Patent Application
20240035298
The disclosure relates to a platform for a space-saving configuration of an energy conversion installation. Furthermore, the disclosure relates to an energy conversion installation having such a platform.
Energy generation from renewable energy sources, in particular from solar cells, is becoming increasingly important, and the proportion of the electrical power obtained in this way in power grids rises constantly. For this purpose, for example, energy conversion installations are used which can have converter units as components. Such converter units have components which can be, for example, inverters or energy storage devices, such as batteries. Inverters with a converting power in the range of several megawatts are in use today. They can be integrated in housings with standardized dimensions and/or standardized grab points of a cargo container—in particular, a standardized air or sea cargo container. Accordingly designed container-like housings allow transport with established transport and loading logistics, and provide the power electronics with sufficient protection against weather, both during transport and during operation. Inverters in the container housing are regularly installed on the ground on suitably designed foundations so that they are easily accessible for installation and for maintenance purposes.
If it is then necessary to install an energy conversion installation which is arranged in direct spatial proximity to a consumer with a very high consumption capacity, and which stabilizes the grid connected to the consumer, the arrangement in containers reaches its limits—inter alia because the containers would possibly be too close to one another to enable access to the individual containers for installation or maintenance purposes, and/or because a sufficient cooling of the electronic components in the containers is no longer possible. This is the case in particular when a converter unit in the container itself is sufficiently protected against environmental influences and therefore additional protection against environmental influences by the container is not absolutely necessary. In this case, the additional protection of the converter unit from environmental influences by the container would tend to be disadvantageous, since it usually worsens the heat dissipation of the converter unit, due to the additional housing of the container. A further example of this can be an energy conversion installation which serves as a system for grid support with the aid of a provision of reactive and/or active power for a subgrid in an urban area.
The document CN 110486152 A discloses a stacked generator set which has multiple containers stacked vertically. A generator is arranged in each of the containers. Multiple heat dissipation devices are arranged above the uppermost container.
Document EP 2101017A2 discloses a portable data center with one or more modular containers that form a modular enclosure structure. The data center can thus quickly be set up at a remote location and put into operation in a simple manner.
The disclosure is directed to a platform which enables a space-saving and/or easily accessible arrangement of converter units of an energy conversion installation, for example, when these converter units are protected from environmental influences by themselves in such a way that they do not require any additional protection against environmental influences, for example, in the form of an additional housing by a container. The best possible heat dissipation must be ensured for the converter units in operation. The disclosure is also directed to a space-saving energy conversion installation having such converter units.
A platform suitable for the space-saving configuration of an energy conversion installation is configured for positioning a skid with a converter unit of the energy conversion installation on the platform and configured for stacking it one over another with a further platform with a further skid positioned thereon and a further converter unit of the energy conversion installation, in the form of a stack. A skid is to be understood as a flat, for example palleted, supporting framework on which various components of the converter unit, for example, DC/DC converter, switchgear assembly, DC/AC converter, transformer, can be preassembled. The platform can be stacked one over another with one further or several further platforms. The expression “one further platform” is therefore to be understood to mean at least one further platform.
In one embodiment, the platform comprises a frame structure with a support surface for the skid. In this case, the platform is at least largely free without a wall surrounding the support surface around its periphery. The platform has alignment elements on a first side of its frame structure, and support posts on a second side of the frame structure opposite the first side. In the stacked state, the first side can be regarded as the underside of the platform; and the second side can be regarded as the upper side of the platform in the stacked state. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the first side to be considered as the upper side of the platform and the second side to be regarded as the underside of the platform in the stacked state. The support surface for the skid is arranged in one embodiment on the upper side of the platform. In addition, the frame structure forms a standing surface which extends at least predominantly along the circumference of the support surface and can be walked on by persons, and can be used as access to the converter unit. In one embodiment, the standing surface is formed circumferentially along the entire circumference of the support surface, and thus provides accessibility from both directions of the circumference.
