A combined cycle power plant comprises a combustion turbine generator, another heat source in addition to the combustion turbine generator, a steam power system, and an energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the energy storage system, or from the heat source and the energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the combustion turbine generator exhaust gas may be used primarily for single phase heating of water or steam in the steam power system. Alternatively, heat from the combustion turbine generator exhaust gas may be used in parallel with the energy storage system and/or the other heat source to generate steam, and additionally to super heat steam. Both the combustion turbine generator and the steam power system may generate electricity.

An apparatus including a photovoltaic panel; a first fluid container thermally attached to a bottom of the photovoltaic panel; and a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of a fluid inside the first fluid container is part of a sub-system for a power generation system using solar energy. The sub-system further includes a heating assembly, including a second fluid container, a second temperature sensor, and an electrical heating element. The second fluid container is fluidically connected to the first fluid container. The heating element is configured to heat the pre-heated fluid in the second fluid container to its vapor state. The sub-system additionally includes a turbine generator fluidically connected to the second fluid container to generate AC power from the vapor. A system employing a plurality of sub-systems and a method for using the sub-systems are also provided.

An apparatus including a photovoltaic panel; a first fluid container thermally attached to a bottom of the photovoltaic panel; and a temperature sensor for sensing temperature of a fluid inside the first fluid container is part of a sub-system for a power generation system using solar energy. The sub-system further includes a heating assembly, including a second fluid container, a second temperature sensor, and an electrical heating element. The second fluid container is fluidically connected to the first fluid container. The heating element is configured to heat the pre-heated fluid in the second fluid container to its vapor state. The sub-system additionally includes a turbine generator fluidically connected to the second fluid container to generate AC power from the vapor. A system employing a plurality of sub-systems and a method for using the sub-systems are also provided.

ThermaSat? propulsion system uses water as a safe and non-explosive propellant, and which is unpressurized at liftoff. Utilizing solar thermal propulsion, the compact and efficient capacitor heats water to steam to produce high thrust and total impulse. The advanced optical system allows for the thermal capacitor to charge through solar power alone with no protruding concentrators or power draw from the main bus. Additional solar panels, body mounted to the ThermaSat, provide auxiliary heating of the thermal capacitor when not directly incident to sunlight to promote non-sun pointing operations. Additionally, a conductive insulative system or method can include a phase change material and an insulated thermal capacitor wrapped in an insulative material including an inner layer of a high temperature multi-layer insulation and an outer layer of low temperature multi-layer insulation and the outside of the outer layer is covered with a reflective material.

A hydraulic propulsion system converts heat or thermal energy into hydraulic energy, and such hydraulic energy into mechanical work. The hydraulic propulsion system includes a thermal unit, a hydraulic cylinder with pistons and springs mounted therein, one or more hydraulic motors, one or more hydraulic accumulators, and one or more electrical energy generators, as well as a plurality of flow control valves to control the flow of hydraulic fluid between the various components. The hydraulic propulsion system may be enhanced by a sonic transmission unit including a sonic wave generator.

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.

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.

An energy storage system converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000? C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a conventional lower-temperature heat source to boost the temperature of a thermal power cycle working fluid to a turbine, thereby increasing efficiency of the power cycle.

An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000? C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the TES provides higher-temperature heat through non-combustible fluid to an alumina calcination system used to remove impurities or volatile substances and/or to incur thermal decomposition to a desired product.

An energy storage system (TES) converts variable renewable electricity (VRE) to continuous heat at over 1000? C. Intermittent electrical energy heats a solid medium. Heat from the solid medium is delivered continuously on demand. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. The delivered heat which may be used for processes including power generation and cogeneration. In one application, the energy storage system provides higher-temperature heat to a steam cracking furnace system for converting a hydrocarbon feedstock into cracked gas, thereby increasing the efficiency of the temperature control.