A capacity configuration method for photovoltaic/photothermal/Advanced Adiabatic Compressed Air Energy Storage (AA-CAES) of combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP). The method includes: establishing a CCHP micro integrated energy system model containing AA-CAES, and then solving the model by using a dual-level planning approach. The upper level plans capacity configuration is planned with an objective of minimizing a sum of capacity configuration costs and lower-level scheduling costs, while the lower level employs parameters obtained from the upper level to implement season-based scheduling, with an objective of minimizing a sum of energy supply costs and carbon mitigation costs, and returns a scheduling result to the upper level to assist in upper-level capacity decisions. This method takes a CCHP capability of a compressed air energy storage system into consideration, and establishes a model suitable for capacity planning and scheduling.

A system for providing access to a wireless communication network can include a plurality of renewable energy structures. Each renewable energy structure can include an electricity generation assembly, a telescoping support pole positioned to support the electricity generation assembly, and a wireless communication device configured to relay wireless communication signals between a host signal source and a client device. The electricity generation assembly can include a wind turbine assembly and/or a solar power structure. The wireless communication device can include a cellular telephone signal repeater and/or wireless internet equipment. Each structure can include a display, such as an advertisement, one or more benches, and/or a container. Each structure can optionally include a water purification system, one or more cameras, one or more lights, and/or one or more motion or voice sensors for activating or deactivating various components of the system. Each structure may be permanently installed or mobile.

System for storage of electricity in the form of thermal energy, and release of thermal energy during times of demand. The system includes a unit for containing at least one electrically conducting phase change material and electrical circuitry for driving electrical current through the phase change material to heat the phase change material into a molten state, or at least one electrical heater used to convert electricity into heat stored in the phase change material. Structure is provided for transferring heat in the phase change material to a working fluid such as steam or gas for electricity generation in a steam turbine or gas turbine, capable of generating supercritical fluids. Structure is also provided for transferring heat in the phase change material to a thermal energy to electrical energy conversion device. A suitable phase change material is elemental silicon or an aluminum-silicon alloy.

There is provided a method of producing a product. The method comprises: supplying electricity generated in a photovoltaic cell arrangement and a piston engine, respectively, to electrolytic and catalytic reactions that are heated by concentrated sunlight; reacting carbon dioxide and water in the heated electrolytic and catalytic reactions to form a pressurized product, such as pressurized methanol; and expanding the pressurized product in the piston engine to generate electricity. There is also provided a system for production of the product as well as devices to be used in the method or system.

A system for providing access to a wireless communication network can include a plurality of renewable energy structures. Each renewable energy structure can include an electricity generation assembly, a telescoping support pole positioned to support the electricity generation assembly, and a wireless communication device configured to relay wireless communication signals between a host signal source and a client device. The electricity generation assembly can include a wind turbine assembly and/or a solar power structure. The wireless communication device can include a cellular telephone signal repeater and/or wireless internet equipment. Each structure can include a display, such as an advertisement, one or more benches, and/or a container. Each structure can optionally include a water purification system, one or more cameras, one or more lights, and/or one or more motion or voice sensors for activating or deactivating various components of the system. Each structure may be permanently installed or mobile.

An automated vending machine, includes one or more solar panels, the one or more solar panels converting solar energy or light energy into electrical energy, and a vending machine body, the one or more solar panels attached to a top surface of the vending machine body. The vending machine body includes a product display area, a product dispensing assembly to obtain a selected product from the product display area and deliver the selected product to an opening in a front surface of the vending machine body, and a liquid dispensing assembly to dispense liquid to a container positioned near the vending machine body. The vending machine body includes a microphone to receive voice commands and to convert voice commands into audio signals; and an audio transceiver and sound reproduction device.

The efficiency of solar power collection is increased by adding a thermal energy storage stage to a sunlight concentrator and thermodynamic power generator system. The thermal energy storage includes tubes or capsules made of a phase change material that stores thermal energy in different temperature stages through a working fluid. The stored thermal energy is directed to the thermodynamic generator during off-sun periods.

A pumped storage hydroelectric system may include a reservoir system including an upper reservoir system and a lower reservoir system. At least one of the upper reservoir system and the lower reservoir system may include a modular reservoir arrangement. A penstock may be coupled with the upper reservoir system. A pump/turbine may be coupled with the penstock and with the lower reservoir system. The pump/turbine may be configured to receive water flowing from the upper reservoir system to the lower reservoir system for generating electrical power, and to pump water from the lower reservoir system to the upper reservoir system for storing energy.

Methods, systems, and devices are provided for thermal enhancement. Thermal enhancement may include absorbing heat from one or more devices. In some cases, this may improve the efficiency of the one or more devices. In general, a phase transition may be induced in a storage material. The storage material may be combined with a freeze point suppressant in order to reduce its melt point. The mixture may be used to boost the performance of device, such as an electrical generator, a heat engine, a refrigerator, and/or a freezer. The freeze point suppressant and storage material may be separated. By delaying the periods between each stage by prescribed amounts, the methods, systems, and devices may be able to shift the availability of electricity to the user and/or otherwise boost a device at different times in some cases.

A system for providing access to a wireless communication network can include a plurality of renewable energy structures. Each renewable energy structure can include an electricity generation assembly, a telescoping support pole positioned to support the electricity generation assembly, and a wireless communication device configured to relay wireless communication signals between a host signal source and a client device. The electricity generation assembly can include a wind turbine assembly and/or a solar power structure. The wireless communication device can include a cellular telephone signal repeater and/or wireless internet equipment. Each structure can include a display, such as an advertisement, one or more benches, and/or a container. Each structure can optionally include a water purification system, one or more cameras, one or more lights, and/or one or more motion or voice sensors for activating or deactivating various components of the system. Each structure may be permanently installed or mobile.