Heat exchangers for thermal storage systems include a valve that can direct process fluid passing through the heat exchanger through supplemental heat exchanger tubing based on a temperature of the process fluid. The supplemental heat exchanger tubing can be located in areas where ice formation can occur during freezing of the storage fluid of the thermal storage system, but apart from the standard flow path for the heat exchanger. The valve can be a thermally-actuated valve. The thermally actuated valve can be set to divert flow of the process fluid to the supplemental tubing when the process fluid is at or above a melting temperature of the storage fluid. Methods can include selectively flowing process fluid through supplemental heat exchange tubing when it is at a temperature greater than the melting point of a storage material.

Methods and systems for energy storage and management are provided. In various embodiments, heat pumps, heat engines and pumped heat energy storage systems and methods of operating the same are provided. In some embodiments, methods include controlling thermal properties of a working fluid by virtue of the timing of the operation of cylinder valves. Methods and systems for controlling mass flow rates and charging and discharging power independent of working fluid temperature and system state-of-charge are also provided.

A heat source system managing device includes: a predicted heat demand upper limit calculating unit configured to calculate a predicted heat demand upper limit by adding a prediction error to a predicted heat demand value for a heat source system; an operation plan preparing unit configured to prepare an operation plan of the heat source system to supply heat of the predicted heat demand upper limit to a consuming facility; a surplus stored heat quantity calculating unit configured to repeatedly perform a process of calculating a surplus stored heat quantity by subtracting a heat quantity consumed by the consuming facility from the predicted heat demand upper limit; and an operation plan changing unit configured to sequentially change the operation plan by decreasing a future operation rate of a refrigerator to cancel the surplus stored heat quantity.

Provided is a thermal energy storage device including a passage for the circulation of a heat transporting fluid between a hot end and a cold end, the hot end being configured for storing thermal energy at a first temperature (T1), the cold end being configured for storing thermal energy at a second temperature lower than the first temperature (T1). The thermal energy storage device includes a heating device at the hot end.

A system comprising a structure (1) defining a volume for containing or receiving a body of water. The system further comprises a solar energy system for heating a body of water. The system comprises a solar radiation receiving unit (2) configured to receive solar radiation and configured to convert said solar radiation into heat energy. The system also comprises a barrier means (3) of varying solar radiation transmittance arranged over said solar radiation receiving unit (2). The barrier means (3) is configured to varyingly control the solar radiation receivable by said solar radiation receiving unit (2).

A liquid heating appliance for heating water or other liquids, suitably to a target temperature of from 55° C. to around boiling point, includes a primary heat chamber or body (heat source chamber) that is thermally insulated and which in use contains a high thermal density heat storing liquid or solid; and a secondary chamber alongside the primary chamber through which a liquid to be heated is passed in use. The appliance has a heat transfer feature to selectively transfer thermal energy from the heat-storing liquid or solid to the liquid to be heated in the secondary chamber. The secondary chamber is preferably a conduit through which the liquid to be heated is able to flow and the thus heated liquid can be delivered to a tap as hot water for a range of uses. Water may also be heated for a central heating system for space heating.

When products to be shipped are temperature-sensitive, it is necessary to maintain a substantially uniform and constant temperature to avoid spoilage. As a result, thermal shields are often placed on top of the products. Many designs for thermal shields have been considered in the past but improvements are still desired. Accordingly, there is provided a multilayer thermal shield (100) comprising a thermally conductive layer (108), and at least one heat exchange fluid circuit (120) coupled to a first surface of the thermally conductive layer, the at least one heat exchange fluid circuit comprising at least one inlet (124) configured to permit the ingress of heat exchange fluid. The thermal shield further comprises an outer insulation layer (104) connected to a first surface of the thermally conductive layer (108) and comprising grooves designed to receive the heat exchange fluid circuit. The thermal shield further comprises an inner insulation layer (110) connected to a second surface of the thermally conductive layer (108).

A modular kitchen-connected indoor stationary solar cooking device (102) is disclosed. The solar cooking device (102) includes a housing (202), a thermal battery (204) disposed in the housing (202) and adapted to store thermal energy, and a first heater (206) disposed to be in contact with the thermal battery (204). The first heater (206) is coupled to a solar array (104) and adapted to receive solar energy for charging the thermal battery (204). The solar cooking device (102) includes a second heater (208) disposed to be in contact with the thermal battery (204). The second heater (208) is coupled to a mains supply and adapted to receive electrical supply for charging the thermal battery (204). The solar cooking device (102) includes a heat control assembly (210) disposed on a cooktop (802) and adapted to accommodate a cooking vessel. The heat control assembly (210) is adapted to rotate for controlling a heat supply for cooking in the cooking vessel.

A buffer tank for a water heater is provided. The A buffer tank for a water heater may include a storage unit, a first connection pipe, and a second connection pipe. The storage unit has a space for storing water inside, an inlet, to which hot water is flowed from the outside, in the upper part thereof, and an outlet, from which the water stored inside is discharged, in the lower part thereof. The first connection pipe is formed in the inner space of the storage unit, has a tube form, is connected to the inlet, and is extended to a direction of the lower part of the storage unit. The second connection pipe is formed in the inner space of the storage unit, has a tube form, is connected to the outlet, and is extended to a direction of the upper part of the storage unit.

An arrangement for storing thermal energy has at least two tunnels (1a, 1b) for holding a fluid. The tunnels (1a, 1b) are connected to each other by at least one channel (2), such that fluid communication is allowed between the tunnels (1a, 1b). Each of the inner tunnel (1a) and the outer tunnel (1b) is configured as a helix, the inner tunnel (1a) forming an inner helix and the outer tunnel (1b) forming an outer helix.