A water heater system includes a water heater and a thermal mixing valve. The water heater includes a tank and a cap that each define interior volumes. The interior volume of the tank includes a heating element is the location where fluid is heated, whereas the cap includes a volume within which the thermal mixing valve may be disposed. The thermal mixing valve pulls cool and warm water from the volume of the tank, and then discharges a mixed stream of fluid at a user desired temperature via an outlet.

Provided is a thermal energy storage including a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a thermal energy storage structure arranged within the housing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the thermal energy storage structure including thermal energy storage elements and flexible separator elements, the flexible separator elements being arranged such that the thermal energy storage elements are separated into layers, each layer forming a channel between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing a thermal energy storage and a power plant for producing electrical energy is provided.

A heat store (10) for an energy storage system includes a solid body (20) comprising a solid thermally conductive matrix (22) with a solid thermal filler material (21) embedded therein. The solid thermally conductive matrix (22) forms a thermally conductive pathway to the solid thermal filler material (21) distributed within the solid thermally conductive matrix (22). The heat store (10) for the energy storage system also includes a thermal transfer element (30).

The disclosure relates to a thermosiphon system operable to consistently maintain the permafrost and active frost layer in a frozen condition to adequately support buildings and other structures. During cooler seasons, the thermosiphon system uses a passive refrigeration cycle to efficiently maintain the frozen layers using the cold air. When the air temperature rises during the warmer months, the system transitions into an active refrigeration mode that uses a refrigeration system to minimize thawing or degradation of the permafrost and active frost layers.

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.

Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly. The thermal storage system is configured to store thermal energy from the electric heater during a charging mode of the thermal storage system, and to heat the first fluid, which is then supplied to a heat exchange system during a discharging mode of the thermal storage system. The heat exchange system comprises at least one heat exchanger, and in some cases, at least a first and a second heat exchanger connected in series. The heat exchange system is positioned downstream from the thermal storage system and is configured to transfer heat from the heated first fluid to a second compressed fluid. The electricity generator may comprise at least one gas turbine and compressor. The compressor is configured to supply the second compressed fluid to the heat exchange system. The turbine is positioned with an inlet in fluid communication with and downstream from the heat exchange system so that the heated compressed second fluid is discharged from an outlet of the heat exchange system into the inlet of the turbine so that the turbine is able to generate electrical power therefrom. The power generated can be returned to the electrical power source, e.g., an electrical power grid.

A method of flattening electric energy demand from an electric grid including during less-than-peak electricity demand periods, freezing Phase Change Material (PCM) in a Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system, and during peak electricity demand periods, using the TES to cool air conditioning refrigerant fluid. A system of flattening electric energy demand of an air-conditioner from an electric grid including an air conditioner, a Thermal Energy Storage system, and a controller, wherein the controller is programmed to implement the above method. A method of freezing Phase Change Material (PCM) in a Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system including setting a temperature of heat exchange fluid at a temperature higher than −10 degrees Celsius when directed to ice bricks containing water and an ice nucleation agent. A Thermal Energy Storage (TES) system controller programmed to discharge more than 50% of a heat capacity of the TES. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Provided is a heat accumulator including a heat exchange chamber having a lower portion and an upper portion and being configured to accommodate therein heat storage elements for storing thermal energy, wherein the heat exchange chamber includes an inlet which is configured to supply a working fluid into the heat exchange chamber. A passively controlled first pressure loss regulating device is arranged within the flow of the working fluid in the heat exchange chamber and configured to pass the working fluid through, wherein the first pressure loss regulating device is configured to form a first flow resistance for a flow of the working fluid in the first pressure loss regulating device being different to a flow resistance for a flow of the working fluid in the heat exchange chamber adjacent and outside the first pressure loss regulating device.

Provided herein are a heat exchange apparatus intended to achieve compatibility between installation flexibility and durability and a method of manufacturing the heat exchange apparatus. The heat exchange apparatus is a heat exchange apparatus that exchanges heat between a heat storage material and a fluid. The heat exchange apparatus includes a first heat storage module and a second heat storage module, each having the heat storage material and a box-like shape, and a housing containing the first heat storage module and the second heat storage module. The first heat storage module is disposed in the same orientation as that of the second heat storage module.

A tank-type water heater includes a storage tank and a heating circuit outside of the tank. The heating circuit includes at least one heat engine and at least one pump for circulating water from the bottom of the tank through the heat engine and back to the top of the tank. A stratifier introduces the heated water from the heating circuit into the top of the tank in a diffuse manner to promote stratification of hot water in the tank.