WO2024079316A1

WO2024079316A1 - System for generating renewable electrical energy and supplying a plurality of consumers

Info

Publication number: WO2024079316A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/078484
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Emde; Johannes Schmid
Original assignee: Thomas Emde
Priority date: 2022-10-14
Filing date: 2023-10-13
Publication date: 2024-04-18
Also published as: DE102022210848A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for generating renewable electrical energy and supplying a plurality of consumers, comprising a plurality of wind turbines (10, 11) and optionally photovoltaic systems (20, 21) as generators of renewable electrical energy, a plurality of electric-motor-driven vehicles as consumers of electrical energy, a route travelled by these vehicles and a plurality of charging stations (33, 56) arranged at a distance from one another along the route, at which charging stations the vehicles can receive electrical energy, wherein a plurality of wind turbines (10, 11) are installed along the route, wherein the electrical energy generated by these wind turbines (10, 11) is fed into a power line network to which the charging stations (33, 56) are connected, and wherein the system according to the invention further comprises at least one transformer station (18) or at least one transformer (31) and the system is set up to convert the direct current generated by at least one photovoltaic system (20, 21) and/or the direct current or alternating current generated by at least one wind turbine into a three-phase alternating current in the medium-voltage range and to distribute it in the self-sufficient power line network over a longer distance from beyond the at least one transformer (31) or the at least one transformer station (18) to a charging station (33, 56) as current in the medium-voltage range. In this way, the invention creates an energy-optimised self-sufficient system and line network for supplying consumers in the area of, for example, a motorway, with the required electrical energy being generated renewably in the area of the motorway itself.

Description

System for generating renewable electrical energy and supplying a majority of consumers

The present invention relates to a system for generating renewable electrical energy and supplying a plurality of consumers, comprising: a plurality of wind turbines and/or photovoltaic systems as generators of renewable electrical energy, wherein the system is set up to supply a plurality of electric motor or hydrogen-powered vehicles as consumers with electrical energy and/or hydrogen; a plurality of charging stations which are arranged at a distance from one another along a route that the vehicles can travel, wherein the charging stations are suitable for supplying the vehicles with electrical energy and/or hydrogen, wherein the system further comprises a self-sufficient power line network which is electrically connected to the charging stations and which is fed, if necessary exclusively, with the renewable electrical energy generated by the wind turbines and/or photovoltaic systems.

State of the art

It is generally known from the prior art to generate renewable electrical energy via wind turbines and to use it to charge the batteries of electric vehicles. For example, EP 3 659 854 A1 proposes a method for using a charging unit and a transport system for charging units, in which charging stations that are charged with renewable energy from wind power are transported by trucks that accommodate several charging stations to an area, such as a public parking lot or the like, where they can then be used by car drivers to charge the batteries of the cars. This system is comparatively cumbersome, on the one hand because it requires specifically designed trucks that pick up the charging units at the location where energy is generated from wind power, i.e. at the location of a wind turbine, and transport them by road to a location where the charging units are set up and made available for cars. The charging units must be charged using a crane. The trucks transport the Charging units are transported by road to the locations where charging stations are located, which takes time, uses energy to drive the trucks and also pollutes the environment due to the trucks' CO2 emissions. In addition, large conventional wind turbines are used to generate renewable electrical energy, which are only available at certain locations, so that the distances to the charging stations where the energy is needed to charge cars can be great. Large wind turbines of this type require a complex approval process, so it is not possible to set up further wind turbines of this kind at a location near a traffic route, such as a motorway in particular, which is used by many electric vehicles.

It is also known to use renewable energy generated by photovoltaics to charge the batteries of electric vehicles. DE 20 2011 100 046 U1, for example, describes a system in which roofs or sides of trucks or rail vehicles are equipped with photovoltaic systems so that the sun's radiant energy is converted into electrical energy on these vehicles. The renewable energy obtained in this way is collected in batteries, which are then transported to energy collection points. At these energy collection points, the charged energy storage units can be given to vehicles and exchanged for empty vehicle batteries.

Apart from the systems mentioned above, wind power is traditionally generated in large turbines with nominal outputs of around 2 MW to 5 MW, or more in the case of large offshore turbines. The trend today is to build ever larger wind turbines in order to achieve higher output. These large turbines have various disadvantages. For example, the diameter of the rotor blades in a 2 MW turbine is already over 100 m, so that the total height including the rotors is well over 100 m. The weight of a large wind turbine can be more than 1000 t, so that large foundations must be provided for when erecting it. Another problem is the high level of noise, which is why a minimum distance of 1.5 km from the nearest residential area is currently required. Furthermore, these turbines have to go through a complex approval process and since acceptance of the turbines among the population is dwindling, it often takes several years to obtain approval for a new turbine and to build it. Furthermore, it is usually the case that the electricity generated by wind turbines is fed into the general power grid. Wind turbines are often located in sparsely populated rural areas and the electricity then often has to be transported over long distances via high-voltage lines to places that have a high energy demand, such as larger cities, industrial plants and the like. On the one hand, transmission losses occur in the power grid when transported over long distances. Another problem is that the electricity generated by wind turbines is discontinuous, so that when the wind is strong, a comparatively high output from wind power is generated, but this is often not accompanied by the corresponding energy demand, while conversely, when there is no wind, there is not enough energy from wind power available. This requires either the excess electricity generated in strong winds to be stored in a suitable form, or energy is lost when the wind is strong because it cannot be fed into the public grid.

