US 12,123,347 B2
Pumped heat energy storage system with load following
Benjamin R. Bollinger, Cambridge, MA (US); and Bao H. Truong, Cambridge, MA (US)
Assigned to MALTA INC., Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed by MALTA INC., Cambridge, MA (US)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/051,253.
Application 18/051,253 is a continuation of application No. 16/991,790, filed on Aug. 12, 2020, granted, now 11,486,305.
Prior Publication US 2023/0081576 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F02C 6/14 (2006.01); F01D 15/10 (2006.01); F01K 13/02 (2006.01)
CPC F02C 6/14 (2013.01) [F01D 15/10 (2013.01); F01K 13/02 (2013.01)] 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method comprising:
operating a pumped-heat energy storage (“PHES”) system in a generation mode to generate electricity; and
responsive, at least in part, to a determination that a power generation plant will reduce supply of electricity to an electrical grid by a reduction amount of electricity, changing modes of the PHES system from the generation mode to operate in a charge mode;
wherein operating in the charge mode includes receiving a charge amount of electricity, at least equal to the reduction amount of electricity, into the PHES system from the power generation plant and converting at least a portion of the charge amount of electricity to stored thermal energy.