Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a manifold for a parallel flow heat exchanger and a heat exchanger incorporating that manifold. The manifold comprising a first plurality of channels each having a first opening facing a first direction and a second opening facing a second direction different from the first direction. The manifold further comprises a second plurality of channels interleaved with the first plurality of channels, the second plurality of channels having a third opening facing a third direction and a fourth opening facing the first direction, wherein the third direction is different from the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A screen valve (210) to control fluid flow comprising at least one multi-apertured valve plate (220) movable laterally relative to a multi-apertured valve seat (230) between a closed configuration whereby the apertures are not registered to prevent fluid flow, and an open configuration whereby the apertures are registered to permit fluid flow, wherein the valve plate is supported by a multi-apertured carrier plate (240) that moves laterally in synchrony with the valve plate (220) to maintain a predetermined lateral registration between their respective apertures as the valve plate moves between the open and closed configurations, the valve plate being movable relative to the carrier plate so as to be able to lift off and return into contact with the valve seat. The co-moving carrier plate shields the valve plate so as to minimize pressure locking. Aerodynamic features may be incorporated to urge the valve plate (220) towards or away from the carrier plate (240).

Abstract: A method of controlling an environment management system within a building, comprises: monitoring appliance usage within the building; determining patterns of appliance usage that are characteristic of an occupant; creating and storing a persona comprising the patterns of appliance usage; identifying an expected pattern of appliance usage associated with the occupant based on a comparison of detected appliance usage with the occupant's stored persona; and operating the environment management system to control the environment in the building, in accordance with the persona.

Abstract: A thermal energy store comprising a chamber having a gas inlet and a gas outlet and a plurality of successive, downstream, gas permeable thermal storage layers disposed between them, each layer comprising gas permeable thermal storage media, the store being configured for gas flow from the gas inlet to gas outlet through the layers for transfer of thermal energy to or from the thermal storage media, wherein at least one of the layers is a valved layer provided with at least one valve operable selectively to allow or prevent at least some gas flow through that layer via the valve so as to bypass the thermal storage media. A control system may selectively alter the flow path of the gas flowing from inlet to outlet in response to the progress of a thermal front, so as to bypass thermal storage layers upstream of the thermal front, where transfer is complete, or downstream thereof, where transfer is minimal.

Abstract: Method of operating an environment management system within a building uses each of at least a first and a second model to predict, for a chosen time period ahead, one or both of: i) control requirements for the environment management system in light of a current measured system state and a desired future system state or ii) a future system state that would be reached with a particular set of control inputs. The first model is a parameterised physical model of the building and the second model is an implicit model of the building. Prediction models are evaluated, a band of uncertainty determined, and a control strategy that minimizing a likely level of deviation from the desired future system state selected. The control strategy comprises control parameters for the environment management system. The environment management system controls the environment in the building in accordance with the selected control strategy.

Abstract: System (2) for carrying out a gas based thermodynamic cycle in which a gas is compressed in at least one compressor (8) in one part of the cycle and is expanded in at least one expander (10) operating simultaneously in an upstream or downstream part of the cycle, wherein the change in absolute internal power with gas mass flow rate differs as between the compressor and the expander and wherein the system comprises a control system configured to make selective adjustments so as individually to control, either directly or indirectly, the respective gas mass flow rates through each of the compressor and expander. The system may be an energy storage system including a pumped heat energy storage system configured to provide independent graduated control of system pressure and output power by selective adjustment of the respective gas mass flow rates through each half-engine.

Abstract: Some embodiments are directed to a method of modulating power output of a hybrid gas turbine power plant, including a conventional (GT) gas turbine, via a fluid connection(s) allowing air injection or extraction, further including a compressed air energy storage system (CAES). Power is increased or decreased by selectively reconfiguring the GT compressor to reduce or increase its mass flow rate whilst simultaneously selectively adjusting how much air to transfer as a compensatory mass flow between the CAES and GT systems, via the fluid connection(s), temporarily minimizing any change in mass flow rate and hence operating conditions in the combustor, thereby providing improved frequency response mode wherein power is modulated to meet grid fluctuations in under ten seconds. Use of an adiabatic CAES system with a direct TES can return heat immediately and damp pressure fluctuations, and rapid bleed rates may be achieved temporarily by venting to atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of operating an environment management system within a building, comprises: monitoring appliance usage within the building by monitoring two or more utilities and measuring one or more characteristics relating to each of the utilities to provide an output signal representative thereof; monitoring for changes in the state of each of the output signals at predefined time intervals; combining data from the output signals from each utility, to identify one or more patterns of appliance usage; comparing the identified pattern of appliance usage with stored patterns of appliance usage associated with individual occupants of the building to identify an expected pattern of future appliance usage; and operating the environment management system to control the environment in the building in accordance with the identified expected pattern of future appliance usage.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a support structure for Tidal Energy Converters (TECs), the support structure being for completely submerged deployment. A preferred support structure includes a single stanchion 4, extending in a first direction, and a cross arm 5, extending in a second direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The cross arm 5 is statically attached to the stanchion 4, and can support a plurality of TECs 3. A support structure also includes a support frame 7, which extends further in a third direction, perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, than in the second direction. The support frame 7 is operable to anchor the support structure to a seabed.

