A power plant for generating electrical energy comprises at least a heat storage device (100) for storing electrical energy in heat energy, comprising: an electrical heater (10) for converting electrical energy in heat energy; a heat storage body (30, 31) for receiving and storing heat energy of the electrical heater (10); a heat exchanger (50) for receiving heat energy from the heat storage body (30, 31). The power plant further comprises a turbine (120) and a generator (123). A heat storage fluid circuit (130) connects to the heat exchanger (50) or the heat exchangers (50) and a working fluid circuit (140) connects to the turbine (120). A fluid circuit heat exchanger (131) transfers heat from the heat storage fluid to a working fluid in the working fluid circuit (140).

A thermal retention apparatus includes a tank and a phase change thermal energy storage unit contained within the tank that, in turn, includes a phase change material and a heat exchanger assembly. The heat exchanger assembly includes a phase change material (PCM) charging circuit for charging the phase change material, and a PCM discharging circuit for discharging the phase change material. The heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of heat exchanger modules immersed within the phase change material, and the PCM charging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in parallel. The PCM discharging circuit includes a fluid flow arrangement of the heat exchanger modules that is in series.

Provided is a heating installation including an energy store including a latent heat energy storage medium, and a heat pump having a defrost cycle, the heating installation including a hot water supply system arranged to supply instantaneous heated water and space heating to a building, and a processor to control the installation. The processor being configured to: control the supply of heat from the heat pump to the latent heat energy storage medium to store heat for heating water and to a heating circuit for providing space heating; and estimate a likelihood of a defrost cycle by the heat pump. In anticipation of an impending defrost cycle, the processor further being configured to control operation of the installation to store additional energy by at least one of: heating the latent heat energy storage medium to a higher level than a level set for anticipated water heating demand alone and/or heating the building and/or circulating heating fluid of the installation to a higher level than a level set for desired building heating; to compensate for an absence of heat from the heat pump during the impending defrost cycle.

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.

Systems, methods, and computer-implemented embodiments consistent with the inventions herein are directed to storing and/or transferring heat. In one exemplary implementation, there is provided a system for transferring/storing heat comprised of a heat exchange/storage apparatus including a chamber, and a heat input device adapted to heat/provide a vapor into the chamber. Other exemplary implementations may include one or more features consistent with a heat output device through which a working medium/fluid passes, a thermal storage medium located within the chamber, and/or a heat exchange system that delivers a heat exchange medium/fluid to the thermal storage medium.

Provided is a heating installation including an energy store including a latent heat energy storage medium, and a heat pump having a defrost cycle, the heating installation including a hot water supply system arranged to supply instantaneous heated water and space heating to a building, and a processor to control the installation. The processor being configured to: control the supply of heat from the heat pump to the latent heat energy storage medium to store heat for heating water and to a heating circuit for providing space heating; and estimate a likelihood of a defrost cycle by the heat pump. In anticipation of an impending defrost cycle, the processor further being configured to control operation of the installation to store additional energy by at least one of: heating the latent heat energy storage medium to a higher level than a level set for anticipated water heating demand alone and/or heating the building and/or circulating heating fluid of the installation to a higher level than a level set for desired building heating; to compensate for an absence of heat from the heat pump during the impending defrost cycle.