third module is further configured to allow variable control of relative percentages of each source used in the conversion process.