Pumped heat energy storage system with generation cycle thermal integration

A system comprising:

• a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”), wherein the PHES system is operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy and is further operable in a generation mode to convert at least a portion of the stored thermal energy into electricity, wherein the PHES system comprises, when operating in the generation mode, a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, an ambient heat exchanger system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system;
• a first fluid path directing a first fluid through an intercooler and to a power generation plant, wherein the working fluid path through the compressor system comprises circulating the working fluid through, in sequence, at least a first compressor, the intercooler, and a second compressor, and wherein the intercooler thermally contacts the working fluid with the first fluid, transferring heat from the working fluid to the first fluid;
• and
• a second fluid path directing a second fluid through the ambient heat exchanger and to the power generation plant, wherein the ambient heat exchanger thermally contacts the working fluid with the second fluid, transferring heat from the working fluid to the second fluid.

A method comprising:

• operating a pumped-heat energy storage system (“PHES system”) in a generation mode, in a Brayton cycle, to convert at least a portion of a stored thermal energy into electricity,
• wherein the PHES system comprises, when operating in the generation mode, a working fluid path circulating a working fluid through, in sequence, at least a compressor system, a hot-side heat exchanger system, a turbine system, a cold-side heat exchanger system, and back to the compressor system,
• wherein circulating the working fluid through the compressor system comprises circulating the working fluid through, in sequence, at least a first compressor, an intercooler, and a second compressor, and
• wherein the PHES system is further operable in a charge mode to convert electricity into the stored thermal energy;
• and
• circulating a first fluid through an intercooler and then directing the first fluid to a power generation plant, wherein the intercooler thermally contacts the working fluid with the first fluid, transferring heat from the working fluid to the first fluid.