A multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system is configured to store thermal energy during a cooling/dehumidifcation mode of operation for future use during a heating mode of operation. The multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system utilizes a ground loop that is configured under an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, and is in thermal communication with a thermal reservoir medium to conduct and store heat. A thermal exchange fluid is pumped through the ground loop and ground heat exchanger and may receive heat from a condenser during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a heating mode. The enclosure air may receive heat from the heat pump during a heating mode and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a cooling/dehumidification mode. The heat exchange system may employ a heat pump having a reversing valve to change the mode of operation.

When a heating operation mode using a heating unit is specified and when a hot water supply request using the hot water in a hot water storage tank does not occur, an air conditioning apparatus transmits a first selection signal for selecting the heating unit to a three-way valve. When the heating operation mode is specified and when the hot water supply request occurs, the air conditioning apparatus transmits, to the three-way valve, a second selection signal for changing a destination of circulation of secondary refrigerant from the heating unit to a coil heat exchanger, and transmits an operation start signal to a refrigerant indoor unit.

A multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system is configured to store thermal energy during a cooling/dehumidifcation mode of operation for future use during a heating mode of operation. The multi-source ground-to-air heat transfer system utilizes a ground loop that is configured under an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, and is in thermal communication with a thermal reservoir medium to conduct and store heat. A thermal exchange fluid is pumped through the ground loop and ground heat exchanger and may receive heat from a condenser during a cooling/dehumidification mode of operation and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a heating mode. The enclosure air may receive heat from the heat pump during a heating mode and may liberate heat to the evaporator during a cooling/dehumidification mode. The heat exchange system may employ a heat pump having a reversing valve to change the mode of operation.

An energy system includes a turbine flue heat exchanger feeding a storage tank arranged to deliver water on a high temperature (90° C.) line to supply circuits. A heat pump and storage tank are arranged to deliver lower temperature (45° C.) water on a low temperature line to the supply circuits. A number of the supply circuits are each arranged to receive high temperature water, receive low temperature water, and use these flows to deliver a process water supply at a desired high, low or intermediate temperature (65° C.). In some each supply circuits the blending is controlled by control of a low temperature line pump according to temperature of the process outlet. The low temperature tank is supplied by a heat pump the inlet of which is fed by a heat recovery heat exchanger which recovers waste heat from a plant, and so it is more efficient than if it received cold water. Electrical energy for the heat pump is at least partly supplied by the high temperature heater gas turbine. Overall, the system has excellent energy efficiency due to the manner in which waste heat is utilized, improved efficiency of a heat pump, and real time control of the high and low water lines.

The present invention provides for a combined heat and power system including at least one engine, operatively coupled to a generator, having at least one first heat source adapted to provide a first thermal energy output at a first temperature range, and at least one second heat source adapted to provide a second thermal energy output at a second temperature range, at least one first heat exchanger, operatively coupled to said at least one engine, and adapted to selectively receive and transfer at least a portion of any one or all of said first thermal energy output and said at least one second thermal energy output; and a dynamically adaptive heat storage system.

An aspect of some embodiments of the current invention relates to an integrated system for heat distribution among a plurality of users. In some embodiments, the system includes a separate automatic control of heat distribution to each user and/or separate billing to each user. For example, a system may supply hot fluid to a plurality of apartments in a building and/or in multiple buildings. Optionally, each apartment has separate remote controlled valves controlling flow of heated fluid to the apartment and/or a sensor sensing how much heat enters and leaves the apartment in the hot fluid. In some embodiments, a processor controls the valve and/or receives data from sensors. The processor optionally controls devices that generate and/or store and/or dissipate heat. Optionally the processor predicts energy availability, costs and needs controls valves and/or devices to provide for predicted and/or unexpected needs while reduce cost of the energy.

Building heating and/or cooling methods are provided that can include: distributing fluid from within conduits within a concrete floor of a building to conduits within grounds surrounding and/or supporting the building; diverting at least some of the fluid exiting the conduits within the grounds surrounding and/or supporting the building to a dehumidifier operably associated with the interior of the building; and returning the at least some of the fluid from the dehumidifier to the conduits within the grounds surrounding and/or supporting the building.

Building heating and/or cooling methods of the present disclosure can include continuously distributing fluid from within conduits within a concrete floor of a building to conduits within grounds surrounding and/or supporting the building.

The present invention provides for a combined heat and power system, comprising: at least one engine, operatively coupled to a generator, having at least one first heat source adapted to provide a first thermal energy output at a first temperature range, and at least one second heat source adapted to provide a second thermal energy output at a second temperature range; at least one first heat exchanger, operatively coupled to said at least one engine, and adapted to selectively receive and transfer at least a portion of any one or all of said first thermal energy output and said at least one second thermal energy output; and a dynamically adaptive heat storage system. The dynamically adaptive heat storage system further comprises: a selectively variable first thermal energy store, adapted to accept, store and discharge thermal energy at said first temperature range; at least one selectively variable second thermal energy store, adapted to accept, store and discharge thermal energy at said second temperature range; at least one first heat pump, operatively coupled to said first thermal energy store and said at least one second thermal energy store, and which is adapted to transfer and thermally upgrade the thermal energy stored in said at least one second thermal energy store to said first thermal energy store, and a system controller, adapted to selectively engage any one or all of said at least one first heat source and said at least one second heat source and control the amount of thermal energy that is stored, upgraded or discharged, so as to optimise the energy efficiency of said combined heat and power system.

A thermodynamic boiler for exchanging (providing or drawing) heat with a heating circuit includes a thermal compressor. The thermal compressor acts on a compressible fluid and includes at least one compression stage, with an alternating bi-directional piston separating a first chamber and a second chamber, and a first fuel burner forming a heat source coupled to the first chamber. The thermal compressor uses the heating circuit as a cold source coupled to the second chamber and forms the compression function of a reversible heat pump type loop.