STORAGE OF COMPRESSED AIR IN WIND TURBINE SUPPORT STRUCTURE

摘要

An energy storage and recovery system employs air compressed utilizing power from an operating wind turbine. This compressed air is stored within one or more chambers of a structure supporting the wind turbine above the ground. By functioning as both a physical support and as a vessel for storing compressed air, the relative contribution of the support structure to the overall cost of the energy storage and recovery system may be reduced, thereby improving economic realization for the combined turbine/support apparatus. In certain embodiments, expansion forces of the compressed air stored within the chamber, may be relied upon to augment the physical stability of a support structure, further reducing material costs of the support structure.

主权项

1. An apparatus comprising:
a first mechanical linkage between a wind turbine and a planetary gear system; a second mechanical linkage between the planetary gear system and a first component of an energy storage system; and a third mechanical linkage in communication with the planetary gear system, wherein the planetary gear system allows movement of fewer than all of the first mechanical linkage, the second mechanical linkage, and the third mechanical linkage.