HYBRID ENERGY STORAGE
TECHNOLOGY (HEST)
The Hybrid Energy
Storage Technology (HEST) uses a method designed to improve energy efficiency
and performance in gravitational energy accumulation systems that use solid
masses for accumulating, storing and releasing electric energy.
Extract
from the Method Invention Application
No.
a2018 08897 priority dated 22 August 2018
Explanatory Note for
the Development of Terms of Reference for HEST Engineering Design
1.
HEST General Features and Functional
Concept.
1.1.
The
HEST operating principle is based on the widely known physics formula E=mgh,
whereby masses of solid bodies are used to accumulate, continuously store and
release electric energy (gravitational solid-state accumulators, or GSSA). The
HEST effectively addresses the flaws that prevented GSSA systems from
operationalization, i.e. it provides for the electric machinery operation in
nominal modes and it uses optimized weight displacement logistics. The HEST
allows performance at an acceptable efficiency level, eliminates non-productive
energy use and simplifies the engineering flow chart. Altogether, this enables
the use of system elements with low production costs, high reliability and very
long service life. The HEST ushers in fully automated GSSA operation.
1.2.
The
HEST uniquely combines the existing energy accumulation technologies – direct
current electrochemical batteries (as a backup storage system) and GSSA. These
technologies complement each other in an integrated facility managed by an
Automated Industrial Control System (AICS), mutually eliminating the critical
drawbacks and reinforcing the advantages.
1.3.
The
basic chart of main HEST elements:
2. HEST Energy Storage Facility Functions.
2.1. Accumulation, storage and release to grid of large amounts of energy (100 MWh and more).
2.2. Lossless energy storage of unlimited duration.
2.3. Electric power load balancing with a response time under 200 ms
3. HEST Energy Storage Facility Purpose.
3.1. The HEST facility draws surplus electric power from the grid for storage, thus allowing power generation to work at peak performance, and releases the stored energy back to the grid to balance the consumption load when the demand is high.
· The technical parameters of the HEST enable storing of the accumulated energy, matching peak and near-peak demand, as well as providing a power reserve
· The economic parameters of the HEST encourage profitable investments in the construction of clean energy generation, storage and distribution facilities given the current electric energy consumer pricing
4. Basic Requirements for the Terms of Reference for HEST Engineering Design.
4.1. Design and construction costs: up to $130 per 1 kWh of stored energy, with a 4:1 ratio of energy storage capacity to maximum electrical power.
· The higher the ratio, the lower the cost of 1 kWh storage
· Cost can be kept down by securing a construction site with a large level difference (vertical displacement) available
4.2. Service life: HEST cost amortization should not exceed 1,5% annually.
For HEST design engineering, only standardized, simple and reliable solutions with confirmed performance parameters must be considered.
No
|
HEST
Storage Facility Construction
Budget
Items
|
*Estimated
Share in Total Budget, %
|
Service
Life, Years
|
1
|
Working
weights
|
50
|
100+
|
2
|
Construction
elements
|
25
|
70-80
|
3
|
Electric
drives, moving parts, power equipment, control and automation systems
|
20
|
25
|
4
|
Backup
system
|
4
|
10-15
|
5
|
Highly
wearable parts, lifting cables
|
1
|
1
|
*Note: this ratio will improve with an increase in the ratio of storage capacity to installed power.
4.3. Performance efficiency ratio: not less than 72%.
4.4. Power/load change response time: not more than 200 milliseconds.
5.1.
Climatic:
No.
5.2.
Safety
and security related: No.
5.3.
Environmental:
No.
5.4.
The
only requirement for the HEST-based facility construction is the availability
of an appropriate construction site close enough to power grid. The site must
have a natural or man-made level difference of at least 150-200 m and soil hard
enough to prevent landslides when displacing heavy working weights. Inability
to meet these requirements results in significantly higher construction costs.
6. Customer’s Terms of Reference for HEST Engineering Design.
6.1.
Quality
of electric current: full compliance with the customer’s requirements.
6.2.
Grid
connection conditions: full compliance with the customer’s requirements
6.3.
Electric
power and energy storage capacity: full compliance with the customer’s
requirements.
6.4.
Level
of automation: full compliance with the customer’s requirements. The facility is designed for a fully automated
operation to be remotely controlled by an operator. No full-time personnel on
site is required.
6.5.
Serviceability:
full compliance with the customer’s requirements. Regular maintenance, minor and full repairs are performed by outsourced
specialists as needed. The majority of service works are done without
interrupting the entire HEST operation, on a block-by-block basis. The HEST
design envisages the availability of spare parts, replacements and equipment
blocks on site for quick and easy system maintenance. The HEST-based storage
facility is also equipped with the necessary tools and gears for maintenance
and service works. Technical documentation for maintenance and repairs is also
included.
7. Recommended HEST Implementation Stages.
7.1.
Pre-design
modelling. The output is applicable economic
and technical indicative parameters of a HEST facility for a specific customer.
Acceptable indicative parameters trigger the decision to begin the design
works.
7.2.
Design
works. Full cycle of the design works. The
first phase of the construction project is specifically negotiated and agreed
as the first R&D phase.
7.3.
First
R&D phase. The first stage of the construction works is completed with the
pilot block ready for trials. The first block undergoes trial runs and is
adjusted and prepared for serial production. The design documentation is
amended accordingly. The first HEST facility’s block begins industrial
operation.
7.4.
Serial
production. Serial construction of the remaining
blocks is completed, and the entire HEST storage facility is launched into
industrial operation.
Apparently the HEST is a ready-to-go solution unbeatable by any
competitor for the vast majority of energy companies
The operation of HEST-based energy storages
will significantly boost the business of these companies. Among those who will
benefit are energy companies, their shareholders, and energy consumers. Along with being economically profitable, the HEST is
totally environment-friendly. The HEST makes clean energy self-sufficient
technologically and affordable economically.
For those who want and
can lead the way, the next section of the blog (Technical Solutions) presents a
more detailed information about the technical solutions behind the HEST.
Information from the
Technical Solutions section will help your specialists to review the technical
solutions used in the HEST and come up with preliminary conclusions regarding
its justifiability and consistency. I hope these conclusions will inspire you
for a dialogue on cooperation.
