Abstract: A system and method for storing energy from an electrical grid utilizes a system heat pump at a premises for transferring energy from the grid to a thermal storage reservoir and a premises heat pump that can use the stored energy to provide, for example, heat to the premises. The system heat pump and premises heat pump desirably operate independently of one another so that energy can be transferred to the thermal storage reservoir regardless of whether energy is being withdrawn by the premises heat pump. Plural energy storage systems utilizing respective system and premises heat pumps and thermal storage reservoirs can form a part of the utility customer system with the system heat pumps being operable to shape the load on the electrical grid. A system heat pump can be operated to minimize a customer's bill, or the utility's cost and alternatively to achieve other purposes, depending upon the mode of operation of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for storing energy from an electrical grid utilizes a system heat pump at a premises for transferring energy from the grid to a thermal storage reservoir and a premises heat pump that can use the stored energy to provide, for example, heat to the premises. The system heat pump and premises heat pump desirably operate independently of one another so that energy can be transferred to the thermal storage reservoir regardless of whether energy is being withdrawn by the premises heat pump. Plural energy storage systems utilizing respective system and premises heat pumps and thermal storage reservoirs can form a part of the utility customer system with the system heat pumps being operable to shape the load on the electrical grid. A system heat pump can be operated to minimize a customer's bill, or the utility's cost and alternatively to achieve other purposes, depending upon the mode of operation of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for storing energy from an electrical grid utilizes a system heat pump at a premises for transferring energy from the grid to a thermal storage reservoir and a premises heat pump that can use the stored energy to provide, for example, heat to the premises. The system heat pump and premises heat pump desirably operate independently of one another so that energy can be transferred to the thermal storage reservoir regardless of whether energy is being withdrawn by the premises heat pump. Plural energy storage systems utilizing respective system and premises heat pumps and thermal storage reservoirs can form a part of the utility customer system with the system heat pumps being operable to shape the load on the electrical grid. A system heat pump can be operated to minimize a customer's bill, or the utility's cost and alternatively to achieve other purposes, depending upon the mode of operation of the system.

Abstract: A gondola tub type railway car having an arrangement for transferring payloads from the car side panels more directly to the bolsters. The car at each end has a lower bolster for support by a car truck, and an upper bolster secured to the lower bolster preferably through a shear plate. A center plate unit extends upwardly from the lower bolster into the upper bolster and is secured to the latter. The car, at each end, is provided with a reaction beam located inboard of the associated bolster, and is secured to the shear plate and to side members, and cooperates with the bolster in resisting the couple created by draft and buff forces acting in offset relation to the plane of the shear plate.