The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

A method and a device for recovering heat from an engine and for converting the heat into mechanical energy using an expansion machine. A heat accumulator fluid is guided in a primary circuit by means of a primary pump and is firstly heated by the waste heat of the combustion engine by means of a heat exchanger, is transferred into a heat accumulator and recirculated to the first heat exchanger, and, secondly, the heat accumulator fluid is guided in a secondary circuit by said heat accumulator fluid being extracted in the vapor state from the heat accumulator and being supplied to the expansion machine, and being condensed by means of a condenser downstream thereof and being recirculated into the heat accumulator by means of a secondary pump. The primary circuit of the heat accumulator fluid is connected to the secondary circuit exclusively via the heat accumulator.

A method and a device for recovering heat from an engine and for converting the heat into mechanical energy using an expansion machine. A heat accumulator fluid is guided in a primary circuit by means of a primary pump and is firstly heated by the waste heat of the combustion engine by means of a heat exchanger, is transferred into a heat accumulator and recirculated to the first heat exchanger, and, secondly, the heat accumulator fluid is guided in a secondary circuit by said heat accumulator fluid being extracted in the vapor state from the heat accumulator and being supplied to the expansion machine, and being condensed by means of a condenser downstream thereof and being recirculated into the heat accumulator by means of a secondary pump. The primary circuit of the heat accumulator fluid is connected to the secondary circuit exclusively via the heat accumulator.

A CO.sub.2 power generation system includes a furnace to burn fuel, a turbine operated by a working fluid supplied thereto, the working fluid being heated by heat generated in the furnace, a recuperator exchanging heat with the working fluid passing through the turbine, a cooler to cool the working fluid passing through the recuperator, and a compressor to compress the working fluid passing through the cooler, wherein the working fluid passing through the compressor is circulated to the furnace, and the working fluid is supercritical CO.sub.2.

A CO.sub.2 power generation system includes a furnace to burn fuel, a turbine operated by a working fluid supplied thereto, the working fluid being heated by heat generated in the furnace, a recuperator exchanging heat with the working fluid passing through the turbine, a cooler to cool the working fluid passing through the recuperator, and a compressor to compress the working fluid passing through the cooler, wherein the working fluid passing through the compressor is circulated to the furnace, and the working fluid is supercritical CO.sub.2.

A method and system in which a waste gas or liquid product is combusted or otherwise used at a well site or other source location to drive a generator to produce electrical energy which is then stored in a portable storage device, such as rechargeable battery or an array of rechargeable batteries, which can subsequently be transported, for example, to a charging station for vehicles or other electrical devices or systems, or to a delivery location for downloading the portable stored electrical energy to a power supply grid.

A method and system in which a waste gas or liquid product is combusted or otherwise used at a well site or other source location to drive a generator to produce electrical energy which is then stored in a portable storage device, such as rechargeable battery or an array of rechargeable batteries, which can subsequently be transported, for example, to a charging station for vehicles or other electrical devices or systems, or to a delivery location for downloading the portable stored electrical energy to a power supply grid.

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.