The present invention relates to an energy storage apparatus (101) and a method of operation. The energy storage apparatus (101) comprising: a hot reservoir (102) containing a first storage medium; a cold reservoir (103) containing a second storage medium; and an intermediary reservoir (104) containing a third storage medium. The energy storage apparatus (101) further comprising a first heat engine (105) thermally couplable to the hot reservoir (102) and to the cold reservoir (103), wherein the first storage medium is a heat source for the first heat engine (105) and the second storage medium is a heat sink for the first heat engine (105). The energy storage apparatus (101) further comprising a first heat pump (125) having a cold side thermally couplable to the cold reservoir (103) for cooling the second storage medium and a hot side thermally couplable to the intermediary reservoir (104) for heating the third storage medium. The energy storage apparatus (101) is operable in: a first hot reservoir discharge mode in which the first heat engine (105) generates work from a temperature difference between the hot reservoir (102) and cold reservoir (103) and a first cold reservoir charge mode in which the first heat pump (125) is energised to cool the second storage medium and heat the third storage medium.
A thermodynamic cycle apparatus is provided. The thermodynamic cycle apparatus includes: (i) a first reservoir containing a first storage medium; (ii) a second reservoir containing a second storage medium; (iii) a heat pump having a cold side thermally coupled to the first reservoir for cooling the first storage medium and a hot side thermally coupled to the second reservoir for heating the second storage medium; (iv) a first thermodynamic circuit of a first working fluid; (v) a second thermodynamic circuit of a second working fluid; (vi) an auxiliary heat input thermally connected to the first thermodynamic circuit so that auxiliary heat may contribute to the creation of the first pressurized vapor; and (vii) an auxiliary heat output thermally connected to the second thermodynamic circuit so that the second working fluid can lose heat to an auxiliary heat sink.
F01K 23/04 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled condensation heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
F01K 3/12 - Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein having two or more accumulators
F01K 23/02 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled
A thermodynamic cycle apparatus comprising: (i) a first reservoir containing a first storage medium; (ii) a second reservoir containing a second storage medium; (iii) a heat pump having a cold side thermally coupled to the first reservoir for cooling the first storage medium and a hot side thermally coupled to the second reservoir for heating the second storage medium; (iv) a first thermodynamic circuit of a first working fluid; (v) a second thermodynamic circuit of a second working fluid, independent of (i); (vi) an auxiliary heat input means thermally connected to the first thermodynamic circuit so that auxiliary heat may contribute to the creation of the first pressurised vapour; and (vii) an auxiliary heat output means thermally connected to the second thermodynamic circuit so that the second working fluid can lose heat to an auxiliary heat sink. The apparatus being operable in a charging mode, a storage mode, and a discharge mode.
F01K 3/12 - Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein having two or more accumulators
F01K 23/02 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled
F01K 23/04 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled condensation heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
A thermodynamic cycle apparatus comprising: (i) a first reservoir containing a first storage medium; (ii) a second reservoir containing a second storage medium; (iii) a heat pump having a cold side thermally coupled to the first reservoir for cooling the first storage medium and a hot side thermally coupled to the second reservoir for heating the second storage medium; (iv) a first thermodynamic circuit of a first working fluid; (v) a second thermodynamic circuit of a second working fluid; (vi) an auxiliary heat input means thermally connected to the first thermodynamic circuit so that auxiliary heat may contribute to the creation of the first pressurised vapour; and (vii) an auxiliary heat output means thermally connected to the second thermodynamic circuit so that the second working fluid can lose heat to an auxiliary heat sink. The first thermodynamic circuit is thermally independent of the second thermodynamic circuit, and the apparatus is operable in a charging mode, a storage mode, and a discharge mode. In the charging mode the heat pump is energised to cool the first storage medium and heat the second storage medium. In the storage mode cooled first storage medium is stored in the first reservoir and heated second storage medium is stored in the second reservoir. In the discharge mode, the first pressurised vapour is expanded by the first expander and/or the second pressurised vapour is expanded by the second expander.
F01K 23/04 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled condensation heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
F01K 3/12 - Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein having two or more accumulators
F01K 23/02 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled
An energy storage apparatus includes a first circuit containing a first phase change material, a second circuit containing a second phase change material, and a heat pump having a cold side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first circuit and a hot side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the second circuit. The apparatus is operable in a charging mode, a storage mode, and a discharge mode. In the charging mode the heat pump is energized to cool the first phase change material and heat the second phase change material. In the storage mode the first phase change material is stored in a first storage vessel and the second phase change material is stored as a pressurized vapor in a second storage vessel. In the discharge mode vaporized first phase change material is expanded by a first expander, or the vaporized second phase change material is expanded by a second expander.
F01K 23/04 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled condensation heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
F01K 3/12 - Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein having two or more accumulators
F01K 25/10 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours the vapours being cold, e.g. ammonia, carbon dioxide, ether
F01K 17/00 - Use of steam or condensate extracted or exhausted from steam engine plant
F28D 15/02 - Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat-pipes
F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
F01K 3/00 - Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein
F01K 13/00 - General layout or general methods of operation, of complete steam engine plants
An energy storage apparatus comprising a first fluidic circuit containing a first phase change material, the first fluidic circuit including a first storage vessel and a first expander, and a second fluidic circuit containing a second phase change material having a boiling point greater than a boiling point of the first phase change material, the second fluidic circuit including a second storage vessel and a second expander. The energy storage apparatus further comprises a heat pump having a cold side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first fluidic circuit and a hot side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the second fluidic circuit. The apparatus is operable in a charging mode, a storage mode following the charging mode, and a discharge mode following the storage mode. In the charging mode the heat pump is energised to cool the first phase change material and heat the second phase change material. In the storage mode the first phase change material is stored in the first storage vessel and the second phase change material is stored as a pressurised vapour in the second storage vessel. In the discharge mode vaporised first phase change material is expanded by the first expander, and/or the vaporised second phase change material is expanded by the second expander.
F01K 3/12 - Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein having two or more accumulators
F01K 23/04 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled condensation heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
F01K 25/10 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours the vapours being cold, e.g. ammonia, carbon dioxide, ether
An energy storage apparatus comprising a first fluidic circuit containing a first phase change material, the first fluidic circuit including a first storage vessel and a first expander, and a second fluidic circuit containing a second phase change material having a boiling point greater than a boiling point of the first phase change material, the second fluidic circuit including a second storage vessel and a second expander. The energy storage apparatus further comprises a heat pump having a cold side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the first fluidic circuit and a hot side heat exchanger thermally coupled to the second fluidic circuit. The apparatus is operable in a charging mode, a storage mode following the charging mode, and a discharge mode following the storage mode. In the charging mode the heat pump is energised to cool the first phase change material and heat the second phase change material. In the storage mode the first phase change material is stored in the first storage vessel and the second phase change material is stored as a pressurised vapour in the second storage vessel. In the discharge mode vaporised first phase change material is expanded by the first expander, and/or the vaporised second phase change material is expanded by the second expander.
F01K 3/12 - Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein having two or more accumulators
F01K 23/04 - Plants characterised by more than one engine delivering power external to the plant, the engines being driven by different fluids the engine cycles being thermally coupled condensation heat from one cycle heating the fluid in another cycle
F01K 25/10 - Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided forPlants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours the vapours being cold, e.g. ammonia, carbon dioxide, ether
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