The support posts of the platform are configured in such a way that their ends interact with the alignment elements of the further platform in a stacked state such that they lead to a laterally centered and vertically spaced arrangement of the support surface of the platform and the support surface of the further platform within the stack. This is in particular the case when the further platform is arranged in the stack above the platform. The support posts of a platform are configured in one embodiment identically to one another. In one embodiment, the support posts of the platform and the support posts of the further platform are configured identically to one another. Alternatively or additionally, the alignment elements of the platform are designed and arranged such that they interact in a stacked state with ends of the support posts of the at least one further platform, in such a way that they lead to a laterally centered and vertically spaced arrangement of the support surface of the platform and the support surface of the further platform within the stack. This is in particular the case when the further platform is arranged in the stack below the platform. The alignment elements of a platform are configured in one embodiment identically to one another. In one embodiment, the alignment elements of the platform and the alignment elements of the further platform are configured identically to one another. The interaction can, for example, be configured such that a projection of the alignment element engages in a recess of the support post, or vice versa.
In one embodiment, a free space for receiving the converter unit arranged on the skid or the further converter unit arranged on the further skid is formed within the stack between the support surfaces of the platform and the further platform. Since the platform itself is at least largely without a wall surrounding its support surface, the free space formed within the stack for receiving the skid and the converter unit is at least largely without a wall surrounding the free space circumferentially. As a result, a sufficient distance between the converter units, and thus at the same time sufficient ventilation, can be ensured.
As a result, the platform serves as a component of a modular system for stacking converter units, which allows sufficient accessibility also of converter units which are arranged one above the other, and which at the same time enables sufficient cooling of the converter units. The platform makes it possible to stack skids with converter units which are arranged or can be arranged thereon in each case. For this purpose, the skid can be arranged with the converter unit on a platform. Multiple platforms each with the combination of skid and converter unit are then stacked one above the other. For this purpose, the platforms have support posts on which a platform lying above can come to rest. In this way, a stack of platforms with converter units arranged thereon can be created, which makes it possible to arrange the converter units in a space-saving and easily accessible manner, and at the same time ensure sufficient ventilation.
In one embodiment, optimal cooling of the converter units in operation is made possible according to the disclosure in that the platform is at least largely without a wall surrounding the support surface along its circumference, and thus also without an additional housing for the converter unit—as would occur, for example, if the converter unit were housed in a container. Specifically, it is significantly more difficult to implement the heat dissipation of a converter unit enclosed in a container, due to the accumulation of dust forming there. In contrast, the platform according to the disclosure, as well as a stack of multiple platforms according to the disclosure, has a largely open structure in one embodiment, as a result of which a significantly better thermal coupling of the converter units to their cooling environment is achieved. The thermal coupling to the environment is at least significantly better than is the case with a container-like enclosure of the converter units. This results in better heat dissipation of the converter units stacked one above the other by means of the platforms according to the disclosure relative to those which are stacked on top of one another in containers. This is advantageous in particular if the converter unit itself is protected against environmental influences due to its own housing or the housing of its components, and therefore additional protection against environmental influences is not necessary by an additional container-like enclosure. The feature that the free space formed within the stack for receiving the skid and the converter unit is “at least largely” without a wall surrounding the free space can be interpreted according to the disclosure in such a way that a wall possibly present on the peripheral surface of the free space assumes at most 49% of the peripheral surface on the sides surrounding the free space. The feature that “the platform is at least largely without a wall surrounding the support surface on the circumference” can be interpreted in a corresponding manner—namely, in such a way that ultimately the corresponding feature is fulfilled with respect to the free space within the stack.
In one embodiment, the support surface for the skid has a fire retardant material. In particular, the platform can have a sandwich construction of two metal sheets and an intermediate non-combustible insulating material for this purpose. This can lead to improved fire protection within the stack. In addition, the support posts and/or other parts of the platform can also be clad in a fire-retardant manner.
In one embodiment of the platform, one or more sprinkler heads for firefighting can be attached to the frame structure. In this case, the sprinkler head or the sprinkler heads is/are oriented in such a way that a component of the converter unit arranged on the platform and/or a component arranged underneath the platform in the stack is exposed to the discharged liquid. This can lead to improved fire protection within the stack.
In one embodiment of the platform, the alignment elements are configured in such a way that they do not only allow stacking of the platform on a further platform, but also a stacking of the platform on a container. Specifically, the alignment elements can surround upper corners of a container when the platform is stacked on the container, thereby enabling lateral centering and fixing of the platform on the container. This enables a flexible arrangement of the platform in a stack, making possible both an arrangement on a container and an arrangement on a further platform, and in particular without modification to the platform, or at most with a low-effort modification of the platform.
