A power plant having a steam circuit which can be supplied, in the region of a heat recovery steam generator, with thermal energy for producing steam, the steam circuit has, in the region of the heat recovery steam generator, a high pressure part, a medium pressure part and a low pressure part. In addition, a heat reservoir which has a phase change material and which is not situated in the region of the heat recovery steam generator is included, wherein, in order to supply the heat reservoir with thermally processed water, a supply line which leads out from the high pressure part or the medium pressure part is included and a discharge line which leads into the medium pressure part, the low pressure part or a steam turbine is included for discharging thermally processed water from the heat reservoir.

A power plant having a steam circuit which can be supplied, in the region of a heat recovery steam generator, with thermal energy for producing steam, the steam circuit has, in the region of the heat recovery steam generator, a high pressure part, a medium pressure part and a low pressure part. In addition, a heat reservoir which has a phase change material and which is not situated in the region of the heat recovery steam generator is included, wherein, in order to supply the heat reservoir with thermally processed water, a supply line which leads out from the high pressure part or the medium pressure part is included and a discharge line which leads into the medium pressure part, the low pressure part or a steam turbine is included for discharging thermally processed water from the heat reservoir.

An energy accumulator for storing electrical energy in the form of heat energy comprising an electric heater for converting electrical energy into heat energy, a heat accumulator for storing the heat energy of the electric heater, and a heat exchanger for emitting heat energy from the heat accumulator. The heat accumulator comprises, at least, a plurality of metal rods arranged upright and serving to store heat energy from the electric heater; a base; and multiple supporting units, wherein each supporting unit supports one of the metal rods and is connected with the base. Furthermore described is a corresponding method for operating an energy accumulator of this type.

An energy accumulator for storing electrical energy in the form of heat energy comprising an electric heater for converting electrical energy into heat energy, a heat accumulator for storing the heat energy of the electric heater, and a heat exchanger for emitting heat energy from the heat accumulator. The heat accumulator comprises, at least, a plurality of metal rods arranged upright and serving to store heat energy from the electric heater; a base; and multiple supporting units, wherein each supporting unit supports one of the metal rods and is connected with the base. Furthermore described is a corresponding method for operating an energy accumulator of this type.

Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.

Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed herein. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a water source, a solar collector that includes a collector inlet, a collector outlet, and a plurality of solar concentrators positioned to heat water passing from the collector inlet to the collector outlet, a fuel-fired heater, a steam outlet connected to an oil field injection well, and a water flow network coupled among the water source, the solar collector, the heater, and the steam outlet. The system can further include a controller operatively coupled to the water flow network and programmed with instructions that, when executed, direct at least one portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a first sequence, and direct the at least one portion or a different portion of the flow through the solar collector and the fuel-fired heater in a second sequence different than the first sequence.

A process for energy management includes actuating a closed cyclic thermodynamic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration/phase and then in the opposite direction in a discharge configuration/phase, between a casing for the storage of a working fluid other than atmospheric air, in gaseous phase and in equilibrium of pressure with the atmosphere, and a tank for the storage of the working fluid in liquid or super-critical phase with a temperature close to its own critical temperature. In the charge phase, the process accumulates heat and pressure. In the discharge phase, the process generates energy. The process includes actuating, with at least one part of the working fluid, at least one closed thermodynamic cycle, even at the same time as the charge phase or as the discharge phase; and heating the working fluid by means of at least one oxy-combustion within the closed thermodynamic cycle.

A process for energy management includes actuating a closed cyclic thermodynamic transformation, first in one direction in a charge configuration/phase and then in the opposite direction in a discharge configuration/phase, between a casing for the storage of a working fluid other than atmospheric air, in gaseous phase and in equilibrium of pressure with the atmosphere, and a tank for the storage of the working fluid in liquid or super-critical phase with a temperature close to its own critical temperature. In the charge phase, the process accumulates heat and pressure. In the discharge phase, the process generates energy. The process includes actuating, with at least one part of the working fluid, at least one closed thermodynamic cycle, even at the same time as the charge phase or as the discharge phase; and heating the working fluid by means of at least one oxy-combustion within the closed thermodynamic cycle.

A power plant having a steam circuit which can be supplied, in the region of a heat recovery steam generator, with thermal energy for producing steam, the steam circuit has, in the region of the heat recovery steam generator, a high pressure part, a medium pressure part and a low pressure part. In addition, a heat reservoir which has a phase change material and which is not situated in the region of the heat recovery steam generator is included, wherein, in order to supply the heat reservoir with thermally processed water, a supply line which leads out from the high pressure part or the medium pressure part is included and a discharge line which leads into the medium pressure part, the low pressure part or a steam turbine is included for discharging thermally processed water from the heat reservoir.

A power plant having a steam circuit which can be supplied, in the region of a heat recovery steam generator, with thermal energy for producing steam, the steam circuit has, in the region of the heat recovery steam generator, a high pressure part, a medium pressure part and a low pressure part. In addition, a heat reservoir which has a phase change material and which is not situated in the region of the heat recovery steam generator is included, wherein, in order to supply the heat reservoir with thermally processed water, a supply line which leads out from the high pressure part or the medium pressure part is included and a discharge line which leads into the medium pressure part, the low pressure part or a steam turbine is included for discharging thermally processed water from the heat reservoir.