Flexible Energy Balancing System

Abstract

An energy balancing system is provided that ensures continuous energy output to compensate for energy fluctuations commonly associated with wind power generation. The flexible energy balancing system employs a base load high-pressure steam boiler that is associated with one or more steam turbine generators. The steam turbine generators are also associated with one or more heat recovery steam generators whose temperature is controlled by the exhaust from combustion turbine generators and the base load high-pressure steam boiler. The energy balancing system can be selectively tuned to quickly compensate for energy fluctuations associated with wind power generation.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A system for providing a flexible spinning reserve, comprising:
 a steam boiler that continuously generates high-pressure steam;   a steam turbine generator interconnected to the power grid and interconnected to the steam boiler via a high pressure steam header;   a heat recovery steam generator interconnected to the steam turbine generator via the high pressure steam header;   a combustion turbine generator interconnected to the heat recovery steam generator;   wherein the high pressure steam is delivered to the heat recovery steam generator from the steam boiler via the steam header to keep the heat recovery steam generator in hot standby;   wherein the steam boiler continuously sends steam to the steam turbine generator to apply a partial load to the steam turbine generator;   wherein the heat recovery steam generator receives heat energy taken from combustion turbine generator exhaust; and   wherein the high pressure steam is delivered to the steam turbine generator from the heat recovery steam generator if the steam turbine generator is needed to provide energy to the power grid.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the heat recovery steam generator can selectively receive supplemental firing fuel and fresh air for the generation of additional steam. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the combustion turbine generator is comprised of an aero-derivative type combustion turbine engine. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the combustion turbine generator, the heat recovery steam generator, and the steam turbine generator produces a continuous range of energy outputs. 
     
     
         15 . A system for providing flexible spinning reserve, comprising:
 a boiler for continuously generating high-pressure steam;   a steam turbine generator associated with the boiler and interconnected to the power grid;   a heat recovery steam generator interconnected to the steam turbine generator and the boiler;   a combustion turbine generator interconnected to the heat recovery steam generator;   wherein the steam boiler continuously sends steam to the steam turbine generator to apply a partial load to the steam turbine generator;   wherein the heat recovery steam turbine generator receives supplemental firing fuel and fresh air for the generation of steam; and   wherein the high pressure steam is delivered to the steam turbine generator from the heat recovery steam generator if the steam turbine generator is needed to provide energy to the power grid.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the high pressure steam is delivered to the heat recovery steam generator from the steam boiler via the steam header to keep the heat recovery steam generator in hot standby. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the heat recovery steam generator receives heat energy taken from combustion turbine generator exhaust. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the combustion turbine generator is associated with a bypass stack. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a primary power producing element associated with the power grid. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , further comprising a controller, the controller adapted to selectively change system operations between a first mode of operation, a second mode of operation, a third mode of operation, and a fourth mode of operation, wherein:
 in the first mode of operation, fuel and air are directed to the heat recovery steam generator to produce steam to be used by the steam turbine generator to generate power,   in the second mode of operation, the combustion turbine generator operates alone to generate power,   in the third mode of operation, the turbine generator and the steam turbine generator are used to generate power, and   in the fourth mode of operation, supplemental firing fuel is added to the heat recovery steam generator to provide additional steam to the steam turbine generator.   
     
     
         21 . A method for providing flexible spinning reserve, comprising:
 monitoring power generated by a primary power source;   providing a steam turbine generator that is interconnected to the power grid;   providing a boiler that is interconnected to the steam turbine generator and the heat recovery steam generator, the boiler continuously creating steam;   providing a heat recovery steam generator that is interconnected to the steam turbine generator;   providing a combustion turbine generator interconnected to the heat recovery steam generator;   directing steam from the heat recovery steam generator to the steam turbine generator to produce energy when the power generated by the primary power source decreases below a predetermined degree;   wherein the high pressure steam is delivered to the heat recovery steam generator to keep the heat recovery steam generator in hot standby; and   wherein the heat recovery steam generator receives heat energy taken from combustion turbine generator exhaust.