JP2024139639A - Hybrid power generation equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a hybrid type power generator that is hardly restricted by an environmental condition on an installation place though natural energy is used.SOLUTION: A hybrid type power generator includes a geothermal generation part 2 and a photovoltaic generation part 3. The geothermal generation part includes an upper side heat exchange body 4, an intermediate heat exchange body 5, a plurality of first heat transfer bodies 6 extending between the upper side heat exchange body and the intermediate heat exchange body, a first thermoelectric conversion module 7 disposed between the intermediate heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body, a first heat insulation material 8 for coating each of the first heat transfer bodies together with the first thermoelectric conversion module, a lower side heat exchange body 10, a plurality of second heat transfer bodies 11 extending between the intermediate heat exchange body and the lower side heat exchange body, a second thermoelectric conversion module 12 disposed between the intermediate heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body, and a second heat insulation material 13 for coating each of the second heat transfer bodies together with the second thermoelectric conversion module. The photovoltaic generation part includes a support structure 15 provided in the upper side heat exchange body and a solar cell module 16 attached to the support structure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a hybrid power generation device that generates electricity using natural energy, particularly solar and geothermal energy.

In recent years, efforts have been made to reduce _CO2 emissions and realize a decarbonized society in order to solve the problem of global warming, and as part of these efforts, power generation devices that utilize natural energy are also being developed.

Currently, solar power generation is the most widely used method of generating electricity using natural energy, but it also has disadvantages, such as not being able to generate electricity at night and the amount of electricity generated decreasing when there is little sunlight.

For this reason, in the prior art, several hybrid power generation methods have been proposed that combine solar power generation with another power generation method that utilizes natural energy.
As this type of hybrid power generation device, for example, a combination of solar power generation and wind power generation is known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

This hybrid power generation system can achieve more stable power generation by compensating for the disadvantages of solar power generation and wind power generation.

However, to generate wind power stably, a sufficient amount of wind must be available for a certain period of time, and this conventional hybrid power generation device therefore has the disadvantage that installation locations are limited.

JP 2007-77895 A JP 2008-11589 A JP 2023-7792 A

The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a hybrid power generation device that utilizes natural energy but is not subject to the limitations of the environmental conditions of the installation location.

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a geothermal power generation unit and a solar power generation unit are provided, and the geothermal power generation unit comprises an upper heat exchange body for heat exchange with outside air, an intermediate heat exchange body for heat exchange with the earth's surface layer, which is disposed below the upper heat exchange body, a plurality of first heat transfer bodies each extending between the upper heat exchange body and the intermediate heat exchange body and disposed at intervals from each other, with upper and lower ends connected to the upper heat exchange body and the intermediate heat exchange body, respectively, so as to have thermal conductivity, and a plurality of first heat transfer bodies each disposed between the upper heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body, and/or between the intermediate heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body, with one end surface being connected to the upper heat exchange body. a first thermoelectric conversion module having one end surface in thermal contact with one of the upper heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body and the other end surface in thermal contact with the other of the upper heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body, and/or having one end surface in thermal contact with one of the intermediate heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body and the other end surface in thermal contact with the other of the intermediate heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body; a first insulating material covering each of the first heat transfer bodies together with the associated first thermoelectric conversion module; a lower heat exchange body for heat exchange with the ground, which is arranged below the intermediate heat exchange body; a plurality of second heat transfer bodies extending between the intermediate heat exchange bodies and arranged at intervals from each other, with upper and lower ends connected to the intermediate and lower heat exchange bodies, respectively, so as to be thermally conductive; a plurality of second heat transfer bodies arranged between the intermediate heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body, and/or between the lower heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body, with one end surface in thermal contact with one of the intermediate heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body and the other end surface in thermal contact with the other of the intermediate heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body, and/or with one end surface in thermal contact with one of the lower heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body and the other end surface in thermal contact with the lower heat exchange body and and a second thermoelectric conversion module in thermal contact with the other of the second heat transfer bodies, a second insulating material that covers each of the plurality of second heat transfer bodies together with the associated second thermoelectric conversion module, and a first power conditioner connected to the first and second thermoelectric conversion modules, and the solar power generation unit has a support structure provided on the upper surface of the upper heat exchange body, a solar cell module attached to the support structure, and a second power conditioner connected to the solar cell module.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of first heat transfer bodies of the geothermal power generation unit is a heat pipe, and at least one of the plurality of second heat transfer bodies is a heat pipe.

