Abstract

An electrical power generation and thermal battery system is described that comprises a thermal storage system; and a plurality of electrical power sources. The plurality of electrical power sources may include a photovoltaic system, and/or a wind power system combined with a concentrated solar power system. The thermal storage system is configured to store thermal energy from an electrical power source during a charging mode of the thermal storage system, and supply heat energy during a discharging mode of the thermal storage system.

IPC Classes  ?

• F02C 6/16 - Gas-turbine plants having means for storing energy, e.g. for meeting peak loads for storing compressed air
• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or

Abstract

Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly. The thermal storage system is configured to store thermal energy from the electric heater during a charging mode of the thermal storage system, and to heat the first fluid, which is then supplied to a heat exchange system during a discharging mode of the thermal storage system. The heat exchange system comprises at least one heat exchanger, and in some cases, at least a first and a second heat exchanger connected in series. The heat exchange system is positioned downstream from the thermal storage system and is configured to transfer heat from the heated first fluid to a second compressed fluid. The electricity generator may comprise at least one gas turbine and compressor. The compressor is configured to supply the second compressed fluid to the heat exchange system. The turbine is positioned with an inlet in fluid communication with and downstream from the heat exchange system so that the heated compressed second fluid is discharged from an outlet of the heat exchange system into the inlet of the turbine so that the turbine is able to generate electrical power therefrom. The power generated can be returned to the electrical power source, e.g., an electrical power grid.

IPC Classes  ?

• F02C 6/16 - Gas-turbine plants having means for storing energy, e.g. for meeting peak loads for storing compressed air
• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or

Abstract

Concentrated solar power and heating systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03G 6/06 - Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
• F24S 10/40 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar heat collectors
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 10/70 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits
• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or
• F24S 80/50 - Transparent coveringsElements for transmitting incoming solar rays and preventing outgoing heat radiation
• F24S 60/00 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors
• F24S 60/30 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors storing heat in liquids

Abstract

Systems related to concentrated solar combination heating and power generation; solar heating; industrial heat driven power generation; thermal storage systems and heat exchanger and power generation systems therefore, including any of the above with optional supplemental fuel production, and associated methods, are generally described.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F01K 7/16 - Steam engine plants characterised by the use of specific types of enginePlants or engines characterised by their use of special steam systems, cycles or processesControl means specially adapted for such systems, cycles or processesUse of withdrawn or exhaust steam for feed-water heating the engines being only of turbine type
• F02C 1/05 - Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of hot gases or unheated pressurised gases, as the working fluid the working fluid being heated indirectly characterised by the type or source of heat, e.g. using nuclear or solar energy
• F03G 6/00 - Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy
• F24S 20/40 - Solar heat collectors combined with other heat sources, e.g. using electrical heating or heat from ambient air
• F24S 60/00 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors

Abstract

Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly. The thermal storage system is configured to store thermal energy from the electric heater during a charging mode of the thermal storage system, and to heat the first fluid, which is then supplied to a heat exchange system during a discharging mode of the thermal storage system. The heat exchange system comprises at least one heat exchanger, and in some cases, at least a first and a second heat exchanger connected in series. The heat exchange system is positioned downstream from the thermal storage system and is configured to transfer heat from the heated first fluid to a second compressed fluid. The electricity generator may comprise at least one gas turbine and compressor. The compressor is configured to supply the second compressed fluid to the heat exchange system. The turbine is positioned with an inlet in fluid communication with and downstream from the heat exchange system so that the heated compressed second fluid is discharged from an outlet of the heat exchange system into the inlet of the turbine so that the turbine is able to generate electrical power therefrom. The power generated can be returned to the electrical power source, e.g., an electrical power grid.

IPC Classes  ?

