WO2022245972A1

WO2022245972A1 - Renewable electricity grid having remote generation

Info

Publication number: WO2022245972A1
Application number: PCT/US2022/029870
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hari ACHUTHAN
Original assignee: Achuthan & Co Llc
Priority date: 2021-05-18
Filing date: 2022-05-18
Publication date: 2022-11-24

Abstract

A real-time energy distribution system includes one or more renewable energy generators on a first continent, a first energy converter on the first continent coupled to the one or more renewable energy generators and structured to convert energy generated by the one or more renewable energy generators to a transmittable power signal, a trans-oceanic power cable coupled between the first energy converter on the first continent and a first energy inverter on the second continent, the first energy inverter on a second continent structured to receive the transmittable power from the trans-oceanic power cable signal and produce a distributable power signal, and an energy distribution system coupled to the first energy inverter and structured to distribute the distributable power signal to one or more charging stations on the second continent.

Description

RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY GRID HAVING REMOTE GENERATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This disclosure relates to electricity generation and distribution, and, more particularly, to an energy grid for a continent that includes electrical generation sources from renewable resources outside the continent.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Demand for electricity in the United States is expected to significantly increase by 2050. In addition, demand for electricity during the overnight hours is also expected to increase, due, in part, to the increase in number of electric cars being re-charged. Increasing production by fossil-fuel electricity plans is becoming increasingly difficult, politically, due to the inevitable increase in greenhouse gases caused by electricity produced by fossil fuels. Therefore, a significant portion of this increased demand will need to come from renewable energy sources, primarily from electricity produced from solar cells, wind turbines, and geothermal sources.

[0003] Since solar panels do not generate power in the dark, and wind power is intermittent, as well as seasonal, energy is sometimes stored locally in batteries to smooth dips in generation. Other energy storage methods exist, but are largely inefficient. The amount of energy needing to be stored, especially for use in the nighttime hours, is expected to markedly increase to fill the future increased demand. The cost for enough battery capacity to cover demand will be extremely expensive, not to mention the negative aspects of battery production, such as negative environmental impact, political strife, increasing costs, extraordinary amounts of water use, and co-generation of toxic waste, for example.

[0004] Embodiments of the invention address these and other issues.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Fig. 1 is a map illustrating an energy distribution grid including receiving power from outside the continental United States, according to embodiments of the invention.

[0006] Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating energy export and import converters used in embodiments of the invention. [0007] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating energy generation sources and the combination from such sources into a unified electrical distribution system, according to embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0008] Embodiments of the invention include a renewable energy grid having remote generation. This means that electricity is generated from renewable energy sources geographically distant from where the electricity will ultimately be consumed. The renewable energy sources include electricity generated from solar, wind, and geothermal sources. Other generating sources may also be used. In some embodiments, power destined for use in the United States is generated a significant distance from the United States, such as over 1000 miles away, and at least several time zones away. These renewable generation units may be located in Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Morocco, and Iceland, for example. In other embodiments, the power may be generated in Western Northern Africa, such as in Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania, and Senegal, for example. Other sources in Africa are also possible, such as along the Great Rift Valley, which in particular has extensive geothermal sources. Countries along the Great Rift Valley include Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Mozambique. In other embodiments power may be generated in South America, Europe and/or Canada. Of course embodiments of the invention are not limited to power being generated in these specific locations. Instead, power is generated at optimum times at the origination points. For example, it is daylight hours in Australia or the Far East while it is dark in the United States. And similarly for Europe. Using the below- described distribution network, for example, solar power may be generated during daylight hours in Australia and fed to the distribution network in the United States, where it may be used in real-time, or nearly near time. Such a model has the effect of greatly minimizing or eliminating the amount of energy that must be stored in batteries or other energy storage systems within the United States, thus greatly minimizing the overall costs of developing and running such an electricity distribution system while simultaneously helping the United States transition to a non-fossil fuel based economy.

[0009] In general, in embodiments of the invention, electricity is generated from renewable sources outside the continent, potentially combined with other renewable sources, and converted into a transmittable signal, such as HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current). This HVDC signal is then transmitted to the United States through large cables on the sea floor. If instead energy is generated in Mexico or Canada, the cables may be above ground. The cables terminate at either a west coast seaboard station or an east coast seaboard station, depending on which is the closest station. From there the HVDC signals are converted to AC (Alternating Current), which may be connected to either one of the existing electricity grids in the US, or into a separate electricity distribution system. Details are described below.