According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hybrid power generation device further includes a storage battery connected to the first power conditioner of the geothermal power generation unit and the second power conditioner of the solar power generation unit.

The hybrid power generation device of the present invention is installed on the ground with the lower heat exchanger, intermediate heat exchanger, and upper heat exchanger of the geothermal power generation section positioned underground, on the surface layer, and above ground, respectively, and the portion below the intermediate heat exchanger is buried underground.

When the hybrid power generation device is installed on the ground, the upper heat exchanger of the geothermal power generation section exchanges heat with the outside air, reaching a state of thermal equilibrium with the outside air and becoming the same temperature as the air temperature, the intermediate heat exchanger exchanges heat with the ground surface layer, reaching a state of thermal equilibrium with the ground surface layer and becoming the same temperature as the ground surface layer, and the lower heat exchanger exchanges heat with the ground, reaching a state of thermal equilibrium with the ground and becoming the same temperature as the ground.

Throughout the year and throughout the day, changes in air temperature, temperature changes in the earth's surface layer, and temperature changes underground occur in different cycles and with different fluctuation ranges, and periods (times) when the air temperature is higher than the temperature in the earth's surface layer alternate with periods (times) when this is reversed, and periods (times) when the surface temperature is higher than the temperature underground alternate with periods (times) when this is reversed.

In the geothermal power generation section, when the temperature of the earth's surface layer is higher than the air temperature, heat is transferred from the intermediate heat exchanger through the first heat transfer body to the upper heat exchanger, and a temperature difference corresponding to this heat transfer is generated between both end surfaces of the first thermoelectric conversion module, causing electrical energy to be output from the first thermoelectric conversion module.

On the other hand, when the temperature of the ground surface layer is lower than the air temperature, heat is transferred from the upper heat exchange body through the first heat transfer body to the intermediate heat exchange body, and a temperature difference corresponding to this heat transfer occurs at both end surfaces of the first thermoelectric conversion module, causing electrical energy to be output from the first thermoelectric conversion module.

When the temperature of the surface layer is higher than the temperature underground, heat is transferred from the intermediate heat exchanger through the second heat transfer body to the lower heat exchanger, and a temperature difference corresponding to this heat transfer occurs between both end surfaces of the second thermoelectric conversion module, causing electrical energy to be output from the second thermoelectric conversion module.

On the other hand, when the temperature of the surface layer is lower than the temperature underground, heat is transferred from the lower heat exchange body through the second heat transfer body to the intermediate heat exchange body, and a temperature difference corresponding to this heat transfer occurs at both end surfaces of the second thermoelectric conversion module, causing electrical energy to be output from the second thermoelectric conversion module.

In this way, it becomes possible to generate stable electricity by effectively utilizing the temperature difference between the air temperature throughout the year or throughout the day and the temperature difference between the surface layer and the temperature underground.

In addition, in the solar power generation section, when sunlight is irradiated onto the solar cell module, the sunlight is converted into electrical energy by the solar cell module, and the electrical energy is output from the solar cell module.

In this way, when there is sufficient solar radiation, such as on a sunny day, it is possible to generate stable power by making effective use of sunlight.

According to the present invention, when there is sufficient sunlight, such as on a clear day, the necessary electricity can be steadily supplied mainly through solar power generation, while at night or when there is little sunlight, the necessary electricity can be steadily supplied mainly through geothermal power generation.
And as long as there is a certain amount of space and an appropriate amount of sunlight during the day, a hybrid power generation device can be installed anywhere and can generate electricity stably throughout the year.

1 is a perspective view of a hybrid power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the hybrid power generating apparatus of FIG. 1 installed on the ground.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the configuration of the present invention will be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a hybrid power generating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the hybrid power generating apparatus of FIG.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the hybrid power generation device 1 of the present invention includes a geothermal power generation section 2 and a solar power generation section 3.

The geothermal power generation section 2 comprises an upper heat exchange body 4 for heat exchange with the outside air V, an intermediate heat exchange body 5 for heat exchange with the earth's surface layer W, which is disposed below the upper heat exchange body 4, and a plurality of first heat transfer bodies 6 that extend between the upper and intermediate heat exchange bodies 4, 5, are disposed at intervals from each other, and have upper and lower ends connected to the upper heat exchange body 4 and the intermediate heat exchange body 5, respectively, so as to have thermal conductivity.

