TWI896976B - Geothermal energy storage and conversion systems and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

A geothermal energy storage/converting system utilizes hot water and pressure, such as steam, generated by the geothermal heat/ground water to store energy and/or generate electricity. The system utilizes a motion of a piston, driven by steam generated by geothermal heat, to control movement of an amount of water, which is used to store the energy by compressing gas as energy storage. When electricity is needed, the compressed gas provides a force to push the stored water to drive a hydrogenerator to generate electricity. In a geothermal energy converting embodiment, system utilizes a motion of a piston, driven by steam generated by geothermal heat, to control movement of an amount of water to drive a hydrogenerator to generate electricity.

Description

Geothermal energy storage and conversion system and method

Cross-reference to related applications

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 17/777,516, filed on May 17, 2022, “ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING HETEROGENEOUS PRESSURE MEDIA AND INTERACTIVE” (which is currently under review and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111466565.5, filed on December 3, 2021, “ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING HETEROGENEOUS PRESSURE MEDIA AND INTERACTIVE”). In addition, this application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/345,269, filed on May 24, 2022, entitled "GEOTHERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS." This application also claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/US2022/029374, filed on May 29, 2022, entitled "ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING HETEROGENEOUS PRESSURE MEDIA AND INTERACTIVE ACTUATION MODULE." (Such PCT application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202111466565.5, filed on December 3, 2021, entitled "ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS USING HETEROGENEOUS PRESSURE MEDIA AND INTERACTIVE ACTUATION MODULE.") The foregoing disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

This invention relates to the field of green energy generation technology. Specifically, it relates to a system and method for storing energy using underground hot water and pressure.

In traditional pumped hydropower storage, energy is stored by pumping water from the bottom of a mountain into a reservoir on the mountain. The height difference between the water level in the reservoir and downstream creates a potential energy difference. When electricity is needed, water flows down the mountain, converting this potential energy into kinetic energy from the falling water. This kinetic energy is used to rotate turbine blades. The rotating turbine then drives a generator, converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. This is the principle of traditional hydropower generation. However, this type of energy storage system (or power generation system) is limited by the terrain and cannot be developed on a large scale.

Therefore, it is necessary to develop a new type of energy storage system.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an energy storage system is provided. The energy storage system includes: an energy storage container forming a first space for storing an initial gas; and a force generating device. When the energy storage system is in an energy storage mode, the force generating device is configured to provide a force to drive a first amount of working fluid into the energy storage container and further continuously compress the initial gas in the first space until the initial gas in the first space reaches a predetermined pressure, thereby enabling the energy storage container to store a certain amount of energy. When the energy storage system is in a power generation mode, the force generating device is configured to provide a force to drive a second amount of working fluid to be discharged from the energy storage container to drive a generator to generate electricity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a heterogeneous fluid medium and interactive actuation energy storage system is provided. The heterogeneous fluid medium and interactive actuation energy storage system includes: one or more heterogeneous fluid media and interactive actuation modules, wherein each heterogeneous fluid medium and interactive actuation module includes: an energy storage container having a first space, the first space storing an initial gas; and a working fluid driving device configured to move a certain amount of a working fluid. When the heterogeneous fluid medium and interactive actuation energy storage system is in an energy storage mode, the working fluid is controlled by the working fluid driving device. The working fluid is injected into the energy storage container under the control of the working fluid driving device, causing the working fluid to enter the energy storage container, thereby continuously compressing the initial gas in the first space until the initial gas reaches a predetermined pressure, thereby causing the first container to store a first pressurized energy; and when the heterogeneous fluid medium and interactively actuated energy storage system is in an energy generation mode, the working fluid is continuously discharged from the energy storage container under the control of the working fluid driving device, causing the working fluid to drive a generator to generate electricity.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a geothermal energy storage system is provided. The geothermal energy storage system includes: a water inlet unit; a control unit; an actuating unit; a first fluid pipe; an energy storage chamber; a generator; a fluid storage tank; and a second fluid pipe, wherein the water inlet unit can receive hot water generated by geothermal heat and convert the hot water into gas; wherein the control unit is connected to the water inlet unit and determines a flow direction of the gas; wherein the first fluid pipe is connected to the actuating unit, the energy storage chamber, and the generator, and is filled with a substance; wherein the second fluid pipe is connected to the actuating unit and the fluid storage tank, and is filled with the substance; wherein the actuating unit The actuator is connected to the control unit, and generates a force via the control unit to change the flow direction of the substance in the first fluid tube and the substance in the second fluid tube. The generator is connected to the energy storage chamber and the first fluid tube, and is driven by the substance to generate electricity. The energy storage chamber is connected to the first fluid tube, contains at least two substances, and can convert kinetic energy into pressure energy and store the pressure energy through the action of the two different substances. The fluid storage tank is connected to the generator and the second fluid tube, and can recover the substance that has acted on the generator.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a planar energy storage system is provided. The planar energy storage system includes: an energy storage portion containing a compressible substance; a flow path filled with a working fluid and connected to the energy storage portion; and a drive portion connected to the flow path that generates a thrust, wherein the thrust causes the working fluid to compress the compressible substance, thereby enabling the compressible substance to store energy.

