Abstract: Systems, methods, devices and apparatus for operating an energy system that can include an energy storage system.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, a Liquid Air Energy Storage apparatus comprises one or more motors, one or more generators, one or more transformers, and a liquid air storage unit. The one or more motors can be adapted to compress a working fluid. The one or more generators can be adapted to produce electric energy. The one or more transformers can be adapted to convert electric energy. At least one of the motors, the generators, and the transformers can comprise a superconductive material.

Abstract: An energy processing apparatus includes an energy input unit, a bulk storage unit, an auxiliary unit, and an energy output unit. The energy input unit can include conduits/devices for the input of electrical/thermal energy sources. The bulk storage unit can include a system, conduits/devices for electrical/thermal energy storage/release. The auxiliary unit can include a system, conduits/devices for the production of material products. The energy output unit can contain conduits/devices for the output of electrical energy. The energy input unit can be connected to the bulk storage unit, auxiliary unit, and energy output unit by conduits/devices for the transfer of electrical/thermal energy. The bulk storage unit and auxiliary unit can be connected by conduits/devices for the transfer of material products and/or thermal energy. The energy output unit can be connected to the energy input unit and/or bulk storage unit by conduits/devices for the transfer of electrical energy.

Abstract: An energy storage facility comprising at least one energy storage device and one renewable energy generating device is disclosed. The energy storage device can operate in a few modes of operation, consisting of at least a charging cycle and a discharging cycle. During one period of the charging cycle, energy is consumed by and stored within the energy storage device, and during a second period of discharging, energy from the storage device is dispatched to the grid. The total amount of energy consumed by the storage device is larger than the total amount of energy dispatched from the storage device. The total amount of energy dispatched to the electrical grid from both the storage device and the renewable energy generating device does not exceed the total amount of energy drawn down from the grid.

Abstract: A solar energy production and storage apparatus includes an energy storage unit, a solar photovoltaic (PV) unit, a solar thermal unit, and a high temperature thermal storage unit. The energy storage unit can be a Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) unit which can include an electrical energy input, an electrical energy output, and one or more conduits to transfer at least one of thermal energy and working fluid between the LAES unit and the high temperature thermal storage unit. The solar PV unit can produce electrical energy and can include an electrical energy output. The solar thermal unit can produce thermal energy, the solar thermal unit comprising a thermal energy output. The high temperature thermal storage unit can include a thermal energy input and one or more conduits to transfer at least one of thermal energy and working fluid between the LAES unit and the high temperature thermal storage unit.

Abstract: An energy storage apparatus comprising a storage unit, a charge unit, and a discharge power units. The charge unit can have a power capacity that is N/efficiency higher than that of the discharge power unit, where N is significantly greater than unity. The apparatus can comprise a storage dissipation component that can selectively waste stored energy, incoming energy, or withdrawn energy such that the total energy storage capacity or rate capacity of energy storage is increased. Efficiency can be defined as maximum quantity of energy that can be withdrawn for a given quantity stored of the energy storage apparatus with zero waste energy storage selected. The charge unit can be connected to receive power from one or more power sources and the discharge power unit can be connected to dispatch power to a power consumer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for liquid air energy storage in conjunction with power generating cycles. A system can comprise a power generation apparatus and an energy storage apparatus. The energy storage apparatus can comprise a thermal energy storage unit, and the power generation apparatus and energy storage apparatus can be interconnected via the thermal energy storage unit enabling energy transfer from a first cycle of one of the power generation apparatus and energy storage apparatus to a second cycle of the other apparatus.

Abstract: A multi-mode solar power generation system can include a first energy conversion system that generates electricity from a working fluid heated by a portion of solar radiation focused by a plurality of heliostats. The multi-mode solar power generation system can also include a second energy conversion system that generates electricity from an unused portion of the focused solar radiation using a different energy conversion mode than that of the first energy conversion system. The second energy conversion system can include one or more photovoltaic converters, which directly convert solar radiation to electricity. The unused radiation from the first energy conversion system can include radiation spillage or dumped radiation from a thermal receiver of the first energy conversion system.

Abstract: A bioreactor and bioreactor system are suitable for the growth of materials from algae. More specifically, the system preferred embodiments use concentrated sunlight in a solo- or co-generation system to produce algae and products therefrom as well as solar thermal energy.

Abstract: Light management systems and related methods disclosed herein are able to re-direct solar insolation. In some embodiments, a system for harvesting insolation may include a solar target, such as one or more photovoltaic assemblies and/or bioreactor targets. In some embodiments, a substantially uniform light distribution is provided within and/or on the targets.

