A method, system and computer program product enhance the commercial value of electrical power produced from a wind turbine production facility. Features include the use of a premier power conversion device that provides an alternative source of power for supplementing an output power of the wind turbine generation facility when lull periods for wind speed appear. The invention includes a communications infrastructure and coordination mechanism for establishing a relationship with another power production facility such that when excess electrical power is produced by the wind turbine facility, the excess may be provided to the power grid while the other energy production facility cuts back on its output production by a corresponding amount. A tracking mechanism keeps track of the amount of potential energy that was not expended at the other facility and places this amount in a virtual energy storage account, for the benefit of the wind turbine facility. When, the wind turbine power production facility experiences a shortfall in its power production output it may make a request to the other source of electric power, and request that an increase its power output on behalf of the wind turbine facility. This substitution of one power production facility for another is referred to herein as a virtual energy storage mechanism. Furthermore, another feature of the present invention is the use of a renewal power exchange mechanism that creates a market for trading renewable units of power, which have been converted into “premier power” and/or “guaranteed” by secondary sources of power source to provide a reliable source of power to the power grid as required by contract.

System, method and computer program product for enhancing commercial value of electrical power produced from a renewable energy power production facility

The present invention relates to a wind energy generating and storing system comprising methods and apparatuses for providing energy dedicated for immediate use and energy storage, to provide electrical power on an uninterrupted and continuous basis, to locations remote from an electrical power grid. In a large application, the invention contemplates having a predetermined number of windmills dedicated for immediate use, and a predetermined number of windmills dedicated for energy storage, as compressed air energy in one or more high pressure tanks. A hybrid windmill having the ability to simultaneously switch between energy for immediate use and energy storage can also be provided.

Method and apparatus for using wind turbines to generate and supply uninterrupted power to locations remote from the power grid

A system and method for thermoelectric energy storage is described. A thermoelectric energy storage system (22, 36) having a heat exchanger (30) which contains a thermal storage medium, and a working fluid circuit for circulating a working fluid through the heat exchanger (30) for heat transfer with the thermal storage medium. The working fluid undergoes transcritical cooling during the charging and transcritical heating during the discharging cycle as it exchanges heat with the thermal storage medium. Improved roundtrip efficiency is achieved through minimising the maximum temperature difference (ΔTmax) between the working fluid and the thermal storage medium during operating cycles.

Thermoelectric energy storage system and method for storing thermoelectric energy

The invention relates to a method of coordinating and stabilizing the delivery of wind generated power, such as to a power grid, so as to avoid sudden surges and spikes, despite wind speed fluctuations and oscillations. The method preferably uses a plurality of windmill stations, including a number of immediate use stations, energy storage stations, and hybrid stations, wherein energy can be used directly by the power grid, and stored for later use when demand is high or wind availability is low. The method contemplates forming an energy delivery schedule, to coordinate the use of direct energy and energy from storage, based on daily wind speed forecasts, which help to predict the resulting wind power availability levels for the upcoming day. The schedule preferably sets a reduced number of constant power output periods during the day, during which time energy delivery levels remain substantially constant, despite fluctuations and oscillations in wind speed and wind power availability levels.

Method of coordinating and stabilizing the delivery of wind generated energy

A power control interface between an unstable power source such as a wind farm and a power transmission line employs an Electrical Energy Storage, Control System, and Electronic Compensation Module which act together like an 'electronic shock absorber' for storing excess power during periods of increased power generation and releasing stored energy during periods of decreased power generation due to wind fluctuations. The Control System is provided with a 'look ahead' capability for predicting power output (wind speed conditions) and maintaining energy storage or release over a 'narrow-band' range despite short duration fluctuations. The Control System uses data derived from monitoring the wind farm power output and the power transmission line, and employs system-modeling algorithms to predict narrow-band wind speed conditions. The power control interface can also use its energy storage capacity to provide voltage support at the point of injection into the power transmission system, as well as fault clearance capability for 'riding out' transient fault conditions occurring on the power transmission line.

Power control interface between a wind farm and a power transmission system

The invention provides a wind-powered electricity generating system including a wind energy storage and recovery device. The wind energy storage and recovery device includes a wind-powered electricity generator (not necessarily a system of the invention), a heater operable with electricity from the generator, thermal fluid heated by the heater, a tank to store the heated fluid, and a stored heat energy extractor. In addition to the storage and recovery device, the system of the invention also includes blades mounted to rotate a shaft of a wind-powered generator in response to the wind to create electricity, and switch means actuable in response to the amount of electricity created by the generator for applying electricity to the heater. In another aspect the invention relates to a method for storing wind energy.

Alphonse H. Bellac

Papers

Wind-powered electricity generating system including wind energy storage