[0010] With reference to Fig. 1, a new electricity distribution system is illustrated. For convenience, this system is illustrated as running adjacent to the interstate highway system, but the electricity distribution system need not be physically located along highways. A west coast seaboard station receives the HVDC electricity from Australia, or elsewhere, and includes one or more HVDC to AC converter stations, such as in Los Angeles, California, San Francisco, California, Portland, Oregon, and/or Seattle Washington, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Of course the illustrated cities are examples and the converter stations need not be located at such cities, and may instead be located elsewhere. Also, strictly speaking, there only needs to be one HVDC to AC converter station to onboard the electricity generated from Australia or elsewhere and feed it in the distribution grid, or to the separate energy distribution station. Similarly, an east coast seaboard station includes one or more HVDC to AC converter stations to accept energy generated offshore but closest to the east coast of the US, such as Spain, Morocco, and/or Iceland. In some embodiments, at least two converter stations are included in both the east coast and west coast seaboard stations to reduce potential power outages from cable line faults.

[0011] The distribution network includes transmission lines for transmitting electricity in its AC form. The distribution network may be network separate from the existing US power grid. Or, the distribution network may tie into the existing power grid. In some embodiments the energy brought in to the US may be split between the existing US power grid and a separate distribution network. The distribution network may also include fiber optic cables for transmitting information, either related to the electricity, or as a separate communication network. As illustrated in Fig. 1, there are charging stations for charging Electric Vehicles (EVs) at several locations within the distribution network. The charging stations may be part of the distribution network or the distribution network may tie into EV charging networks provided by third parties. In yet other embodiments, the distribution network includes its own EV charging network. In these embodiments, each of the HVDC to AC converter stations in the east coast and west coast seaboard stations provide either a DC or AC connection to the EV charging network. In this manner, the EV charging network uses energy generated from remote areas in near real-time as the energy is generated from other countries and transmitted to the US.

[0012] Although described above as having renewable energy generated in foreign countries, it is possible to have renewable energy generators located off-shore, such as floating solar stations or wind turbines attached to the sea floor. All other aspects of embodiments of the invention work as described herein, no matter where physically the electricity is generated.

System Design

[0013] Embodiments of the invention include a point to point HVDC system with a converter station at each end. The power exporting (sending) end contains a HVDC converter collection station that marries DC solar power and AC wind power or AC geothermal power into DC power to be transmitted via submarine HVDC cables. The importing end (receiving) contains a HVDC to AC converter, or inverter, station. For example, the system may include at least one HVDC collection substation each in Western Australia, Southern Australia, Morocco, Spain and Iceland. The system also includes an Eastern Seaboard and Western Seaboard location with at least one HVDC to AC converter station. The system uses Voltage Source Converted (VSC) HVDC transmission to enable bi-directional power flow, which allows the system to reverse power through reversal of the current direction rather than voltage polarity. Thus, power can be reversed at an intermediate tap independently of the main power flow direction without switching to reverse voltage polarity. In some embodiments, the HVDC converters at either or both of the exporting and importing ends may include multiple, individual converters, and are not limited to a single, large HVDC converter.

[0014] With reference to Fig. 2, an HVDC distribution and export station 140 is shown sending an HVDC signal through transmission cables 150 to an HVDC seaboard import station 160. For example, the seaboard import station 160 may be located near the west coast or east coast of the United States, or both. In some embodiments many seaboard import stations 160 may be provided, such as in or near California, Northwest United States, Northeast United States, Florida, and/or the Gulf of Mexico. The import station 160 may include load distribution 162. In some embodiments the seaboard import station 160 receives HVDC signals from multiple HVDC distribution and export stations 140. The outputs from the HVDC distribution and export stations 150 may be combined to be sent through a single transmission cable 150, or the import station 160 may be connected to multiple transmission cables 150. The HVDC seaboard import station 160 receives the HVDC signals and converts or inverts them into AC signals. Then, the generated AC signals may be sent to an AC power grid, such as the grid illustrated in Fig. 1. In other embodiments the power signals from the import station 160 may be sent to a private energy distribution network, and need not necessarily be tied into an existing AC power grid.

