A thermal energy storage (TES) component includes a shell having first and second ports, and at least a first set of thermally conductive sealed containers that contain a TES media for storing thermal energy. A first set of sealed tubes containing a first TES media are in a first section of the shell, and a second set of sealed tubes containing a different TES media are in a second section of the shell. Electric heating elements are immersed in at least some of the tubes, and may extend only from one end of the tube. In some embodiments more than one heating element is immersed in the TES media and positioned to enhance convective flow. In some embodiments electric heating elements are disposed externally on the sealed tubes. Some tubes are tapered or frustoconical, with heating elements provided in a larger-diameter portion of the tubes.

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 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).

The present invention provides an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus comprises a storage tank (100, 220) for receiving thermal energy storage fluid (103, 203) therein, a first energy transfer component (107, 205) and a second energy transfer component (106, 206). The storage tank has a first portion and a second portion, each portion having a first end vertically spaced from a second end. The first portion is in fluid communication with the second portion at the respective first ends and at the respective second ends. The first energy transfer component is configured to transfer thermal energy into thermal energy storage fluid in the first portion of the storage tank. The second energy transfer component is configured to transfer thermal energy from thermal energy storage fluid in the second portion of the storage tank. The energy storage apparatus is configured such that operation of at least one of the first energy transfer component and the second energy transfer component causes convective fluid flow of the thermal energy storage fluid from the first energy transfer component towards the second energy transfer component and from the second energy transfer component towards the first energy transfer component.

A thermal energy storage (TES) component includes a shell having first and second ports, and at least a first set of thermally conductive sealed containers that contain a TES media for storing thermal energy. A first set of sealed tubes containing a first TES media are in a first section of the shell, and a second set of sealed tubes containing a different TES media are in a second section of the shell. Electric heating elements are immersed in at least some of the tubes, and may extend only from one end of the tube. In some embodiments more than one heating element is immersed in the TES media and positioned to enhance convective flow. In some embodiments electric heating elements are disposed externally on the sealed tubes. Some tubes are tapered or frustoconical, with heating elements provided in a larger-diameter portion of the tubes.

Systems and methods for storing and releasing thermal energy for heating in a process of a chemical plant. Some such systems may include a contained volume of phase change material (PCM); and a heat-exchange system configured to communicate thermal energy from the PCM to one or more of a chemical reactant, the chemical intermediate, or the chemical product; where the PCM is configured to transition from an first state to a higher-enthalpy second state at a transition temperature that is equal to or above a process temperature for the relevant chemical reactant, chemical intermediate or chemical product; and where the PCM requires at least 2 MWh to transition from the first state to the second state.

Provided is a molten salt energy storage (MSES) electric heating system, including: an effect module configured to analyze a heat storage effect of each of different molten salt (MS) components; a cost module configured to analyze a cost consumption of each of the different MS components; an environmental protection module configured to analyze an environmental protection condition of each of the different MS components; a proportion module configured to determine a proportion of each of the different MS components; a demand module configured to calculate an actual demand; and a scheduling module configured to schedule stored heat. This system improves the efficiency of MSES.

Provided is a molten salt energy storage (MSES) electric heating system, including: an effect module configured to analyze a heat storage effect of each of different molten salt (MS) components; a cost module configured to analyze a cost consumption of each of the different MS components; an environmental protection module configured to analyze an environmental protection condition of each of the different MS components; a proportion module configured to determine a proportion of each of the different MS components; a demand module configured to calculate an actual demand; and a scheduling module configured to schedule stored heat. This system improves the efficiency of MSES.