Systems and methods for sustainable economic development through integrated full spectrum production of renewable energy

Abstract

In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing an energy supply using a renewable energy source is provided comprising: providing a first source of renewable energy, wherein the first source of renewable energy is intermittent or does not provide a sufficient amount of energy; providing energy from the first source of renewable energy to an electrolyzer to produce an energy carrier through electrolysis; selectably reversing the electrolyzer for use as a fuel cell; and providing the energy carrier to the electrolyzer for the production of energy.

1 . A method for providing an energy supply using a renewable energy source comprising:
 providing a first source of renewable energy, wherein the first source of renewable energy is intermittent or does not provide a sufficient amount of energy;   providing energy from the first source of renewable energy to an electrolyzer to produce an energy carrier through electrolysis;   selectably reversing the electrolyzer for use as a fuel cell; and   providing the energy carrier to the electrolyzer for the production of energy.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first source of renewable energy is solar energy and the steps of reversing the electrolyzer for use as a fuel cell and providing an energy carrier to the electrolyzer for the production of energy is performed when the first source of renewable energy is not sufficiently available. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first source of renewable energy is selected from the group consisting of solar, wind, moving water, organic or geothermal sources of energy. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the energy carrier comprises hydrogen. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the energy carrier comprises a carbon-based material. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the energy carrier comprises a nitrogen-based material. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the energy carrier comprises ammonia. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the energy carrier comprises hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first source of renewable energy, the electrolyzer or the energy carrier receives supplemental heat from a first heat source. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first heat source is selected from the group comprising geothermal, solar, or other heat engine. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the first heat source comprises a second source of renewable energy. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the second source of renewable energy comprises a geological formation. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of storing the energy carrier prior to providing the energy carrier to the electrolyzer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of storing the energy carrier comprises storing the energy carrier in a geological formation. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the step storing the energy carrier in a geological formation further comprises the energy carrier receiving supplemental heat from the geological formation. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 providing an expander configured to capture work from expansion, wherein the expander is coupled to the electrolyzer or the energy carrier storage; 
 providing the energy carrier to the expander under pressure; and 
 capturing work from expansion of the energy carrier. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the energy carrier storage transfers heat to the energy carrier prior to capturing work from expansion of the energy carrier. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the energy carrier storage comprises a geological formation. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  where an energy value of the energy carrier is increase during energy carrier storage. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  where an energy value of the energy carrier is increase during energy carrier storage by adding heat to the energy carrier from the geological formation. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  where an energy value of the energy carrier is increase during energy carrier storage by adding hydrocarbons or other compounds having an energy value to the energy carrier flushed from the geological formation. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing a source of organic materials to the electrolyzer for electrolysis of the organic materials. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the source of organic materials comprises biomass or biowaste. 
     
     
         24 - 43 . (canceled)