WO2023084215A2 - Processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system, system, and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system, system, and apparatus therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2023084215A2
WO2023084215A2 PCT/GB2022/052844 GB2022052844W WO2023084215A2 WO 2023084215 A2 WO2023084215 A2 WO 2023084215A2 GB 2022052844 W GB2022052844 W GB 2022052844W WO 2023084215 A2 WO2023084215 A2 WO 2023084215A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
processing
electric power
electric
biogas
hub
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2022/052844
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2023084215A3 (en
Inventor
Kim Nutley
Original Assignee
Egge Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Egge Ltd filed Critical Egge Ltd
Publication of WO2023084215A2 publication Critical patent/WO2023084215A2/en
Publication of WO2023084215A3 publication Critical patent/WO2023084215A3/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B09—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE; RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL
    • B09B—DISPOSAL OF SOLID WASTE
    • B09B3/00—Destroying solid waste or transforming solid waste into something useful or harmless
    • B09B3/60—Biochemical treatment, e.g. by using enzymes
    • B09B3/65—Anaerobic treatment
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/05—Accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02J—CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY
    • H02J15/00—Systems for storing electric energy
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/10—Batteries in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/20—Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an energy capture and utilisation system, a processing hub and apparatus therefor, and methods for energy capture and energy utilisation. Aspects of the invention relate to a processing hub for a system for energy capture from waste materials at a location, and local energy utilisation in transport applications. Embodiments of the invention incorporate local energy storage, which may be used for transport applications from the location and/or which may be distributed to other locations for utilisation. Embodiments of the invention incorporate electric vehicles for transport applications and/or distribution of energy.
  • a processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system, the processing hub arranged at a processing location and comprising: a waste material processing module operable to generate biogas from input waste material at the processing location; an energy storage module operable to store energy from a biogas product at the processing location; and a vehicle charging module operable to charge a vehicle from energy from the biogas product.
  • the biogas product may be raw biogas, or may be a derivative of raw biogas, including but not limited to bio-methane and/or liquid e-fuels such as hydrogen, or other sustainable liquid fuels.
  • the hub may comprise equipment to upgrade and/or reform and/or compress and/or store generated biogas at the processing location.
  • the hub may comprise an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from a biogas product at the processing location.
  • the energy storage module may comprise at least one electric power storage unit comprising one or more battery cells chargeable by the electric power generator module.
  • the vehicle charging module may be an electric vehicle charging module operable to charge an electric vehicle from electric power generated from the electric power generator module.
  • the vehicle charging module may be configured to refuel a vehicle with a biogas product.
  • the energy storage module may comprise at least one heat power storage unit, which may comprise one or more heat battery cells chargeable by an electric power generator module, a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, and/or biogas fired boiler.
  • a heat power storage unit which may comprise one or more heat battery cells chargeable by an electric power generator module, a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, and/or biogas fired boiler.
  • CHP combined heat and power
  • the system may comprise a plurality of energy storage modules, and/or may comprise a plurality of vehicle charging modules.
  • the system may comprise a plurality of energy storage modules of the same type, and/or may comprise a plurality of energy storage modules of different types.
  • the system may comprise a plurality of vehicle charging modules of the same type, and/or may comprise a plurality of vehicle charging modules of different types.
  • the system may comprise a plurality of electric vehicle charging modules.
  • the processing hub provides an integrated waste processing, energy capture, and vehicle transport hub.
  • the vehicle may be an electric aircraft.
  • the electric aircraft may be an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
  • the vehicle charging module may incorporate, or may be assembled with, at least one energy storage module to form an integrated storage and charging module.
  • the processing hub may comprise at least one storage container for a biogas product.
  • the storage container may comprise a biogas storage container configured to receive and store raw biogas from the waste material processing module.
  • the biogas storage module may comprise one or more compressed biogas (CBG) containers.
  • the electric power generator module may comprise a biogas engine, and may comprise a combined heat and power (CHP) unit.
  • CHP combined heat and power
  • one or more of the hub modules is sized and shaped to be transportable by road and/or rail.
  • one or more of the hub modules may be sized and shaped with dimensions similar to or less than an industry standard shipping container.
  • the one or more modules may be formed in an industry standard shipping container.
  • all of the modules are sized and shaped to be transportable by road and/or rail.
  • One or more hub components may be movable within the processing location.
  • the vehicle charging module may be movable within a site at a processing location to facilitate access by a vehicle to be charged (or for other reasons).
  • a subset of the plurality of energy storage modules may be movable within a processing site.
  • the one or more hub components may be movable on wheels within a site at a processing location, and may comprise one or more drive mechanisms operable to move the component.
  • the one or more hub components may be operable to be moved by an auxiliary vehicle or operator.
  • the one or more system components may be autonomously movable, for example, between a vehicle charging location, an electric power storage unit charging or refuelling location, and a storage or maintenance location.
  • a plurality of electric vehicle charging modules may be arranged at a processing site to facilitate charging of a plurality of electric vehicles.
  • the electric vehicles may comprise electric aircraft and/or electric land vehicles (including but not limited to electric cars, electric vans, electric scooters, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles or tricycles) and/or electric water vehicles and/or electric amphibious vehicles.
  • the electric vehicle charging module may comprise, and/or may be configured as, a landing pad for an electric aircraft.
  • the electric vehicle charging module may comprise an electric power storage unit, an access point for transmitting and/or receiving electric power to and/or from a corresponding point on an electric aircraft, and a landing surface for the electric aircraft.
  • the contact may comprise a wireless charge point for wireless transmission and/or reception of electric power to and/or from the electric aircraft.
  • the waste material processing module may comprise an anaerobic digestion reaction unit which generates biogas as an output from a reaction process.
  • the processing hub may be operable without reliance on fixed electric power transmission infrastructure, and may be operable off-grid, without connection to a fixed auxiliary electric power supply.
  • an energy capture and utilisation system comprising: one or more processing hubs according to the first aspect of the invention; and one or more roving units, each roving unit operable to be movable away from and outside of the processing site and comprising at least one energy storage unit.
  • the roving unit may comprise at least one energy storage unit, which may comprise an electric power storage unit.
  • the roving unit may comprise at least one electric power access point.
  • the roving unit may therefore provide electric power at a location away from the processing site, enabling utilisation of energy generated at the processing site over a wider geographical area.
  • the roving unit may comprise an electric vehicle charge point. It may comprise, and/or may be configured as, a landing pad for an electric aircraft, and may comprise an eVTOL landing pad.
  • the roving unit may comprise an autonomous vehicle, which may be an autonomous land or water vehicle.
  • the roving unit may be autonomously movable between a location at which it can be refuelled or charged, locations at which they are utilised, and/or locations at which they are stored or maintained.
  • the roving unit may comprise a mobile electric power generator unit, operable to generate electric power and/or heat power from a biogas product.
  • the roving unit may comprise a storage container for a biogas product, which may be a CBG container, a bio-methane container, or a liquid fuel container.
  • the roving unit may comprise a biogas engine, which may be a combined heat and power (CHP) unit.
  • CHP combined heat and power
  • the roving unit may comprise adjustable wheel couplings which enable raising and lowering of a main chassis of the unit with respect to the ground.
  • the system may comprise an electric vehicle, and may comprise an electric aircraft, which may be autonomous.
  • the electric aircraft may be an eVTOL aircraft, which may be an autonomous eVTOL aircraft.
  • the electric vehicle may be configured to transport personnel and/or cargo.
  • the system may comprise an energy station comprising an energy storage module operable to store energy from a biogas product; and a vehicle charging module operable to charge a vehicle from energy from the biogas product.
  • An energy station may comprise any of the essential or preferred features of the processing hub, with the exception of the waste material processing module. Thus, the energy station may provide the functionality of the processing hub, with the exception of the capability to generate biogas from the treatment of waste material.