• F02C 6/16 - Gas-turbine plants having means for storing energy, e.g. for meeting peak loads for storing compressed air
• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or

Abstract

Thermal battery systems for management (e.g., load management) of electrical power sources, and related methods, are generally described. Thermal battery systems in certain embodiments have an electric heater, a thermal storage system, a heat exchange system and an electricity generator. The electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, such as an electric power grid and to heat the thermal storage system. The electric heater may be a separate unit from the thermal storage system and heat the thermal storage system indirectly by heating a first fluid that is circulated through the thermal storage system during charging, or the electric heater may be integrated directly into the thermal storage system to heat it directly. The thermal storage system is configured to store thermal energy from the electric heater during a charging mode of the thermal storage system, and to heat the first fluid, which is then supplied to a heat exchange system during a discharging mode of the thermal storage system. The heat exchange system comprises at least one heat exchanger, and in some cases, at least a first and a second heat exchanger connected in series. The heat exchange system is positioned downstream from the thermal storage system and is configured to transfer heat from the heated first fluid to a second compressed fluid. The electricity generator may comprise at least one gas turbine and compressor. The compressor is configured to supply the second compressed fluid to the heat exchange system. The turbine is positioned with an inlet in fluid communication with and downstream from the heat exchange system so that the heated compressed second fluid is discharged from an outlet of the heat exchange system into the inlet of the turbine so that the turbine is able to generate electrical power therefrom. The power generated can be returned to the electrical power source, e.g., an electrical power grid.

IPC Classes  ?

• F01K 3/18 - Plants characterised by the use of steam or heat accumulators, or intermediate steam heaters, therein having heaters
• F02C 6/14 - Gas-turbine plants having means for storing energy, e.g. for meeting peak loads

Abstract

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03G 6/06 - Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
• F28D 19/04 - Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus in which the intermediate heat-transfer medium or body is moved successively into contact with each heat-exchange medium using rigid bodies, e.g. mounted on a movable carrier
• F24S 23/79 - Arrangements for concentrating solar rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with spaced and opposed interacting reflective surfaces
• F24S 10/80 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids comprising porous material or permeable masses directly contacting the working fluids
• F24S 70/12 - Details of absorbing elements characterised by the absorbing material made of metallic material
• F24S 10/40 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar heat collectors
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 80/20 - Working fluids specially adapted for solar heat collectors
• F02C 1/04 - Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of hot gases or unheated pressurised gases, as the working fluid the working fluid being heated indirectly
• F02C 1/08 - Semi-closed cycles

Abstract

Systems related to concentrated solar combination heating and power generation; solar heating; industrial heat driven power generation; thermal storage systems and heat exchanger and power generation systems therefore, including any of the above with optional supplemental fuel production, and associated methods, are generally described.

IPC Classes  ?

• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F02C 1/05 - Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of hot gases or unheated pressurised gases, as the working fluid the working fluid being heated indirectly characterised by the type or source of heat, e.g. using nuclear or solar energy
• F03G 6/06 - Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means

Abstract

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03G 6/06 - Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
• F28D 19/04 - Regenerative heat-exchange apparatus in which the intermediate heat-transfer medium or body is moved successively into contact with each heat-exchange medium using rigid bodies, e.g. mounted on a movable carrier
• F24S 23/79 - Arrangements for concentrating solar rays for solar heat collectors with reflectors with spaced and opposed interacting reflective surfaces
• F24S 10/80 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids comprising porous material or permeable masses directly contacting the working fluids
• F24S 70/12 - Details of absorbing elements characterised by the absorbing material made of metallic material
• F24S 10/40 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar heat collectors
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 80/20 - Working fluids specially adapted for solar heat collectors
• F02C 1/04 - Gas-turbine plants characterised by the use of hot gases or unheated pressurised gases, as the working fluid the working fluid being heated indirectly
• F02C 1/08 - Semi-closed cycles

Abstract

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described.

IPC Classes  ?

• F03G 6/06 - Devices for producing mechanical power from solar energy with solar energy concentrating means
• F24J 2/05 - surrounded by a transparent enclosure, e.g. evacuated solar collectors
• F24J 2/24 - the working fluid being conveyed through tubular heat absorbing conduits
• F24J 2/07 - Receivers working at high temperature, e.g. for solar power plants
• F24S 10/40 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids in absorbing elements surrounded by transparent enclosures, e.g. evacuated solar heat collectors
• F24S 20/20 - Solar heat collectors for receiving concentrated solar energy, e.g. receivers for solar power plants
• F24S 10/70 - Solar heat collectors using working fluids the working fluids being conveyed through tubular absorbing conduits
• F28D 20/00 - Heat storage plants or apparatus in generalRegenerative heat-exchange apparatus not covered by groups or
• F24S 80/50 - Transparent coveringsElements for transmitting incoming solar rays and preventing outgoing heat radiation
• F24S 60/00 - Arrangements for storing heat collected by solar heat collectors