The present invention is based on the following considerations. In order to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector, it is planned to convert private transport to electrically powered vehicles over the next twelve years. From 2035, no new vehicles will be registered in the EU that run on conventional diesel or petrol-powered combustion engines. This means that the demand for electrical energy along motorways and main roads will increase considerably compared to today. It is planned to gradually increase the proportion of renewable energies in the supply of electrical energy. However, since the approval of large wind turbines near residential areas is met with considerable resistance from the population, it is questionable whether the demand can be met by wind turbines to a sufficient extent and within the planned time period. If larger wind farms are built offshore, considerable distances must be bridged in some cases in order to transport the electricity to the long routes, for example in southern Germany. Furthermore, it makes little sense to select sparsely populated areas for the construction of wind turbines, where there is an intact natural environment that is affected by the wind turbines (deforestation, disturbance of bird life, noise pollution, etc.). On the other hand, in the area of major traffic routes such as motorways and highways there is already an area in which noise pollution is high and nature has been interfered with by the destruction of green spaces. Areas adjacent to a motorway are hardly usable for human settlements and are also not a suitable habitat for wild animals due to the noise and dangers posed by vehicles. The basic idea of the present invention is therefore to use these areas adjacent to roads for the generation of the electrical To use energy from renewable sources that is required by vehicles on the routes.

From the publications US2018/0254736 A1 and US2021/0126574 A1, systems of the type mentioned above have become known in which photovoltaic systems and wind turbines are installed along a route to generate electricity from renewable sources and to charge batteries of electric motor-powered vehicles that travel along the route. The photovoltaic systems are installed on noise barriers, barriers or guard rails that are located along the route. However, the documents mentioned lack concrete information on how to set up the power grid for the renewably generated electricity in such a way that it is routed along the route from the generators to the charging stations where the electricity is consumed with as little loss as possible and with reasonable technical effort.

Based on the aforementioned prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a system for generating and using renewable energy with the features mentioned at the beginning, which is optimized in terms of energy technology and line technology with regard to the power line from the generators to the electrical consumers.

Approach of the present invention

The solution to the above-mentioned problem provides a system for generating and using renewable electrical energy of the type mentioned above with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, the system further comprises at least one transformer station or at least one transformer, wherein the system is designed to convert the direct current generated by at least one photovoltaic system and/or the direct current or alternating current generated by at least one wind turbine into a three-phase alternating current in the medium voltage range and to conduct it in the self-sufficient power line network over a longer distance from beyond the at least one transformer or the at least one transformer station to a charging station as current in the medium voltage range.

If the above wording states that “the system is designed to convert the direct current generated by a photovoltaic system or the direct current or alternating current generated by a wind turbine into a three-phase alternating current in the medium-voltage range”, this means that either the transformer station or the transformer mentioned is suitable for this purpose or that the system may comprise other devices for treating electricity in addition to a transformer station or a transformer. These devices may, for example, comprise at least one frequency converter in order to convert alternating current generated by a wind turbine, for example, into alternating current with a different frequency, for example with a common mains frequency of 50 Hz. Such alternating current with mains voltage can then be converted into direct current via at least one rectifier in the transformer station or, for example, in the line path upstream of it, and then transformed up to the desired voltage in the medium-voltage range. Photovoltaic systems already supply direct current, so that this current in the system only needs to be transformed up to the desired voltage in the medium-voltage range that is intended for the power line in the system’s self-sufficient power line network.

The above formulation "in the self-sufficient power line network over a longer distance from beyond the at least one transformer or the at least one transformer station to a charging station as electricity in the medium-voltage range" means that the conversion into the desired direct current takes place either in the transformer station or the transformer or, if necessary, partly beforehand, but at the latest in the transformer station or the transformer this direct current in the medium-voltage range is generated and from there is conducted in the self-sufficient power line network as electricity in the medium-voltage range to a charging station of the system.

The transformer station is located in the line between the generator and the charging station. According to the invention, the aim is to conduct the electricity over the length of the line from the transformer station or from the transformer to the charging station as direct current in the medium voltage range. The above formulation "over a longer distance" means that it is generally a distance of at least one kilometer, generally a distance of several kilometers, for example a distance in the range of about 1 km to about 50 km, preferably from about 5 km to about 25 km. This distance corresponds at most to the line between one or more power generators and the next charging station of the system at which the electricity is to be made available. It may be that the transformer station or the transformer is located a short distance (for example less than 1 km) from the power generator(s). The transformer station or the The transformer can also be located at a distance of several kilometers, for example 2 or 3 km, from the generators, although this distance should not be too long, since the invention is intended to conduct the power line to the next charging station as a direct current in the medium voltage range with low losses. As a rule, the distance between the generators and the transformer station or the transformer will be (significantly) shorter than the distance to the next charging station.

Within the scope of the invention, the aim is to provide charging stations along the route at regular intervals, i.e. the line path in the self-sufficient power line network along the route is segmented into individual sections that correspond to the respective distance from one charging station to the next.

To give an example: If, for example, the distance between a first and a second adjacent charging station along the route is 20 km, the feed-in of renewably generated electricity takes place in the power line path near the first charging station and a transformer station or a transformer is located at a distance of, for example, 500 m from the feed-in point, then the power line as direct current in the medium-voltage range in the self-sufficient power line network from beyond the transformer station or the transformer to the second charging station would be 20.5 km. Preferably, however, there will be several generators along the section of the route that leads from the first to the second charging station, so that the power line path of the direct current in the medium-voltage range coming from these generators is shorter than the aforementioned 20.5 km.