  • An energy station may however receive and/or store energy in the form of electrical energy, heat energy, or biogas products, from processing hubs of the system, optionally via roving units and/or vehicles fuelled and/or charged by the system.
  • the energy station may be provided with an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from a biogas product at the station.
  • the energy station may be provided with a heat generator module operable to generate heat from a biogas product at the station, and/or may comprise a combined heat and power (CHP) unit.
  • a heat generator module operable to generate heat from a biogas product at the station
  • CHP combined heat and power
  • Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa.
  • a method of charging an electric vehicle comprising: at a processing site, processing waste material to generate biogas; generating electric power from a biogas product at the processing site; and charging an electric vehicle at the processing site using the generated electric power.
  • the electric vehicle may be an electric aircraft, and may be an eVTOL aircraft.
  • the method may comprise storing electric power generated from a biogas product at the processing site.
  • the method may comprise charging an electric vehicle from the stored electric power.
  • the method may comprise storing a biogas product at the processing site in a storage container.
  • the method may comprise generating electric power and/or heat power from the biogas product.
  • the method may comprise storing raw biogas at the processing site in a storage container, which may be a CBG container.
  • the method may comprise storing a biogas product derived from raw biogas in a storage container, which may be a bio-methane container, or a liquid fuel container.
  • the method may comprise refuelling or charging an energy storage unit of a roving unit, the roving unit being movable between the one or more energy supply facilities and one or more electric power consumption locations.
  • the method may comprise charging an electric vehicle at a power consumption location away from the processing site.
  • Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first or second aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
  • a transport hub for an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft comprising: a waste material processing module operable to generate biogas from input waste material; an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from a biogas product; at least one electric power storage unit comprising one or more battery cells chargeable by the electric power generator module; and an electric vehicle charging module operable to charge an eVTOL from electric power generated from the electric power generator module.
  • eVTOL electric vertical takeoff and landing
  • the electric vehicle charging module may be operable to receive a charge from an eVTOL, for example to charge the electric power storage unit. Alternatively, or in addition, the electric vehicle charging module may be operable to receive electric charge from another electric vehicle charging module.
  • Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to third aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
  • a transport system for an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft comprising: one or more transport hubs according to the fourth aspect of the invention; and one or more roving units, each roving unit operable to be movable away from and outside of the transport comprising at least one energy storage unit.
  • eVTOL electric vertical takeoff and landing
  • the roving unit may comprise an electric aircraft charge point, and may comprise an eVTOL landing pad.
  • Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to fourth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
  • an energy capture and utilisation system comprising: one or more processing hubs according to the first aspect of the invention; and one or more energy stations comprising an energy storage module operable to store energy from a biogas product; and a vehicle charging module operable to charge a vehicle from energy from the biogas product.
  • an electric vehicle charging system comprising: one or more electric vehicles; one or more electric power supply facilities; and one or more roving units; wherein the one or more roving units comprises an electric power storage system and an electric power access point; and wherein the one or more roving units is movable between the one or more electric power supply facilities and one or more electric power consumption locations to provide electric power access at the electric power consumption locations.
  • the roving unit may be an electric vehicle.
  • the roving unit may comprise an autonomous vehicle, which may be an autonomous land or water vehicle.
  • the roving unit may be autonomously movable between a location at which it can be refuelled or charged, locations at which they are utilised, and/or locations at which they are stored or maintained.
  • the system may comprise a plurality of roving units, and the roving units may be configured to transfer electrical charge between one another.
  • Embodiments of the further aspects of the invention may include one or more features of previous aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a processing hub of an energy capture and utilisation system according to a second embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3A is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system including a roving unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3B is a schematic representation of the roving unit of the system of Figure 3A;
  • Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system comprising a plurality of hubs and roving units according to an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system comprising a plurality of hubs according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown schematically a processing hub of an energy capture and utilisation system according to a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the hub generally depicted at 100, is located at a processing site, indicated by the dashed line 101.
  • the processing site is strategically selected according to residential, municipal, or industrial requirements for waste disposal, energy utilisation, and/or transportation.
  • the site is preferably readily accessible by road and/or rail.
  • the hub 100 comprises as its primary components a waste material processing module 102, an electric power generating module 106, an electric power storage unit 108, and an electric vehicle charging module 110.
  • the hub 100 also comprises a biogas storage module 104 and a vehicle storage facility 112. Whilst the primary components are shown in isolation to make their description clear, they may be combined in pairs, groups, or may be arranged into a singular entity for ease of deployment and operation.
  • the waste material processing module 102 comprises an anaerobic digestion reactor operable to produce biogas from the treatment of organic waste.
  • Biogas generated from the module 102 is input into the biogas storage module 104, where it is compressed and stored in one or more compressed biogas (CBG) containers, or alternatively fed directly to the electric power generating module 106.
  • the module 106 comprises a combined heat and power (CHP) unit which is operable to produce electricity and heat in a cogeneration process.
  • the electric power generated by the module 106 is fed to the electric power storage unit 108, and is stored in battery cells in the module 108 for later utilisation.
  • a proportion of the electric power generated by the module 106 is also used to power local components of the hub 100 (for example, the modules 102 and 104).
  • the electric vehicle charging module 110 receives electric power from the storage unit 108, and provides a charging point for an electric vehicle or vehicles.
  • the charging module is operable to charge an electric vertical takeoff and landing eVTOL aircraft, and a range of other electric drones, aircraft and land vehicles, including but not limited to electric cars, electric vans, electric scooters, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles or tricycles.
  • Facility 112 enables secure and/or weatherproof storage of vehicles when not in use.
  • Each component of the hub is compact, and is sized and shaped with dimensions similar to or less than an industry standard shipping container, enabling the components to be transportable by road and/or rail.
  • the self-sustainable nature of the hub i.e. the hub being capable of producing usable energy from delivered waste material
  • the hub can be configured as a “pop-up” facility at a location with little or no supporting infrastructure. This flexibility in location choice enables the processing site to be selected according to current or upcoming requirements for waste material processing, energy production, and transport support. When those requirements change, the hub can be uninstalled from a first processing site and mobilised to another processing site at which the waste material processing, energy production, and transport support benefits are needed.
  • FIG. 2 there is shown schematically a processing hub of an energy capture and utilisation system according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the hub generally depicted at 200, is similar to the hub 100, with like components referred to with like reference numerals incremented by 100.
  • the hub 200 differs from the hub 100 in one respect by the provision of secondary energy storage units 214, chargeable by the module 208 (or alternatively directly from the module 206).
  • the secondary energy storage units 214 are in the form of movable battery modules that may be used to provide electric power to other equipment, processes, or vehicles, locally at the processing site 201 , or off the processing site.
  • the units 214 may be used to store excess electrical power (i.e. beyond the capacity of the module 208) for later use in the local processes of the hub 200. Fewer or greater secondary storage units 214 than the three units shown may be provided, and the units 214 may be brought into the processing site for charging and taken from the processing site for utilisation.
  • the units 216 are in the form of movable CBG containers that may be used to provide biogas as an input to a process locally at the processing site, or off the processing site.
  • the units may provide biogas fuel to a biogas engine or CHP unit, or may provide biogas as an input to another process such as a biogas upgrading or reforming process for direct utilisation in transport formats such as heavy goods vehicles.
  • Such a process may be carried out on the processing site by a dedicated module (not shown) or the units may be transported to an alternative processing site or facility.
  • the units 216 may be used to store excess biogas or biogas products for later use in the local processes of the hub 200. Fewer or greater secondary biogas storage units 216 than the three units shown may be provided, and the units 216 may be brought into the processing site for refilling and taken from the processing site for utilisation.
  • FIG. 3A there is shown schematically an energy capture and utilisation system according to a further embodiment of the invention, comprising a hub 300 and a pair of roving units 320.
  • the hub 300 is similar to the hub 100, with like components referred to with like reference numerals incremented by 200.
