Thermal energy storage device and system

A method of employing a thermal energy storage device, the method comprising:

• charging a thermal energy storage device, the thermal energy storage device comprising:
• a heat storage medium;
• one or more thermosyphons extending through the heat storage medium, the one or more thermosyphons comprising a hollow body and containing an operating medium in the hollow body, wherein the one or more thermosyphons comprises:
• an evaporative section configured to charge the thermal energy storage device;
• a condensing section configured to discharge the thermal energy storage device;
• a heat transfer section extending between the evaporative section and the condensing section, wherein the heat transfer section is fluidically coupled to the evaporative section and the condensing section, wherein at least a portion of the heat transfer section is disposed in the solid heat storage medium;
• wherein at least a portion of the evaporative section and at least a portion of the condensing section are disposed outside the solid heat storage medium;
• and
• a charging plenum chamber coupled to the evaporation section of the one or more thermosyphons;
• and
• a discharging plenum chamber coupled to the condensing section of the one or more thermosyphons,
• wherein charging the thermal energy storage device comprises charging the solid heat storage medium by flowing a first heat transfer medium at a first temperature through the charging plenum chamber and contacting the evaporative sections with the first heat transfer medium to transfer heat, via the operating medium undergoing a phase change, from the first heat transfer medium to the solid heat storage medium;
• and
• discharging the solid head storage medium by flowing a second heat transfer medium at a second temperature through the discharging plenum chamber and contacting the condensing sections with the second heat transfer medium to transfer heat, via the operating medium undergoing a phase change, from the solid heat storage medium to the second heat transfer medium.

A thermal energy storage device, comprising:

• a heat storage medium;
• one or more thermosyphons extending through the heat storage medium, the one or more thermosyphons comprising a hollow body and containing an operating medium in the hollow body, wherein the one or more thermosyphons comprises:
• an evaporative section configured to charge the thermal energy storage device;
• a condensing section configured to discharge the thermal energy storage device;
• a heat transfer section extending between the evaporative section and the condensing section, wherein the heat transfer section is fluidically coupled to the evaporative section and the condensing section, wherein at least a portion of the heat transfer section is disposed in the solid heat storage medium;
• wherein at least a portion of the evaporative section and at least a portion of the condensing section are disposed outside the solid heat storage medium;
• and
• a charging plenum chamber coupled to the evaporation section of the one or more thermosyphons;
• and
• a discharging plenum chamber coupled to the condensing section of the one or more thermosyphons,
• wherein the thermal energy device is configured such that discharging the thermal energy device comprises:
• transferring heat from the heat storage medium to the heat transfer section of the thermosyphon, and
• transferring heat from the condensing section of the thermosyphon to a second heat transfer medium flowing through the discharging plenum.