Nevertheless, the system should be set up to conduct the medium-voltage direct current over the entire route, which corresponds to the distance between two charging stations. If the route is a motorway, for example, charging stations should preferably be located at at least every rest area. If the distances between two rest areas are too large, it is preferable to also provide charging stations in parking lots, which are usually closer together on motorways because they are located between the rest areas. Parking lots on motorways are easily suitable for charging electric vehicles if the area is large enough.

For the purposes of the present invention, direct current in the “medium voltage range” is considered to be a direct current of preferably at least about 800 volts up to about 20 kV.

Such a self-sufficient power grid as part of the system in which the renewable energy is generated has a number of advantages. Firstly, this self-sufficient The power line network must be designed to meet demand, which means that it is calculated and dimensioned in such a way that there is always at least as much electrical energy available in the area of the routes as is consumed by the vehicles using the route at peak times. Renewable energy is generated where it is consumed, so that power line routes are short and energy losses are minimized. The areas along the routes, some of which are already sealed, are not suitable as residential areas or near-natural areas anyway, so that no further interventions in nature are necessary for the installation of the systems for generating energy, for the power lines and, if necessary, storage facilities, and no valuable natural areas are used up.

Any storage facilities that are required in the system when more electricity is temporarily generated than the system consumes can also be built as part of the system in close proximity to the track. The same applies to charging stations, which can be installed, for example, in existing parking lots and rest areas, so that no further natural areas need to be destroyed here either. Both the wind turbines and photovoltaic systems as generators of renewable electrical energy, as well as storage facilities in the form of accumulators or, for example, tanks in which electrolytically generated hydrogen or, if necessary, methane, LPG, methanol or ammonia is stored, which were generated in the system using the renewably produced electricity, can be arranged on the periphery of the track, as can electrical lines, overhead lines and other line systems required in the system, such as pipelines for hydrogen, LPG or other energy-rich liquids, and are thus part of the self-sufficient system.

A further advantage of the solution according to the invention is that the existing power grid outside the system is relieved, since the long-distance power lines from, for example, offshore wind farms to the roadways are no longer required.

As a rule, the state already owns the land on and near the roads (motorways and federal highways), so that the installation of all the necessary facilities for the system can be carried out in the short term without acquiring land and long-term legal disputes with third-party owners.

The invention thus follows a different path than the state of the art mentioned at the beginning, in which wind turbines located far away from the charging stations are used to generate renewable energy and in which either entire Charging stations or the batteries for the vehicles have to be transported to electric charging stations in order to charge electric vehicles or replace the batteries.

According to the present invention, a "charging station" is understood to be an area such as a parking lot or a rest area along a motorway or a major country road, where - in addition to the actual "charging stations" themselves - buildings as consumers and other infrastructure such as transformer stations, substations, etc. can be located. This has the advantage that not only the charging stations, but also the buildings, such as restaurants, gas stations, etc. can be supplied with the electrical energy generated in the area of the route. According to the invention, a separate power line network is thus preferably created, which can, for example, be independent of the public supply network and only supply one charging station at a time, for example a rest area, but which can also be connected to the public line network if necessary, so that excess amounts of electrical energy that are not consumed in the area of the charging station can be fed into the public line network or can, for example, also be used to supply towns or individual houses that are located near the route with electrical energy.

The present invention is based on the idea that when using renewable energy to charge vehicle batteries, it is advantageous to choose the location where this energy is generated as close as possible to the location where the energy is consumed. Most cars and trucks use motorways or major country roads. The volume of traffic on motorways and major country roads can be estimated quite well based on comparative values. In a highly developed industrial country with good infrastructure, such as the Federal Republic of Germany, these traffic routes are found almost everywhere in a dense road network. Since this network of the most heavily used roads extends over a total of thousands of kilometers, a large area is available in the immediate vicinity of the roads. This area can be used to build wind turbines and, if necessary, solar systems. The invention proposes installing wind turbines, possibly even small wind turbines, near a motorway or major country road. The additional advantage is that they are not subject to building permit requirements with a total height of up to 10 m. The installation and assembly of such a small wind turbine is also possible with less effort than is the case with a large wind turbine, since the individual components are smaller and have a lower weight and can be easily transported by vehicles. transported. In addition, the effort required to build large foundations is no longer necessary.

The idea of a self-sufficient power grid in the area of highways or other large roads has the further advantage that this power grid can be controlled by the state and is not owned by a large number of different industrial, regional or municipal energy producers. For example, a consortium of companies on behalf of the state or a state-owned company can operate the system according to the invention, similar to what is done in rail transport. Renewable electricity can, for example, be converted electrolytically into hydrogen, so that vehicles equipped with fuel cells can also fill up with hydrogen in the system. Vehicles that have metal hybrid storage systems can also be supplied with energy.

A further advantage of the system is that it can be monitored and secured much better than the existing, very confusing, public power grid, in which there are numerous regional owners of the lines and power lines that run across the properties of countless different (third-party) owners.

Small wind turbines, for example, take up little space and can be installed close to each other and to the road. The noise level is also low and is hardly perceived as disturbing. Small wind turbines with a rotor diameter of up to 3 m can, for example, produce an output of around 5 kW or more. If 1,000 of these small wind turbines are installed along a stretch of motorway, they generate the same electrical output as a large 5 MW wind turbine. If the small wind turbines are installed at a distance of, for example, 20 m from each other in three parallel rows, for example on the side of each lane and on the central reservation, 50 x 3 = 150 of these turbines can be installed per kilometer of motorway, which, with just 5 kW per turbine, already corresponds to an output of 750 kW per km of motorway. It is advisable to set up charging stations for charging electric vehicles in parking lots and rest areas, as the vehicles can stop there without any problem. The entire motorway network in Germany is around 13,000 km long. On average, parking spaces are less than 10 km apart. If we use a distance of 10 km for simplicity, then in the example calculation above, an electrical output of 7.5 MW can be achieved from the small wind turbines alone for both lanes of a motorway between two parking spaces, so that with parking spaces on both sides On each side of the motorway, 3.75 MW of installed capacity would be available for charging vehicle batteries and, if necessary, other consumers.