  • the roving units 320 shown schematically in Figure 3B, are movable away from and outside of the processing site 301.
  • An eVTOL 313 is also shown in Figure 3A.
  • Each roving unit 320 comprises a set of wheels 322, a drive mechanism 324, and various control and communications equipment (not shown).
  • the unit 320 carries a battery pack 326 for storing electric power on the roving unit 320, and electric power access points 327, 329.
  • the roving unit also defines a landing pad 328 for an eVTOL, and is designed to bear the load of the eVTOL during charging.
  • the charging point 327 is a wireless charging point integrated into the landing pad, and is operable to charge batteries of equipment landed on the landing pad 328 from the battery pack 326 according to wireless charging protocols.
  • the charging point 329 is a connector for cabled access to the electric power of the battery pack 326, and also enables cabled recharging of the battery pack 326 from an external energy source.
  • the roving unit of this embodiment is an autonomous rover, which is operable to autonomously locate itself between rover charging locations, utilisation (e.g. vehicle charging) locations, and storage or maintenance locations.
  • the roving unit can therefore provide access to electric power, for example to charge an electric vehicle including an aircraft or a land vehicle, in an off-grid location away from the hub 300.
  • the roving unit as a minimum, provides access to electric power from a battery pack on the unit.
  • the roving unit, or a group of multiple units can therefore support a transport network such as an air mobility network, over a wider geographical area than a hub alone, with increased flexibility and lower overhead than multiple hubs.
  • the roving unit 320 also optionally enables transport of cargo between processing sites and locations away from the processing site, for example to deliver secondary biogas storage containers and/or electric power storage units to other locations.
  • Roving unit 320 may be used in conjunction with other embodiments of the invention including the hubs 100 and 200 to create a hub and roving unit system.
  • FIG 4 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, generally depicted at 330.
  • the roving unit 330 is similar to the roving unit 320, with like components referred to by like reference numerals, and may be utilised with any of the hubs 100 to 300.
  • Unit 330 differs from the unit 320 in that it is additionally provided with biogas storage in the form of a CBG container 332 and a biogas engine in the form of a CH P unit 333.
  • the unit 330 is capable of electric power generation from biogas fuel to replenish the battery pack 326, while in a location away from the processing site. This increases the capability of the unit to deliver electric power in a utilisation location.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, generally depicted at 340.
  • the roving unit 340 is similar to the roving units 320 or 330, with like components referred to by like reference numerals, and may be utilised with any of the hubs 100 to 300.
  • Unit 340 differs from the unit 320 in that the battery pack 326 is located beneath the top surface of landing pad 348 for efficient distribution of components.
  • Front and rear housings 344 and 346 contain additional equipment, optionally including biogas storage container and/or a biogas engine, to render the unit 340 capable of electric power generation from biogas fuel to replenish the battery pack while in a location away from the processing site.
  • the unit 340 is additionally provided with adjustable wheel couplings 342 which enable raising and lowering of the main chassis of the unit with respect to the ground.
  • This functionality offers a number of advantages in the chosen application. With the chassis in a raised condition, high ground clearance facilitates mobility over a range of terrains and ground conditions, which is an advantage if the roving unit is to be utilised in off-grid locations, or in adverse weather.
  • the raised condition may also be beneficial for the loading and/or unloading of cargo from the roving unit (including secondary biogas or electric power storage units utilised elsewhere in the systems of the invention) to another raised level.
  • a lowered condition may have benefits loading and/or unloading of cargo to ground level, for example cargos on wheels or casters.
  • a lowered condition may improve load-bearing capability and/or stability, which may be advantageous where the roving unit provides a landing pad charging point for an aircraft, and/or for general cargo handling.
  • a lowered condition will also facilitate land vehicles driving over the roving unit, which may be desirable for access in small areas, or if the vehicle is to be charged on the roving unit (wirelessly or by cable).
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a roving unit in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention.
  • the foregoing embodiments of roving unit incorporate their own drive mechanisms and control systems, and are designed to be autonomously movable between locations at which they are refuelled or charged, locations at which they are utilised, and/or locations at which they are stored or maintained.
  • the roving unit 400 differs from the roving units 320, 330, 340 in that it is configured as a trailer, and is designed to be towed between roving unit charging locations, utilisation locations, and storage/maintenance locations by another vehicle such as a car or van.
  • the roving unit 400 comprises a wheeled chassis 402 with a conventional towing assembly 404 comprising an A-frame towing bar, hitch and jockey wheel.
  • a trailer housing is mounted on the chassis and defines a front compartment 406 containing electric power storage in the form of a battery pack (not shown), for example with 50kW-h capacity.
  • An access hatch 408 enables cabled access to the battery pack for utilisation of the stored electric power.
  • a rear compartment 410 contains a biogas storage container in the form of a CBG container (not shown) and a biogas engine in the form of a CHP unit (not shown).
  • the CBG container may be a 50m 3 container.
  • the CBG and CHP equipment is accessible via a panel at the rear of the trailer housing (not shown).
  • the roof of the trailer housing incorporates an eVTOL aircraft landing pad 412 with integrated wireless charge point, to provide a charging location for the aircraft without substantially increasing the footprint of the roving unit.
  • a horizontally hinged hatch 414 and foldable steps 416 are provided to enable access to a central cabin area 418.
  • the central cabin area 418 provides a shelter waiting area for users or operators of the unit, and houses equipment for monitoring the status of the battery, CBG and CHP components of the unit, communications equipment, status information relating to transport solutions, weather reporting, and other information that may be useful for users, operators, or visitors to the unit.
  • the CBG and CHP components are also accessible via the cabin 418 through the doorway 420.
  • FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system comprising a plurality of hubs and roving units according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the system generally shown at 500, comprises three hubs 300 and twenty roving units 400, positioned at selected locations according to residential, municipal, or industrial requirements for waste disposal, energy utilisation, and/or transportation.
  • the system is a network of hubs and roving units that facilitates decentralised, multi-mode energy production, utilisation, and transportation.
  • Each hub 300 is capable of receiving and processing organic waste material in an anaerobic digestion reaction to produce biogas, which may be stored on site, and which is utilised in a CHP unit to produce electric power.
  • Electric power is stored at the hubs in one or more storage units, and is used to power the equipment and processes at the hubs.
  • the system 500 provides support for transportation that utilises energy produced by the system, and in this example, the hubs and roving units are configured to support air mobility over the area of the network.
  • Each hub is provided with eVTOL aircraft storage, charging and flight control capability, based on electric power produced and/or stored at the hub site.
  • Each of the roving units 400 is capable of storing CBG and producing electricity by a CH P process, and includes electric power storage and access options for utilising the electric power.
  • the roving unit is configured to support the autonomous charging of an eVTOL via a landing pad with an integrated wireless charge point.
  • the system of hubs and roving units provides support for air mobility across the area of the network with relatively short flight routes (not exceeding 10 miles or 16.1 km in the example shown.
  • the network is self-sustainable, with each of the hubs being capable of producing usable energy from delivered waste material, and each roving unit being capable of relocation to a location (e.g. a hub) at which it can be refuelled or recharged. Hubs and/or roving units can also be refuelled or recharged by the delivery of secondary biogas storage containers or electric power storage units using the vehicles within the network, depending on consumption needs.
  • the network is adaptable and dynamic, as the roving units can be positioned according to real time energy consumption and transportation requirements by simply moving the roving units to different locations.
  • the transportable nature of the components of the hubs enables mobilisation of a hub from a first processing site to another processing site, depending on waste material processing requirements, energy utilisation requirements, transportation requirements, or optimisation within the network.
  • Hubs and/or roving units can be added to and/or taken from the system according to changing requirements, such as expansion or contraction of the area to be covered by the network, or a change in the required density of transportation and utilisation.
  • hubs and/or roving units may be utilised for different requirements through the working period of the system.
