A device (100) for storing heat/cold, by transfer from a charge fluid, for re-use by transfer to a discharge fluid, comprising: an external rigid container (102) and a storage assembly (118) inside an internal rigid container (116) for calorie/frigorie storage; a cold external interface (104.sub.1) on a wall (106) of the external container (102), communicating with a cold internal interface (110.sub.1) on the storage module (108), for passage of cold fluids between the cold external interface (104.sub.1) and the storage module (108); and a hot external interface (104.sub.2) on a wall (106) of the external container (102), communicating with a hot internal interface (110.sub.2) arranged on the storage module (108), for passage of hot fluids between the hot external interface (104.sub.2) and the storage module (108), the cold and hot external interfaces (104.sub.1, 104.sub.2) being on a single wall (106.sub.1) or on adjacent walls (106) of the external container (102).

In accordance with the present disclosure, a pumped-heat energy storage (PHES) system operable in charge and power generation modes can include a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system; and an intercooler system for providing cooling to the compressor system, the intercooling system including at least one intercooler heat exchanger arranged for transferring heat out from working fluid amid different stages of the compressor system to a power plant. A fluid path can be arranged for providing a power plant fluid to receive heat from the intercooler system. The fluid path can be arranged to pass the power plant fluid to the intercooler system to receive heat and to the power plant for use in heating in power generation.

A thermal energy storage system utilizes a high temperature storage segment having flow passages extending through the storage segment whereby a working fluid can extract energy from the storage system for powering conventional downstream equipment. A mixing manifold cooperates with an outlet manifold for reducing the temperature of the working fluid to a temperature safe for the downstream equipment. The mixing manifold, an outlet manifold, an inlet manifold and a support base for the high temperature storage segment, are all of a high temperature tolerant material allowing the high temperature storage segment to operate at temperatures in excess of 1000? C. and preferably to temperatures above 1400? C. The temperature of the working fluid provided to the conventional equipment can be managed to be below a maximum temperature which in many cases may be about 700? C.

In order to improve the efficiency of solidification and melting of a heat storage material in a heat storage material unit, a heat storage material covered with a coating material is accommodated in a metal accommodating container having a high thermal conductivity, and the heat storage material unit is embedded in a thermal insulation panel in such a way that the accommodating container is exposed inside a merchandise accommodating compartment, thereby enabling a surface of the heat storage material that is embedded in the thermal insulation panel also to exhibit an action equivalent to that if the accommodating container is exposed in the merchandise accommodating compartment as a heat transfer element, thereby improving the efficiency of solidification (heat storage) and melting (heat dissipation) of the heat storage material.

A packaging system for transporting a payload while maintaining the payload within an acceptable temperature range. The payload is cooled by two sets of U-shaped heat pipes within the payload compartment. A set of cold heat pipes is cooled by a layer of phase change material located above the payload, while a set of warm heat pipes is cooled by a layer of phase change material located below the payload.

A thermal battery includes a heat sink material that remains solid across an operating temperature range (i.e., for all operating modes) of the battery, and a heat conductive material in direct heat transfer relationship with the solid heat sink material. The heat conductive material has a melting point below that of the heat sink material so that in use the heat conductive material is a fluid, for example molten when the heat conductive material is a metal, in the operating temperature range of the battery.

A system including: a pumped-heat energy storage system (PHES system), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy, wherein the PHES system comprises a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system; and (ii) a fluid path directing a hot fluid from a heat source external to the PHES system through a reheater, wherein a portion of the working fluid path through the turbine system comprises circulating the working fluid through a first turbine, the reheater, and a second turbine, and wherein the working fluid thermally contacts the hot fluid in the reheater, thereby transferring heat from the hot fluid to the working fluid.

A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.

Provided is an hybrid solar heat absorption cooling system comprising: an absorption refrigerator; a solar heat steam generator configured to generate steam using solar heat; a daytime steam supplying unit configured to supply steam generated by the solar heat steam generator during the day as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a daytime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the day; a nighttime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the daytime hot water storage tank during the night as a heat source for the absorption refrigerator; a nighttime hot water storage tank configured to store hot water discharged from the absorption refrigerator during the night; and a daytime hot water supplying unit configured to supply hot water stored in the nighttime hot water storage tank during the day to the solar heat steam generator.

A thermal transfer blanket includes a flexible container comprising a thermally insulating material. A thermal energy storage media is disposed within the flexible container.