Based on the entire motorway network of 13,000 km, this would result in an output of 13,000 x 750 kW = 9.75 GW. If, for example, one assumes 5,000 hours of full use, this would be 9.75 million kW x 5,000 h = 9.75 billion kWh. The total electricity consumption of the Federal Republic of Germany is around 600 billion kWh per year, so that the small wind turbines in the system according to the invention along the motorway alone could supply around 1.6% of the total energy consumption in Germany.

According to a preferred development of the invention, photovoltaic systems and, if appropriate, wind turbines that are connected to the system's autonomous power grid can be installed near the route, in particular in rows on a shoulder next to a roadway and/or on the central reservation between two roadways. By combining wind turbines and photovoltaic systems, the total electrical power that can be achieved from renewable energies and is available at the charging stations can be further increased.

Some motorways or country roads may be located on a lowered terrain. In these cases, according to a preferred development of the invention, it is advantageous if, when the route is lower than the surrounding area, the wind turbines are installed at a higher location than the route, close to the route, where the rotors of the small wind turbines are sufficiently exposed to the wind. There is usually an embankment next to the road, so that the wind turbines can then be set up in the upper part of the embankment, so that the rotors protrude over the embankment and are therefore optimally exposed to the wind. In these cases too, the wind turbines are installed "close to" the road and along the road in the sense of the invention.

According to a preferred development of the invention, at least one photovoltaic system, which is electrically connected to the autonomous power line network of the system, is arranged on a traffic sign or information board on or near the roadway and/or a photovoltaic system is arranged on the roadway and/or the roadway is at least partially designed as a photovoltaic system.

The photovoltaic systems, which according to the invention can be installed optionally in the vicinity and along the roadway, can be installed either close to the ground with the appropriate inclination and preferably facing south. Here too there is the advantage that that the land along the road is owned by the state or, where appropriate, in the hands of a single owner, provided that, as in countries such as France or Italy, it is a private company that operates the motorway. Furthermore, according to a preferred development of the invention, it is possible to arrange at least one photovoltaic system that is electrically connected to the power grid in the area of a verge next to a roadway and/or on the central reservation between two roadways and/or on a traffic sign or information board on or near the roadway. With the traffic signs and information boards that are already there, additional areas are thus available where the installation of photovoltaic systems is possible with relatively little technical effort if they are aligned accordingly.

An additional possibility is to equip the roadway itself with photovoltaic systems or to design it as a photovoltaic system. Road surfaces are already known that can convert solar energy into electrical energy and that can bear enough weight to be suitable as a roadway, so that it is technically possible to use the roadway/roadway itself as a photovoltaic system and thus as an additional supplier of renewable energy.

According to a preferred development of the invention, at least one photovoltaic system, which is electrically connected to the power line network, is arranged on a noise barrier next to the roadway. Such noise barriers are available, especially when a motorway runs through a residential area or is located near populated areas, and offer large areas for the installation of photovoltaic systems. Additional systems can be installed, for example, on areas of existing buildings such as bridge railings or on the front of underpasses. In all of the cases mentioned, an advantage arises from the fact that the invention can use areas for the installation of photovoltaic systems that are already part of the existing infrastructure near roads such as motorways and major country roads and that the state or the operator of the motorway can use. This reduces installation costs and it is also not necessary to purchase the electricity from a private operator of a larger photovoltaic system, as has sometimes been the case up to now when photovoltaic systems are built by private operators on agricultural land, for example. The invention also makes use of the further cost advantage that the power grid into which the renewably generated electricity is fed can be kept considerably shorter, since this power grid is installed along the route and thus in the immediate vicinity of the small wind turbines or power stations that have been erected. Photovoltaic systems and from there to the charging stations.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the system according to the invention comprises at least one transformer station, wherein the electricity generated by at least one wind turbine is converted into a three-phase alternating current, preferably in the low-voltage range. Such a transformer station can be used, for example, to initially standardize the electricity generated by the wind turbines on the one hand and by the photovoltaic systems on the other, so that it can then be transmitted in a common power grid of the system. For example, this uniform electricity from all renewable generators can then be further transformed from a low-voltage range to a medium-voltage range in order to then transmit the electricity with lower losses over a longer distance, in particular to the charging station in whose area the electricity is supplied to the consumers.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the system comprises at least one transformer station, whereby the electricity generated by at least one photovoltaic system, which in this case is direct current, is converted into a three-phase alternating voltage, preferably in the low-voltage range, fed into the power grid and passed on. According to this variant of the invention, both the electricity generated by wind power and the electricity generated by solar energy are each converted into three-phase alternating voltage, preferably with the same frequency, in particular with the usual grid frequency of 50 hertz, with the voltage particularly preferably being around 400 volts, which is the usual three-phase alternating voltage that is assigned to the low-voltage range. In this way, electricity with the same parameters is obtained from both energy generators and can be fed uniformly into a line system via which the electricity is fed to the consumers, in particular in the area of the nearest charging station.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the power line network into which the electricity generated by at least one wind turbine and possibly by at least one photovoltaic system is fed comprises at least one transformer, preferably at least one transformer station, in which low-voltage three-phase alternating current is converted into a current in the medium-voltage range. Instead of such a transformer station (which can also be referred to as a type of substation For example, a single transformer can also be arranged in a substation on the line from the energy generator to the consumer (as could be described).

