A thermodynamic cycle apparatus is provided. The thermodynamic cycle apparatus includes: (i) a first reservoir containing a first storage medium; (ii) a second reservoir containing a second storage medium; (iii) a heat pump having a cold side thermally coupled to the first reservoir for cooling the first storage medium and a hot side thermally coupled to the second reservoir for heating the second storage medium; (iv) a first thermodynamic circuit of a first working fluid; (v) a second thermodynamic circuit of a second working fluid; (vi) an auxiliary heat input thermally connected to the first thermodynamic circuit so that auxiliary heat may contribute to the creation of the first pressurized vapor; and (vii) an auxiliary heat output thermally connected to the second thermodynamic circuit so that the second working fluid can lose heat to an auxiliary heat sink.