Electric charging particle heater for thermal energy storage

A heater for heating a plurality of solid particles, the heater comprising:

• at least two three-dimensional (3D) shapes, each 3D shape comprising at least two surfaces;
• wherein:
• each surface of each 3D shape comprises at least two lateral edges positioned substantially parallel to a first axis (z), each lateral edge has a length between a proximal end and a distal end,
• each surface comprises a proximal edge positioned at the proximal end of the length and within a first plane defined by a second axis (x) and a third axis (y),
• the proximal edges of each surface of each 3D shape form a cross-sectional shape in the plane,
• at least one surface of each 3D shape is positioned to face at least one surface of another 3D shape defining a channel,
• the channel is oriented to enable the gravitational flow of the plurality of solid particles through the channel,
• at least one surface defining the channel is configured to transfer heat to at least a portion of the plurality of solid particles,
• x and y are each perpendicular to z, and
• x and y are perpendicular to each other.