Various arrangements are provided related to thermal energy coordination systems. A thermal energy coordination system may analyze solar irradiance measurements to identify an overgeneration solar energy event. The system may activate a thermal energy storage event to coincide with the overgeneration solar energy event at the plurality of solar panels. The system, which can include many network-enabled smart thermostats, may control air conditioners or other HVAC system within various structures. The system may determine a time to initiate cooling and a temperature to which to cool the structure based upon the received indication of the thermal energy storage event. Cooling may be initiated by the system based on the determined time and the determined temperature in response to the received indication of the thermal energy storage event

A method for cooling or heating a building is provided. An air flow can be created in an air duct and the air flow can be cooled or heated by an air conditioning system or furnace. The cooled or heated air flow can then pass through a heat exchanger connected to a radiant heating loop running through a floor or slab with a liquid circulating through them. When the airflow is being cooled or heated by the air conditioning system or furnace, the air flow will alter the temperature of the liquid circulating through the heat exchanger herefore the temperature of the slab. When the temperature of the slab varies from the temperature of the building, liquid that has been circulated through the radiant heating loop can be used to alter the temperature of the air flow passing through the heat exchanger.

The present disclosure relates to particle-based thermal energy storage (TES) systems employed for the heating and cooling applications for residential and/or commercial buildings. Particle-based TES systems may store thermal energy in the particles during off-peak times (i.e., when electricity demand and/or costs are relatively low) and remove the stored thermal energy for heating or cooling applications for buildings during peak times (i.e., when electricity demand and/or costs are relatively high).

A chiller system is provided and includes a chiller, a lubrication assembly and a controller. The chiller includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion assembly and an evaporator in fluid communication with one another. The lubrication assembly is operably coupled to the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator and is formed to define first-third pathways via a three-way valve and a fourth pathway. The first pathway is configured for pumping refrigerant through the chiller, the second pathway is configured for pre-storing refrigerant in the chiller, the third pathway is configured for removing refrigerant from the chiller and the fourth pathway is configured for charging refrigerant into the chiller. The controller is configured to control the lubrication assembly to selectively engage one of the first-fourth pathways.

A transportable PCM (phase change material) module comprises a number of PCM packs; a housing for thermally insulting said number of PCM packs from a module's surrounding medium; spaces separating said packs and forming one or more channels for the flow of a fluid; said housing incorporating a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; whereby, in use, fluid flows through said channels from said inlet to said outlet. A PCM (phase change material) pack comprises a laminate of a first conducting panel and a second conducting panel enclosing a portion formed primarily of PCM; wherein said portion of PCM incorporates thermal conductors.

A personal cooling device includes a rigid ventilation tube that is curved in part to fit around the neck of a human user such that the entire device may be supported solely in this manner. A powered fan is located at one end of the ventilation tube and configured to force air through the ventilation tube. Ventilation holes are arranged to direct air leaving the ventilation tube toward a user's body. A hollow compartment is provided in the ventilation tube adjacent the fan and is configured to received a portion of ice or other frozen material as a frozen liquid-filled sponge to effect evaporative cooling of passing air.

A first circulation channel connects a first heat demand part and first supply heat exchanger with its forward route and return route. Supply and discharge channels are connected to a first heat accumulation tank, which accommodates a second heat medium heated in the first supply heat exchanger and supplied via the supply channel. A heat accumulation switching valve changes over communication of the second heat medium serving as hot heat or cold heat flowing from the first supply heat exchanger and supplied to the first heat demand part without branching to the supply channel or branching to the supply channel and supplied to the first heat accumulation tank. A heat-accumulating hot-water-supplying air conditioner operates at a first temperature when the second heat medium from the first supply heat exchanger branches to the supply channel, and at a second lower temperature when the second heat medium does not branch to the supply channel.

Embodiments of the invention utilize the geothermal energy exchanger and battery (GEEB) to recover and store thermal energy from the dwelling, from the ground, and from the Earth's atmosphere, reuse the thermal energy in another season of the year, and consume electrical energy to heat and cool the structure at electrical Off Peak time periods. The GEEB may be constructed of a compact steel, ribbed and waterproof permanent container that is set at a depth beneath the surface of the ground where the normal soil temperature is virtually constant year round. The container can then be encased in poured concrete, with the exception of piping or conduits. The container is then filled with a heat transfer fluid so that the entire thermal mass of the GEEB and heat transfer fluid reaches the ambient ground temperature and efficiently couples the load and source sides of a heating and cooling system.

The control section implements: a utilization cooling operation in which the thermal storage medium absorbs heat from the refrigerant and in which the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger, when the receiving section receives a first signal indicating a request for reduced use of power during an operation in which the room is cooled by the refrigerant evaporating in the indoor heat exchanger; and a cooling and cold thermal energy storage operation in which the refrigerant absorbs heat from the thermal storage medium and in which the refrigerant evaporates in the indoor heat exchanger, when the receiving section receives a second signal indicating a request for accelerated use of power during the operation in which the room is cooled by the refrigerant evaporating in the indoor heat exchanger.

A method includes determining control setpoints for equipment based on a time-varying availability of green energy and revenue from an incentive program of an energy provider. The method also includes controlling the equipment using the control setpoints.