The frame structure thus forms a standing surface in one embodiment which is arranged outside the support surface and can be walked on by persons as access to components which can be arranged or are arranged on the support surface. As a result, for example, maintenance personnel can also easily carry out installation and maintenance work on the components, e.g., on the converter unit, when they are located further above in the stack. In order to provide sufficient freedom of movement for the personnel for carrying out this work, the standing surface should, for example, have a width of at least 1 m, preferably at least 1.5 m. Advantageously, the standing surface also has sufficient load-bearing capacity for mechanical loads which are produced by spare parts or tools placed thereon for carrying out the installation and maintenance work.
In one embodiment of the platform, the standing surface is formed by placing floor panels in the form of gratings. Since gratings are air permeable, ventilation in the area between platforms is not affected. Furthermore, rain water does not collect on the standing surface, so that no separate measures are required for drainage.
In one embodiment, the platform has retaining elements in the region of the support surface for feeding supply lines to the skid and/or the converter unit arranged thereon. The retaining elements can be configured, for example, as clamps or brackets, and serve to place the ends of the supply lines at specified positions of the platform before a skid and/or a converter unit arranged thereon or to be arranged thereon is placed in the region of the support surface. These positions then correspond to the regions in which the connections for the supply lines are arranged on the skid and/or a converter unit arranged thereon or to be arranged thereon, so that a simple connection of the supply lines is made possible. The supply lines can comprise, for example, electrical lines, gas lines or supply lines of operating media of the energy conversion installation. For example, the supply lines can be configured to transport a liquid for sprinkler components of the energy conversion installation for accidents.
In one embodiment, fastening elements, e.g., sleeves, for a railing laterally delimiting the standing surface, can be provided on the platform to protect personnel using the standing surfaces from falling. Such a railing can then be easily attached as needed, or permanently.
In one embodiment, a height of the platform is between 350 cm and 400 cm. This allows an appropriate arrangement of converter units of e.g., an energy conversion installation. Taking into account a typical height of converter units, it is thus ensured that the load to be supported is born by the support posts. The converter unit can thus be relieved of the load. The height of the platform corresponds—as also shown in
In one embodiment of the platform, the alignment elements or the ends of the support posts particularly each have a twist-lock fastening. A variant of a twist-lock fastening is known, for example, from the Conpar Limited company. In this case, the platform in one embodiment has alignment elements which also enable the locking, in addition to the orientation, of two platforms to each other. For this purpose, for example, a recess can be provided on both platforms as part of the alignment element. It is also possible for a twist-lock fastening to be fixedly attached to an underside of a platform as a component of the alignment elements, wherein only the lower platform, for example, has, in the region of the ends of the support elements, a recess into which the twist-lock fastening can engage for locking. Alternatively, it is possible for twist-lock fasteners to be mounted in a comparable manner not on the underside of the platform but on the support posts of the platform—in particular fixedly attached. In this way, they can form part of the support posts, in particular as a part of the ends of the support posts.
An energy conversion installation for exchanging electrical power with a grid has a stack formed from at least two platforms, wherein a skid with a converter unit arranged thereon is positioned on each of the platforms. An electrical connection, and/or a media connection, can be guided to the upper platform via the platform, and access to the upper platform for performing work, e.g., on converter units arranged thereon, is possible.
In one embodiment, the energy conversion installation has a sprinkler system with multiple sprinkler heads and supply lines connected thereto for supplying liquid, wherein the supply lines and/or the sprinkler heads have an electric heater. The liquid can be, for example, water or another extinguishing medium, wherein the electric heating is provided in order to prevent the water or extinguishing medium from freezing at low outside temperatures and to prevent damage caused by this to the supply lines and/or the sprinkler heads.
In one embodiment of the energy conversion installation, the converter units arranged on the skids each have one or more DC/AC converters, one or more DC/DC converters, one or more transformers and/or one or more switching systems. In addition, the converter unit can also include a central control unit, which can optionally be supplied with power via a buffer energy supply, for example, in the form of a battery. Although it is possible here for the converter units to have the same design, it is not absolutely necessary. Rather, it is possible for the converter units to be designed differently from one another and, in particular, to include different components, both in terms of their type and their number.
In one embodiment of the energy conversion installation, the stack additionally comprises at least one container as a housing for components of the energy conversion installation. Advantageously, the platform and the further platform are stacked on the at least one container.