  • roving units or a subset of the roving units may be used primarily for supporting air mobility and/or electric vehicle charging within the network, but may temporarily be utilised for other applications requiring off-grid electric power, such as support for outdoor catering, camping, outdoor events, traffic works, interruptions to regular electric power supplies.
  • roving units can also be refuelled or recharged by the delivery of secondary biogas storage containers or electric power storage units using the vehicles within the network.
  • a network with similar functions and advantages can be provided with a single hub 300 or multiple hubs other than three in number.
  • Alternative systems may be implemented with hubs 100, 200 or according to other embodiments of the invention, and with or without roving units.
  • a system may comprise a network of hubs only, with no roving units, with all energy access and utilisation locations being on site at the hubs.
  • a system may comprise a network of roving units only, without a hub.
  • the system does not have a capability to produce biogas through the treatment of waste materials, and the roving units will need to be provided with energy (in the form of CBG or electric power) from a source outside of the network such as wind turbines or solar panels.
  • Preferred embodiments of the invention utilise hubs and roving units to extend the reach of the network away from the hub locations.
  • Roving units 320, 330, 340, 400, or according to other embodiments, may be used in the system.
  • FIG 8 is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system comprising a plurality of hubs and energy stations according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • the system generally shown at 600, is similar to the system 500, and will be understood from Figure 7 and the accompanying description.
  • the system comprises three processing hubs 300 and a number of energy stations 610, positioned at selected locations according to residential, municipal, or industrial requirements for waste disposal, energy utilisation, and/or transportation.
  • the processing hubs 300 have the same functionality as described in the foregoing description of Figures 3A and 3B.
  • Each energy station 610 is similar to the processing hub 300, and includes equipment for energy storage, but lacks the equipment for processing waste material to produce biogas.
  • Energy storage at the station is in the form of electric power storage, and may also be in the form of stored CBG or a conversion of biogas into a renewable energy format such as heat or liquid e-fuels.
  • the electric power storage may be used to charge an electric vehicle, including for example an eVTOL aircraft, optionally via a landing pad.
  • the station components are transportable to enable a station to be established in a desired location. Unlike the roving units 320, the energy stations are not mobile as such, but the transportable nature of the components of the stations enables mobilisation of a station from a first energy utilisation site to another utilisation site, depending on energy utilisation requirements, transportation requirements, or optimisation within the network.
  • Each of the roving units 320 includes electric power storage and access options for utilising the electric power.
  • the roving units are configured to support the autonomous charging of an eVTOL via a landing pad with an integrated wireless charge point.
  • the system of hubs and roving units provides support for air mobility across the area of the network with relatively short flight routes (not exceeding 25 km in the example shown.
  • the network is self-sustainable, with each of the hubs being capable of producing usable energy from delivered waste material, each station providing energy storage and access, and each roving unit being capable of relocation to a location (e.g. a hub or a station) at which it can be refuelled or recharged.
  • Hubs, stations and/or roving units can also be refuelled or recharged by the delivery of secondary biogas storage containers or electric power storage units using the vehicles within the network, depending on consumption needs.
  • an eVTOL operating in the system 600 may carry out the following steps:
  • the eVTOL aircraft is configured to carry and transport a CBG container from a processing hub 300 to an energy station 610.
  • the aircraft offloads a proportion of its biogas cargo into the biogas storage facility at the energy station 610, thereby topping up the station’s biogas energy for future conversion to electric energy for charging of other electric vehicles visiting it.
  • the aircraft having offloaded some of its biogas, has gained some payload capability, and is loaded up with cargo packages.
  • the aircraft also takes on an electric power recharge from the energy station.
  • the aircraft flies onto the next energy station 610 where it performs the same operation; offloading a proportion of its biogas cargo to the energy station 610 and collecting cargo packages, while recharging.
  • the aircraft is now on its last flight of the day, and travels to the location of a roving unit 320 to offload the collected cargo packages.
  • the above simple example demonstrates how the system 600, coupled with decentralised and digitised energy generation can operate flight missions sustainably from waste material.
  • the aircraft and/or the roving units can be used to collect waste materials from within the area covered by the network and deliver them to a processing hub, to provide a self-sustaining Net-Zero Energy-Transport solution.
  • the invention provides a processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system.
  • the processing hub is arranged at a processing location and comprises a waste material processing module operable to generate biogas from input waste material at the processing location.
  • the hub comprises an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from biogas fuel at the processing location, and at least one electric power storage unit comprising one or more battery cells chargeable by the electric power generator module.
  • An electric vehicle charging module is operable to charge an electric vehicle from electric power generated from the electric power generator module.
  • Embodiments of the present invention provide an energy capture and access system and components thereof that has little or no reliance on centralised systems and infrastructure.
  • the embodiments disclosed herein provide integrated waste material processing, energy production and utilisation in transport and air mobility applications.
  • the configurations described are self-sustaining, flexible and adaptable to range of environments, geographies and use cases.

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Abstract

The invention provides a processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system. The processing hub is arranged at a processing location and comprises a waste material processing module operable to generate biogas from input waste material at the processing location. The hub comprises an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from biogas fuel at the processing location, and at least one electric power storage unit comprising one or more battery cells chargeable by the electric power generator module. An electric vehicle charging module is operable to charge an electric vehicle from electric power generated from the electric power generator module.

Description

PROCESSING HUB FOR AN ENERGY CAPTURE AND UTILISATION SYSTEM, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR
The present invention relates to an energy capture and utilisation system, a processing hub and apparatus therefor, and methods for energy capture and energy utilisation. Aspects of the invention relate to a processing hub for a system for energy capture from waste materials at a location, and local energy utilisation in transport applications. Embodiments of the invention incorporate local energy storage, which may be used for transport applications from the location and/or which may be distributed to other locations for utilisation. Embodiments of the invention incorporate electric vehicles for transport applications and/or distribution of energy.
Background to the invention
At present, electrical energy production and access technologies are heavily reliant on centralised systems and infrastructure, including the national grid. Decentralising electrical energy production and access has challenges relating to capital costs, efficiency and scalability, which have limited their application to municipal, residential, industrial and urban settings.
Various proposals for improved low carbon rural, regional and urban transport using electric vehicles have been made, but current proposals have been inadequate in their consideration of capital and/or carbon costs, and have been unsustainable, unscalable, and/or inapplicable to a wide range of use cases.
There is generally a need for flexible energy capture and utilisation systems that are less reliant on centralised systems and infrastructure, and which are applicable to a wide range of use cases including support for transport and air mobility.
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system, the processing hub arranged at a processing location and comprising: a waste material processing module operable to generate biogas from input waste material at the processing location; an energy storage module operable to store energy from a biogas product at the processing location; and a vehicle charging module operable to charge a vehicle from energy from the biogas product.
The biogas product may be raw biogas, or may be a derivative of raw biogas, including but not limited to bio-methane and/or liquid e-fuels such as hydrogen, or other sustainable liquid fuels. The hub may comprise equipment to upgrade and/or reform and/or compress and/or store generated biogas at the processing location.
The hub may comprise an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from a biogas product at the processing location. The energy storage module may comprise at least one electric power storage unit comprising one or more battery cells chargeable by the electric power generator module.
The vehicle charging module may be an electric vehicle charging module operable to charge an electric vehicle from electric power generated from the electric power generator module. Alternatively, or in addition, the vehicle charging module may be configured to refuel a vehicle with a biogas product.
The energy storage module may comprise at least one heat power storage unit, which may comprise one or more heat battery cells chargeable by an electric power generator module, a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, and/or biogas fired boiler.
The system may comprise a plurality of energy storage modules, and/or may comprise a plurality of vehicle charging modules. The system may comprise a plurality of energy storage modules of the same type, and/or may comprise a plurality of energy storage modules of different types. The system may comprise a plurality of vehicle charging modules of the same type, and/or may comprise a plurality of vehicle charging modules of different types. The system may comprise a plurality of electric vehicle charging modules.
