Abstract: The present disclosure describes heat exchangers for converting thermal energy stored in solid particles to electricity. Electro-thermal energy storage converts off-peak electricity into heat for thermal energy storage, which may be converted back to electricity, for example during peak-hour power generation. The heat exchanger for converting thermal energy stored in solid particles to electricity enables the conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy for redistribution to the grid. In some embodiments, pressurized fluidized-bed heat exchangers may achieve efficient conversion of thermal energy to electricity by providing direct contact of the solid particles with a gas stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes heat exchangers for converting thermal energy stored in solid particles to electricity. Electro-thermal energy storage converts off-peak electricity into heat for thermal energy storage, which may be converted back to electricity, for example during peak-hour power generation. The heat exchanger for converting thermal energy stored in solid particles to electricity enables the conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy for redistribution to the grid. In some embodiments, pressurized fluidized-bed heat exchangers may achieve efficient conversion of thermal energy to electricity by providing direct contact of the solid particles with a gas stream.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and storage medium are disclosed for obtaining and rendering adaptive information in accordance with a current living setting of a user of a smart device. In one embodiment, the smart device monitors and detects triggering information for a scheduled event. When the event is triggered, the smart device queries a mapping between various triggering information and a plurality of living settings of the user of the smart device. Each living setting corresponds to a set of adaptive information tailored to that particular living setting. The smart device then determines the living setting based on the query, and then obtains and renders the corresponding set of adaptive information automatically.