A method including: (i) operating a pumped-heat energy storage system (PHES system) in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot thermal storage medium (HTS medium) by transferring heat from a working fluid to a warm HTS medium, resulting in a hot HTS medium, wherein the PHES system is further operable in a generation mode to convert at least a portion of the stored thermal energy into electricity; and (ii) heating the hot HTS medium with an electric heater above a temperature achievable by transferring heat from the working fluid to the warm HTS medium.

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

A steam power installation has a steam turbine and a valve-stem leakage steam line. A fitting is arranged in the valve-stem leakage steam line, which fitting is used to conduct the valve-stem leakage steam into a suitable valve-stem leakage steam collector, such as into a condenser.

A steam power installation has a steam turbine and a valve-stem leakage steam line. A fitting is arranged in the valve-stem leakage steam line, which fitting is used to conduct the valve-stem leakage steam into a suitable valve-stem leakage steam collector, such as into a condenser.

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

A method and a device for recovering heat from an engine and for converting the heat into mechanical energy using an expansion machine. A heat accumulator fluid is guided in a primary circuit by means of a primary pump and is firstly heated by the waste heat of the combustion engine by means of a heat exchanger, is transferred into a heat accumulator and recirculated to the first heat exchanger, and, secondly, the heat accumulator fluid is guided in a secondary circuit by said heat accumulator fluid being extracted in the vapor state from the heat accumulator and being supplied to the expansion machine, and being condensed by means of a condenser downstream thereof and being recirculated into the heat accumulator by means of a secondary pump. The primary circuit of the heat accumulator fluid is connected to the secondary circuit exclusively via the heat accumulator.

A thermal energy storage system includes one or more components from a Rankine Cycle power plant such as steam turbine and other equipment. The system can include a thermal storage material, a heat source that is heated by running electricity through a heating element for heating the thermal storage material, and a heat exchange for generating steam using the thermal energy stored in the thermal storage material. The system can be configured to store energy during periods of low electricity demand or abundant supply. The system can be configured to generate electricity using the stored thermal energy to generate steam and run one or more turbines.

The present invention provides a thermal storage system that is easily integrated with a wide range of electric power systems. In particular, the principles of the present invention are easily implemented at a very large scale to integrate with larger scale grid systems. The thermal storage aspects of the present invention are cost effective to implement. Also, the manner in which the systems operate allow thinner, less expensive wiring to be used effectively. Because heavy wiring can be a significant part of startup expenses, the ability to use thinner gauge wiring provides significant cost savings. Further, the systems are quickly responsive to grid conditions and not only modulate energy storage but also modulate energy storage fast enough to respond to grid conditions in real time.