The processing hub provides an integrated waste processing, energy capture, and vehicle transport hub. The vehicle may be an electric aircraft. The electric aircraft may be an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The vehicle charging module may incorporate, or may be assembled with, at least one energy storage module to form an integrated storage and charging module.
The processing hub may comprise at least one storage container for a biogas product.
The storage container may comprise a biogas storage container configured to receive and store raw biogas from the waste material processing module. The biogas storage module may comprise one or more compressed biogas (CBG) containers.
The electric power generator module may comprise a biogas engine, and may comprise a combined heat and power (CHP) unit.
Preferably, one or more of the hub modules is sized and shaped to be transportable by road and/or rail. For example, one or more of the hub modules may be sized and shaped with dimensions similar to or less than an industry standard shipping container. The one or more modules may be formed in an industry standard shipping container. Preferably, all of the modules are sized and shaped to be transportable by road and/or rail.
One or more hub components may be movable within the processing location. For example, the vehicle charging module may be movable within a site at a processing location to facilitate access by a vehicle to be charged (or for other reasons). Alternatively or in addition, a subset of the plurality of energy storage modules may be movable within a processing site. The one or more hub components may be movable on wheels within a site at a processing location, and may comprise one or more drive mechanisms operable to move the component. Alternatively, the one or more hub components may be operable to be moved by an auxiliary vehicle or operator. In embodiments of the invention, the one or more system components may be autonomously movable, for example, between a vehicle charging location, an electric power storage unit charging or refuelling location, and a storage or maintenance location. A plurality of electric vehicle charging modules may be arranged at a processing site to facilitate charging of a plurality of electric vehicles. The electric vehicles may comprise electric aircraft and/or electric land vehicles (including but not limited to electric cars, electric vans, electric scooters, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles or tricycles) and/or electric water vehicles and/or electric amphibious vehicles.
The electric vehicle charging module may comprise, and/or may be configured as, a landing pad for an electric aircraft. The electric vehicle charging module may comprise an electric power storage unit, an access point for transmitting and/or receiving electric power to and/or from a corresponding point on an electric aircraft, and a landing surface for the electric aircraft. The contact may comprise a wireless charge point for wireless transmission and/or reception of electric power to and/or from the electric aircraft.
The waste material processing module may comprise an anaerobic digestion reaction unit which generates biogas as an output from a reaction process.
The processing hub may be operable without reliance on fixed electric power transmission infrastructure, and may be operable off-grid, without connection to a fixed auxiliary electric power supply.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an energy capture and utilisation system comprising: one or more processing hubs according to the first aspect of the invention; and one or more roving units, each roving unit operable to be movable away from and outside of the processing site and comprising at least one energy storage unit.
The roving unit may comprise at least one energy storage unit, which may comprise an electric power storage unit. The roving unit may comprise at least one electric power access point. The roving unit may therefore provide electric power at a location away from the processing site, enabling utilisation of energy generated at the processing site over a wider geographical area. The roving unit may comprise an electric vehicle charge point. It may comprise, and/or may be configured as, a landing pad for an electric aircraft, and may comprise an eVTOL landing pad. The roving unit may comprise an autonomous vehicle, which may be an autonomous land or water vehicle. The roving unit may be autonomously movable between a location at which it can be refuelled or charged, locations at which they are utilised, and/or locations at which they are stored or maintained.
The roving unit may comprise a mobile electric power generator unit, operable to generate electric power and/or heat power from a biogas product. The roving unit may comprise a storage container for a biogas product, which may be a CBG container, a bio-methane container, or a liquid fuel container. The roving unit may comprise a biogas engine, which may be a combined heat and power (CHP) unit.
The roving unit may comprise adjustable wheel couplings which enable raising and lowering of a main chassis of the unit with respect to the ground.
The system may comprise an electric vehicle, and may comprise an electric aircraft, which may be autonomous. The electric aircraft may be an eVTOL aircraft, which may be an autonomous eVTOL aircraft. The electric vehicle may be configured to transport personnel and/or cargo.
The system may comprise an energy station comprising an energy storage module operable to store energy from a biogas product; and a vehicle charging module operable to charge a vehicle from energy from the biogas product. An energy station may comprise any of the essential or preferred features of the processing hub, with the exception of the waste material processing module. Thus, the energy station may provide the functionality of the processing hub, with the exception of the capability to generate biogas from the treatment of waste material. An energy station may however receive and/or store energy in the form of electrical energy, heat energy, or biogas products, from processing hubs of the system, optionally via roving units and/or vehicles fuelled and/or charged by the system. The energy station may be provided with an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from a biogas product at the station. The energy station may be provided with a heat generator module operable to generate heat from a biogas product at the station, and/or may comprise a combined heat and power (CHP) unit. Embodiments of the second aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first aspect of the invention or its embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of charging an electric vehicle, the method comprising: at a processing site, processing waste material to generate biogas; generating electric power from a biogas product at the processing site; and charging an electric vehicle at the processing site using the generated electric power.
The electric vehicle may be an electric aircraft, and may be an eVTOL aircraft.
The method may comprise storing electric power generated from a biogas product at the processing site. The method may comprise charging an electric vehicle from the stored electric power.
The method may comprise storing a biogas product at the processing site in a storage container. The method may comprise generating electric power and/or heat power from the biogas product.
The method may comprise storing raw biogas at the processing site in a storage container, which may be a CBG container. The method may comprise storing a biogas product derived from raw biogas in a storage container, which may be a bio-methane container, or a liquid fuel container.
The method may comprise refuelling or charging an energy storage unit of a roving unit, the roving unit being movable between the one or more energy supply facilities and one or more electric power consumption locations. The method may comprise charging an electric vehicle at a power consumption location away from the processing site.
Embodiments of the third aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first or second aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a transport hub for an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the transport hub comprising: a waste material processing module operable to generate biogas from input waste material; an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from a biogas product; at least one electric power storage unit comprising one or more battery cells chargeable by the electric power generator module; and an electric vehicle charging module operable to charge an eVTOL from electric power generated from the electric power generator module.
The electric vehicle charging module may be operable to receive a charge from an eVTOL, for example to charge the electric power storage unit. Alternatively, or in addition, the electric vehicle charging module may be operable to receive electric charge from another electric vehicle charging module.
Embodiments of the fourth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to third aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a transport system for an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the system comprising: one or more transport hubs according to the fourth aspect of the invention; and one or more roving units, each roving unit operable to be movable away from and outside of the transport comprising at least one energy storage unit.
The roving unit may comprise an electric aircraft charge point, and may comprise an eVTOL landing pad.
Embodiments of the fifth aspect of the invention may include one or more features of the first to fourth aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an energy capture and utilisation system comprising: one or more processing hubs according to the first aspect of the invention; and one or more energy stations comprising an energy storage module operable to store energy from a biogas product; and a vehicle charging module operable to charge a vehicle from energy from the biogas product. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric vehicle charging system comprising: one or more electric vehicles; one or more electric power supply facilities; and one or more roving units; wherein the one or more roving units comprises an electric power storage system and an electric power access point; and wherein the one or more roving units is movable between the one or more electric power supply facilities and one or more electric power consumption locations to provide electric power access at the electric power consumption locations.
The roving unit may be an electric vehicle. The roving unit may comprise an autonomous vehicle, which may be an autonomous land or water vehicle. The roving unit may be autonomously movable between a location at which it can be refuelled or charged, locations at which they are utilised, and/or locations at which they are stored or maintained.
The system may comprise a plurality of roving units, and the roving units may be configured to transfer electrical charge between one another.
Embodiments of the further aspects of the invention may include one or more features of previous aspects of the invention or their embodiments, or vice versa.
Brief description of the drawings
There will now be described, by way of example only, various embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a processing hub of an energy capture and utilisation system according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3A is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system including a roving unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3B is a schematic representation of the roving unit of the system of Figure 3A;
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;
Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention;
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to a further alternative embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system comprising a plurality of hubs and roving units according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system comprising a plurality of hubs according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.
