Abstract: A heat reservoir including a housing, first reservoir elements for storing thermal energy, and an inlet port is provided. The first reservoir elements are arranged in the housing. The inlet port is coupled to the housing in such a way that a working fluid can flow into the housing through the inlet port. The inlet port is provided with an inlet orifice through which the working fluid can flow from the surroundings of the heat reservoir into the inlet port. The inlet port includes a diffusor portion the cross-section of which increases in the direction running from the inlet orifice to the housing.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage is provided comprising a housing, a thermal energy storage structure arranged within the housing, the thermal energy storage structure comprising thermal energy storage elements and a plurality of dividing elements, the plurality of dividing elements being arranged such that the thermal energy storage elements are divided into a plurality of layers, a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being in fluid communication with the housing and adapted to receive a working fluid and provide a flow of working fluid towards the housing, and a convection reducing structure arranged adjacent the thermal energy storage structure at a side of the thermal energy storage structure that faces the fluid inlet. Furthermore, a method of storing thermal energy and a steam power plant for producing electrical energy are described.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage is provided comprising a housing, a thermal energy storage structure arranged within the housing, the thermal energy storage structure comprising thermal energy storage elements and a plurality of dividing elements, the plurality of dividing elements being arranged such that the thermal energy storage elements are divided into a plurality of layers, a fluid inlet, the fluid inlet being in fluid communication with the housing and adapted to receive a working fluid and provide a flow of working fluid towards the housing, and a convection reducing structure arranged adjacent the thermal energy storage structure at a side of the thermal energy storage structure that faces the fluid inlet. Furthermore, a method of storing thermal energy and a steam power plant for producing electrical energy are described.

Abstract: A heat reservoir including a housing, first reservoir elements for storing thermal energy, and an inlet port is provided. The first reservoir elements are arranged in the housing. The inlet port is coupled to the housing in such a way that a working fluid can flow into the housing through the inlet port. The inlet port is provided with an inlet orifice through which the working fluid can flow from the surroundings of the heat reservoir into the inlet port. The inlet port includes a diffusor portion the cross-section of which increases in the direction running from the inlet orifice to the housing.

Abstract: A system for storing heat is provided having a first housing section with a first storage volume, wherein the first housing has a first opening for connecting the first storage volume to an environment. A first type of first heat storing elements is arranged within the first housing section. The system has a second housing section with a second storage volume, wherein the second housing section has a second opening for connecting the second storage volume to the environment, wherein the first and second storage volumes are interconnected for forming a common storage volume. A second type of second heat storing elements is arranged within the second housing section. The first heat storing elements of the first type have a respective first element size, wherein the second storing elements of the second type have a respective second element size. The first element size differs from the second element size.