1: Water inlet unit

2: Controller

3: First air intake

4: Second air intake

5: First water pipe

6: Energy Storage Chamber

7: Generator

8,17: Water storage tank

9: Second water pipe

10, 13~16: Valve

11-1: Third air intake

11-2: Fourth air intake

12: Piston

200: Energy storage mode

300,400: Energy release/generation mode

500: Geothermal Energy Converter

501: First water inlet unit

502: First Controller

505: First Water Pipe

506: First liquid storage container

507: Hydrogenerator

509: Second liquid storage container

512: First Piston

513: First set of first air intake holes

514: First set of second air intake holes

515: Second water pipe

516~518: Valve

519: First set of third air intake holes

520: First set of fourth air intake holes

521: Second water inlet unit

522: Second set of first air intake holes

523: Second piston

524: Second set of second air intake holes

525: Second controller

526: Second set of third air intake holes

527: Second set of fourth air intake holes

530,531: Water storage tank

532: First Operation Unit

533: Second Operation Unit

550: Return to unit

S1~S5: Steps

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present invention. Throughout the drawings, similar reference numerals represent similar elements throughout the drawings.

Figure 1 shows the structure of a generator and/or energy storage device according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG2 illustrates an energy storage mode 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG3 illustrates an energy release/generation pattern 300 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG4 illustrates an energy release/generation pattern 400 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG5 shows a geothermal energy converter 500 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a flow chart of the process of storing and generating energy in a cycle according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, with exemplary drawings provided. Although the present invention is described in conjunction with the embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments and examples. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalent embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. In addition, many specific details are set forth in the following embodiments of the present invention to more fully illustrate the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art who have the benefit of this description that the present invention can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods and procedures, components, and processes have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present invention. It will, of course, be understood that in developing all such actual implementations, numerous specific decisions must be made for each implementation to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as meeting application- and business-related constraints. It will be understood that these specific goals will vary from implementation to implementation and from developer to developer. Furthermore, it will be understood that such development work may be complex and time-consuming, but will nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art who have the benefit of this description.

While this disclosure relates to geothermal energy/ground heat, it also encompasses the use of waste heat as a heat source for energy storage. Geothermal heat is one of the various types of waste heat that occur naturally in the environment.

Figure 1 illustrates the structure of a generator and/or energy storage device according to some embodiments of the present invention. The generator and energy storage device can be driven/powered by geothermal energy and hot groundwater/steam. As shown in Figure 1, the geothermal feedback energy storage system includes a water inlet unit 1, a controller 2, a piston 12, a first air inlet 3, a second air inlet 4, a first water pipe 5 (exemplifying a first fluid pipe), an energy storage chamber 6, a generator 7, a water storage tank 8 (exemplifying a fluid storage tank), a second water pipe 9 (exemplifying a second fluid pipe), or multiple valves 10, 13, 14, 15, and 16, a third air inlet 11-1, a fourth air inlet 11-2, and another water storage tank 17 (exemplifying another water storage tank).

