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DESCRIPTION

5 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 services5 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,0 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.

In general, Applicant has noted that the first type of prior art cannot disregard0 the positioning of the container and that the second type cannot disregard further apparatuses in order to effectively use the panels.

In particular, Applicant has noted that both the first type and the second type of prior art are not able to meet the need, anyway present in the market, of electricity production services integrated, easily transportable, placeable and usable in a total, partial and/or distributed way, without the need for the panels to physically constitute a total part of the container or require the support of external apparatuses.

Disclosure of the Invention

The invention is defined by the attached claims.

Object of the present invention is to solve the technical problems highlighted above.

According to the present invention, this object is achieved by way of a containerized module configured for providing electricity production services comprising the features disclosed in the following claims.

The present invention also relates to an operation method of the containerized module configured for providing electricity production services.

The claims as well as the description and figures are a total part of the technical teaching provided herein about the invention.

The following summary of the invention is provided in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects and features of the invention.

This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention, and as such it is not intended to particularly identify key or critical elements of the invention, or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole object is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented below.

According to a feature of a preferred embodiment, the containerized module comprises a container configured to be transported by way of transport means wherein the container internally comprises a first compartment comprising a plurality of panel groups and a second compartment comprising devices to manage, in use, the panel groups.

According to a further feature of present invention, each of the panel groups comprises a substantially rectangular base comprising corner nodes of extractable type, configured to be fixed to the ground or to fastening devices comprised in the container, and a set of panels, arranged contiguously, hinged to one side of the rectangular base and configured to supply electrical energy from a renewable source.

According to another feature of present invention, a method of operation of the containerized module is disclosed wherein at least the steps of unloading the panel groups from the container and of positioning the panel groups, so as to orient the set of panels as a function on the type of renewable source expected, are provided.

Brief Description of Drawings

These and further features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the attached drawings, in which components designated by same or similar reference numerals indicate components having same or similar functionality and construction and wherein: Fig. 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d show overall axonometric views of an example of a containerized module according to the present disclosure;

Figs. 2a, 2b, 2c show a first example of fastening method, in use, of a panel group comprised in the containerized module;

Fig. 3 shows a second example of fastening method, in use, of a panel group comprised in the containerized module;

Fig. 3a, 3b, 3c show construction details of the fastening method shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4a, 4b schematically show an example of electrical connections provided in the containerized module according to the present disclosure;

Fig. 5a, 5b, 5c schematically show plan views examples related to the use of space inside the containerized module according to the present disclosure; and

Fig. 6 schematically shows an example of a plant which can be implemented by way of the containerized module according to the present disclosure.

In the present description it is provided that drawings are not necessarily to scale and that terms such as: upper, lower, longitudinal, orthogonal, lateral, above, below, etc. are used in their conventional meaning unless otherwise stated.

Best Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

With reference to Figures 1 a, 1 b, 1c, 1 d a containerized module 10, according to the present embodiment, comprises a container 1 1 , preferably an ISO standard container, internally comprising at least one compartment for containing panels 12, hereinafter referred to as the first compartment, and a compartment for containing control devices 14, hereinafter referred to as the second compartment.

The container 1 1 , for example a 40 feet (1220x244 cm) ISO standard type or, alternatively, a 20 feet (606x244 cm) ISO standard type or a 10 feet (299x244 cm) ISO standard type is configured to be transported, in a known way, by transport means and comprises a larger access opening 15a, preferably used for loading/unloading, on the larger lateral side 35a and two smaller openings, 15b and 15c, on the smaller lateral sides, 35b 35c, known per se.

The first compartment 12 is configured to contain one or more (for example 8 to 12) panel groups 21 , for example groups with photovoltaic panels, each panel group stacked on top of each other.

In the continuation of the description, the panel groups are hereinafter referred to as Power Rack 21 , for simplicity of description.

The second compartment 14, for example with dimensions in length "L" not less than 15 cm, comprises devices configured to manage the Power Racks 21 , when in use.

According to the preferred embodiment, the Power Racks 21 can be inserted and extracted both from the larger access opening 15a and from one of the two smaller access openings, 15b or 15c, both individually and as a stacked set.

In particular, in order to facilitate the insertion and extraction of the Power Racks, it is preferably provided that the Power Racks 21 comprise, in correspondence with their lower area, elongated fork pitch cavities 26 configured to allow handling of the Power Racks individually or stacked, for example by way of handling means of known type, such as by way of forklifts equipped with forks, known per se. As easily understandable by a person skilled in the art, the second compartment 14 is accessible through the smaller access opening, 15b or 15c, facing, by construction, the second compartment.

According to the preferred embodiment, the second compartment 14 comprises at least one inverter 14a, an electrical distribution panel 14b, an electrical input panel 14c1 and an electrical output panel 14c2.

According to further embodiments, the second compartment can also comprise, for example, an air conditioning device and/or an electrical back-up generator.