The system therefore works as follows. The wind turbines generate alternating current, preferably on the low-voltage side (for example three-phase current at 400 V), which can be fed to a transformer station. If necessary (usually), a frequency converter is used to convert the frequency of the current generated by the wind turbine to the usual grid frequency of 50 Hz. Such a frequency converter can be integrated into the wind turbine. The photovoltaic systems generate direct current, which is also converted, for example, in a transformer station via an inverter into low-voltage three-phase current. This three-phase current can be converted via a transformer into a medium voltage in the range of, for example, 10 kV to 20 kV (or higher) and then transported over a distance of, for example, 1 km or several km to a charging station. These distances depend, among other things, on the distances between the charging stations, the number of renewable energy producers that feed in electricity, and whether only one or several transformer stations (substations) are provided between each two charging stations.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the power line network according to the invention is designed to conduct electricity over a longer distance from beyond at least one transformer station to a charging station as electricity in the medium voltage range. Preferably, a separate power line network is used within the framework of the system according to the invention, which is configured according to the needs of the system. In principle, parts of an existing public network can of course also be used instead of a separate power line network. As a rule, however, there will be no suitable public network lines in areas along a motorway or major country road. Up to now, the public power network has only supplied the rest areas or, if applicable, parking spaces where there are already charging stations for electric vehicles. Therefore, lines would have to be laid anyway that lead from the producers of renewable energy to the charging stations. It is therefore advisable to install a separate power line network for this purpose, which meets the requirements of the system according to the invention described above.

According to a preferred development of the invention, at least one charging station is arranged in the area of at least one rest stop or parking lot located along the route. As already explained above, the term charging station refers to the entire Area which can include a type of electric filling station with charging stations for cars and trucks, possibly exchange stations where you can exchange empty batteries for charged batteries, which can also include a conventional filling station for petrol and diesel, sanitary facilities, parking facilities, recreational areas, possibly restaurants, etc., i.e. the corresponding infrastructure as you find in conventional parking lots or rest areas, for example on motorways. Thus, in addition to the charging stations and possibly exchange stations that are specifically designed for electric motor-driven vehicles, the charging station usually also includes a number of other electrical consumers and the system according to the invention is particularly preferably designed in such a way that the entire power requirement of such a charging station with or without a rest area can be covered by the power generated from renewable energy, which is fed to the charging station via the line network according to the invention. In this ideal case, the charging station is therefore energetically self-sufficient and does not require a connection to the public line network. This ensures that the entire charging station is supplied exclusively with renewable energy, whereby this renewable energy can be generated entirely within the system itself, meaning that no conventional large wind turbines, solar systems or hydroelectric power plants need to be built additionally. Ultimately, the route itself, in particular the motorway or major country road, is the energy supplier for the energy requirements of the route, with no environmental impact from CO2 emissions during energy generation.

The advantage here is that the system can be designed and laid out in such a way that the energy requirement of a charging station on the route can be covered by the regenerative energy generated along the section of the route between two charging stations, even in unfavorable weather conditions (calm, cloud cover). If, under favorable conditions, more energy is generated than the charging station needs, at least one electricity storage device can be provided in the area of at least one charging station, which is suitable for storing excess regenerative electrical energy generated in the system. Or the excess electrical energy can be passed on to settlements, individual buildings, industrial plants, commercial areas or the like that are located near the route and/or one of the charging stations, so that these additional consumers can be included in the system's network without the expense of laying electrical cables over long distances. Rather, an appropriately designed cable that starts from one of the charging stations or is branched off from a cable along the route at a suitable point is sufficient. Depending on the distance to these other The electricity from the system's power line network can be supplied to other consumers at medium voltage or at low voltage. The construction of additional high-voltage lines/high-voltage pylons and/or transformer stations is therefore not necessary in order to supply additional consumers, for example in remote areas, via the system according to the invention.

Such a self-sufficient power line network, for which the energy is generated renewably in the system and the output is tailored to the needs of consumers present along a defined route of the system in the area of a charging station or outside of it, can be designed, calculated and utilized much better than with the previous use of the public power line network, which has much larger dimensions, countless energy feeders and countless consumers with energy requirements that vary over time and is therefore heterogeneous and unmanageable.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the system comprises at least one transformer or transformer station in the line path from the generator to the consumer in front of a charging station, by means of which an alternating current in the medium voltage range can be converted into a three-phase alternating current in the low voltage range. The line path of usually several kilometers, for example 1 km to 10 km or 1 km to 5 km, from the generator or a transformer station to a charging station can thus be covered with alternating current in the medium voltage range of, for example, 10 kV to 20 kV, thereby reducing the line losses, and at least one transformer is then provided which converts the current back into an alternating current in the low voltage range, so that the current is available at the charging station in the low voltage range of, for example, 400 volts, which the consumers need there.

According to a preferred development of the invention, a charging station comprises at least one charging column for charging vehicle batteries, wherein preferably at least one further consumer, in the area of the charging station or away from the charging station, is supplied by the power line network into which the renewably generated energy is fed. This further consumer can be, for example, a gas station or a restaurant on the premises of the charging station or one or more external consumers such as buildings, a residential area or a commercial area near the charging station.