In this system, groundwater enters the water inlet unit 1 from a groundwater source. This groundwater is heated by geothermal energy, forming hot water with a predetermined pressure range. The groundwater temperature ranges from 120°C to 180°C, and the pressure ranges from 4kg/ ^cm² to 10kg/ ^cm² . For example, at a depth of 1,000 meters, the groundwater temperature can reach 180°C and the pressure can reach approximately 10kg/ ^cm² .

In the water inlet unit 1, the water inlet unit 1 can use a pump to extract a certain amount of groundwater, which enters the water inlet unit 1 through a water pump or other structure/method. The water inlet unit 1 can be, for example, a storage tank, a container, or a container made of a specific material, such as a space surrounded by cement. After the groundwater is injected into the water inlet unit 1, the groundwater becomes hot water (such as steam) with pressure, for example, the groundwater in the water inlet unit 1 has a temperature of 150 to 180 degrees Celsius (°C). The pressure value is between 6kg/ ^cm2 and 10kg/ ^cm2 . In the water inlet unit 1, the pressure change is used to convert the liquid into gas. For example, the state of the gas can be converted into water vapor with a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius (°C) and a pressure value of 6kg/ ^cm2 .

Taking Figure 1 as an example, when gas is guided/controlled by the controller 2, it enters the first air inlet 3 and the interior space of the piston 12, driving the piston 12 downward (e.g., via gas pressure) as shown in Figure 1. This creates thrust, which in turn pushes (or squeezes) the material in the first water pipe 5. The material in the first water pipe 5 (e.g., a fluid, such as a liquid, solid, gas, or any combination thereof) moves toward the energy storage chamber 6. The gas (or steam) generated within the water inlet unit 1 can be guided by the controller 2 to the first air inlet 3 and second air inlet 4, thereby driving the movement of the piston 12.

In this embodiment, the piston 12 is further provided with a first air inlet 3 and a second air inlet 4. The first air inlet 3 and the second air inlet 4 can serve as inlets or outlets. The piston 12 is connected to the first water pipe 5 and the second water pipe 9. Furthermore, in the above model, valves can be provided on both the first water pipe 5 and the second water pipe 9. A valve 10 (e.g., a check valve) is provided at one end of the second water pipe 9. When the piston 12 is pressed toward the second air inlet 4 (e.g., in the push mode), the valve 10 prevents liquid from passing through the valve 10. On the other hand, when the piston 12 is pulled toward the first water inlet 3 (e.g., in the withdrawal mode), liquid is allowed to pass through the valve 10 (e.g., move upward).

Therefore, in pushing mode (e.g., energy storage), the liquid in the first water pipe 5 is pushed into the energy storage chamber 6; thus, the volume of gas in the energy storage chamber 6 decreases, thereby compressing the gas (e.g., in operating mode, valves 13 and 15 are open and valve 14 is closed). In this embodiment, the gas may be insoluble or partially soluble in the liquid during the compression process. If the substance (e.g., liquid or gas) in the first water pipe 5 has no other escape path besides the energy storage chamber 6, the gas in the energy storage chamber 6 will continue to be compressed. The piston 12 controls the flow rate of the substance in the first water pipe 5 and the amount of substance (such as liquid) entering the energy storage chamber 6. The piston 12 is controlled by the controller 2 and water vapor.

In energy release/power generation mode, the air pressure within the energy storage chamber 6 pushes the substance out of the energy storage chamber 6, causing the substance within the first water pipe 5 to move to the generator 7. The substance (liquid or gas) acts on the generator 7 to generate electricity (for example, in operation mode, the piston remains pushed, and valves 13, 14, and 15 are open). For example, when the substance is a liquid, the generator 7 can be a water turbine generator, a turbine, a hydro-turbine, or a water turbine, where the liquid propels/drives the water turbine generator to rotate, generating electricity.

