Electricity generation and storage for residences using Li/I/sub 2/ electrochemical engines to augment photovoltaics

Electrochemical engines use electrochemical cell reactions and a temperature gradient to convert heat directly to electric power. Such engines can both generate electricity and store electric energy. Application of such engines as used with solar photovoltaic conversion is discussed. Specifically, it is shown that such engines could both store electric energy generated in daytime for nighttime use, and generate electric power from gas or other fossil heat in bad weather. If the photovoltaics remain expensive, the electrochemical engines themselves could be used to generate electric power from focused solar collection