Abstract: A heat storage system (400) comprising a system gas inlet (460), a system gas outlet (470), and at least two thermal stores (401, 402) connected together in series therebetween, wherein each store comprises a chamber having a gas inlet (461,462), a gas outlet (471,472), and a gas-permeable thermal storage media 431 disposed therebetween, the system further comprising flow controllers (451, 452, 453, 454, 457) operatively connected to bypass passageways and so configured that, during operation, the flow path of a gas flowing through the system (400) for transfer of thermal energy to or from the storage media (431) can be selectively altered in respect of which stores (401, 402) in the series are used in response to the progress of the thermal transfer.

Abstract: Heat storage apparatus comprising at least one thermal store (300) comprising a chamber (301) having a gas inlet (306), a gas outlet (307), and a gas-permeable thermal storage media (303) disposed therebetween, the apparatus being configured such that, during operation, the flow path of a gas flowing through the chamber (301) from inlet (306) to outlet (307) for transfer of thermal energy to or from the storage media (303) can be selectively altered in response to the progress of the thermal transfer, thereby enabling the flow path to bypass inactive upstream or downstream regions of the storage media where thermal transfer is complete or minimal, so as to minimize the pressure drop across the storage media. A baffle system (305) in a main flow passageway (312) may be used to control the gas flow path.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for compressing and expanding a gas includes a chamber (22), a positive displacement device (24) moveable relative thereto, first and second valves (26, 28) activatable to control flow of gas into and out of the chamber (22), and a controller (80) for controlling activation of the valves (26, 28) that selectively switches operation between a compression and an expansion mode with selective switching between modes being achieved by selectively changing the activation timing of at least one of the valves during the first mode. An energy storage system including the device may be operatively coupled via a rotary device for power transmission to an input/output device, whereby the direction and speed of rotation are preserved during switching, and the input/output device may be synchronized to the grid.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for storing energy includes a high pressure storage vessel (10) for receiving high pressure gas, the high pressure storage vessel (10) including a high pressure heat store including a first chamber housing a first gas-permeable heat storage structure (14); and a low pressure storage vessel (11,12) for receiving low pressure gas, the low pressure storage vessel (11,12) including a low pressure heat store including a second chamber housing a second gas-permeable heat storage structure (16,18. The first heat storage structure (14) has a mean surface area per unit volume which is higher than a mean surface area per unit volume of the second heat storage structure (16,18).

Abstract: A sliding screen valve for controlling fluid flow comprises a multi-apertured valve plate (50, 90) configured for sliding movement relative to a multi-apertured valve seat between closed and open configurations and comprises an array of apertures (60, 100) separated from one another by elongate interstitial elements angled at between 15 to 45 degrees from the axis of motion. The valve plate may be operatively connected via an actuator frame (274) controlling its movement to an actuator for sliding movement relative to the valve seat, and may be connected to the actuator via a resilient support element (272) configured to allow a floating movement of the valve plate normal to the valve plate. Initiation or termination of the sliding movement may be damped by at least one damping mechanism. The screen valve may be configured for lateral reciprocating movement and be used in gas compression and/or expansion equipment such as piston compressors or expanders.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting energy comprising an electrical machine arranged to convert between electrical and mechanical energy, and comprising a rotor (20) and control means (42, 44, 90) arranged to regulate the motion of the rotor to ensure that the power angle of the electrical machine is maintained within a range of a predetermined power angle. A signal generator (2, 6), such as a synchronous machine and associated flywheel, may generate a reference signal relating to the predetermined power angle and be powered by a frequency regulated electrical supply. The control means (42, 44, 90) may be a mechanical control linkage or servo control system and may regulate the output of the motion of the rotor in response to a change in its motion which the control means or a dedicated detection device detects. The electrical machine may be an electric motor, an electricity generator, or a machine switchable between motor and generator modes.

Abstract: A device (10) for a current limiter is described, the device (10) comprising: at least one coil assembly (12) adapted to carry a current, the coil assembly (12) comprising: a first coil (14), comprising a first superconducting element, adapted to carry a first portion of said current, and a second coil (16), comprising a second superconducting element, adapted to carry a second portion of said current, wherein said first and second coils (14, 16) are arranged such that, when said first and second superconducting elements are each in a superconducting state and said coil assembly (.12) carries said current, a magnetic field generated by said first portion of said current in said first coil (14) is substantially cancelled by a magnetic field generated by said second portion of said current in said second coil (16); and wherein said device is adapted such that, in use, the first superconducting element carries a higher proportion of said current than the second superconducting element.