The upper and intermediate heat exchange bodies 4, 5 in this embodiment consist of plates made of a metal or alloy with high thermal conductivity, preferably aluminium or copper.
Preferably, the upper and intermediate heat exchange bodies 4, 5 are formed as thin as possible and as large in area as possible while maintaining a certain degree of rigidity, thereby improving the heat exchange and thermal conductivity of the upper and intermediate heat exchange bodies 4, 5.

In this embodiment, at least one of the multiple first heat transfer bodies 6 is a heat pipe 6a, and the remaining multiple first heat transfer bodies 6 are rod bodies 6b formed from a metal or alloy with high thermal conductivity, preferably aluminum or copper.

The heat pipe 6a mainly realizes highly efficient heat transfer in one direction from the intermediate heat exchange body 5 side to the upper heat exchange body 4 side when the temperature of the intermediate heat exchange body 5 is higher than the temperature of the upper heat exchange body 4, and the rod body 6b enables heat transfer in both directions between the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the upper heat exchange body 4.

The geothermal power generation section 2 further includes a first thermoelectric conversion module 7 arranged between the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the first heat transfer body 6, with one end face in thermal contact with one of the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the first heat transfer body 6 (in this embodiment, the first heat transfer body 6) and the other end face in thermal contact with the other of the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the first heat transfer body 6 (in this embodiment, the intermediate heat exchange body 5).
The first thermoelectric conversion module 7 may utilize, for example, the Seebeck effect or the spin Seebeck effect.

The position where the first thermoelectric conversion module 7 is provided is not limited to this embodiment.
For example, the first thermoelectric conversion module 7 may be arranged between the upper heat exchange body 4 and the first heat transfer body 6 instead of between the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the first heat transfer body 6, with one end face in thermal contact with one of the upper heat exchange body 4 and the first heat transfer body 6 and the other end face in thermal contact with the other of the upper heat exchange body 4 and the first heat transfer body 6; alternatively, the first thermoelectric conversion module 7 may be arranged between the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the first heat transfer body 6, and between the upper heat exchange body 4 and the first heat transfer body 6, respectively.

The geothermal power generation section 2 also includes a first insulating material 8 that covers each of the first heat transfer bodies 6 together with the associated first thermoelectric conversion module 7.

In this embodiment, a plurality of connecting members 9 are further provided outside the region in which the first heat transfer body 6 is disposed, extending between the upper heat exchange body 4 and the intermediate heat exchange body 5 .
The connecting member 9 is made of a rod having low thermal conductivity.

The upper heat exchange body 4, the first heat transfer body 6 (heat pipe 6a, rod body 6b), the first thermoelectric conversion module 7 and the intermediate heat exchange body 5 are firmly connected to each other by the connecting member 9, forming an integrated structure.

The geothermal power generation section 2 further includes a lower heat exchange body 10 for exchanging heat with the ground, which is disposed below the intermediate heat exchange body 5, and a plurality of second heat transfer bodies 11 that extend between the intermediate and lower heat exchange bodies 5, 10, are disposed at intervals from each other, and have upper and lower ends connected to the intermediate and lower heat exchange bodies 5, 10, respectively, so as to be thermally conductive.

The lower heat exchange body 10 has the same configuration as the upper and intermediate heat exchange bodies 4 and 5 .
Furthermore, at least one of the multiple second heat transfer bodies 11 consists of a heat pipe 10a, and the rest of the multiple second heat transfer bodies 11 consist of a rod body 11b formed from a metal or alloy having high thermal conductivity, preferably aluminum or copper.

The heat pipe 11a mainly realizes highly efficient heat transfer in one direction from the lower heat exchange body 10 side to the intermediate heat exchange body 5 side when the temperature of the lower heat exchange body 10 is higher than the temperature of the intermediate heat exchange body 5, and the rod body 11b enables heat transfer in both directions between the lower heat exchange body 10 and the intermediate heat exchange body 5.

The geothermal power generation section 2 further includes a second thermoelectric conversion module 12 disposed between the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the second heat transfer body 11, with one end face in thermal contact with one of the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the second heat transfer body 11 and the other end face in thermal contact with the other of the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the second heat transfer body 11.

The second thermoelectric conversion module 12 has the same configuration as the first thermoelectric conversion module 7, and the configuration of the connection between the second thermoelectric conversion module 12 and the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the second heat transfer body 11 is also the same as in the case of the first thermoelectric conversion module 7.

