SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENERGY STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL

摘要

The present disclosure provides pumped thermal energy storage systems that can be used to store electrical energy. A pumped thermal energy storage system of the present disclosure can store energy by operating as a heat pump or refrigerator, whereby net work input can be used to transfer heat from the cold side to the hot side. A working fluid of the system is capable of efficient heat exchange with heat storage fluids on a hot side of the system and on a cold side of the system. The system can extract energy by operating as a heat engine transferring heat from the hot side to the cold side, which can result in net work output. Systems of the present disclosure can employ solar heating for improved storage efficiency.

主权项

1. An energy storage and retrieval system, comprising:
a compressor; a first heat storage unit; a turbine; a second heat storage unit; a working fluid that flows along a fluid flow path in a closed cycle including, in sequence, the compressor, the first heat storage unit, the turbine, and the second heat storage unit; and an auxiliary tank comprising the working fluid, wherein the auxiliary tank is in fluid communication with the fluid flow path of the closed cycle; and wherein the system alternately operates as both (i) a heat engine to provide mechanical work from heat and (ii) as a heat pump to use mechanical work to store heat.