Thermal energy storage and retrieval systems

A thermal energy storage and retrieval device includes at least one working fluid and a plurality of thermodynamic circuits. Each thermodynamic circuit has a first process exchanging heat with a first material in a first temperature range common for all of the thermodynamic circuits. Each thermodynamic circuit also has a second process exchanging heat with a second material in a second temperature range. The second material comprises a heat storage material or a working fluid in another circuit or another device. Each thermodynamic circuit includes a gas pressure changing device and a liquid pressure changing device.