Verfahren zur Stromunwandlung in Wärme und Speicherung

The concept presents a new method for converting excess electricity from renewable energy sources (e.g. from wind, solar, or water plants) into heat (Q) and storing said heat (figure 1). The basis of the method enables simultaneous Q generation and Q storage as a result of current flow (4) through an electrically conductive three-dimensional open-cell porous structure (1), hereinafter referred to as a Q regenerator, and heat decoupling (5), (6) from the interior of the regenerator. The Q regenerator has a high heat capacity and a large specific surface area, the surface being electrically conductive and having (high) porosity. Said porosity enables efficient flow of heat-transferring fluids (e.g. gas) through the Q regenerator in order to transport or decouple the stored heat out of the accumulator and to use the heat further. The Q regenerator comprises: Q regenerator (1), thermal radiation shield (2), thermal insulation (3), current supply (4), and thermal decoupling by means of a device for heat-transfer medium inflow (5) and outflow (6) and directly by means of thermal radiation.