Detailed description of preferred embodiments
Referring firstly to Figure 1 , there is shown schematically a processing hub of an energy capture and utilisation system according to a first embodiment of the invention. The hub, generally depicted at 100, is located at a processing site, indicated by the dashed line 101. The processing site is strategically selected according to residential, municipal, or industrial requirements for waste disposal, energy utilisation, and/or transportation. The site is preferably readily accessible by road and/or rail.
The hub 100 comprises as its primary components a waste material processing module 102, an electric power generating module 106, an electric power storage unit 108, and an electric vehicle charging module 110. The hub 100 also comprises a biogas storage module 104 and a vehicle storage facility 112. Whilst the primary components are shown in isolation to make their description clear, they may be combined in pairs, groups, or may be arranged into a singular entity for ease of deployment and operation.
The waste material processing module 102 comprises an anaerobic digestion reactor operable to produce biogas from the treatment of organic waste. Biogas generated from the module 102 is input into the biogas storage module 104, where it is compressed and stored in one or more compressed biogas (CBG) containers, or alternatively fed directly to the electric power generating module 106. The module 106 comprises a combined heat and power (CHP) unit which is operable to produce electricity and heat in a cogeneration process. The electric power generated by the module 106 is fed to the electric power storage unit 108, and is stored in battery cells in the module 108 for later utilisation. A proportion of the electric power generated by the module 106 is also used to power local components of the hub 100 (for example, the modules 102 and 104).
The electric vehicle charging module 110 receives electric power from the storage unit 108, and provides a charging point for an electric vehicle or vehicles. In this embodiment, the charging module is operable to charge an electric vertical takeoff and landing eVTOL aircraft, and a range of other electric drones, aircraft and land vehicles, including but not limited to electric cars, electric vans, electric scooters, electric motorcycles, electric bicycles or tricycles. Facility 112 enables secure and/or weatherproof storage of vehicles when not in use.
Each component of the hub is compact, and is sized and shaped with dimensions similar to or less than an industry standard shipping container, enabling the components to be transportable by road and/or rail. The self-sustainable nature of the hub (i.e. the hub being capable of producing usable energy from delivered waste material) means that the hub can be configured as a “pop-up” facility at a location with little or no supporting infrastructure. This flexibility in location choice enables the processing site to be selected according to current or upcoming requirements for waste material processing, energy production, and transport support. When those requirements change, the hub can be uninstalled from a first processing site and mobilised to another processing site at which the waste material processing, energy production, and transport support benefits are needed. The pop-up, movable nature of the hub enables reconfiguration according to real time waste processing, energy consumption, and/or transportation requirements. Referring to Figure 2, there is shown schematically a processing hub of an energy capture and utilisation system according to a second embodiment of the invention. The hub, generally depicted at 200, is similar to the hub 100, with like components referred to with like reference numerals incremented by 100. The hub 200 differs from the hub 100 in one respect by the provision of secondary energy storage units 214, chargeable by the module 208 (or alternatively directly from the module 206). The secondary energy storage units 214 are in the form of movable battery modules that may be used to provide electric power to other equipment, processes, or vehicles, locally at the processing site 201 , or off the processing site. Alternatively or in addition, the units 214 may be used to store excess electrical power (i.e. beyond the capacity of the module 208) for later use in the local processes of the hub 200. Fewer or greater secondary storage units 214 than the three units shown may be provided, and the units 214 may be brought into the processing site for charging and taken from the processing site for utilisation.
Another differing feature of the hub 200 is the provision of secondary biogas storage units 216. The units 216 are in the form of movable CBG containers that may be used to provide biogas as an input to a process locally at the processing site, or off the processing site. For example, the units may provide biogas fuel to a biogas engine or CHP unit, or may provide biogas as an input to another process such as a biogas upgrading or reforming process for direct utilisation in transport formats such as heavy goods vehicles. Such a process may be carried out on the processing site by a dedicated module (not shown) or the units may be transported to an alternative processing site or facility. Alternatively or in addition, the units 216 may be used to store excess biogas or biogas products for later use in the local processes of the hub 200. Fewer or greater secondary biogas storage units 216 than the three units shown may be provided, and the units 216 may be brought into the processing site for refilling and taken from the processing site for utilisation.
Referring to Figure 3A, there is shown schematically an energy capture and utilisation system according to a further embodiment of the invention, comprising a hub 300 and a pair of roving units 320. The hub 300, is similar to the hub 100, with like components referred to with like reference numerals incremented by 200. The roving units 320, shown schematically in Figure 3B, are movable away from and outside of the processing site 301. An eVTOL 313 is also shown in Figure 3A. Each roving unit 320 comprises a set of wheels 322, a drive mechanism 324, and various control and communications equipment (not shown). The unit 320 carries a battery pack 326 for storing electric power on the roving unit 320, and electric power access points 327, 329. The roving unit also defines a landing pad 328 for an eVTOL, and is designed to bear the load of the eVTOL during charging. The charging point 327 is a wireless charging point integrated into the landing pad, and is operable to charge batteries of equipment landed on the landing pad 328 from the battery pack 326 according to wireless charging protocols. The charging point 329 is a connector for cabled access to the electric power of the battery pack 326, and also enables cabled recharging of the battery pack 326 from an external energy source. The roving unit of this embodiment is an autonomous rover, which is operable to autonomously locate itself between rover charging locations, utilisation (e.g. vehicle charging) locations, and storage or maintenance locations. The roving unit can therefore provide access to electric power, for example to charge an electric vehicle including an aircraft or a land vehicle, in an off-grid location away from the hub 300. The roving unit, as a minimum, provides access to electric power from a battery pack on the unit. The roving unit, or a group of multiple units, can therefore support a transport network such as an air mobility network, over a wider geographical area than a hub alone, with increased flexibility and lower overhead than multiple hubs.
The roving unit 320 also optionally enables transport of cargo between processing sites and locations away from the processing site, for example to deliver secondary biogas storage containers and/or electric power storage units to other locations. Roving unit 320 may be used in conjunction with other embodiments of the invention including the hubs 100 and 200 to create a hub and roving unit system.
Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, generally depicted at 330. The roving unit 330, is similar to the roving unit 320, with like components referred to by like reference numerals, and may be utilised with any of the hubs 100 to 300. Unit 330 differs from the unit 320 in that it is additionally provided with biogas storage in the form of a CBG container 332 and a biogas engine in the form of a CH P unit 333. The unit 330 is capable of electric power generation from biogas fuel to replenish the battery pack 326, while in a location away from the processing site. This increases the capability of the unit to deliver electric power in a utilisation location. Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a roving unit according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, generally depicted at 340. The roving unit 340, is similar to the roving units 320 or 330, with like components referred to by like reference numerals, and may be utilised with any of the hubs 100 to 300. Unit 340 differs from the unit 320 in that the battery pack 326 is located beneath the top surface of landing pad 348 for efficient distribution of components. Front and rear housings 344 and 346 contain additional equipment, optionally including biogas storage container and/or a biogas engine, to render the unit 340 capable of electric power generation from biogas fuel to replenish the battery pack while in a location away from the processing site.
The unit 340 is additionally provided with adjustable wheel couplings 342 which enable raising and lowering of the main chassis of the unit with respect to the ground. This functionality offers a number of advantages in the chosen application. With the chassis in a raised condition, high ground clearance facilitates mobility over a range of terrains and ground conditions, which is an advantage if the roving unit is to be utilised in off-grid locations, or in adverse weather. The raised condition may also be beneficial for the loading and/or unloading of cargo from the roving unit (including secondary biogas or electric power storage units utilised elsewhere in the systems of the invention) to another raised level. Conversely, a lowered condition may have benefits loading and/or unloading of cargo to ground level, for example cargos on wheels or casters. A lowered condition, particularly where contact is made with the ground below, may improve load-bearing capability and/or stability, which may be advantageous where the roving unit provides a landing pad charging point for an aircraft, and/or for general cargo handling. A lowered condition will also facilitate land vehicles driving over the roving unit, which may be desirable for access in small areas, or if the vehicle is to be charged on the roving unit (wirelessly or by cable).
Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a roving unit in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention. The foregoing embodiments of roving unit incorporate their own drive mechanisms and control systems, and are designed to be autonomously movable between locations at which they are refuelled or charged, locations at which they are utilised, and/or locations at which they are stored or maintained. However, the roving unit 400 differs from the roving units 320, 330, 340 in that it is configured as a trailer, and is designed to be towed between roving unit charging locations, utilisation locations, and storage/maintenance locations by another vehicle such as a car or van. The roving unit 400 comprises a wheeled chassis 402 with a conventional towing assembly 404 comprising an A-frame towing bar, hitch and jockey wheel. A trailer housing is mounted on the chassis and defines a front compartment 406 containing electric power storage in the form of a battery pack (not shown), for example with 50kW-h capacity. An access hatch 408 enables cabled access to the battery pack for utilisation of the stored electric power. A rear compartment 410 contains a biogas storage container in the form of a CBG container (not shown) and a biogas engine in the form of a CHP unit (not shown). By way of example, the CBG container may be a 50m3 container. The CBG and CHP equipment is accessible via a panel at the rear of the trailer housing (not shown).
The roof of the trailer housing incorporates an eVTOL aircraft landing pad 412 with integrated wireless charge point, to provide a charging location for the aircraft without substantially increasing the footprint of the roving unit.
Between the front and rear compartments, a horizontally hinged hatch 414 and foldable steps 416 are provided to enable access to a central cabin area 418. The central cabin area 418 provides a shelter waiting area for users or operators of the unit, and houses equipment for monitoring the status of the battery, CBG and CHP components of the unit, communications equipment, status information relating to transport solutions, weather reporting, and other information that may be useful for users, operators, or visitors to the unit. The CBG and CHP components are also accessible via the cabin 418 through the doorway 420.
Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system comprising a plurality of hubs and roving units according to an embodiment of the invention. The system, generally shown at 500, comprises three hubs 300 and twenty roving units 400, positioned at selected locations according to residential, municipal, or industrial requirements for waste disposal, energy utilisation, and/or transportation. The system is a network of hubs and roving units that facilitates decentralised, multi-mode energy production, utilisation, and transportation. Each hub 300 is capable of receiving and processing organic waste material in an anaerobic digestion reaction to produce biogas, which may be stored on site, and which is utilised in a CHP unit to produce electric power. Electric power is stored at the hubs in one or more storage units, and is used to power the equipment and processes at the hubs. The system 500 provides support for transportation that utilises energy produced by the system, and in this example, the hubs and roving units are configured to support air mobility over the area of the network. Each hub is provided with eVTOL aircraft storage, charging and flight control capability, based on electric power produced and/or stored at the hub site.
Each of the roving units 400 is capable of storing CBG and producing electricity by a CH P process, and includes electric power storage and access options for utilising the electric power. In this example, the roving unit is configured to support the autonomous charging of an eVTOL via a landing pad with an integrated wireless charge point.
The system of hubs and roving units provides support for air mobility across the area of the network with relatively short flight routes (not exceeding 10 miles or 16.1 km in the example shown. The network is self-sustainable, with each of the hubs being capable of producing usable energy from delivered waste material, and each roving unit being capable of relocation to a location (e.g. a hub) at which it can be refuelled or recharged. Hubs and/or roving units can also be refuelled or recharged by the delivery of secondary biogas storage containers or electric power storage units using the vehicles within the network, depending on consumption needs.
Moreover, the network is adaptable and dynamic, as the roving units can be positioned according to real time energy consumption and transportation requirements by simply moving the roving units to different locations. In addition, the transportable nature of the components of the hubs enables mobilisation of a hub from a first processing site to another processing site, depending on waste material processing requirements, energy utilisation requirements, transportation requirements, or optimisation within the network. Hubs and/or roving units can be added to and/or taken from the system according to changing requirements, such as expansion or contraction of the area to be covered by the network, or a change in the required density of transportation and utilisation.
Furthermore, hubs and/or roving units may be utilised for different requirements through the working period of the system. For example, roving units or a subset of the roving units may be used primarily for supporting air mobility and/or electric vehicle charging within the network, but may temporarily be utilised for other applications requiring off-grid electric power, such as support for outdoor catering, camping, outdoor events, traffic works, interruptions to regular electric power supplies. In such applications, roving units can also be refuelled or recharged by the delivery of secondary biogas storage containers or electric power storage units using the vehicles within the network.
It should be appreciated that a network with similar functions and advantages can be provided with a single hub 300 or multiple hubs other than three in number. Similarly, there may be a lesser or greater number of roving units 400 in other embodiments of the invention. Alternative systems may be implemented with hubs 100, 200 or according to other embodiments of the invention, and with or without roving units. For example, a system may comprise a network of hubs only, with no roving units, with all energy access and utilisation locations being on site at the hubs. In another configuration, a system may comprise a network of roving units only, without a hub. In this latter example, the system does not have a capability to produce biogas through the treatment of waste materials, and the roving units will need to be provided with energy (in the form of CBG or electric power) from a source outside of the network such as wind turbines or solar panels. Preferred embodiments of the invention utilise hubs and roving units to extend the reach of the network away from the hub locations. Roving units 320, 330, 340, 400, or according to other embodiments, may be used in the system.
Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an energy capture and utilisation system comprising a plurality of hubs and energy stations according to an embodiment of the invention. The system, generally shown at 600, is similar to the system 500, and will be understood from Figure 7 and the accompanying description. The system comprises three processing hubs 300 and a number of energy stations 610, positioned at selected locations according to residential, municipal, or industrial requirements for waste disposal, energy utilisation, and/or transportation. The processing hubs 300 have the same functionality as described in the foregoing description of Figures 3A and 3B. Each energy station 610 is similar to the processing hub 300, and includes equipment for energy storage, but lacks the equipment for processing waste material to produce biogas. Energy storage at the station is in the form of electric power storage, and may also be in the form of stored CBG or a conversion of biogas into a renewable energy format such as heat or liquid e-fuels. The electric power storage may be used to charge an electric vehicle, including for example an eVTOL aircraft, optionally via a landing pad. As with the processing hubs 300, the station components are transportable to enable a station to be established in a desired location. Unlike the roving units 320, the energy stations are not mobile as such, but the transportable nature of the components of the stations enables mobilisation of a station from a first energy utilisation site to another utilisation site, depending on energy utilisation requirements, transportation requirements, or optimisation within the network.
Each of the roving units 320 includes electric power storage and access options for utilising the electric power. In this example, the roving units are configured to support the autonomous charging of an eVTOL via a landing pad with an integrated wireless charge point.
The system of hubs and roving units provides support for air mobility across the area of the network with relatively short flight routes (not exceeding 25 km in the example shown. The network is self-sustainable, with each of the hubs being capable of producing usable energy from delivered waste material, each station providing energy storage and access, and each roving unit being capable of relocation to a location (e.g. a hub or a station) at which it can be refuelled or recharged. Hubs, stations and/or roving units can also be refuelled or recharged by the delivery of secondary biogas storage containers or electric power storage units using the vehicles within the network, depending on consumption needs.
The system 600 and similar variations facilitate efficient and sustainable use of an electric vehicle in transport applications across the area covered by the network of system components. As an example, an eVTOL operating in the system 600 may carry out the following steps:
The eVTOL aircraft is configured to carry and transport a CBG container from a processing hub 300 to an energy station 610. Here the aircraft offloads a proportion of its biogas cargo into the biogas storage facility at the energy station 610, thereby topping up the station’s biogas energy for future conversion to electric energy for charging of other electric vehicles visiting it. The aircraft, having offloaded some of its biogas, has gained some payload capability, and is loaded up with cargo packages. The aircraft also takes on an electric power recharge from the energy station.
