Thermal energy storage blocks and associated support structures

Abstract

Thermal energy storage blocks are heated by electrical heating elements in order to store energy from an intermittent electrical energy source. The energy is stored in an efficient manner in the material from which the thermal energy storage blocks are formed. The thermal energy storage blocks have thermal radiation cavities to permit efficient radiative heating, and fluid flow slots, to permit efficient discharge of the energy stored in the blocks. Support structures, including support blocks and support slabs, for the thermal energy storage blocks provide physical support for assemblies of the thermal energy storage blocks, and provide thermal isolation of the thermal energy storage blocks from surrounding materials.