In some embodiments, the movement path of the substance in the first water pipe 5 can be controlled by a valve. For example, the valve can allow the substance in the first water pipe 5 to enter the energy storage chamber 6 to compress the gas, causing the gas pressure to increase due to the reduction in air volume (e.g., space displacement).

In some embodiments, when the substance is in gaseous form, the generator 7 may be an air/gas turbine generator, which generates electricity by driving the gas turbine generator to rotate.

Next, after operating/closing valve 13 (opening valves 15 and 14), the material in the first water pipe 5 moves toward the generator 7. This is because the material in the energy storage chamber 6 pushes the material in the first water pipe 5, creating a strong thrust that propels the generator 7 until the material in the energy storage chamber 6 is depleted (for example, reduced to a predetermined gas pressure or water level), or until the material can no longer effectively drive the generator 7 to generate a predetermined rate/amount of electricity. The material acting on the generator 7 is collected in the water storage tank 8.

In some embodiments, the valves and all other control elements of the system are controlled by a computer or remote (e.g., wireless) control system, including a control system that utilizes artificial intelligence.

Now let's discuss the pulling mode. In the pulling mode, the piston 12 returns the contents of the water tank 8 to the valve 10 via the second water pipe 9.

After the material in the energy storage chamber 6 no longer acts on the generator 7, or after the material in the energy storage chamber 6 has been consumed, the controller 2 introduces the gas into the second air inlet 4 of the piston 12, as shown in Figure 1, returning the system to its initial startup state. For example, after the controller 2 introduces the gas, it enters the second air inlet 4 and the interior space of the piston 12, driving the piston 12 (Figure 1) upward (e.g., through gas pressure), creating a pulling force that pulls the material (e.g., liquid, solid, gas, or any combination thereof) from the second water pipe 9 toward the first water pipe 5 and the energy storage chamber 6, thereby completing the water cycle's energy storage and power generation process.

In the above process, it can be understood that groundwater provided by existing geothermal energy in the natural environment can be utilized in a water circulation energy storage and power generation system through the operation of continuously generated water vapor (such as repeatedly pushing/pulling the piston 12).

Furthermore, after gas (or water vapor, steam) acts on the first and second air inlet holes 3 and 4 of the piston 12, the gas passes through the third and fourth air inlet holes 11-1 and 11-2 of the controller 2 and enters another water storage tank 17 for cooling. After cooling, the water vapor's temperature drops to, for example, approximately 60 degrees Celsius (°C) and is further discharged to the bottom of the surface layer, thereby preventing land subsidence or depression and continuously generating hot groundwater through geothermal heat.

FIG2 illustrates an energy storage mode 200 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

When the gas is guided/controlled by the controller 2, it enters the first air inlet 3, driving the piston 12 downward as shown in Figure 1, generating thrust, which in turn pushes (or squeezes) the material in the first water pipe 5. The material in the first water pipe 5 (e.g., a fluid, such as a liquid, solid, gas, or any combination thereof) moves toward the energy storage chamber 6. The space within the energy storage chamber 6 decreases, causing the gas pressure within the energy storage chamber 6 to increase (e.g., from 1 atm to 50-110 atm), thus achieving energy storage. In this embodiment, the energy storage chamber 6 is equipped with a valve 15 located near the connection between the energy storage chamber 6 and the first water pipe 5. The valve 15 is used to control the flow of fluid in and out, or the storage and release of energy. For example, when power demand is low, the valve 15 is closed, preventing the compressed gas in the energy storage chamber from expanding or pushing out liquid, thereby storing energy (e.g., pressure energy). During periods of high power demand, the valve 15 is opened, allowing the compressed gas to expand back to its original lower pressure state (i.e., to its initial or original pressure), thereby displacing liquid to drive the turbine and generate electricity.

This embodiment uses a piston as the actuator. Any type of force can be used to trigger the piston to move up and down. In some embodiments, a machine is used to trigger the piston to push and pull.

In some embodiments, the actuation unit and the energy storage chamber are coplanar, allowing them to be positioned on the same horizontal plane. In certain embodiments, the actuation unit, fluid tube, and energy storage chamber are positioned on the same horizontal plane. This allows the energy storage system (or power generation system) to be unrestricted by terrain conditions.