The position where the second thermoelectric conversion module 12 is provided is not limited to this embodiment.
For example, the second thermoelectric conversion module 12 may be arranged between the lower heat exchange body 10 and the second heat transfer body 11 instead of between the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the second heat transfer body 11, and configured so that one end face is in thermal contact with one of the lower heat exchange body 10 and the second heat transfer body 11 and the other end face is in thermal contact with the other of the lower heat exchange body 10 and the second heat transfer body 11; alternatively, the second thermoelectric conversion module 12 may be arranged between the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the second heat transfer body 11, and between the lower heat exchange body 10 and the second heat transfer body 11, respectively.

The geothermal power generation section 2 further includes a second heat insulating material 13 that covers each of the plurality of second heat transfer bodies 11 together with the associated second thermoelectric conversion modules 12 .
The second insulating material 13 has the same configuration as the first insulating material 8 .

In this embodiment, a plurality of connecting members 14 are further provided extending between the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the lower heat exchange body 10 outside the area where the second heat transfer body 11 is arranged.

The intermediate heat exchange body 5, the second heat transfer body 11 (heat pipe 11a, rod body 11b), the second thermoelectric conversion module 12 and the lower heat exchange body 10 are firmly connected to each other by the connecting member 14, forming an integrated structure.

Although not shown in the figure, the first and second thermoelectric conversion modules 7 and 12 are connected to a power conditioner dedicated to the thermoelectric conversion modules, and this power conditioner is connected to a storage battery shared with the solar cell module.

The solar power generation unit 3 has a support structure 15 provided on the upper surface of the upper heat exchange body 4 and a solar cell module 16 attached to the support structure 15 and receiving solar radiation.

Although not shown in the figure, the solar cell module 16 is connected to a power conditioner dedicated to the solar cell module, and this power conditioner is connected to a storage battery shared with the thermoelectric conversion module.

Next, the operation of the hybrid power generating device 1 of the present invention will be described.
As can be seen from FIG. 2 , the hybrid power generation device 1 is installed in such an arrangement that the lower heat exchange body 10, the intermediate heat exchange body 5 and the upper heat exchange body 4 are located underground X, in the ground surface layer W and above ground V, respectively, and the portion below the intermediate heat exchange body 5 is buried in the ground.

When the hybrid power generation device 1 is installed, the upper heat exchange body 4 exchanges heat with the outside air V, reaching a state of thermal equilibrium with the outside air V and becoming the same temperature as the air temperature, the intermediate heat exchange body 5 exchanges heat with the ground surface layer W, reaching a state of thermal equilibrium with the ground surface layer W and becoming the same temperature as the ground surface layer W, and the lower heat exchange body 10 exchanges heat with the ground X, reaching a state of thermal equilibrium with the ground X and becoming the same temperature as the ground X.

By the way, throughout the year and throughout the day, changes in air temperature, temperature changes in the surface layer W, and temperature changes in the underground X occur in different cycles and with different fluctuation ranges, and periods (times) when the air temperature is higher than the temperature in the surface layer W alternate with periods (times) when this is reversed, and periods (times) when the temperature in the surface layer W is higher than the temperature in the underground X alternate with periods (times) when this is reversed.

And with this geothermal power generation unit 1, when the temperature of the earth's surface layer W is higher than the air temperature, heat moves from the intermediate heat exchange body 5 to the first heat transfer body 6, particularly through the heat pipe 6a, to the upper heat exchange body 4, and a temperature difference corresponding to this heat transfer occurs between both end surfaces of the first thermoelectric conversion module 7, and electrical energy is extracted from the first thermoelectric conversion module 7.

Conversely, when the temperature of the ground surface layer W is lower than the air temperature, heat moves from the upper heat exchange body 4 to the first heat transfer body 6, mainly through the rod body 6b, to the intermediate heat exchange body 5, and a temperature difference corresponding to this heat transfer occurs between both end surfaces of the first thermoelectric conversion module 7, causing electrical energy to be output from the first thermoelectric conversion module 7.

In addition, when the temperature of the surface layer W is higher than the temperature of the ground X, heat moves from the intermediate heat exchange body 5 to the second heat transfer body 11, mainly through the rod body 11b, to the lower heat exchange body 10, and a temperature difference corresponding to this heat transfer occurs between both end surfaces of the second thermoelectric conversion module 12, and electrical energy is output from the second thermoelectric conversion module 12.