The energy conversion installation can be configured to provide reactive power in the grid and/or to stabilize the frequency of the grid. Alternatively or additionally, the energy conversion installation is designed as an uninterruptible power supply system which has decoupling elements to the grid and an energy storage device.
In one embodiment, the energy conversion installation additionally has an electrolyzer which is arranged in a container or on one of the platforms. Of course, it is also possible for the energy conversion installation to comprise multiple electrolyzers. In this case, electrical power of the connected grid can be used for the production of hydrogen. As a result of the arrangement of the platforms as a stack, such an energy conversion installation can easily be scaled as required in its operating power with little space requirement.
In one embodiment of the energy conversion installation, the stack has two containers which are stacked one above the other with the interposition of a container platform, wherein the two platforms are arranged on the upper of the two containers.
In one embodiment, the energy conversion installation has a plurality of stacks which are arranged next to one another in such a way that the platforms of adjacent stacks adjoin one another, so that a common plane of standing surfaces is formed. Any gaps formed between the platforms may be covered by metal sheets, for example. It is also conceivable to increase the stability of the stack arrangement by means of a, in particular elastic, connection—for example a screw connection—or the use of buffer elements, between the platforms of adjacent stacks.
Adjacent stacks can also extend in particular in two different lateral directions, so that a cluster of platforms is formed. In this case, the stacks can be enclosed by a facade for forming a building structure. In an outer region of the stack clusters, a shared access to the platform planes can be realized by a staircase or an elevator. In this case, a height and/or a material of the facade can be selected such that the noise level for adjacent residential buildings is kept below a permitted noise level. This makes use of the fact that noise propagates significantly only along an imaginary line originating from the noise source, but does not penetrate the façade. The height of the façade can thus be selected such that the noise reaching the upper floors of adjacent residential buildings, due to a noise source arranged far above in the stack, for example the converter unit arranged there, is not at a nuisance level. Nuisance noise still passing through the façade can be reduced via the material of the façade. For example, the façade can contain sound-absorbing or sound-reflecting material, as is also used in noise protection walls on traffic roads. The allowed noise level can differ regionally and can be taken from relevant guidelines for noise protection.
It is possible for a gap to remain between a lower edge of the facade and the ground at least in regions, through which gap an air exchange with the surroundings is possible, so that cooling air can flow out of the environment at any time in sufficient quantity. It is also possible for the energy conversion installation to have a raised base with which the facade overlaps, in such a way that a gap is formed between the facade and the base, which gap allows air exchange. The raised base can be part of a concrete building with one or more floors in which, for example, rechargeable batteries or other storage elements are arranged.
In one embodiment of the energy conversion installation, the upper of the platforms of one or more of its stacks can have a metallic cover that covers the top of the converter unit arranged there. The metallic cover may be electrically connected to ground. In this case, the metallic covers of adjacent stacks of the energy conversion installation can be connected to one another in such a way that a continuously conductive surface is produced. By means of the metallic cover, an emission of electromagnetic interference radiation of the converter unit or converter units arranged under the cover into the environment can be reduced. An irradiation of electromagnetic interference radiation from the surroundings to components of the energy conversion installation can also be reduced as a result. Alternatively or cumulatively, the cover can also be used as a lightning protection for the components of the energy conversion installation arranged under the cover.
Since the cover does not carry heavy loads, it does not have to be designed to be extremely stable mechanically. In one embodiment the metallic cover can be configured to be largely air-permeable, so that heated air can escape upward through the metallic cover. For example, the cover can comprise a metal grating, or in particular a metal grating. A mesh width of the metal grating can be matched to a frequency of the electromagnetic interference radiation to be shielded. In the frequency range of interest here, the mesh width can lie in particular between 20 mm and 200 mm.
By means of the metallic cover, emission of electromagnetic interference radiation at the top is substantially shielded. Electromagnetic interference radiation exiting laterally from the energy conversion installation can also be shielded by a corresponding embodiment of the facade. For this purpose, the facade can have, for example, a metallic lamination or also a metal grating, which are advantageously each connected to ground.
In one embodiment of the energy conversion installation, the converter unit is designed to be protected from sprayed water from water jets. The converter unit is thus protected from weather influences, and also when the sprinkler system is used, and the power electronics of the converter unit cannot be damaged in the case of adverse weather conditions and/or an activated sprinkler system. In this way, the converter unit itself is suitable for outside use without an additional housing, for example in the form of an additional container.
