Thermal energy storage system with heat discharge system to prevent thermal runaway

A method, comprising:

• receiving, by a thermal energy storage system that includes a first assemblage of first thermal storage blocks and a second assemblage of second thermal storage blocks, input electricity from one or both of a renewable energy source and an electrical grid;
• using, by the thermal energy storage system, the input electricity to create thermal energy that is stored in the first and second thermal storage blocks;
• controlling fluid flows to the first and second assemblages to produce an output fluid flow comprising hot air or one or more gases at temperatures within a selected temperature range, wherein the controlling causes:
• during a first discharge period, discharging the first assemblage in a manner sufficient to reduce thermal runaway in the first thermal storage blocks while discharging the second assemblage to a temperature at or above the selected temperature range;
• and
• during a second, successive discharge period, discharging the second assemblage in a manner sufficient to reduce thermal runaway in the second thermal storage blocks while discharging the first assemblage to a temperature at or above the selected temperature range.

A thermal energy storage system, comprising:

• two or more assemblages of thermal storage blocks, wherein each of the two or more assemblages is configured to store heat generated from received electrical energy as thermal energy;
• and
• a control system configured to:
• direct fluid flows to the two or more assemblages to produce an output fluid flow comprising hot air or one or more gases;
• and
• cause each of the two or more assemblages to be periodically deeply discharged to reduce temperature nonuniformities within the two or more assemblages.

A method, comprising:

• receiving, at a thermal storage structure, input electricity from one or both of a renewable energy source and an electrical grid;
• using, by thermal storage structure, the received input electricity to heat heating elements within two or more assemblages of thermal storage blocks;
• directing fluid flows to the two or more assemblages to produce an output fluid flow comprising hot air or one or more gases and having a delivery temperature;
• and
• deeply discharging each of the two or more assemblages periodically to reduce temperature nonuniformities.