The invention relates to a device for storing temperature-controlled fluids, comprising at least one container (20), a Peltier element (30), the hot side (301) of which is in contact with at least one wall (201) of the container (209), at least one device (40) for delivering ambient air to the cold side (302) of the Peltier element (30), and at least one electrical energy source (50, 501, 502) for supplying the Peltier element (30) and the device (40) for delivering the ambient air. For low-loss storage of the fluid in the container (20), the device (40) for delivering ambient air can be operated according to the temperature of the ambient air and the heating capacity of the Peltier element (30) can be controlled according to the currently produced electrical energy of a photovoltaic solar generator (501) forming an electrical energy source. Preferably, times and/or durations of the heat energy emitted from the Peltier element (30) and/or from an accumulator (502) to the fluid can be controlled by a control appliance (6) on the basis of at least one requirements specification stored in the control appliance (60).

The invention relates to a method of controlling an energy supply system comprising at least two energy generators each configured to provide at least one form of energy of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy. The energy supply system further comprises one closed-loop controller per energy generator for controlling the energy generator and a control device coordinatedly controlling the closed-loop controllers. The control device detects an energy supply request for providing energy in the form of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy and determines for each energy form which energy generators are required to meet the energy supply request. For each energy form, the control device generates switch-on requests for the energy generators required to meet the energy supply system and switch-off requests for the energy generators not required. For each energy generator, the control device determines if one, several or no switch-off request is present and if one, several or no switch-off request is present. For each energy generator for which there is at least one switch-on request present, a switch-on request is output to the corresponding closed-loop controller and, for each energy generator for which there is no switch-on request and at least one switch-off request present, a switch-off request is output to the corresponding closed-loop controller.

Provided herein are various systems and methods (i.e., utilities) broadly directed to the generation of hot water using energy derived from renewable energy sources as an alternative to or in conjunction with another power source (e.g., fossil fuel-based energy from a utility provider, an underperforming solar/wind/wind system, etc.). In the various aspects, these utilities are directed to the retrofitting of existing water heaters with electrical heating elements that are connectable to a renewable source of electrical energy. While primarily discussed in relation to retrofitting existing water heaters, various aspects are applicable to OEM manufactured systems. Further, various control methods are provided that allow for enhancing the efficiency of hot water generation, net metering, and/or the generation of renewable energy credits.

A message specifying any one of a plurality of operation modes is defined between an EMS 200 and a power storage apparatus 140.

An electrical radiator type heating appliance comprises a case housing a heater member producing a first flow of calories (F1) when an input of the heater member is powered by a direct electric voltage. The heating appliance also comprises a voltage converter implanted in the case and comprising an input provided with connection elements for connecting the voltage converter to an electric power supply source and an output delivering a direct electric voltage adapted to directly or indirectly power the input of the heater member.

An electrical radiator type heating appliance (10) comprises a case (11) housing a heater member (12) producing a first flow of calories (F1) when an input (121) of the heater member (12) is powered by a direct electric voltage. The heating appliance (10) also comprises a voltage converter (14) implanted in the case (11) and comprising an input (141) provided with connection elements for connecting the voltage converter (14) to an electric power supply source (13) and an output (142) delivering a direct electric voltage adapted to directly or indirectly power the input (121) of the heater member (12).

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to preventing or lessening ice in remote water tanks. The remote water tanks can include a body at least partially defining a chamber that receives a liquid and having an open top portion that provides one or more animals access to the liquid. Further, a heat exchanger can be at least partially received within the chamber, and can receive a thermal transfer fluid that is circulated therethrough to maintain a temperature of the liquid in the chamber. Also, an external heat collector can be in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to transfer solar or other heat to the thermal transfer fluid as the thermal transfer fluid is circulated therethrough.

Disclosed is a system for the production of hot or cold water including: a water reservoir suitable for supplying water to a thermal conditioning device, and/or to a tap; a refrigeration unit having heat exchangers, of which one of the two heat exchanger is immersed in a water receptacle; pipes providing communication between the water reservoir, the water receptacle, a water network, the tap and thermal conditioning devices. The system further includes a box body containing the refrigeration unit and a ventilation mechanism configured to generate an airflow passing through the heat exchangers of the refrigerating unit.

A power supply system for an a.c. resistive element (10) comprises a first input point for an a.c. mains power source (14) and a second input point for d.c. power derived from photovoltaic panels and/or wind generators (24). Switches (18, 36) are provided between the power input points and the element (10). Timers (60, 62) are provided for delaying closing of that one of the switches (18, 36) that is open on change over from one power source to the other whereby the closed switch opens before the open switch closes. The voltage at the d.c. power input point is detected by a voltage sensor (42). The output from the sensor (42) powers an optical switch (46) which operates a relay (58) which in turn supplies power to one or other of the timers (60, 62) and one or other of the switches (18, 36).

The invention relates to a method of controlling an energy supply system comprising at least two energy generators each configured to provide at least one form of energy of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy. The energy supply system further comprises one closed-loop controller per energy generator for controlling the energy generator and a control device coordinatedly controlling the closed-loop controllers. The control device detects an energy supply request for providing energy in the form of heat and/or cold and/or electrical energy and determines for each energy form which energy generators are required to meet the energy supply request. For each energy form, the control device generates switch-on requests for the energy generators required to meet the energy supply system and switch-off requests for the energy generators not required. For each energy generator, the control device determines if one, several or no switch-off request is present and if one, several or no switch-off request is present. For each energy generator for which there is at least one switch-on request present, a switch-on request is output to the corresponding closed-loop controller and, for each energy generator for which there is no switch-on request and at least one switch-off request present, a switch-off request is output to the corresponding closed-loop controller.