FIG3 illustrates an energy release/generation pattern 300 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

After valve 13 is operated/closed (while valves 14 and 15 remain open), the material within the first water pipe 5 moves toward the generator 7. This is because the gas pressure within the energy storage chamber 6 pushes on the material within the first water pipe 5, creating a strong thrust that propels the generator 7 until the material within the energy storage chamber 6 is depleted (e.g., reduced to a predetermined level) or until the material is no longer able to effectively drive the generator 7 to generate a predetermined rate/amount of electricity. The material within the first water pipe 5 can be a gas, liquid, solid, slurry, or a combination of the foregoing. In this embodiment, the material within the first water pipe 5 is water. As shown in Figure 3, the generator is connected to a water storage tank 8, which serves as an example of a fluid storage tank. The fluid storage tank can recover the substance (e.g., water) that has acted on the generator. The fluid storage tank can be a natural facility. For example, a natural facility can be a river, lake, etc.

FIG4 illustrates an energy release/generation pattern 400 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

In FIG4 , pattern 400 shows a plurality of energy storage units relative to one turbine generator (many to one). The energy storage unit may include: an actuating unit, a first water pipe 5 (as a first fluid pipe), an energy storage chamber 6, and a second water pipe 9 (as an example of a second fluid pipe). The energy storage/power generation system shown in FIG4 includes: two water intake units, two storage tanks, and two control units, but only one water intake unit, one storage tank, and one control unit may be used. For example, in FIG4 , two actuating units may be connected to the same control unit, thereby omitting another control unit. The system may include one or more energy storage units. In this embodiment, the system includes two energy storage units. The number of energy storage units and their associated turbine generators can be adjusted according to user needs.

In Figure 4, the piston 12 can be replaced with a weight (e.g., a heavy stone). The weight of the weight can range from 40 kg to 60 kg. The weight of the weight can be adjusted as needed, for example, between 1 kg and 100 tons. When using a weight as the actuator, the weight is dropped from a higher position to generate thrust. In some embodiments, the drop of the weight can be triggered by a machine. With this thrust, the energy storage/generation process in Figure 1 can be implemented as described above. The weight can be mechanically pushed back to its original position (higher position), and the energy storage and power generation process can be repeated.

FIG5 shows a geothermal energy converter 500 according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The geothermal energy converter 500 described below can be combined with the energy storage device shown in Figures 1 to 4 above, allowing the system to simultaneously convert and store geothermal energy. The geothermal energy converter 500 can be driven/powered by geothermal heat and hot groundwater/steam.

In Figure 5, the geothermal energy converter 500 includes a first water inlet unit 501, a second water inlet unit 521, a first controller 502, a second controller 525, a first piston 512, a second piston 523, a first set of first air inlets 513, a second set of first air inlets 522, a first set of second air inlets 514, a second set of second air inlets 524, a first water pipe 505, a second water pipe 515, a first liquid storage container 506, a generator (e.g., a water turbine generator), a second liquid storage container 509, one or more valves 516, 517, and 518, and water storage tanks 530 and 531.

The geothermal energy converter 500 may include a first operating unit 532 and a second operating unit 533. The first operating unit 532 and the second operating unit 533 may operate together as an uninterruptible power generation system.

During operation, groundwater enters the water inlet unit 501 from a groundwater source. This groundwater is heated by geothermal energy, forming hot water within a predetermined pressure range. The groundwater temperature ranges from 120°C to 180°C, and the pressure ranges from 4kg/ ^cm² to 10kg/ ^cm² . For example, at a depth of 1,000 meters, the groundwater temperature can reach 180°C and the pressure can reach approximately 10kg/ ^cm² .