The disclosure is illustrated below with reference to the drawings, in which:
The height H of the platform is substantially determined by the length of the support posts 13 plus the thickness of the beams 11. Floor panels 14 are placed on the frame structure in an outer region of the platform surrounding the inner region, such that the outer region can be walked on within a width B, and forms a standing surface 18, so that, in particular, loads can also be positioned there. The floor panels 14 may comprise air- and/or liquid-permeable gratings. It is also conceivable in one embodiment for the frame structure to have a standing surface 18 in the form of an outer region, which can be walked on and which can bear loads, for example, on three sides of the inner region.
Furthermore, the platform has guide elements, for example, cable channels, by means of which the supply lines are guided. In the inner region, retaining elements 19 are arranged, for example, on a cross-member of the frame structure in order to fix the supply lines at a specified position of the platform 10, in the vicinity of which a connection region is located. In this way, a simple connection of a platform 10 and/or a converter unit 31 (see
Furthermore, fastening elements for a railing 16, in the form of sleeves 15 are attached along the outer beams 11, into which fastening elements the uprights of the railing 16 can be inserted. These fastening elements can be arranged circumferentially on all sides of the platform 10, only on some sides, or on no side.
The arrangement of a skid 30 with a converter unit 31 on the support surface 17 of the platform 10 is shown in perspective in
The outer region 18 of the platform 10, as a standing surface which can be walked on and can bear a load, enables a person 42 to access elements arranged on the platform 10, for example, the converter unit 31. The person 42 thus has access to the converter unit 31 and, for example, can perform installation or maintenance work at a height above the foundation 41 for which a mobile working platform would otherwise be required. Access to the standing surface 18 can take place via a staircase or a ladder.
An effective cooling of all the converter units 31 and the container 40 can be ensured by the length of the support posts 13 being adequate therefor, as well as by the air-permeable floor panels 14, since a substantially unimpeded air exchange can take place. Also, discharge of water from precipitation need only take place in the plane of the foundation 41.
The frame structure 11 of the upper platform 10 is placed with the alignment elements 12 on the ends 13.1 of the support posts 13 of the lower platform such that the upper platform 10 comes into a position aligned with the lower platform 10. By inserting floor panels 14 into the frame structure 11 of the platform 10, a walkable standing surface 18 is formed, which can extend, for example, completely around the platform 10 and thus enable access to the upper converter unit 31 on all sides.
As shown in
In the arrangement shown in
Furthermore, the container platform 610 has guide elements, for example, cable channels, by means of which supply lines to the containers are guided. In the inner region 617, retaining elements 619 are arranged, for example, on a transverse strut of the frame structure in order to fix the supply lines at a specified position of the container platform 610, at which position a connection region of a container 40 placed on the upper side of the frame structure is located on the receiving points 612. In this way, a simple connection of the container 40 via the supply lines can be achieved. The connection can be an electrical connection, for example, an AC voltage grid or a DC voltage bus. In this case, the supply lines are configured as electrical supply lines. However, it is also conceivable for one or more of the supply lines not to be configured as electrical supply lines, but rather as supply lines transporting media, which can, for example, supply or discharge cooling liquid or gases.
Also mounted along the outer beams 611 are fastening elements for a railing 616 in the form of sleeves 615, into which the uprights of the railing 616 can be inserted. The fastening elements can be arranged circumferentially on all sides of the container platform 610, only on some sides, or on no side.
In an energy conversion installation 50, containers 40 can be stacked on top of one another as housings of components of the energy conversion installation 50, e.g., converter units 31, under the intermediate arrangement of the container platform 610.
The arrangement of containers 40 stacked one above the other, and a container platform 610, is shown in
Multiple of the stacks 24 shown in the preceding figures can be formed as a building structure by attaching a facade 46 to the outer side of the plurality of stacks 24. In addition to a visual screen, the facade 46 can also contribute to the mechanical stability of the arrangement. Such a building structure is shown by way of example in
In the case illustrated in
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 109 550.6 | Apr 2021 | DE | national |
This Application is a Continuation of International Application number PCT/EP2022/054222, filed on Feb. 21, 2022, which claims the benefit of German Application number 10 2021 109 550.6, filed on Apr. 15, 2021. The contents of the above-referenced Patent Applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/EP2022/054222 | Feb 2022 | US |
| Child | 18485341 | US |