Conversely, when the temperature of the ground surface layer W is lower than the temperature of the ground X, heat is transferred from the lower heat exchange body 10 to the intermediate heat exchange body 5 through the second heat transfer body 11, particularly the heat pipe 11a, and a temperature difference corresponding to this heat transfer is generated at both end surfaces of the second thermoelectric conversion module 12, causing electrical energy to be output from the second thermoelectric conversion module 12.

In this way, by effectively utilizing the temperature difference between the air temperature throughout the year or throughout the day and the temperature of the surface layer W, and the temperature difference between the temperature of the surface layer W and the temperature underground X, it becomes possible to generate stable power.

In addition, in the solar power generation unit 3, when sunlight is irradiated onto the solar cell module 16, the sunlight is converted into electrical energy by the solar cell module 16, and the electrical energy is output from the solar cell module 16.

In this way, when there is sufficient solar radiation, such as on a sunny day, it is possible to generate stable power by making effective use of sunlight.

According to the present invention, when there is sufficient sunlight, such as on a clear day, the necessary electricity can be steadily supplied mainly through solar power generation, while at night or when there is little sunlight, the necessary electricity can be steadily supplied mainly through geothermal power generation.
As long as there is a certain amount of space and an appropriate amount of sunlight during the day, the hybrid power generation system 1 can be installed anywhere and can generate power stably throughout the year.

The hybrid power generation device 1 of the present invention is installed on the ground, and is therefore suitable for use as a small power supply device for objects fixed to the ground (so-called real estate), such as digital signage at bus stops, delivery boxes, traffic signals, and road lights (street lights).

Although the above describes a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it goes without saying that the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and that a person skilled in the art may devise various modifications within the scope of the configuration described in the appended claims.

Reference Signs List 1 Hybrid power generation device 2 Geothermal power generation section 3 Solar power generation section 4 Upper heat exchange body 5 Intermediate heat exchange body 6 First heat transfer body 6a Heat pipe 6b Rod body 7 First thermoelectric conversion module 8 First heat insulation material 9 Connecting member 10 Lower heat exchange body 11 Second heat transfer body 11a Heat pipe 11b Rod body 12 Second thermoelectric conversion module 13 Second heat insulation material 14 Connecting member 15 Support structure 16 Solar cell module V Ground (outside air)
W Surface layer X Underground

Claims (2)

It is equipped with a geothermal power generation section and a solar power generation section.
The geothermal power generation unit includes:
an upper heat exchange body for exchanging heat with outside air;
an intermediate heat exchange body for heat exchange with the ground surface layer, the intermediate heat exchange body being disposed below the upper heat exchange body;
a plurality of first heat transfer bodies each extending between the upper heat exchange body and the intermediate heat exchange body, disposed at intervals from each other, and having upper and lower ends connected to the upper heat exchange body and the intermediate heat exchange body, respectively, so as to have thermal conductivity;
a first thermoelectric conversion module disposed between the upper heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body, and/or between the intermediate heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body, and having one end surface in thermal contact with one of the upper heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body and the other end surface in thermal contact with the other of the upper heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body, and/or having one end surface in thermal contact with one of the intermediate heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body and the other end surface in thermal contact with the other of the intermediate heat exchange body and the first heat transfer body;
a first heat insulating material that covers each of the first heat transfer bodies together with the associated first thermoelectric conversion module;
a lower heat exchange body for exchanging heat with the ground, the lower heat exchange body being disposed below the intermediate heat exchange body;
a plurality of second heat transfer bodies each extending between the intermediate heat exchange body and the lower heat exchange body, each spaced apart from the other, each having upper and lower ends connected to the intermediate heat exchange body and the lower heat exchange body so as to be thermally conductive;
a second thermoelectric conversion module disposed between the intermediate heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body, and/or between the lower heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body, and having one end surface in thermal contact with one of the intermediate heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body and the other end surface in thermal contact with the other of the intermediate heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body, and/or having one end surface in thermal contact with one of the lower heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body and the other end surface in thermal contact with the other of the lower heat exchange body and the second heat transfer body;
a second heat insulating material that covers each of the plurality of second heat transfer bodies together with the associated second thermoelectric conversion module;
The solar power generation unit includes:
A support structure provided on an upper surface of the upper heat exchange body;
A hybrid power generation device comprising: a solar cell module attached to the support structure and receiving solar radiation. The hybrid power generation device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the plurality of first heat transfer bodies of the geothermal power generation section is a heat pipe, and at least one of the plurality of second heat transfer bodies is a heat pipe.

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