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EP-4399456-B1 - CONTAINERIZED MODULE CONFIGURED TO SUPPLY ELECTRICAL ENERGY AND OPERATION METHOD THEREOF

EP4399456B1EP 4399456 B1EP4399456 B1EP 4399456B1EP-4399456-B1

Inventors

  • TAFURO, Cosimo

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20220907

Claims (8)

  1. A containerized module comprising - a container (11) configured to be transported by a transportation means, said container (11) internally comprising a compartment (12) comprising a plurality of panel groups (21), wherein - said container (11) comprises fastening devices and internally comprises a further compartment (14) comprising devices for managing, in use, said panel groups (21), and wherein each of said panel groups comprises - a substantially rectangular base (23) comprising, at the vertices of said base, corner nodes (25) of extractable type, being configured to be fixed to the ground or to fastening devices, wherein said corner nodes comprise extractable elements (51) and hooking components (55), wherein said extractable elements (51) are configured to slide inside said base (23) and come out, in a controlled manner, from the base (23), and comprise a first end, comprised in the base (23) and constrained to the base (23), and a second end, distal to the first end, and wherein said hooking components (55) are positioned at said distal end of said extractable elements (51) and configured to hook, in use, said fastening devices, - a set of panels (22), adjacently placed, hinged to one side of said base and configured to supply electrical energy from a renewable source.
  2. The module according to claim 1, wherein - said base (23) comprises - fixed guides (63), and - said panels (22) comprise at lateral ends - movable guides (62) configured to support the panels and configured to slide on the fixed guides (63) of the base (23) so that the panels (22) are configured to laterally protrude from the base and to be positioned on a lateral face of said container.
  3. The module according to claim 2, wherein said panels also comprise foldable rods at the lateral ends (65), said foldable rods being hinged to the movable guides (62) and configured to rest, in use, on the lateral face of said container.
  4. The module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein - said container (11) comprises, installed at its base and integrated into the container floor, a plurality of rechargeable batteries (17), and - said further compartment (14) comprises an inverter (14a) connected by way of bidirectional connections (17a, 17b) to said rechargeable batteries (17), said inverter being connected, in use, to said panel groups (21) so as to charge said rechargeable batteries with electricity.
  5. The module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein - said panel groups (21) also comprise - at least one rechargeable battery (27), and - an inverter (24a) connected by way of bidirectional connections (27a, 27b) to said at least one rechargeable battery (27) and configured to supply electrical energy to electrical users or utilities.
  6. An operation method of a containerized module (10) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a container (11) internally comprising a first compartment (12) comprising a plurality of panel groups (21), and a second compartment (14) comprising devices for managing, in use, said panel groups (21), said method comprising the steps of: - unloading the panel groups (21) from the container (11), each of said panel groups comprising a base (23) and a set of panels (22) adjacently placed, - positioning the panel groups in such a way as to orient the set of panels (22) according to the type of renewable source provided, - fixing the base of each of said panel groups (21) to the ground or to fastening devices comprised on said container by way of corner nodes (25) of extractable type, including sliding elements (51) and hooking components (55), positioned at a distal end of said sliding elements (51), - connecting said panel groups (21) to said devices comprised in said second compartment of the container, - activating the supply of electrical energy from the provided renewable source by way of said sets of panels (22).
  7. The operation method according to claim 6, wherein a step of connecting the devices comprised in said second compartment to electrical users or utilities is also provided.
  8. The operation method according to claim 7, wherein a step of accumulating electricity in rechargeable batteries (17, 27) integrated in the floor of the container and/or in said panel groups (21) is also provided.

Description

Technical Field The present invention relates, in general, to a containerized module configured to provide electricity production services. In particular, the present invention relates to modules having the dimensions of an ISO standard container of 10, 20 or 40 feet (LxW 299x244, 606x244, 1220x244 cm respectively), for example modules according to ISO 668 edition 2020 standards to which hereinafter reference is made, designed to provide electricity production services by using photovoltaic panels. Background Art Containerized modules configured to provide electricity production services are known and common on the market. The known modules, in general, provide that the photovoltaic panels, suitable for supplying electrical energy, are comprised in the container during transport and that, in order to be used, they are exposed to sunlight. According to a first type of known art, it is generally provided that the panels, when in use, are physically a total part of the container so that the panels cannot be separated from the container. According to a second type of known art, it is also provided that the containerized module is simply used to transport, in an optimized way, the panels suitable for supplying electrical energy. According to this second type of prior art, it is provided that the panels can be transported, unloaded and placed at a distance from the container so that they can be used by way of equipment comprised in further containers or in suitably arranged fixed positions. WO 2018/209 378 discloses a portable power station configured to provide power, contained within a standard-length shipping container and comprising a housing, having a base wall, side walls, end walls and a top wall. The housing is a standard size shipping container having container corners. The portable power station comprises a solar array which comprises four generally horizontal panel structures, which are movable between a stowed position within the upper internal space and an extended (in use) position. In the stowed position, the panel structures are arranged in a stacked manner under the top wall and can be enclosed within the housing via the upper sections. In the extended position, each panel structure extends outwardly out of the housing, in a respective lateral direction. US 2017/0 201 077 discloses a containerized microgrid, comprising a sturdy weatherproof housing, configured for easy shipping and transport, an inverter for managing renewable and non-renewable energy sources, a battery cabinet with batteries and battery management system, a solar panel storage rack with solar panels and solar panel combiner box, a communication system with satellite and terrestrial radio communications systems, a generator, a security system to protect the containerized microgrid and an optional water purification system. US 2019/0 326 846 discloses a transportable, deployable utility system, comprising a housing including a frame and mounting a subframe. Solar panels, wind turbine(s), fuel cells, fuel reformers, and other energy sources can be placed in and mounted on the housing. A photovoltaic solar panel array is mounted on the housing for movement between a retracted, storage position and an extended, use position. The housing frame and subframe include tubular members which can be releasably interconnected by clamping connectors. According to US 2012/0 080 072, electrical power is generated from solar and wind sources, thus reducing the need for fuel oil at military forward operating bases and main operating bases. A wind turbine and a solar cell panel are connected to a battery bank. Both the turbine and the solar cells are stored in two standard military shipping containers. When transported to the desired location, these sub-systems are easily set up for operation. The entire apparatus may be disassembled for re-transport and use at another location. Necessary container modifications to connect the system for use are made in such a way as not to alter the container's outside envelope, thus enabling normal transport of the container without damage to the modifications. Each of the solar cells have discs attached so that the solar panel can be assembled in the field by sliding each disc into a mounting channel. This disc and channel structure also allows each cell to be stored in the shipping container by using similar channels mounted back to back in a storage frame located in one of the containers. The solar panel is pivotally mounted in proximity to an edge of the shipping container using mounting elements which interfit with the already provided lift fittings on the container. A wiring harness plugs each solar cell to a conduit for connection to the battery charging system. US 2004/0 124 711 discloses a mobile power system for producing power at a desired location, which includes a first power generating device of a first type coupled to a transportable housing, and a second power generating device of a second type co