Abstract: A thermal energy storage and recovery system including a storage arrangement having a thermal energy storage device for temporarily storing thermal energy, a charging/discharging arrangement having a fluid energy machine for exchanging mechanical work with a working fluid cycling through the charging/discharging arrangement, and a heat exchanger which is arranged between the storage arrangement and the charging/discharging arrangement and which thermodynamically couples a heat transfer fluid cycling through the storage arrangement with the working fluid is provided. The storage arrangement is configured in such a manner that the heat transfer fluid is under a first pressure and the charging/discharging arrangement is configured in such a manner that the working fluid is at least partially under a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is higher than the first pressure.