Power Generation and Transmission

[0015] With reference to Fig. 3, a generation system 200 is illustrated. The generation system 200 includes solar power generation 202, wind power generation 204, and geothermal power generation 206. Not all power generation methods are required for all embodiments. For instance, a generation system 200 may include solar power generation 202 and wind power generation 204, but no geothermal power generation 206. An interface provides a connection into an HVDC converter 230. The interfaces of the generation system may be different depending on which power generation source they are connected to. For example, the solar power generation may be coupled to an interface 222 that converts power generated from solar panels or solar energy to HVDC, or perhaps to an intermediate form of power. Similarly, the interface 224 converts power generated from wind power and the interface 226 converts power generated from geothermal sources. Since solar power is generated natively in DC, there does not need to be converted from AC to DC in the interface 222. The other interfaces, 224 and 226 convert the natively generated AC power from their respective sources to DC Power.

[0016] The interfaces couple to an HVDC distributer and export station 240 at a combine receiver. For example, the interface 222 is coupled to a combine receiver 232 in the HVDC distributer 240, the interface 224 is coupled to a combine receiver 234, and the interface 226 is coupled to a combine receiver 236. The HVDC distributer receives and combines all of the received generated power into a single HVDC signal, which is sent on HVDC transmission lines 250 to the nearest seaboard station, as described above with reference to Fig. 2.

Example System

[0017] In an example system, extensive amounts of solar power (1GW - 100GW) are generated from all over Australia at solar power generators 202. Extensive amounts of onshore and offshore wind power (1GW to 100GW) would also be generated in Australia at wind power generators 204. From Australia, the HVDC export converter stations have a first phase of a minimum of 2GW and up to 3 GW of power to the United States via two ±640-kV bipolar HVDC lines with four circuits. [0018] The electricity from this AUS-AM Interconnector export substation, i.e, the HVDC distributer and export station 240 is transported by multiple HVDC power cables 250. The power cables 250 may be bipolar cables rated at 320 kV with capacity of 1200 MW DC. In other embodiments the power cables 250 are bipolar cables rated at 500 kV with capacity between 2000MW Dc and 3000 MW DC capacity through each cable line. For redundancy, there could be multiple cables in the transmission lines 250. The power cables 250, because they are HVDC cables, may include two cables insulated from one another rather than the three cables required for AC transmission.

[0019] The power cables 250 may be formed as long underwater/underground marine cables.

[0020] Unlike the case for AC transmission, there is no physical restriction limiting the distance or power level for HVDC underground or submarine cables. For underground or submarine cable systems there is considerable savings in installed cable costs and cost of losses when using HVDC transmission. The high cost of DC to AC converter stations are offset by lower line losses which are 50% less than AC transmission networks. Extruded HVDC cables with prefabricated joints used with Voltage Source Conversion (VSC)-based transmission are lighter, more flexible, and easier to splice than the mass-impregnated oil-paper cables (MINDs) used for conventional HVDC transmission, thus making them more conducive for land cable applications where transport limitations and extra splicing costs can drive up installation costs. The lower-cost cable installations made possible by the extruded HVDC cables and prefabricated joints makes long-distance underground transmission economically feasible for use in areas with rights-of-way constraints or subject to permitting difficulties or delays with overhead lines.

[0021] Similar to the Australian power generators described above, embodiments of the invention further include extensive amounts of solar power (1GW - 100GW) generated in southern Spain and southern Morocco and sent through their own HVDC transmission cables 250 to connect to load centers in the eastern seaboard.

[0022] Power generated in Spain and Morocco is transported via HVDC cables from a HVDC export substations in Spain and Morocco via HVDC cables to connect to the substations on the Eastern Seaboard. From Morocco, the HVDC export converter stations include 3 GW of power to the United States via two ±640-kV bipolar HVDC lines with four circuits. From Spain, the HVDC export converter stations also include 3GW of power to the United States via two ±640-kV bipolar HVDC lines with four circuits. From Iceland, the HVDC export converter stations will also include 300MW of power to the United States via two ±320-kV bipolar HVDC lines with four circuits.

[0023] Each of the load centers on the Eastern Seaboard and Western Seaboard include a DC to AC converter substation. In some embodiments, the import station and converters 160 may include battery storage or be connected to other energy storage to manage frequency and provide uninterrupted electricity to prevent outages. In one example, the battery storage is sized to be between 10% and 40%, and preferably approximately 20%, of the overall capacity at its respective HVDC-AC substation

EXAMPLES

[0024] Illustrative examples of the technologies disclosed herein are provided below. An embodiment of the technologies may include any one or more, and any combination of, the examples described below.

