Energy storage

An energy storage system, the system comprising a sorbent and sorbate pair, a first chamber, a second chamber, a fluid flow conduit fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, and a microwave generator, wherein the microwave generator is operable in use to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in the first chamber to release thermal energy from the second chamber, and wherein the second chamber is thermally connectable to a source of fluid to condense the sorbate and thereby heat the fluid.

(canceled)

10-11. (canceled)

13-14. (canceled)

A method for storing and releasing thermal energy, the method comprising providing a sorbent and sorbate pair and a source of microwaves, using microwave energy from the source of microwaves to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent, condensing the sorbate within a flow conduit and subsequently condensing the sorbate to release thermal energy, and subsequently evaporating the sorbate to cause the sorbate to resorb into or onto the sorbent to release thermal energy.

An energy storage system, the system comprising a sorbent and sorbate pair, a first chamber, a second chamber, a fluid flow conduit fluidly connecting the first chamber and the second chamber, a compressor located between the first chamber and second chamber to compress fluid within the fluid flow conduit, and a microwave generator, wherein the microwave generator is operable in use to desorb the sorbate from the sorbent in the first chamber to release thermal energy from the second chamber, wherein the compressor is operable to compress the sorbate, and wherein the second chamber is thermally connectable to a source of fluid to condense the sorbate and thereby heat the fluid.