Method and apparatus for using wind energy or solar energy for an underwater and/or for an under seabed compressed air energy storage system
US10072646B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 11, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 11, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 3, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E70/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The invention uses wind turbine and/or solar energy to enhance the efficiency of an underwater and/or underwater in-soil bed of a compressed air energy storage system. The apparatus comprises a wind turbine and/or a photovoltaic panel to drive an onshore compressor, which provides compressed air energy into an underwater pressure vessel. The buoyant rigid-wall pressure vessel will be located and restrained under water or in-soil underwater. The pressure vessel may be horizontal or in vertical configurations as well as parallel or in perpendicular orientation to the shoreline. The pressure vessel may be constructed of high compression strength reinforced concrete or reinforced fiber plastic material that need not have a high thermal capacitance or high thermal conductivity because the exhaust from the pressure vessel feed a near constant air temperature to the turboexpander on the surface via several long vertical small diameter pipes through the 50° to 70° F. water.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.