Hybrid storage system and method of operating the same

Abstract

An energy storage system including a thermal energy storage apparatus configured to store thermal energy, an electrical energy storage apparatus configured to electrical energy, and a controller including a memory and an electronic processor. The controller is configured to monitor one or more characteristics of at least one selected from the group consisting of the thermal energy storage apparatus and the electrical energy storage apparatus. The controller is further configured to control, based on the one or more characteristics, the electrical energy storage apparatus to provide electrical energy to the thermal energy storage apparatus

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An energy storage system comprising:
 a thermal energy storage apparatus configured to store thermal energy;   an electrical energy storage apparatus configured to electrical energy;   a controller including a memory and an electronic processor, the controller configured to
 monitor one or more characteristics of at least one selected from a group consisting of the thermal energy storage apparatus and the electrical energy storage apparatus, 
 control, based on the one or more characteristics, the electrical energy storage apparatus to provide electrical energy to the thermal energy storage apparatus. 
   
     
     
         2 . The energy storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy storage apparatus includes a first water heater and a second water heater. 
     
     
         3 . The energy storage system of  claim 2 , wherein the controller determines which water heater selected from a group consisting of the first water heater and the second water heater receives electrical energy from the electrical energy storage apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The energy storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy storage apparatus includes a first battery and a second battery. 
     
     
         5 . The energy storage system of  claim 4 , wherein the controller determines which battery selected from a group consisting of the first battery and the second battery provides electrical energy to the thermal energy storage system. 
     
     
         6 . The energy storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal energy storage apparatus includes
 a tank configured to hold a fluid, and   a heating element configured to manipulate a temperature of the fluid.   
     
     
         7 . The energy storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy storage apparatus includes at least one selected from a group consisting of a battery, a rechargeable battery, and a capacitor. 
     
     
         8 . The energy storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to
 receive a signal, and   control, in response to receiving the signal, the electrical energy storage apparatus to provide electrical energy to the thermal energy storage apparatus.   
     
     
         9 . The energy storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the signal is received from an external computer. 
     
     
         10 . The energy storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more characteristics are sensed by at least one selected from a group consisting of a power sensor, an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, and a usage sensor. 
     
     
         11 . A method of supplying energy to a thermal energy storage apparatus, configured to store thermal energy, and an electrical energy storage apparatus, configured to electrical energy, the method comprising:
 monitoring one or more characteristics of at least one selected from a group consisting of the thermal energy storage apparatus and the electrical energy storage apparatus; and   controlling, via a controller, the electrical energy storage apparatus to provide electrical energy to the thermal energy storage apparatus, wherein the electrical energy storage apparatus is controlled based on the one or more characteristics.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal energy storage apparatus includes a first water heater and a second water heater. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising
 determining, via the controller, which water heater selected from a group consisting of the first water heater and the second water heater receives electrical energy from the electrical energy storage apparatus.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical energy storage apparatus includes a first battery and a second battery. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising
 determining, via the controller, which battery selected from a group consisting of the first battery and the second battery provides electrical energy to the thermal energy storage system.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the thermal energy storage apparatus includes
 a tank configured to hold a fluid, and   a heating element configured to manipulate a temperature of the fluid.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical energy storage apparatus at least one selected from a group consisting of a battery, a rechargeable battery, and a capacitor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising
 receiving, at the controller, a signal, and   controlling, via the controller, the electrical energy storage apparatus to provide electrical energy to the thermal energy storage apparatus, wherein the electrical energy storage apparatus is controlled in response to receiving the signal.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the signal is received from an external computer. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more characteristics are sensed by at least one selected from a group consisting of a power sensor, an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, and a usage sensor.