Energy storage system with fuel gas

• Main Authors: Peter Fraenkel, Martin Thomas Ian Wright
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.08.2022
• Subjects: BLASTING; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTINGELECTRIC POWER; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; ELECTRICITY; GENERATION; HEATING; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOTOTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER; SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY; WEAPONS; WIND, SPRING WEIGHT AND MISCELLANEOUS MOTORS

An energy storage system having a first, gravity-based energy storage sub-system having at least one weight 13 movable between a first upper position and a second lower position defining a vertical displacement and a second energy storage sub-system comprising a vessel 55 for storage of a pressurized fuel gas has an electrical input/output connection with an external power system and at least one of: a fuel gas inlet 23 for supply of a fuel gas to the energy storage system from an external fuel gas supply or network; and a fuel gas outlet 33 for supply of a fuel gas from the energy storage system to an external fuel gas user or network. The system as defined enable energy storage (charge) and discharge of the system linked to an external power system such as an electricity grid to store energy using a gravity-based storage arrangement to make use of its rapid response time and rapid charge/discharge speed, while providing an enhanced capacity of energy storage.