Systems and methods for generating energy using a hydrogen cycle

Abstract

Systems and methods for continuously generating electric power using a renewable energy power source to continuously generate electrical energy are disclosed. An illustrative embodiment includes transmitting electrical power from the renewable energy power source to an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen gas, storing the hydrogen gas in a storage facility until production of power from the renewable energy power source drops below a predetermined threshold, and activating a secondary power generation system that converts the stored hydrogen to electrical energy. The stored hydrogen may be converted to electrical energy using a gas turbine generator or a fuel cell. The system further includes a reverse osmosis subsystem for purifying water for use in the electrolyzer and optional systems for providing the purified water to a community and for using the produced electricity to treat waste water to generate treated water that may be purified and supplied to the electrolyzer.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for providing electric power to a commercial military or industrial user, the system comprising:
 a renewable energy power generator;   a fuel-based power generator;   a hydrogen generator electrically coupled to the renewable energy power generator;   a water source coupled to the hydrogen generator to supply water to the hydrogen generator;   a hydrogen storage system fluidly coupled to the hydrogen generator and the gas turbine generator; and   a control system communicatively coupled to the renewable energy power generator and gas turbine generator.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the renewable energy power generator is selected from the group consisting of a solar panel array, a wind farm, and a tidal hydroelectric power generator. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel-based power generator comprises a gas turbine generator. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the gas turbine generator comprises a cogeneration system having a primary turbine generator, a heat exchanger, and a steam turbine generator. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel-based power generator comprises a fuel cell. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrogen generator comprises a hydrogen generation subsystem having a utility-scale electrolyzer, the utility-scale electrolyzer comprising a compressor for pressurizing hydrogen gas produced by the utility-scale electrolyzer. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the hydrogen generator comprises a hydrogen generation subsystem having a reverse osmosis subsystem for receiving unpurified water and providing purified water to the utility-scale electrolyzer. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the control system is operable to determine whether the power output from the renewable energy power generator is above a predetermined power output threshold;   the control system is operable to determine whether an amount of stored hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system is above a predetermined hydrogen threshold;   the control system is operable to divert power from the renewable energy power generator to a power grid when the power output from the renewable energy power generator is above the predetermined power output threshold and the amount of stored hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system is above the predetermined hydrogen threshold; and   the control system is operable to start the gas turbine generator when the power output from the renewable energy power generator is less than the predetermined power output threshold.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the control system is operable to stop the gas turbine generator when the power output from the renewable energy power generator is greater than the predetermined power output threshold. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the control system is operable to determine whether a rate of change of power output from the renewable energy power generator is below a predetermined rate of change; and   the control system is operable to stop the gas turbine generator when the power output rate of change of power output from the renewable energy power generator is below a predetermined rate of change.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the control system is operable to indicate to a user whether the power output from the renewable energy power generator is above a predetermined power output threshold;   the control system is operable to indicate to a user whether an amount of stored hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system is above a predetermined hydrogen threshold;   the control system is operable to divert power from the renewable energy power generator to a power grid in response to a user initiated signal; and   the control system is operable to start the gas turbine generator in response to a user initiated signal.   
     
     
         12 . A process for continuously generating electric power for provision to a commercial military or industrial user, the process comprising:
 using a renewable energy power generator to generate energy from a renewable energy power source;   using a hydrogen fuel to generate electrical energy;   providing electric power to a hydrogen generator from the renewable energy power generator;   supplying water to the hydrogen generator from a water source;   and generating hydrogen gas from the water system using an electrolysis process using power from the renewable energy power generator and water from the water source; and   storing the hydrogen gas in a hydrogen storage system.   
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12  comprising using a control system to initiate the step of using a hydrogen fuel to generate electrical energy. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein using a renewable energy power generator to generate energy from a renewable energy power source comprises using one of a solar power generator, a wind power generator, a geo-thermal power generator, and a hydro-power generator. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein using a hydrogen fuel to generate electrical energy further comprises using a cogeneration system to generate electrical energy, the fuel cell having a gas turbine generator, a heat exchanger, and a low temperature steam turbine generator. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein using a hydrogen fuel to generate electrical energy further comprises using fuel cell to generate electrical energy. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining whether the power output from the renewable energy power generator is above a predetermined power output threshold;   determining whether an amount of stored hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system is above a predetermined hydrogen threshold;   diverting power from the renewable energy power generator to a power grid when the power output from the renewable energy power generator is above the predetermined power output threshold and the amount of stored hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system is above the predetermined hydrogen threshold; and   initiating the step of using a hydrogen fuel to generate electrical energy when the power output from the renewable energy power generator is less than the predetermined power output threshold.   
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 indicating to a user whether the power output from the renewable energy power generator is above a predetermined power output threshold;   indicating to a user whether an amount of stored hydrogen in the hydrogen storage system is above a predetermined hydrogen threshold;   receiving a first user-generated command to divert power from the renewable energy power generator to a power grid;   diverting power from the renewable energy power generator to the power grid in response to receiving the first user generated command;   receiving a second user-generated command to initiate the step of using a hydrogen fuel to generate electrical energy; and   initiating the step of using a hydrogen fuel to generate electrical energy in response to receiving the second user-generated command.   
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein generating hydrogen gas from the water system using an electrolysis process using power from the renewable energy power generator and water from the water source comprises compressing the produced hydrogen gas for storage to a pressure of more than 400 psi. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein generating hydrogen gas from the water system using an electrolysis process using power from the renewable energy power generator and water from the water source comprises using a reverse osmosis system to purify water from the water source and providing the purified water to an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen gas.