Long term thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system
US5046551A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 25, 1990 |
| Grant date | Sep 10, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02P60/14
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a long term thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system that benefits the electric utility and its customers by shifting electricity usage from a spiked, high power, direct acting basis operated largely during seasonal peak demand periods to a long term level load at a significantly lower power level. The electricity usage shift is achieved by long term storage of thermal energy generated by a continuously operated low power level prime mover and the use of the stored energy on demand to satisfy the seasonal thermal load. The initial cost of the long term thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system is cost competitive with that of direct acting systems for satisfying the same loads. By using the system, the customer saves significantly on energy charges during the life of the system due to a rate structure that provides favorable rates for customers who do not adversely impact the utility's annual load factor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.