A method for operating a plurality of wind energy installations configured for supplying electric power to an electrical supply system, that each have an aerodynamic rotor with rotor blades and an electrical generator and also operating equipment, is disclosed. The wind energy installations are operated while they are not connected to the electrical supply system, where at least one of the wind energy installations produces electric power and inputs the electric power into a local DC voltage system that connects the wind energy installations if the at least one of the wind energy installations currently produces more power than needed for supplying its own operating equipment. Additionally or alternatively, the operating equipment is supplied totally or in part with power from the local DC voltage system if the at least one of the wind energy installations currently produces less power than needed for supplying its operating equipment.

An installation for storing thermal energy is provided. The storage is carried out by the compression and relaxation of a working gas, wherein pump and compressor can be driven by, for example, electric motors which temporarily absorb excess power generated in the power grid. The generated thermal energy is temporarily stored in a cold accumulator and a heat accumulator. According to the invention, a vapor circuit is provided to connect to the heat accumulator and the cold accumulator for discharging the installation, by which a turbine for generating electrical energy can be driven by a generator. Said circuit is implemented by means of another conduit system distinct from the circuit for charging the installation. Advantageously, thermal energy generated from overcapacities in the power grid can thus be reconverted with high yield into electrical energy via a vapor circuit.

An installation for storing thermal energy is provided. The storage is carried out by the compression and relaxation of a working gas, wherein pump and compressor can be driven by, for example, electric motors which temporarily absorb excess power generated in the power grid. The generated thermal energy is temporarily stored in a cold accumulator and a heat accumulator. According to the invention, a vapor circuit is provided to connect to the heat accumulator and the cold accumulator for discharging the installation, by which a turbine for generating electrical energy can be driven by a generator. Said circuit is implemented by means of another conduit system distinct from the circuit for charging the installation. Advantageously, thermal energy generated from overcapacities in the power grid can thus be reconverted with high yield into electrical energy via a vapor circuit.

The disclosed heat generating apparatus includes: a rotary shaft, a heat generator, a plurality of permanent magnets, a magnet holder, and a heat recovery system. The rotary shaft is rotatably supported by a non-rotative body. The heat generator is fixed to the body. The magnets are arrayed to face the heat generator with a gap such that magnetic pole arrangements of adjacent ones of the magnets are opposite to each other. The magnet holder holds the magnets and is fixed to the rotary shaft. The heat recovery system collects heat generated in the heat generator. A non-magnetic partition wall is provided in the gap between the heat generator and the magnets.

The disclosed heat generating apparatus includes: a rotary shaft, a heat generator, a plurality of permanent magnets, a magnet holder, and a heat recovery system. The rotary shaft is rotatably supported by a non-rotative body. The heat generator is fixed to the body. The magnets are arrayed to face the heat generator with a gap such that magnetic pole arrangements of adjacent ones of the magnets are opposite to each other. The magnet holder holds the magnets and is fixed to the rotary shaft. The heat recovery system collects heat generated in the heat generator. A non-magnetic partition wall is provided in the gap between the heat generator and the magnets.

The disclosed heat generating apparatus includes: a rotary shaft, a heat generator, a plurality of permanent magnets, a magnet holder, and a heat recovery system. The rotary shaft is rotatably supported by a non-rotative body. The heat generator is fixed to the rotary shaft. The magnets are arrayed to face the heat generator with a gap such that magnetic pole arrangements of adjacent ones of the magnets are opposite to each other. The magnet holder holds the magnets and is fixed to the body. The heat recovery system collects heat generated in the heat generator.

The disclosed heat generating apparatus includes: a rotary shaft, a heat generator, a plurality of permanent magnets, a magnet holder, and a heat recovery system. The rotary shaft is rotatably supported by a non-rotative body. The heat generator is fixed to the rotary shaft. The magnets are arrayed to face the heat generator with a gap such that magnetic pole arrangements of adjacent ones of the magnets are opposite to each other. The magnet holder holds the magnets and is fixed to the body. The heat recovery system collects heat generated in the heat generator.

According to various embodiments, a direct air capture system includes: a wind turbine that includes one or more blades and generates electrical energy when first air flows across the one or more blades; a carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) adsorption chamber that includes one or more amine-containing CO.sub.2 adsorbers and receives second air when the first air flows across the one or more blades; and a water reservoir that generates steam using a portion of the electrical energy generated by the wind turbine, wherein the water reservoir is fluidly coupled to and isolated from the CO.sub.2 adsorption chamber via one or more valves.

A wind turbine assembly including a rotor system, a generator, a first converter, a second converter, and a controller system. The first converter includes a first bridge circuit having a plurality of switch members each having a controllable switch. The second converter includes a second bridge circuit having a plurality of switch members each having a controllable switch. The controller system is adapted to provide a drying operation for second converter including short circuiting the second converter with the controllable switches of the second bridge in circuit, and supplying power from the generator through the first converter to the short circuited second converter for drying the second converter.

A wind turbine assembly including a rotor system, a generator, a first converter, a second converter, and a controller system. The first converter includes a first bridge circuit having a plurality of switch members each having a controllable switch. The second converter includes a second bridge circuit having a plurality of switch members each having a controllable switch. The controller system is adapted to provide a drying operation for second converter including short circuiting the second converter with the controllable switches of the second bridge in circuit, and supplying power from the generator through the first converter to the short circuited second converter for drying the second converter.