A buffer storage device and method including an underground storage chamber filled with a brine as a heat storage medium, a primary circuit filled with a first heat transfer medium, and a secondary circuit filled with a second heat transfer medium. A first heat exchanger in the primary circuit, through which the first heat transfer medium flows, is set up so as to transfer excess heat fed into the primary circuit from the first heat transfer medium to the brine in the underground storage chamber. A second heat exchanger in the secondary circuit, through which the second heat transfer medium flows, is set up so as to transfer, as required, at least some of the excess heat stored in the brine in the underground storage chamber to the second heat transfer medium. The secondary circuit is coupled to at least one heat consumer load.

A heat emitting radiator for use in a fluid circuit containing coolant therein, and which can generate substantial amounts of heat to heat larger spaces, such as in a home or business, while utilizing minimal power to run, and which can be utilized in various implementations and configurations. The radiator can be selectively activated or de-activated by, for example, a cell phone or the like whereby the fluid circuit in the radiator can be monitored for time of use, temperature and cost of use.

A wall mountable electric heater comprises a core 20 arranged in a casing 2 with a convection space 50 defined between opposed surfaces 47, 27′ of the casing and the core. The opposed surfaces are provided with oppositely directed protrusions 26, 44 which are spaced apart in two dimensions and arranged in-between one another to form a serpentine flowpath. The protrusions 44 in the panel 4 of the casing define recesses 43 which extend inwardly towards the core, each recess having a base wall 46 in which a perforation 48 is formed between the first and second sides 40, 41 of the panel 4, The air flowing upwardly through the convection space 50 generates a pressure differential across the first and second sides 40, 41 of the panel 4, drawing air in through the perforations 48 to increase the mass flow rate of the air in the convection space. The base wall 46 of each recess may be spaced apart from the opposed, outwardly facing side 23 of the core by a relatively small distance D1, increasing the velocity of the airflow and hence the pressure differential proximate the perforation 48.

A storage type electric water heater provides hot water and hot air. A large amount of hot water can be instantaneously tapped by a hot water generating means, and hot air can be generated by a hot air generating means.

Thermal energy storage systems are disclosed in this application. Systems of the inventive subject matter are designed to reduce maintenance requirements by sequestering, for example, corrosive fluids that might otherwise damage difficult-to-fix internal components are kept out of those components by introducing a non-corrosive heat transfer fluid to facilitate heat transfer between a thermal energy storage medium (e.g., molten sulfur) and a potentially corrosive working fluid. Thus, the potentially corrosive fluid is kept out of a thermal energy storage tank containing the thermal energy storage medium, which, by design, is difficult to repair when internal components corrode or otherwise require maintenance.

A micro-combined heat and power (mCHP) system includes a liquid cooled variable speed genset that is located to the exterior of a building and that is provides heat and power to the interior of the building. The genset may be configured to output an electrical supply of between approximately between 500W and 40 kW. A coolant loop may extend from the exterior genset to the interior of a building and is configured to reclaim heat from one or more sources of waste heat at the engine, generator, oil and/or exhaust. The reclaimed heat is then transferred, directly or indirectly, to the air flow path of a building heating system. In one embodiment, the reclaimed heat is transferred to a liquid circuit via a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and thence to the cold air intake of a forced air furnace via a liquid-to-air heat exchanger. A thermostat may control heat transfer from the mCHP to the heating system.

A micro-combined heat and power (mCHP) system includes a liquid cooled variable speed genset that is located to the exterior of a building and that is provides heat and power to the interior of the building. The genset may be configured to output an electrical supply of between approximately between 500W and 40 kW. A coolant loop may extend from the exterior genset to the interior of a building and is configured to reclaim heat from one or more sources of waste heat at the engine, generator, oil and/or exhaust. The reclaimed heat is then transferred, directly or indirectly, to the air flow path of a building heating system. In one embodiment, the reclaimed heat is transferred to a liquid circuit via a liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and thence to the cold air intake of a forced air furnace via a liquid-to-air heat exchanger. A thermostat may control heat transfer from the mCHP to the heating system.

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.

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.

Heat buffer comprising at least mechanically coupled wall parts, wherein each of the wall parts comprises a substantially plate-like body; a liquid throughflow circuit incorporated in the body; one or more hydraulic couplings accessible from the outer side of the wall part for discharge and supply of liquid to the liquid throughflow circuit and configured for coupling to hydraulic couplings of a similar device; and is coupled at a mutual angle about a substantially vertical axis to a similar wall part, wherein the mechanically coupled devices are connected such that they enclose one space and wherein the heat buffer also comprises a floor and/or cover part for closing the enclosed space on an upper and/or underside.