According to the preferred embodiment, a battery set 17, located at the base of the container 1 1 , for instance integrated in the floor 18 thereof, is configured to store the electrical energy supplied, in use, by the Power Racks 21 and transmitted therefrom to the inverter 14a. ln particular, it is provided that, in use, the Power Racks 21 are positioned outside the container 11 , that they are connected to the electrical input panel 14c1 (Fig. 4) and that this panel 14c1 is connected, in a known way, to the inverter 14a. For example, the electrical input panel 14c1 comprises first connectors 16a, for example fixed bipolar wall connectors of 500 V DC to 10 A type, connected, in use, to the respective Power Racks 21 .

According to the preferred embodiment, it is also provided that the inverter 14a is connected to the electrical distribution panel 14b and that this distribution panel 14b is connected to the electrical output panel 14c2.

The electrical output panel 14c2 comprises second connectors 16b, for example fixed wall sockets of 230 V AC to 16 A type or sockets of pertinent type and suitable voltage and current intensity, as easily understandable by a person skilled in the art, which can be connected to one or more electrical users or utilities by way of known external connections.

The general wiring diagram provides that the battery set 17 is connected by way of input/output connections, 17a and 17b, to the inverter 14a so as to allow both the Power Racks 21 to supply electricity to the batteries and the inverter 14a to collect the electrical energy accumulated by the batteries 17 and transmit it to the electrical output panel 14c2 and from this to the second connectors 16b.

According to a variant of the general wiring diagram, it is provided that each Power Rack 21 comprise an inverter 24a and one or more batteries 27, integrated in the power Rack, for example in its base 23, and configured to accumulate the electrical energy generated by the respective Power Rack 21 .

According to this variant, each Power Rack 21 can operate independently and autonomously as to the devices comprised in the second compartment 14 and to the batteries 17 integrated, for instance, in the floor 18 of the container.

In any case, in all the embodiments it is provided that the container 1 1 comprises both the first compartment 12 and the second compartment 14 and that, according to a further variant, the inverter 24a and the batteries 27 of the Power Rack 21 can be connected, in a known way, to the inverter 14a and to the batteries 17 comprised in the second compartment 14 and/or integrated, for instance, in the floor of the container 1 1 , respectively. According to further variants provided in all the embodiments, it is provided that the wiring diagram also comprises a plurality of sensors 38 connected to the electrical distribution panel 14b by way of a distribution box 39.

According to the preferred embodiment, each Power Rack 21 comprises a set of photovoltaic panels 22, for example one or more solar panels Model JKM340M of the Jinco Solar Company, placed adjacent each-other and a base 23, comprising a substantially rectangular shape, made with materials such as high insulating power, at least of the thermal type, such as for example materials of a known type suitable for operating in a range of applications comprised between +50 °C and -50 °C.

Preferably, the set of panels 22 (Fig. 2a, 2b, 2c) of each Power Rack 21 are hinged to one of the two long sides of the base 23 so that it is possible to orient the set of photovoltaic panels 22 with a desired inclination angle as to the base 23.

Even more preferably, the set of panels 22 (Figg. 3, 3a-3c) of each Power Rack 21 is hinged so that it can also slide on suitable fixed guides 63 comprised in the base 23, so as to protrude from the base 23 and can be positioned inclined, for example, along the larger lateral side 35a of the container 11 .

In particular, it is provided that the set of panels 22 comprises at the lateral ends movable guides 62 supporting the set of panels, configured to slide on the fixed guides 63, and foldable rods 65, hinged to the movable guides, and provided to support the set of panels 22 on the larger lateral side 35a of the container 11 .

According to the preferred embodiment, the flat dimensions of the Power Rack 21 , when not in use, are determined by the substantially rectangular base 23 whose length is expected to be less than the length of the first compartment 12.

Furthermore, according to the preferred embodiment, it is also provided that the base 23, at the vertices of the base 23, comprises corner nodes 25 of extractable type, configured to be extracted, in use, from the base and to be fixed to ground or to respective fastening devices 57, for example fastening devices of twist-lock type, provided, for example, in a known way, on the upper and lower surfaces of the containers.

In particular, the corner nodes 25 comprise extractable elements 51 , for example of telescopic type, configured to slide inside the base 23 of the Power Rack 21 and come out from the base in a controlled manner. More in particular, the extractable elements 51 of the corner nodes 25 comprise a first end, comprised in the base and constrained to the base 23, and a second end, distal to the first end, comprising hooking components 55, for example vertically elongated, configured to be securely hooked to the fastening devices 57 provided in corner points, for example, of the upper and/or lower surface of the containers 1 1 .

Applicant has experimentally verified that, by providing for the possibility of securely fastening, for example, respective Power Racks 21 on the upper surface of respective containers 11 , it is possible to supply electrical energy to container vehicles, such as container ships, in safe way, even in case of unfavorable conditions, such as unfavorable sea conditions.

Below it is reported a table (Table 1 ) which shows indicative values of Power Rack 21 dimensions with the corner nodes 25 retracted and with the corner nodes extended or, in other words, extracted.

TAB. 1

The dimensions of the Power Racks 21 with the corner nodes 25 retracted are, in length and width, configured so as to allow the Power Racks 21 to be contained within the first compartment 12. In use, the corner nodes are configured so as to reach dimensions, in length and width, suitable to be able to hook, with the second ends 53, the fastening devices 57 comprised in the container 11 .

