Title: Floating membrane reservoir system

Abstract

An improved system and method of storing water for a closed-loop pumped storage hydroelectric system is provided. The method includes providing a floating reservoir, positioning the floating reservoir in a waterbody, loading the floating reservoir with a volume of water from a source other than the surrounding waterbody, and transferring water from within the floating reservoir to an upper or lower reservoir of a pumped storage hydroelectric system. The floating reservoir includes a flexible membrane defining one or more reservoir cells including a vertically collapsible sidewall, such that each reservoir cell defines a depth varying in proportion to its internal volume of water. Each reservoir cell is buoyed by pontoons adjacent an outer periphery of the reservoir cell and is anchored to the shore or streambed.

Inventors:

Hadjerioua, Boualem

Issue Date:

2020-06-30

Research Org.:

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1651072

Patent Number(s):

10696363

Application Number:

16/273,423

Assignee:

UT-Battelle, LLC (Oak Ridge, TN)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B63 - SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS B63B - SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS

E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E02 - HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING E02B - HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING

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B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B63 - SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS B63B - SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS

B63B35/00 - Vessels or similar floating structures specially adapted for specific purposes and not otherwise provided for
B63B35/285 - {Flexible barges, e.g. bags}

E - FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS E02 - HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING E02B - HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING

E02B9/00 - Water-power plants

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F03 - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS F03B - MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS

F03B13/06 - Stations or aggregates of water-storage type, {e.g. comprising a turbine and a pump}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F05 - INDEXING SCHEMES RELATING TO ENGINES OR PUMPS IN VARIOUS SUBCLASSES OF CLASSES F01-F04 F05B - INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MACHINES OR ENGINES OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, TO WIND MOTORS, TO NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS, AND TO GENERATING COMBUSTION PRODUCTS OF HIGH PRESSURE OR HIGH VELOCITY

F05B2240/40 - Use of a multiplicity of similar components
F05B2240/93 - on a structure floating on a liquid surface
F05B2250/02 - variable
F05B2250/23 - prismatic

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION

Y02E10/20 - Hydro energy
Y02E60/16 - Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC05-00OR22725

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 02/12/2019

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

13 HYDRO ENERGY; 42 ENGINEERING