According to a preferred development of the invention, in the area of a charging station, preferably in the area of a line leading to a charging column or in a Charging station, at least one rectifier is provided, set up to convert low-voltage three-phase current supplied by the power grid into direct current, suitable for charging batteries. For example, a rapid charging station can then be provided, via which the batteries of the electric vehicles are charged directly with direct current. At least one further charging station can, for example, be designed as an AC charging station, so that it is alternatively also possible to charge vehicles with alternating current, which is then converted into direct current for the battery via a device installed in the vehicle.

According to an alternative preferred variant of the invention, at least one rectifier is arranged in the power flow from the generator to the consumer, that is to say in the power flow from at least one wind turbine or a photovoltaic system to a consumer in the area of a charging station, designed to convert the electrical energy generated by the small wind turbine into a direct current in a technically reasonable voltage range of in particular about 800 volts to 1200 volts, for example about 1000 V, wherein the power line network in the power flow from the generator to the consumer beyond this rectifier to preferably the nearest charging station is designed to conduct direct voltage in a medium voltage range. In this variant, direct current can also be fed from the wind turbine to an inverter, for example, to which the cables coming from the photovoltaic systems can also be connected, which initially produces low-voltage three-phase alternating current of, for example, 400 V, which can then either be converted via a transformer into a medium-voltage current, which is transported via the cable to the next charging station in order to reduce line losses and which is then transformed there again into a low-voltage current that is suitable for supplying the consumers. Or the low-voltage current can be used directly if there are corresponding consumers nearby.

Further advantages of the system according to the invention for generating renewable electrical energy and supplying a number of consumers are that, if required, additional peripheral properties adjacent to the motorway route can be included as areas for the installation of the systems for generating renewable energy, even if these properties are not owned by the operator of the motorway. In principle, larger wind turbines could also be installed there, which no longer fall under the definition of small wind turbines (total height up to to 10 m) and feed the electricity generated by them into the power grid of the system according to the invention. This is advantageous compared to today's conventional approach, when such properties adjacent to the road have mostly already been cleared and are generally not considered for other uses (residential development) due to the noise pollution and other emissions from the vehicles. In this way, further renewable energy can be generated. From an ecological point of view, this solution is much better than, for example, erecting wind turbines in forest areas or other areas with intact nature and thus destroying or impairing the flora and fauna there, especially since there is usually no electrical power grid in remote, near-natural areas and thus cables for connecting the energy generator to the public power grid have to be laid at much greater expense. The properties adjacent to a motorway route are also not very attractive for other uses and can therefore be purchased more cheaply. The route of the motorway and the adjacent properties on which the renewable energy generators and the pipeline network of the system according to the invention are to be built thus form a technology route in which the destruction of intact nature can be reduced to a minimal area on both sides along the route.

Since the power line network belonging to the system is laid directly or as close as possible along the route of a motorway or country road, electricity generated from renewable energy is also available at low cost to other consumers along or on the route, i.e. for consumers who are not in the area of one of the charging stations, for example lights for illuminating signs, power for sensors or display systems.

Since the main line of the power line network according to the invention is preferably routed from the generators to the charging stations along both sides of the motorway, the power line is as short as possible and power is also available everywhere, for example for information systems. The regenerative generators of the system are preferably arranged in a line along the route, just as the consumers can be arranged in a line along the route, and thus the cables of the power line network run along this line determined by the route and can be made as short as possible.

Another advantage of the invention is that it reduces the risk of sabotage, which is a serious problem in current times of crisis. For example, offshore wind turbines, power lines laid on the seabed and overhead power lines with pylons that run hundreds of kilometers through remote areas, as currently used, are vulnerable to sabotage. Lines that are laid along a busy road, particularly underground, are less vulnerable and can be better monitored by suitable devices, which in turn can be powered by renewably generated energy from the system.

In summary, the present invention provides an autonomous, self-contained system that is linearly guided along a track and has a minimized space requirement and includes components for generating electricity, conducting electricity, providing electricity, as well as electricity consumers in the form of electrically powered automobiles and components of the infrastructure along the track. The system is designed to be environmentally friendly and independent of fragile and complex structures of the general power grid and compresses the components for the electrical supply of the vehicles and the track into a small space.

According to a preferred development of the invention, the system comprises at least one device for the electrolytic generation of hydrogen by means of regenerative electrical energy generated in the system and at least one device for storing hydrogen, for example a hydrogen tank or a metal hybrid storage device.

Alternatively, electrolytically produced hydrogen can be converted by chemical reaction into another energy source that can be stored in liquid form, possibly under pressure, or as a gas, for example in appropriate tanks, with energy-rich compounds such as methane, LPG, methanol, ethanol or ammonia being particularly suitable here.

If the production of hydrogen or the energy sources mentioned is planned at a location remote from a charging station, the system according to a preferred development of the invention comprises at least one pipeline for transporting hydrogen or the energy source from the place of production to a charging station. At the charging station, vehicles with appropriately designed drives can then be refueled directly with hydrogen or the energy source, for example, via suitable refueling facilities.

According to an alternative variant of the invention, if, for example, excess energy is generated in the system, in the form of hydrogen or one of the The energy stored in the energy sources mentioned can be converted back into electricity, for example in the area of a charging station, in order to supply electrically powered vehicles. This makes it possible to use the regenerative electrical energy generated in the system to supply both electrically powered vehicles and vehicles with hydrogen tanks or fuel cells, as well as vehicles that are fueled with methanol or methane.

