Systems and methods for variable pressure inventory control of a closed thermodynamic cycle power generation system or energy storage system, such as a reversible Brayton cycle system, with at least a high pressure tank and an intermediate pressure tank are disclosed. Operational parameters of the system such as working fluid pressure, turbine torque, turbine RPM, generator torque, generator RPM, and current, voltage, phase, frequency, and/or quantity of electrical power generated and/or distributed by the generator may be the basis for controlling a quantity of working fluid that circulates through a closed cycle fluid path of the system.

A dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a topping cycle that combusts fuel to generate electricity and produce hot exhaust gases, a steam power system, a heat source other than the topping cycle, and a thermal energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the thermal energy storage system, or from the heat source and the thermal energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the topping cycle may be used in series with or in parallel with the thermal energy storage system and/or the heat source to generate the steam, and additionally to super heat the steam.

A dispatchable storage combined cycle power plant comprises a topping cycle that combusts fuel to generate electricity and produce hot exhaust gases, a steam power system, a heat source other than the topping cycle, and a thermal energy storage system. Heat from the heat source, from the thermal energy storage system, or from the heat source and the thermal energy storage system is used to generate steam in the steam power system. Heat from the topping cycle may be used in series with or in parallel with the thermal energy storage system and/or the heat source to generate the steam, and additionally to super heat the steam.

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. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

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. An array of bricks incorporating internal radiation cavities is directly heated by thermal radiation. The cavities facilitate rapid, uniform heating via reradiation. Heat delivery via flowing gas establishes a thermocline which maintains high outlet temperature throughout discharge. Gas flows through structured pathways within the array, delivering heat which may be used for processes including calcination, hydrogen electrolysis, steam generation, and thermal power generation and cogeneration. Groups of thermal storage arrays may be controlled and operated at high temperatures without thermal runaway via deep-discharge sequencing. Forecast-based control enables continuous, year-round heat supply using current and advance information of weather and VRE availability. High-voltage DC power conversion and distribution circuitry improves the efficiency of VRE power transfer into the system.

A system including: (i) a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot thermal storage (“HTS”) medium; (ii) an electric heater in thermal contact with the hot HTS medium, wherein the electric heater is operable to heat the hot HTS medium above a temperature achievable by transferring heat from a working fluid to a warm HTS medium in a thermodynamic cycle.

An energy storage plant includes a casing for the storage of a working fluid other than atmospheric air, in a gaseous phase and in equilibrium of pressure with the atmosphere; a tank for the storage of said working fluid in a liquid or supercritical phase with a temperature close to the critical temperature; wherein said critical temperature is close to the ambient temperature. The plant is configured to carry out a closed thermodynamic cyclic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration and then in the opposite direction in a discharge configuration, between said casing and said tank; wherein in the charge configuration the plant stores heat and pressure and in the discharge configuration generates energy.

An energy storage plant includes a casing for the storage of a working fluid other than atmospheric air, in a gaseous phase and in equilibrium of pressure with the atmosphere; a tank for the storage of said working fluid in a liquid or supercritical phase with a temperature close to the critical temperature; wherein said critical temperature is close to the ambient temperature. The plant is configured to carry out a closed thermodynamic cyclic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration and then in the opposite direction in a discharge configuration, between said casing and said tank; wherein in the charge configuration the plant stores heat and pressure and in the discharge configuration generates energy.

Automatic wind and photovoltaic energy storage system for generation of uninterrupted electricity and energy autonomy, characterized in that it consists of wind machines (A) and photovoltaic generators (B) combined or independent which operate mechanically or electrically connected suitable compressors (Γ1, Γ2, Γ3, Γ4) that compress air at high pressure while simultaneously removing the heat generated by compression with small heat exchangers (E1, E2, E3, E4), by heating diathermic cooling oil and water stored in separate insulated tanks (H1, H2, H3, Z2) they drive it to an airtight tank-serpentine coil type tank (M), where it exits and after passing through the air flow distributor in each group of high pressure crosses the groups of heat exchangers (θ1) in which the flow flows backwards cooling oil, where its thermal charge is transferred and heats the compressed air before entering the gas turbine and expands to a certain pressure lower and temperature lower the original T2. At this point the compressed air flows coming out of the turbine and reheats in the same way as in the first re-heat, that is, by crossing another set of heat exchangers (02) similar to the first one, but at a lower pressure and re-introducing at the same pressure it exited but at the same temperature as the original Ti. To expanding again to a given pressure corresponding to the next stage according to the thermodynamic analysis. The expansion continues with the intermediate reheats according to the specified stages of the thermodynamic analysis, until after the last reheat in the last stage, inject the quantity of water vapor (steam) stored in a separate insulated tank (Z2) into the flow of compressed air expanding the common fluid (compressed air plus steam) at the same pressure and temperature into the turbine (K), achieving approximately a 20% increase in the overall turbine (K) efficiency. The turbine is equipped, by means of a rotary shaft rotary controller, to be able to modulate the supply of compressed air to the turbine head (K). And since the mass flow rate of compressed air is directly proportional to the electricity produced, the generation of electricity produced is identical to the demand Automatic wind and photovoltaic energy storage system for generation of uninterrupted electricity and energy autonomy, characterized in that it consists of wind machines (A) and photovoltaic generators (B) combined or independent which operate mechanically or electrically connected suitable compressors (IT, Γ2,Γ3,Γ4) that compress air at high pressure while simultaneously removi

A system including: (i) a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot thermal storage (“HTS”) medium; (ii) an electric heater in thermal contact with the hot HTS medium, wherein the electric heater is operable to heat the hot HTS medium above a temperature achievable by transferring heat from a working fluid to a warm HTS medium in a thermodynamic cycle.