A heating system of a building includes: a solar heater configured to receive sunlight and to at least one of absorb heat into a refrigerant and augment heat absorbed into the refrigerant; a compressor configured to compress the refrigerant that vaporized via absorption of heat; a first heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from the refrigerant to water; an expansion valve configured to reduce at least one of a temperature and a pressure of the refrigerant after the transfer of heat from the refrigerant to water; a second heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from water output from the first heat exchanger to air passing the second heat exchanger before flowing into the building; a pump configured to pump the water from the solar heater to the second heat exchanger; and a blower configured to blow air past the second heat exchanger and into the building.

There is herein described energy storage systems. More particularly, there is herein described thermal energy storage systems and use of energy storable material such as phase change material in the provision of heating and/or cooling systems in, for example, domestic dwellings.

Systems and methods utilize a cogeneration system for providing heating, cooling, and/or electricity to an enclosure. The system includes a heat engine for heating and supplying electricity to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat engine is a first conduit configured to transfer fluid from the heat engine to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure. The system further includes a heat pump configured to supply at least heating and cooling to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat pump is at least a second conduit. The second conduit is configured to move fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure.

Systems and methods utilize a cogeneration system for providing heating, cooling, and/or electricity to an enclosure. The system includes a heat engine for heating and supplying electricity to the enclosure through fluid transfer from the heat engine to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure. The system further includes a heat pump configured to supply at least heating and cooling to the enclosure through movement of fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure.

Systems and methods utilize a cogeneration system for providing heating, cooling, and/or electricity to an enclosure. The system includes a heat engine for heating and supplying electricity to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat engine is a first conduit configured to transfer fluid from the heat engine to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure. The system further includes a heat pump configured to supply at least heating and cooling to the enclosure. Coupled to the heat pump is at least a second conduit. The second conduit is configured to move fluid from the heat pump to the enclosure to transfer thermal energy from the fluid to the enclosure.

A combined heat and power (CHP) system is installed with a power lock-out feature preventing flow of heated working fluid to an expander driving a generator generating electrical power until installation by a licensed person is completed, whereby heat can be provided to a building substantially immediately after installation of the CHP system, while power generation can be deferred until convenient.

Cogeneration system (200, 300) comprising: a boiler (201, 301) able to heat water for domestic use; a combustor (201a, 301a) placed into the boiler; a compressor (204, 304); a heat exchanger (202, 302) for the exchange of thermal energy between the combustion fumes generated in the combustor (201a, 301a) and a fluid coming from the compressor (204, 304); a gas turbine (203, 303); a current generator (205, 305) and a current converter (206, 306) able to produce electrical energy; a main fumes/water exchanger (207, 307) able to recover thermal energy. The cogeneration system (200, 300) comprises also a by-pass valve (210, 310) configured to adjust the flow of fluid entering the gas turbine (203, 303).

There is herein described energy storage systems. More particularly, there is herein described thermal energy storage systems and use of energy storable material such as phase change material in the provision of heating and/or cooling systems in, for example, domestic dwellings.

Cogeneration system (200, 300) comprising: a boiler (201, 301) able to heat water for domestic use; a combustor (201a, 301a) placed into the boiler; a compressor (204, 304); a heat exchanger (202, 302) for the exchange of thermal energy between the combustion fumes generated in the combustor (201a, 301a) and a fluid coming from the compressor (204, 304); a gas turbine (203, 303); a current generator (205, 305) and a current converter (206, 306) able to produce electrical energy; a main fumes/water exchanger (207, 307) able to recover thermal energy.

The cogeneration system (200, 300) comprises also a by-pass valve (210, 310) configured to adjust the flow of fluid entering the gas turbine (203, 303).

A combined heat and power (CHP) system is installed with a power lock-out feature preventing flow of heated working fluid to an expander driving a generator generating electrical power until installation by a licensed person is completed, whereby heat can be provided to a building substantially immediately after installation of the CHP system, while power generation can be deferred until convenient.