Concrete embodiments of the present invention

The present invention is explained in more detail below using specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematically simplified representation of a first exemplary embodiment of a system according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a schematically simplified representation of an exemplary alternative embodiment of a system according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematically simplified representation of a detail of the design of an exemplary system according to the invention in the area of a charging station.

A first possible embodiment of the present invention is explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a simplified schematic representation of an exemplary circuit diagram of a system according to the invention for generating renewable energy. As a generator of renewable energy, the system comprises a plurality of wind turbines 10, 11, two of which are shown here as examples. These wind turbines 10 convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by rotating their rotors driven by wind power, with frequency converters 13 generally connected downstream of the generators 12, which convert the generated electricity to a standard grid frequency of, for example, 50 Hertz, so that three-phase current in the low voltage range of, for example, 400 V can be fed into the power grid of the system via the lines 14, 15 and fed to a transformer station 18. The lines 14, 15 of the individual wind turbines 10, 11 are usually connected to the grid via switches 16, 17 in the area of the transformer station 18, so that they can be individually switched on or off depending on the need for renewable energy in the system. Furthermore, the system according to the invention generally comprises a large number of photovoltaic systems 19, 20, 21, each with several module groups, of which three photovoltaic systems 19, 20, 21 are shown as examples in Figure 1. These initially generate direct current, for example in a voltage range of about 200 V to about 800 V, which is fed into the power line system according to the invention via the lines 22, 23, 24 and initially fed to an inverter 25, by means of which the direct current is converted into a three-phase alternating current in the low voltage range of, for example, about 400 volts. A switch 26 is also generally arranged between the inverter 25 and the input side of the transformer station 18, so that the additional regenerative current generated by the photovoltaic systems 19, 20, 21 can be fed to the power line network as required, or these systems can also be disconnected from the power line network.

The transformer station 18 or conversion station comprises a busbar 27, to which the lines 14, 15, which conduct the current from the wind turbines 10, 11 to the transformer station 18, can be connected via the switches 16, 17. Furthermore, the inverter 25 is connected to the busbar 27 via the line 28 and the switch 26, so that the current generated by the photovoltaic systems 19, 20, 21 on the low-voltage side can also be fed into the busbar 27, in particular as three-phase current with 400 volts. The busbar 27 is connected on the output side via a switch 29 and the line 30 to the input side of a transformer 31. This converts the three-phase current fed in on the low-voltage side, for example, into a current with a medium voltage in the range of 10 kV to 20 kV, which can then be fed to the next charging station 33 via the line 32.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the simplified schematic representation of Figure 2, wherein Figure 2 only shows a part of the system according to the invention, which relates to the design of the wind turbines. There are a large number of wind turbines 10, 11, of which only two are shown in Figure 2 as an example. The generators 12 of the wind turbines 10, 11 are each followed by rectifiers 34 in the power path from the generator to the consumer, via which a direct current is generated in a medium voltage range of, for example, about 1000 V or more, which is then fed via the lines 35 and 36 to a transformer station 18. The current generated by the photovoltaic systems 19 (not shown here) is also fed to an inverter 25 of this transformer station 18. This direct current from all regenerative generators is first converted into Three-phase alternating current of, for example, 400 volts is converted and then transformed by the transformer 31 into electricity with a medium voltage in the range of, for example, 10 to 20 kV and thus transmitted with low losses over the line to the next charging station 33 and, if applicable, to other consumers in the area of a rest area or nearby buildings.

An exemplary embodiment of the design of a charging station 33 and rest stop is explained in more detail below with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 shows a schematic sketch of some consumers in the area of a charging station 33, which is supplied with renewable energy, which is generated, for example, in the system according to the description of Figures 1 or 2 using wind turbines and photovoltaic systems. As explained there, the electricity is preferably conducted from the generators 10, 11 to the charging stations 33 at a medium voltage in the range of, for example, 10 kV to 20 kV. The electricity reaches a busbar 37 connected upstream of the charging station 33 on the input side, to which several of these 10 kV medium voltage lines 32 can be connected. These can be, for example, lines 38 from the stations to the left of the track, lines 39 from the stations to the right of the track and, if necessary, further lines 40 for external feeding of additional renewably generated electricity. Such external feeding into the system is useful, for example, if wind turbines or photovoltaic systems are already installed near the track that were installed before the system was set up and whose renewably generated electricity can be included in the system's power line network. These lines 38, 39 and 40 leading to the busbar 37 are each connected to the busbar 37 via switches 41, 42, 43 so that the individual lines can be connected to or disconnected from it as required.

From the medium-voltage busbar 37, a line 45 that can be disconnected via a switch 44 leads first to a transformer 46 or a transformer station, in which the current is converted into a low-voltage three-phase current of, for example, 400 volts, whereby the low-voltage output line 47 can in turn be shut off via a switch 49 and leads from the transformer station 46 to another low-voltage busbar 48. Various consumers in the area of a charging station or in a nearby external area can be supplied with electricity via this busbar 48. For example, a rectifier 51 can be separably connected to this busbar 48 via a switch 50, which generates direct current to supply one or more batteries 52, so that regeneratively generated electricity that is not immediately consumed can be stored in the batteries 52. If necessary, electricity stored in the batteries 52 can be taken and converted via an inverter 53 into three-phase alternating current of, for example, 400 volts and fed to the busbar 48 via the switch 54. Various consumers are connected to this busbar 48, to which the regenerative electricity generated in the system can be fed. As an example, Figure 3 shows a charging station 56 and two further consumers that can be supplied with three-phase alternating current of, for example, 400 volts via the busbar. The lines to the various consumers can usually be separated from the system's power line network via switches. For example, a charging station 56, at which vehicles can charge their batteries, is connected via the switch 55. Additional consumers can draw power from the busbar via any number of additional lines and additional switches, whereby only two additional consumers are shown as examples in Figure 3 for the sake of simplicity. These receive power via switch 57 and line 58 or via switch 59 and line 60, whereby the consumers are each connected to each other via lines 58, 60 and also to the charging station 56 in parallel to the busbar 48. The consumers can be, for example, facilities in the area of the charging station 56, such as a petrol station or rest area, or infrastructure facilities along the highway route, such as illuminated signs, electronic traffic control systems or the like, or even individual buildings, settlements, industrial sites that are located near the route, a transformer station 46 or a charging station 56 and can thus be supplied with renewable energy with reasonable effort via the power line network of the system according to the invention.

