The present disclosure relates to combined gas and steam power plants. Various embodiments may include methods for operating such plants, such as: generating hot steam with an exhaust gas of a gas turbine; driving a generator with the steam; diverting at least a part of the generated steam and storing the diverted steam in a steam accumulator; then, discharging at least a part of the steam stored in the steam accumulator from the steam accumulator; heating the steam discharged from the steam accumulator with heat released during an exothermic chemical reaction; and feeding the heated steam to drive the turbine device.

The present disclosure relates to combined gas and steam power plants. Various embodiments may include methods for operating such plants, such as: generating hot steam with an exhaust gas of a gas turbine; driving a generator with the steam; diverting at least a part of the generated steam and storing the diverted steam in a steam accumulator; then, discharging at least a part of the steam stored in the steam accumulator from the steam accumulator; heating the steam discharged from the steam accumulator with heat released during an exothermic chemical reaction; and feeding the heated steam to drive the turbine device.

Techniques for providing power to a data center includes transferring heat from a computer data center to warm a fluid stored within an energy regeneration system; circulating the warmed fluid to a flow of compressed gas stored within the energy regeneration system during a discharging process that expands the compressed gas; generating energy with the energy generation system from the discharging process; and providing at least a portion of the generated energy to the computer data center as electrical power.

Techniques for providing power to a data center includes transferring heat from a computer data center to warm a fluid stored within an energy regeneration system; circulating the warmed fluid to a flow of compressed gas stored within the energy regeneration system during a discharging process that expands the compressed gas; generating energy with the energy generation system from the discharging process; and providing at least a portion of the generated energy to the computer data center as electrical power.

Systems and methods for selectively producing steam from solar collectors and heaters, for processes including enhanced oil recovery. A representative 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. A representative 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 system and method are provided for storing electric energy in the form of thermal energy. A thermoelectric energy storage system includes a working fluid circuit for circulating a working fluid through a heat exchanger, and a thermal storage medium circuit for circulating a thermal storage medium. The thermal storage medium circuit includes at least one hot storage tank, an intermediate temperature storage tank, and a cold storage tank connected together via the heat exchanger. A proportion of the storage medium is redirected to or from the intermediate storage tank from or to the hot or cold storage tank, joining another proportion which flows directly between the cold and hot storage tank.

A system and method are provided for storing electric energy in the form of thermal energy. A thermoelectric energy storage system includes a working fluid circuit for circulating a working fluid through a heat exchanger, and a thermal storage medium circuit for circulating a thermal storage medium. The thermal storage medium circuit includes at least one hot storage tank, an intermediate temperature storage tank, and a cold storage tank connected together via the heat exchanger. A proportion of the storage medium is redirected to or from the intermediate storage tank from or to the hot or cold storage tank, joining another proportion which flows directly between the cold and hot storage tank.

A system and method for efficiency and revitalization of power plant assets allows for existing fossil fuel burning power plants to operate in tandem with renewable power sources and to operate at a consistent base load. The system and method reduce fossil fuel burning power plant power/load cycling and improve efficiency, increase power plant useful lifetime, and reduce emissions. The system and method allow for substantially consistent power output regardless of power demand and power supply generation from existing fossil fuel burning power plants and renewable energy sources supplying a common grid.

A system and method for efficiency and revitalization of power plant assets allows for existing fossil fuel burning power plants to operate in tandem with renewable power sources and to operate at a consistent base load. The system and method reduce fossil fuel burning power plant power/load cycling and improve efficiency, increase power plant useful lifetime, and reduce emissions. The system and method allow for substantially consistent power output regardless of power demand and power supply generation from existing fossil fuel burning power plants and renewable energy sources supplying a common grid.