Abstract: A generating facility is provided for generating electricity from both solar and non-solar energy sources. The solar generating portion of the facility includes capability to directly generate electricity from solar insolation, or to store the solar energy in a tangible medium, including stored heat, or solar generating fuel. The generating facility is configured to generate electricity simultaneously from both solar and non-solar sources, as well a solely from immediate solar insolation and from solar energy stored in a tangible medium. Additionally, the solar generating capacity may be segregated; such that separate spectra of solar insolation are used to capture heat for steam turbine based electrical generation, capture light energy for photovoltaic based electrical generation, and to grow biomass to generate a solar fuel.

Abstract: A solar power system may include at least one reflector The reflector may have a surface configured to convert a first part of the sunlight incident thereon to electrical power The surface of the reflector may also be configured to reflect a second part of the sunlight incident thereon The at least one reflector may be configured to direct the second part of the sunlight incident thereon to a solar receiver A power management system may also be provided The power management system may receiver electrical power derived from the first part from the reflector.

Abstract: A multi-mode solar power generation system can include a first energy conversion system that generates electricity from a working fluid heated by a portion of solar radiation focused by a plurality of heliostats. The multi-mode solar power generation system can also include a second energy conversion system that generates electricity from an unused portion of the focused solar radiation using a different energy conversion mode than that of the first energy conversion system. The second energy conversion system can include one or more photovoltaic converters, which directly convert solar radiation to electricity. The unused radiation from the first energy conversion system can include radiation spillage or dumped radiation from a thermal receiver of the first energy conversion system.

Abstract: A method of growing algae is described that is part of a cogenerational energy production plant in which solar energy from a solar collecting and concentrating field is used to provide photonic energy for the growth and stress phase of algae as well as to provide heat for driving a turbine. The supplementary energy for the power plant is provided by natural gas and by biomethane that is produced by fermentation of the algal biomass. The carbon dioxide that is a by-product of the combustion of both the natural gas and the biomethane is recycled to provide the carbon source for the algal growth.

Abstract: A photo-bioreactor can be arranged to receive incident solar radiation. The photo-bioreactor can contain photosynthetic organisms. The photosynthetic organisms can be genetically modified to produce an organic substance. The organic substance can be a biofuel or a precursor to a biofuel. The precursor can be isolated and converted into a biofuel. The biofuel can be extracted from the photo-bioreactor for use, for example, in energy generation or as a fuel.

Abstract: A strategic method for process control wherein the method includes, for a predetermined process juncture, the steps of: (A) defining an interconnection cell having associated therewith (i) at least one set of input data or at least one set of process control parameters, and (ii) at least one set of output data; (B) assigning at least one boundary value to at least one set of the sets associated with the defined interconnection cell; (C) using the assigned at least one boundary value, forming a plurality of discrete respective set combinations, and (D) for the interconnection cell, processing data from the plurality of respective formed set combinations into respective corresponding data record clusters. The strategic method for process control is a continuation-in-part of a Knowledge-Engineering Protocol-Suite, (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/588,681 filed on 7 Jun.

Abstract: A bioreactor and bioreactor system are suitable for the growth of materials from algae. More specifically, the system preferred embodiments use concentrated sunlight in a solo- or co-generation system to produce algae and products therefrom as well as solar thermal energy.

Abstract: A generating facility is provided for generating electricity from both solar and non-solar energy sources. The solar generating portion of the facility includes capability to directly generate electricity from solar insolation, or to store the solar energy in a tangible medium, including stored heat, or solar generating fuel. The generating facility is configured to generate electricity simultaneously from both solar and non-solar sources, as well a solely from immediate solar insolation and from solar energy stored in a tangible medium. Additionally, the solar generating capacity may be segregated; such that separate spectra of solar insolation are used to capture heat for steam turbine based electrical generation, capture light energy for photovoltaic based electrical generation, and to grow biomass to generate a solar fuel.

Abstract: A generating facility is provided for generating electricity from both solar and non-solar energy sources. The solar generating portion of the facility includes capability to directly generate electricity from solar insolation, or to store the solar energy in a tangible medium, including stored heat, or solar generating fuel. The generating facility is configured to generate electricity simultaneously from both solar and non-solar sources, as well a solely from immediate solar insolation and from solar energy stored in a tangible medium. Additionally, the solar generating capacity may be segregated; such that separate spectra of solar insolation are used to capture heat for steam turbine based electrical generation, capture light energy for photovoltaic based electrical generation, and to grow biomass to generate a solar fuel.

Abstract: A power generator provides power with minimal CO2, NOx, CO, CH4, and particulate emissions and substantially greater efficiency as compared to traditional power generation techniques. Specifically nitrogen is removed from the combustion cycle, either being replaced by a noble gas as a working gas in a combustion engine. The noble gas is supplemented with oxygen and fuel, to provide a combustion environment substantially free of nitrogen or alternatively working in 100% oxygen-fuel combustion environments. Upon combustion, Very little to no nitrogen is present, and thus there is little production of NOx compounds. Additionally, the exhaust constituents are used in the production of power through work exerted upon expansion of the exhaust products, and the exhaust products are separated into their constituents of noble gas, water and carbon dioxide.