List of reference symbols

10 first wind turbine

11 more wind turbines

12 Generator

13 Frequency converter

14 Three-phase line

15 Three-phase line

16 switches

17 switches

18 T ransformer station

19 first photovoltaic system

20 second photovoltaic system

21 third photovoltaic system

22 Line

23 Management

24 Line

25 inverters

26 switches

27 Busbar

28 Management

29 switches

30 Line

31 T ransformer

32 Line

33 Charging station

34 Rectifier

35 Line

36 Line

37 Busbar

38 Line

39 Management

40 Cable for external supply

41 switches

42 switches

43 switches 44 switches

45 Line

46 T ransformer station

47 Output line

48 low-voltage busbar

49 switches

50 switches

51 Rectifier

52 Battery

53 inverters

54 switches

55 switches

56 Charging station

57 switches

58 Management

59 switches

60 Line

Claims

System for generating renewable electrical energy and supplying a plurality of consumers, comprising: a plurality of wind turbines (10, 11) and/or photovoltaic systems (19, 20, 21) as generators of renewable electrical energy, wherein the system is designed to supply a plurality of electric motor- or hydrogen-powered vehicles as consumers with electrical energy and/or hydrogen; a plurality of charging stations (33) which are arranged at a distance from one another along a route that can be traveled by the vehicles, the charging stations (33) being suitable for supplying the vehicles with electrical energy and/or with hydrogen, the system further comprising a self-sufficient power line network which is electrically connected to the charging stations (33) and which is fed, if necessary exclusively, with the regenerative electrical energy generated by the wind turbines (10, 11) and/or photovoltaic systems, characterized in that the system according to the invention further comprises at least one transformer station (18) or at least one transformer (31), the system being set up to convert the direct current generated by at least one photovoltaic system (20, 21) and/or the direct current or alternating current generated by at least one wind turbine into a three-phase alternating current in the medium voltage range and to transmit it in the self-sufficient power line network over a longer distance from beyond the at least one transformer (31) or the at least one transformer station (18) to a charging station (33, 56) as electricity in the medium voltage range. System according to claim 1, characterized in that photovoltaic systems and/or wind power plants (10, 11) which are connected to the autonomous power line network of the system are installed near the route, in particular in rows on a shoulder next to a roadway and/or on the central reservation between two roadways. System according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one charging station (33, 56) is arranged in the area of at least one rest area or parking lot arranged on the route. System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that in the

Area of at least one charging station (33, 56) at least one

Power storage device (52) is provided, suitable for storing excess regenerative electrical energy generated in the system. System according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the power path from the generator to the consumer, at least one transformer (46) or a transformer station is arranged in front of a charging station (33, 56), by means of which an alternating current in the medium voltage range can be converted into a three-phase alternating current in the low voltage range. System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a charging station (33, 56) comprises at least one charging column for charging vehicle batteries, wherein preferably at least one further consumer, in the area of the charging station (33, 56) or away from the charging station, is supplied by the power line network into which the regeneratively generated energy is fed. System according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that in the area of a charging station (33, 56), preferably in the area of a line leading to a charging column or in a charging column, at least one rectifier (51) is provided, designed to convert alternating current supplied by the power line network, preferably alternating current in the low voltage range, into direct current suitable for charging batteries. System according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the power path from the generator, in particular from at least one wind turbine (10, 11), to the consumer, at least one rectifier (34) is arranged, set up to convert the electrical energy generated by the wind turbine (10, 11) into a direct current in the medium voltage range, preferably in a voltage range of at least about 800 V to 1200 V, in particular at least about 1000 V, wherein the power line network in the power path from the generator to the consumer beyond this rectifier (34) up to preferably the nearest charging station (33) is designed to conduct direct voltage in this medium voltage range. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for the electrolytic production of hydrogen by means of regenerative electrical energy generated in the system and at least one device for storing hydrogen, for example a hydrogen tank or a metal hybrid storage device. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means for converting electrolytically generated hydrogen into another energy source by chemical reaction and at least one device for storing this other energy source in liquid form, optionally under pressure or as a gas, wherein the storage device in particular comprises at least one tank and the other energy source is in particular one or more energy-rich compounds from the group comprising methane, LPG, methanol, ethanol or ammonia. System according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one pipeline for transporting hydrogen or the energy source from the place of production to a charging station and the charging station has suitable devices for directly refueling vehicles with correspondingly designed drives with hydrogen or the energy source. System according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that it comprises at least one suitable device provided in the area of a charging station in order to convert energy stored in the form of hydrogen or one of the other energy sources back into electricity via the device in the event of excess energy being generated in the system, suitable for supplying electrically powered vehicles with electricity.