[0025] Example 1 is a real-time energy distribution system, comprising one or more renewable energy generators on a first continent, a first energy converter on the first continent coupled to the one or more renewable energy generators and structured to convert energy generated by the one or more renewable energy generators to a transmittable power signal, a trans-oceanic power cable coupled between the first energy converter on the first continent and a first energy inverter on the second continent, the first energy inverter on a second continent structured to receive the transmittable power from the trans-oceanic power cable signal and produce a distributable power signal, and an energy distribution system coupled to the first energy inverter and structured to distribute the distributable power signal to one or more charging stations on the second continent.

[0026] Example 2 is a real-time energy distribution system according to Example 1, in which the one or more renewable energy generators is at least three time zones distant from the first energy inverter.

[0027] Example 3 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, in which the one or more renewable energy generators includes at least one of a solar generator, a wind-power generator, or a geothermal power generator. [0028] Example 4 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, further comprising a second energy converter on the first continent at least 1500 miles distant from the first energy converter.

[0029] Example 5 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, further comprising a second energy converter on the first continent at least 2500 miles distant from the first energy converter.

[0030] Example 6 is a real-time energy distribution system according to Example 4, further comprising one or more renewable energy generators on a third continent coupled to the second energy converter, the first continent being a different continent than the third continent.

[0031] Example 7 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, in which the transmittable power signal is an HVDC signal.

[0032] Example 8 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, in which the first energy converter produces between 2GW and 3 GW of transmittable power signal on two ±640-kV bipolar HVDC lines with four circuits.

[0033] Example 9 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, in which the energy distribution system coupled to the first energy inverter and is structured to distribute the distributable power signal to an existing electrical grid.

[0034] Example 10 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, in which the energy distribution system coupled to the first energy inverter and is structured to distribute the distributable power signal to a private electrical grid.

[0035] Example 11 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, in which the first energy converter comprises one or more power load distributers.

[0036] Example 12 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, in which the first energy converter comprises energy storage.

[0037] Example 13 is a real-time energy distribution system according to any of the above Examples, in which the energy storage is battery storage.

[0038] The previously described versions of the disclosed subject matter have many advantages that were either described or would be apparent to a person of ordinary skill. Even so, these advantages or features are not required in all versions of the disclosed apparatus, systems, or methods. [0039] Additionally, this written description makes reference to particular features. It is to be understood that the disclosure in this specification includes all possible combinations of those particular features. Where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or example, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in the context of other aspects and examples.

[0040] Also, when reference is made in this application to a method having two or more defined steps or operations, the defined steps or operations can be carried out in any order or simultaneously, unless the context excludes those possibilities.

[0041] Although specific examples of the invention have been illustrated and described for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS: We claim:

1. A real-time energy distribution system, comprising: one or more renewable energy generators on a first continent; a first energy converter on the first continent coupled to the one or more renewable energy generators and structured to convert energy generated by the one or more renewable energy generators to a transmittable power signal; a trans-oceanic power cable coupled between the first energy converter on the first continent and a first energy inverter on the second continent; the first energy inverter on a second continent structured to receive the transmittable power from the trans-oceanic power cable signal and produce a distributable power signal; and an energy distribution system coupled to the first energy inverter and structured to distribute the distributable power signal to one or more charging stations on the second continent.

2. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, in which the one or more renewable energy generators is at least three time zones distant from the first energy inverter.

3. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, in which the one or more renewable energy generators includes at least one of a solar generator, a wind-power generator, or a geothermal power generator.

4. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a second energy converter on the first continent at least 1500 miles distant from the first energy converter.

5. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, further comprising a second energy converter on the first continent at least 2500 miles distant from the first energy converter.

6. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 4, further comprising one or more renewable energy generators on a third continent coupled to the second energy converter, the first continent being a different continent than the third continent.

7. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, in which the transmittable power signal is an HVDC signal.

8. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 7, in which the first energy converter produces between 2GW and 3 GW of transmittable power signal on two ±640-kV bipolar HVDC lines with four circuits.

9. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, in which the energy distribution system coupled to the first energy inverter and is structured to distribute the distributable power signal to an existing electrical grid.

10. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, in which the energy distribution system coupled to the first energy inverter and is structured to distribute the distributable power signal to a private electrical grid.

11. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, in which the first energy converter comprises one or more power load distributers.

12. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 1, in which the first energy converter comprises energy storage.

13. The real-time energy distribution system according to claim 12, in which the energy storage is battery storage.