Power system including lithium-metal-polymer batteries
View Patent ↗The present invention is an energy generating system which uses Lithium Metal Polymer (LMP) batteries in conjunction with a microturbine, a fuel cell, and commercial electrical power. The LMPs provide uninterruptible power when one or more of the other power systems fail.
1. A DC power-supply system comprising:
a lithium comprised energy-storage device;
a fuel-cell utilizing hydrogen to generate electrical power;
a turbine generator producing AC power;
a utility supplying AC power, wherein
said AC power is selected and converted to DC power by a converter.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first gas is natural gas.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein said turbine is adapted to receive a utility-provided source of natural gas.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein said turbine is adapted to receive a stored source of natural gas which is stored in tanks on site.
5. The system of claim 3 including a control system which is operable to switch between said utility provided and said stored sources of natural gas depending on availability.
6. The system of claim 5 wherein said fuel cell comprises at least one proton exchange membrane (PEM).
7. The system of claim 5 wherein said lithium-comprised energy storage device, an output of said conversion device, and an output of said fuel cell are all electrically connected.
8. A method of supplying DC power utilizing the apparatus of claim 1 .
9. The system of claim 5 further including a control system which is operable to switch between said turbine generater and said imported sources of AC based on power availability.
10. The system of claim 1 wherein said conversion device is a rectifier.
11. The system of claim 1 wherein said lithium-comprised energy storage device is a lithium cell.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein said lithium cell is a lithium-metal-polymer battery.
13. The system of claim 11 wherein said lithium cell is a lithium-ion battery.
14. A method of supplying power comprising:
providing a commercial utility AC power;
combusting gas in turbine generator for production of AC power;
providing for the utilization of a lithium-comprised energy-storage device to provide a source of power in addition to said AC power;
providing for the utilization of a fuel-cell that utilizes hydrogen to generate electrical power; and
selecting and converting said turbine generator or said utility AC power to DC power by a converter.
15. A method of supplying a DC power comprising:
providing a turbine generator utilizing a combustion gas for production of AC power;
providing a commercial utility AC power,
providing a lithium-comprised energy-storage device to provide an additional source of power;
providing a fuel-cell utilizing hydrogen to generate electrical power; and
selecting and converting said turbine generator or said utility AC power to DC power by a converter.
16. The method of claim 15 comprising:
providing a lithium-metal-polymer battery to serve as said lithium-comprised energy storage device.
17. The method of claim 15 comprising:
providing a lithium-ion battery to serve as said lithium-comprised energy storage device.