In the water inlet unit 501, a certain amount of groundwater can be extracted using a pump, and then enter the water inlet unit 501 through a water pump or other structure/method. The water inlet unit 501 can be, for example, a storage tank, a container, or a container made of a specific material, such as a space surrounded by cement. After the groundwater is injected into the water inlet unit 501, the groundwater becomes pressurized hot water (such as steam). For example, the groundwater in the water inlet unit 501 has a temperature of 150 to 180 degrees Celsius (°C). The pressure value is between 6 kg/ ^cm2 and 10 kg/ ^cm2 . In the water inlet unit 501, the pressure change is used to convert the liquid into gas. For example, the state of the gas can be converted into water vapor with a temperature of 150 degrees Celsius (°C) and a pressure value of 6 kg/ ^cm2 .

In the example of Figure 5 , when gas is guided/controlled by the controller 502 , it enters the first air inlet 513 and the interior space of the piston 512 , driving the piston 512 downward (e.g., via gas pressure) as shown in Figure 5 . This creates a thrust that, in turn, pushes (or squeezes) the liquid (e.g., water) in the first water pipe 505 . The substance in the first water pipe 505 (e.g., a fluid, such as a liquid, solid, gas, or any combination thereof) moves toward the first liquid storage container 506 . The gas (or steam) generated within the water inlet unit 501 can be guided by the controller 502 to the first set of first air inlet 513 and the first set of second air inlet 514 to drive the movement of the piston 512.

In this embodiment, the piston 512 is further provided with a first set of first air inlet holes 513 and a first set of second air inlet holes 514. The first air inlet holes 513 and the second air inlet holes 514 can serve as injection or discharge ports. The piston 512 is connected to the first water pipe 505.

Valves 516, 517, and 518 can control the flow rate of the fluid stream.

Therefore, in the power generation mode of the first operating unit 532, the liquid in the first water pipe 505 is pushed toward the first liquid storage container 506 by the reduced space created by the piston 512. Since the first liquid storage container 506 is full of liquid, the additional liquid entering is pushed toward the water turbine generator 507, generating electricity. The liquid that passes through the water turbine generator 507 is stored in the second liquid storage container 509. When the additional liquid from the first operating unit 532 (the volume of liquid displaced by the reduced space of the piston) is consumed or exhausted, the second operating unit 533 begins to move the second piston 523 to the push mode, similar to the operation of the first operating unit 532 described above. Therefore, the first operating unit 532 and the second operating unit 533 operate in turn to form an uninterrupted and continuous geothermal energy converter, converting geothermal energy or any other type of thermal energy/pressure into electrical energy.

In the receiving mode, the piston 512 moves upward by allowing steam to pass through the first set of second air inlet holes 514, causing the first piston to move upward (as in the extraction mode), thereby returning the fluid to the first operating unit 532. The operation of the second operating unit 533 in the receiving mode is similar to that of the first operating unit 532 in the receiving mode.

In some embodiments, the first operating unit 532 can be constructed as an independent unit (e.g., without the second operating unit 533) by providing a return unit 550 controlled by a valve 518. In this configuration, the valve 517 (e.g., in a closed state) can serve as a stop/dividing point to achieve the aforementioned independent unit.

After gas (or water vapor, steam) acts on the first set of first air inlet holes 513 and the first set of second air inlet holes 514 of the first piston 512 of the first operating unit 532, the gas can pass through the first set of third air inlet holes 519 and the first set of fourth air inlet holes 520 of the first controller 512 and enter the other water storage tank 530 for cooling. Similarly, after gas (or water vapor, steam) acts on the second set of first air inlet holes 522 and the second set of second air inlet holes 524 of the second piston 523 of the second operating unit 533, the gas can pass through the second set of third air inlet holes 526 and the second set of fourth air inlet holes 527 of the second controller 525 and enter the other water storage tank 531 for cooling. After cooling, the water vapor temperature drops to, for example, about 60 degrees Celsius (°C) and is further discharged to the bottom of the surface layer. This prevents land collapse or depression and allows for the continued generation of hot groundwater through geothermal heat.

Figure 6 shows a flow chart of the energy storage and generation cycle process according to some embodiments of the present invention.

In step S1, thrust is generated. This thrust can be controlled by an actuator (such as a piston) and generated by steam (via geothermal heat) or a weight.