The aircraft flies onto the next energy station 610 where it performs the same operation; offloading a proportion of its biogas cargo to the energy station 610 and collecting cargo packages, while recharging. The aircraft is now on its last flight of the day, and travels to the location of a roving unit 320 to offload the collected cargo packages. Before flying back to its processing hub, rather than taking on an electric energy recharge like it did at the prior energy stations, it instead partially recharges the roving unit 320, sharing its excess electrical onboard energy. This is possible as the aircraft has only a short flight back to its processing hub.
The above simple example demonstrates how the system 600, coupled with decentralised and digitised energy generation can operate flight missions sustainably from waste material. In addition, the aircraft and/or the roving units can be used to collect waste materials from within the area covered by the network and deliver them to a processing hub, to provide a self-sustaining Net-Zero Energy-Transport solution.
The invention provides a processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system. The processing hub is arranged at a processing location and comprises a waste material processing module operable to generate biogas from input waste material at the processing location. The hub comprises an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from biogas fuel at the processing location, and at least one electric power storage unit comprising one or more battery cells chargeable by the electric power generator module. An electric vehicle charging module is operable to charge an electric vehicle from electric power generated from the electric power generator module.
Embodiments of the present invention provide an energy capture and access system and components thereof that has little or no reliance on centralised systems and infrastructure. The embodiments disclosed herein provide integrated waste material processing, energy production and utilisation in transport and air mobility applications. The configurations described are self-sustaining, flexible and adaptable to range of environments, geographies and use cases.
Various modifications to the above-described embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention extends to combinations of features other than those expressly disclosed herein.

Claims

Claims
1. A processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system, the processing hub arranged at a processing location and comprising: a waste material processing module operable to generate biogas from input waste material at the processing location; an energy storage module operable to store energy from a biogas product at the processing location; and a vehicle charging module operable to charge a vehicle from energy from the biogas product.
2. The processing hub according to claim 1, wherein the biogas product is raw biogas, or is a derivative of raw biogas.
3. The processing hub according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising biogas equipment operable to perform at least one of upgrading, reforming, compressing, and/or storing generated biogas at the processing location.
4. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, further comprising an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from a biogas product at the processing location.
5. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, wherein the energy storage module comprises at least one electric power storage unit comprising one or more battery cells chargeable by the electric power generator module.
6. The processing hub according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the vehicle charging module is an electric vehicle charging module operable to charge an electric vehicle from electric power generated from the electric power generator module.
7. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle charging module is configured to refuel a vehicle with a biogas product.
8. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, wherein the energy storage module comprises at least one heat power storage unit, which comprises one or more heat battery cells chargeable by at least one of an electric power generator module, a combined heat and power (CHP) unit, and/or biogas fired boiler.
9. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, wherein the system comprises a plurality of energy storage modules, and/or comprises a plurality of vehicle charging modules.
10. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one storage container for a biogas product.
11 . The processing hub according to any of claims 4 to 10, wherein the electric power generator module comprises a combined heat and power (CHP) unit.
12. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the modules of the hub is sized and shaped to be transportable by road and/or rail.
13. The processing hub according to claim 12, wherein the one or more modules of the hub is formed in an industry standard shipping container.
14. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, wherein the modules of the hub are arranged within a processing site at the processing location, and one or more of the modules of the hub is movable within the processing site.
15. The processing hub according to claim 14, comprising a plurality of energy storage modules, and wherein at least a subset of the plurality of energy storage modules is movable within the processing site.
16. The processing hub according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the one or more of the modules at the processing site is autonomously movable.
17. The processing hub according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the vehicle charging module at the processing site is movable between a vehicle charging location, a module charging or refuelling location, and/or a storage or maintenance location.
18. The processing hub according to any of claims 6 to 17, wherein the electric vehicle charging module is configured to charge one or more of an electric aircraft, an electric land vehicle, an electric water vehicle and/or an electric amphibious vehicle.
19. The processing hub according to any of claims 6 to 18, wherein the electric vehicle charging module comprises, and/or is configured as, a landing pad for an electric aircraft.
20. The processing hub according to any of claims 6 to 19, wherein the electric vehicle charging module comprises an electric power storage unit, an access point for transmitting and/or receiving electric power to and/or from a corresponding point on an electric aircraft, and a landing surface for the electric aircraft.
21. The processing hub according to claim 20, wherein the access point comprises a wireless charge point for wireless transmission and/or reception of electric power to and/or from the electric aircraft.
22. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, wherein the waste material processing module comprises an anaerobic digestion reaction unit which generates biogas as an output from a reaction process.
23. The processing hub according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing hub is operable without reliance on fixed electric power transmission infrastructure.
24. An energy capture and utilisation system comprising: one or more processing hubs according to any preceding claim, wherein the modules of the hub are arranged within a processing site at the processing location; and wherein the system comprises at least one roving unit, which is operable to be movable away from and outside of the processing site.
25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the at least one roving unit further comprises at least one energy storage unit. 22
26. The system according to claim 24 or claim 25, wherein the roving unit further comprises an electric vehicle charge point.
27. The system according to any of claims 24 to 26, wherein the roving unit further comprises, and/or is configured as, a landing pad for an electric aircraft.
28. The system according to any of claims 24 to 27, wherein the roving unit further comprises a mobile electric power generator unit, operable to generate electric power and/or heat power from a biogas product.
29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the roving unit further comprises a storage container for a biogas product.
30. The system according to any of claims 24 to 29, wherein the roving unit further comprises a biogas engine.
31. The system according to any of claims 24 to 30, wherein the roving unit is an autonomous land or water vehicle.
32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the roving unit is autonomously movable between one or more locations at which it can be refuelled or charged, one or more locations at which it can be utilised, and/or one or more locations at which it can be stored or maintained.
33. The system according to any of claims 24 to 32, wherein the roving unit further comprises adjustable wheel couplings which enable raising and lowering of a main chassis of the unit with respect to the ground.
34. The system according to any of claims 24 to 33, further comprising an electric aircraft.
35. The system according to claim 34, wherein the electric aircraft is an autonomous eVTOL aircraft. 23
36. The system according any of claims 24 to 35, comprising an energy station comprising an energy storage module operable to store energy from a biogas product; and a vehicle charging module operable to charge a vehicle from energy from the biogas product.
37. The system according claim 36, wherein the energy station comprises an electric power generator module operable to generate electric power from a biogas product at the station.
38. The system according to claim 36 or claim 37, wherein the energy station is provided with a heat generator module operable to generate heat from a biogas product at the station.
39. A method of charging an electric vehicle, the method comprising: at a processing site, processing waste material to generate biogas; generating electric power from a biogas product at the processing site; and charging an electric vehicle at the processing site using the generated electric power.
40. The method according to claim 39, wherein the electric vehicle is an electric aircraft.
41. The method according to claim 39 or claim 40, further comprising storing electric power generated from a biogas product at the processing site and charging the electric vehicle from the stored electric power.
42. The method according to any of claims 39 to 41 , further comprising storing a biogas product at the processing site in a storage container.
43. The method according to claim 42, further comprising generating electric power and/or heat power from the stored biogas product.
44. The method according to any of claims 39 to 43, further comprising refuelling or charging an energy storage unit of a roving unit, the roving unit being movable between the processing site and one or more electric power consumption locations. 24 45. The method according to claim 44, further comprising charging an electric vehicle at a power consumption location away from the processing site using an energy storage unit of a roving unit.
PCT/GB2022/052844 2021-11-10 2022-11-09 Processing hub for an energy capture and utilisation system, system, and apparatus therefor WO2023084215A2 (en)

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