Can Low Grade Energy Be Efficiently Converted to High Grade?

[kenny1999]

Any possibilities of converting energy from low grade to high grade in the foreseen future?

 

[billy_joule]

Concentrated solar, gasification, ORC, thermoelectrics are some common examples. Wood to charcoal has been around for a loooong time.

 

[russ_watters]

Yes, there are lots of ways -- but all obey the laws of thermodynamics. So you end up with less high grade energy than you had in low grade energy. For example:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydraulic_ram