Power packet networks for wave energy converter arrays
| DWPI Title: Power packet network for wave energy converter arrays, has wave energy converters which are physically spaced with respect to each other and incoming water wave such that electrical power injected into collection bus from each of wave energy converters is phased with respect to each other |
| Abstract: One of the biggest challenges for all renewable energy sources (RES) is that they are variable power generators which will require reactive power or energy storage systems (ESS) to provide reliable power quality (ideally power factor of one) at the power grid generation side. The present invention is directed to a power packet network (PPN) for integrating wave energy converter (WEC) arrays into microgrids. Specifically, an array of WECs can be physically positioned such that the incoming regular waves will produce an output emulating an N-phase AC system such that the PPN output power is constant. ESS requirements are thereby minimized whilst maintaining grid stability with high power quality. This will enable RES integration onto a future smart grid for large-scale adoption and cost reduction while preserving high efficiency, reliability, and resiliency. |
| Use: Power packet network (PPN) for wave energy converter (WEC) arrays used in marine energy technology (MET) for renewable energy generation from offshore wind and water power sources. |
| Advantage: The array of WECs can be physically positioned such that the incoming regular waves will produce an output emulating an N-phase AC system such that the PPN output power is constant. The energy storage systems (ESS) requirements are minimized while maintaining grid stability with high power quality. The renewable energy source (RES) integration is enabled onto a future smart grid for large-scale adoption and cost reduction while preserving high efficiency, reliability, and resiliency. |
| Novelty: The network has an array of two or more wave energy converters (WEC1-WEC3). Each wave energy converter converts incoming water wave motion to electrical power that is injected into a collection bus. An energy storage system injects or absorbs electrical power into or from the collection bus. Each of the wave energy converters is physically spaced with respect to each other and the incoming water wave such that the electrical power injected into the collection bus from each of the wave energy converters is phased with respect to each other so that the energy stored by the energy storage system required to maintain a constant bus voltage is minimized. |
| Filed: 2/18/2022 |
| Application Number: US17675064A |
| Tech ID: SD 15803.0 |
| This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. |
| Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Clarivate content, including by framing or similar means, is prohibited without the prior written consent of Clarivate. Clarivate and its logo, as well as all other trademarks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners and used under license. |