Pumped heat energy storage system with hot-side thermal integration

A system comprising:

• a thermodynamic cycle system operable in an energy storage mode to convert electricity into stored thermal energy in a hot first thermal storage medium and further operable in a power generation mode to convert at least a portion of the stored thermal energy into electricity,
• wherein operating the thermodynamic cycle system in the energy storage mode comprises:
• circulating a working fluid through at least, a compressor and a first heat exchanger, and transferring heat from the working fluid to the first thermal storage medium at the first heat exchanger, resulting in the hot first thermal storage medium,
• wherein operating the thermodynamic cycle system in the power generation mode comprises:
• transferring heat from the hot first thermal storage medium to the working fluid via the first heat exchanger, driving a turbine by expansion of the heated working fluid, and driving a generator with the turbine,
• wherein operating the thermodynamic cycle system in the power generation mode comprises a high-pressure working fluid path comprising a working fluid path from the first heat exchanger to the turbine, and
• wherein operating the thermodynamic cycle system in power generation mode further comprises a low-pressure working fluid path, wherein the low-pressure working fluid path comprises a second working fluid path from the turbine to a second heat exchanger, wherein heat is removed from the working fluid at the second heat exchanger;
• a third heat exchanger (3029);
• a first thermal storage medium fluid path (3023) operable to circulate the hot first thermal storage medium through the third heat exchanger;
• and
• a first fluid path (3025, 3027) operable to receive a first fluid from a power generation plant (3100), to circulate the first fluid through the third heat exchanger in thermal contact with the hot first thermal storage medium wherein the first fluid receives heat from the hot first thermal storage medium, and to return the first fluid to the power generation plant.