The containerized module 10 as described is aimed at providing services for the production, accumulation, conservation, transformation and distribution of electricity generated by way of a renewable source, in particular by way of a photovoltaic source, but also, as easily understandable by a person skilled in the art, by way of a wind type or thermal solar type source. Therefore, although in this description the use of photovoltaic panels has been mainly suggested, it is not excluded that the present disclosure may use, by way of appropriate adaptations, panels equipped with devices suitable for managing the renewable energy of wind type or thermal solar type sources.

In particular, according to the present embodiment it is envisaged that the containerized module 10, in case of the 40-foot module, can be configured to provide the above services with powers not lower than 40 KW/h, through the use, for example, of a predefined number, for example a number between 8 and 12, of Power Racks 21 , stored, when not in use, inside the first compartment 12, during transport/handling, and located, when in use, on the ground or on the roofs of houses or on the upper surface of respective containers.

Preferably each Power Rack 21 is connected to inverters 14a installed inside the second compartment 14 which are connected in turn to rechargeable batteries 17 installed at the base of the container 11 , for instance integrated in the floor of the container 1 1.

According to the variant suggested above, it is also envisaged that each Power Rack 21 comprises a Power Rack inverter 24a and one or more rechargeable batteries 27 and that it can be used stand-alone or combined with buildings for civil and/or industrial use such as offices, housing, canteen rooms, recreation rooms, etc. so as to supply electrical energy to electrical users or utilities and to reduce the CO2 emissions generated by them.

The operation of the containerized module 10 described up to now provides that in a preliminary phase the container 11 is loaded into the first compartment 12 with a certain number of Power Racks 21 , according to requirements, and is transported, for example, to a location where the installation and use of the Power Racks is foreseen.

Preferably, it is provided that the Power Racks 21 are of modular size so that they can be loaded into containers 1 1 of various sizes according to combinations of variable type as shown in Figures 5a, 5b and 5c.

For example, in case of a 10-feet (299 cm) container, a set of 8 to 12 Power Racks of a single type is expected to be loaded (Fig. 5a), for example with dimensions of 230x225 cm with retracted corner nodes. For example, in the case of 20-feet (606 cm) containers, a set of 8 to 12 Power Racks of dimensions 460x225 cm with retracted corner nodes (Fig. 5b) or a set of panels of the type shown in Fig. 5a or even a combination thereof.

For example, in the case of 40-feet (1220 cm) containers, a set of 8 to 12 solar panel groups of 1150x225 cm or a set of solar panels of the type shown in Fig. 5a or in Fig. 5b or even a combination thereof.

During transportation, the Power Rack 21 is expected to have the photovoltaic panels 22 lowered (knocked down, hidden, locked up) and the extractable corner nodes 25 retracted, such as to comprise the Power Rack 21 in the perimeter of a regular rectangular shape whose dimensions are suitable for operations of loading on or unloading from the first compartment 12, or on/from the loading surface of the container 1 1.

After unloading Power Racks 21 are positioned, for instance, on the ground according, for example, to a system diagram 30 as shown in Fig. 6.

The diagram can be, for example, a coverage perimeter in which each Power Rack 21 is connected to the devices, 14a-14e, comprised in the second compartment 14 by way of cables 28 and by way of control connections 29, for example wireless control connections.

For example, in case of wireless control connections, the Power Racks comprise known types of video surveillance devices.

During the positioning and connection phase, it is also envisaged that the Power Racks are oriented appropriately, that the photovoltaic panels are raised according to predetermined angles and that the extractable nodes are extracted and fixed, for example, to the ground.

At the end of the positioning, connection and fixing phase, in a subsequent phase the containerized module 10 is activated.

Preferably, activation can be carried out remotely by way of devices connected via cable or radio comprised, for example, in the second compartment 14 and combined with sensors 38, such as signal and measurement transducers, comprised in the Power Racks.

After the activation, it is provided that users or utilities are connected by way of the connectors 16b. As easily understandable by a person skilled in the art, utilities can be, for example:

- charging columns for motor vehicles, caravans, campers, etc.;

- different types of houses, including prefabricated ones;

- other types of civil or industrial users or utilities.

According to a further operation mode, for example, the Power Racks 21 of the containerized module 10, after transport, are unloaded and positioned and fixed by way of the extractable nodes 25 on the upper surface of various containers comprised, for instance, in a container vehicle or ship.

According to yet another operation mode, the photovoltaic panels of the Power Racks are made to slide on the side guides comprised in the base 23, so as to come out from the base and can be positioned inclined, for example, along the larger lateral side 35a of the container 11 . This solution is convenient if the Power Racks of the containerized module 10 are positioned among stacked containers.

In these last two operating modes it is envisaged that the Power Racks 21 are used to supply electrical power services by way of the connectors 16b to the utilities of the container vehicle or ship.

Of course, obvious changes and/or variations to the above disclosure are possible, as regards dimensions, shapes, materials, components, elements and connections, as well as details of the described construction and operation method without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims that follow.