Abstract: A platform and components for an automated consumer retail utility marketplace are provided, including components for machine learning, components for gamification, and components for supporting a related consumer mobile application that enables improved visibility and control by a consumer over its interaction with energy markets.

Abstract: A platform and components for an automated consumer retail utility marketplace are provided, including components for machine learning, components for gamification, and components for supporting a related consumer mobile application that enables improved visibility and control by a consumer over its interaction with energy markets.

Abstract: A platform and components for an automated consumer retail utility marketplace are provided, including components for machine learning, components for gamification, and components for supporting a related consumer mobile application that enables improved visibility and control by a consumer over its interaction with energy markets.

Abstract: A solar energy receiver comprises a panel, having a graphite core, a substantially gas tight housing encasing the graphite core, a heat exchanger comprising heat exchanger tubing, a heat exchanger inlet and a heat exchanger outlet. The heat exchanger tubing is at least partially embedded in the graphite core, and the heat exchanger inlet and the heat exchanger outlet extend through the housing. The housing is sealed around the heat exchanger inlet and the heat exchanger outlet. A method of manufacturing a solar energy receiver comprises: a) fabricating the heat exchanger in a serpentine coil shape; b) inserting grooved planks of graphite between individual coils of the heat exchanger to form the graphite core such that the coils are encompassed in the grooves; c) inserting the graphite and heat exchanger into the housing; and d) sealing the housing and sealing openings around the inlet and outlet where they pass through the housing.

Abstract: A turbine driven from renewable or waste energy sources has a working fluid in a two stage heating process using a first heating apparatus using a renewable or waste energy source and a second heating apparatus comprising a graphite body containing an embedded heat exchanger heated by concentrated solar energy where the graphite body releases stored heat to heat the working fluid to provide a continuous stream of the working fluid heated to a working temperature for input to the turbine. A relationship exists between an outer surface area of the embedded heat exchanger tube and a mass of graphite in the graphite body whereby there is from 0.60 m2 to 20 m2 of outer surface area of embedded heat exchanger tube per tonne of graphite in the graphite body.