Abstract: Heating and/or cooling systems, related methods, particularly those utilized for the heating and/or cooling of large structures, areas, or environments are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system includes a stratified thermal storage tank (STST), heat exchanger, and heat pump. A first amount of a fluid can flow from the STST to a heating load and then to the heat exchanger, at which residual heat can be received, and which is configured to receive a medium from an external source. The medium can flow from the source through the heat exchanger to an evaporator of the heat pump and transport first heat to the evaporator, including the residual heat. A risk of ice formation at the evaporator is reduced/eliminated. The heat pump is configured to cycle a refrigerant, so that the first heat is transferred from the evaporator to a gas cooler, and then to the STST.

Abstract: Heating and/or cooling systems, related methods, particularly those utilized for the heating and/or cooling of large structures, areas, or environments are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system includes a stratified thermal storage tank (STST) having a hot section, cold section, and thermocline section. The system includes conduits configured to be coupled to a heating load so that a first amount of the fluid can flow between the STST and load, and also includes a heat pump including an evaporator and a gas cooler. A second amount of the fluid can flow between the STST and gas cooler. The heat pump is configured to cycle a refrigerant, so that heat transported from the STST by a third amount of the fluid to the evaporator is communicated to the gas cooler and transported to the hot section, whereby the heat can be transported for receipt by the load.

Abstract: Heating and/or cooling systems, related methods, particularly those utilized for the heating and/or cooling of large structures, areas, or environments are disclosed herein. In one example embodiment, such a system includes a stratified thermal storage tank (STST), heat exchanger, and heat pump. A first amount of a fluid can flow from the STST to a heating load and then to the heat exchanger, at which residual heat can be received, and which is configured to receive a medium from an external source. The medium can flow from the source through the heat exchanger to an evaporator of the heat pump and transport first heat to the evaporator, including the residual heat. A risk of ice formation at the evaporator is reduced/eliminated. The heat pump is configured to cycle a refrigerant, so that the first heat is transferred from the evaporator to a gas cooler, and then to the STST.