In step S2, a first substance (e.g., water) in the flow path uses the thrust to compress a second substance (e.g., air or gas), causing energy to be stored in the second substance. The first and second substances can each be a gas, liquid, solid, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the first substance is a fluid. The fluid can be water. In some embodiments, the second substance is a compressible substance (e.g., gas). The gas can be an inert gas (e.g., helium), nitrogen, or a mixture of different types of gases. In Figure 1, the force causes the substance (the first substance) in the first water pipe 5 to compress the substance (the second substance) in the energy storage chamber 6. The compressed substance stores energy (pressure energy) due to its reduced volume and increased pressure. Therefore, steps S1 and S2 can be considered an energy storage process. Because the compressed substance has a relatively high pressure (e.g., between 40 and 60 atm or 1 and 200 atm), the energy storage chamber 6 can be made of pressure-resistant material.

In step S3, the compressed second substance expands, pushing the first substance out of the energy storage chamber 6, causing the first substance to flow toward the generator, generating electricity. The generator can be a turbine generator, a turbine, a hydroelectric turbine, or a water turbine. Therefore, step S3 can be considered an energy generation/release process. During this energy transfer, energy may be lost as waste heat. Therefore, the energy generation/release system may further include a heat recovery unit. The heat recovery unit can be connected to the first fluid pipe and the water intake unit, allowing the waste heat to heat the groundwater in the water intake unit.

In step S4, the first substance that transferred energy to the generator is recovered. Specifically, after the first substance completes the energy transfer, it is collected in, for example, a water storage tank.

In step S5, the recovered first substance is guided into the flow path by a pulling force. The guided first substance is then used for the next round of energy storage/power generation, thereby completing the energy storage and power generation process of the fluid (e.g., water) cycle. The pulling force can be generated by the actuator used to generate thrust in step S1. Steps S1 to S5 can be repeated to form a complete energy storage and regeneration cycle.

1: Water inlet unit 2: Controller 3: First air inlet 4: Second air inlet 5: First water pipe 6: Energy storage compartment 7: Generator 8: Water tank 9: Second water pipe 10: Valve 11-1: Third air inlet 11-2: Fourth air inlet 12: Piston 13-16: Valve 17: Water tank

Claims (4)

A geothermal feedback energy storage system includes: a water tank; a controller; a piston; a first fluid pipe; an energy storage chamber; a generator; a fluid storage tank; and a second fluid pipe, wherein the water tank receives hot water generated by geothermal heat and converts the hot water into gas; wherein the controller is connected to the water tank and determines a flow direction of the gas, wherein the flow direction of the gas determines a state of the piston; wherein the first fluid pipe is connected to the piston, the energy storage chamber, and the generator, and is filled with a fluid substance; wherein the first fluid pipe is coupled to the energy storage chamber so that The fluid material moved through the first fluid pipe can flow directly to the generator; wherein the second fluid pipe is connected to the piston and the fluid storage tank, and the second fluid pipe is filled with the fluid material; wherein the piston is connected to the controller, and the piston generates a force through the controller to make the fluid material in the first fluid pipe flow to the energy storage chamber or the generator; wherein the generator is connected to the energy storage chamber and the first fluid pipe, and the generator is driven by the fluid material to generate electricity; wherein the energy storage chamber is connected to the first fluid pipe, and the energy storage chamber has the fluid material and a pressure of not less than 20 atm of pre-pressurized gas, wherein the energy storage chamber compresses the gas using the fluid to store pressure energy; and wherein the fluid storage tank is connected to the generator and the second fluid pipe, and the fluid storage tank will receive the fluid to act on the generator. A geothermal feedback energy storage system as described in claim 1, wherein the piston includes a piston and a plurality of air inlet holes, and the piston generates a force. A geothermal feedback energy storage system as described in claim 1, wherein the energy storage chamber comprises one or more containers. The geothermal feedback energy storage system as described in claim 1 further includes another fluid storage tank, which is used to collect the gas and convert the gas into a liquid to be discharged into the bottom of a formation.