Thermal storage and power generation systems and methods

A thermal battery system comprising:

• an electric heater;
• a thermal storage system;
• a heat exchange system;
• and
• an electricity generator,
• wherein the electric heater is configured to be connected in electrical communication with an electric power source, and wherein the electric heater is configured to heat the thermal storage system;
• wherein the thermal storage system is configured to store thermal energy from the electric heater during a charging mode of the thermal storage system, and heat a first fluid and provide the heated first fluid to the heat exchange system during a discharging mode of the thermal storage system, and
• wherein the heat exchange system comprises at least one heat exchanger comprising a first flow path and a second flow path that is fluidically separate from the first flow path, wherein the heat exchange system is positioned downstream from the thermal storage system, and wherein the heat exchange system is configured to transfer heat from the heated first fluid to a second fluid to produce a heated second fluid by supplying the heated first fluid to the first flow path via a first inlet of the heat exchanger, passing the heated fluid through the first flow path of the heat exchanger, and discharging the heated first fluid from the heat exchanger through a first outlet of the heat exchanger,
• wherein the electricity generator comprises at least one gas turbine and compressor, wherein the compressor is configured to supply the second fluid in a pressurized state to the second flow path via a second inlet of the heat exchanger, and wherein the turbine is positioned with an inlet in fluid communication with and downstream from a second outlet of the heat exchanger such that the heated second fluid in a pressurized state flows through the second flow path and is discharged from the second outlet of the heat exchanger into the inlet of the turbine so that the turbine is able to generate electrical power therefrom;
• and
• wherein the thermal storage system is in switchable valved fluidic communication with both the electric heater and the heat exchange system, wherein the thermal storage system is configured to receive the first fluid heated by the electric heater, store thermal energy from the first fluid heated by the electric heater by heating a thermal storage medium contained within the thermal storage system during the charging mode of the thermal storage system, and heat the first fluid and provide the heated first fluid to the heat exchange system during the discharging mode of the thermal storage system.