A thermal energy storage and recovery device is disclosed which includes (a) an arrangement having first and second ends, the arrangement is configured for guiding a flow of heat transfer fluid between the first second ends, (b) a heat storage material thermally coupled to the arrangement such that along a physical extension of the arrangement a thermal interaction region is formed for thermally coupling the heat transfer fluid with the heat storage material, (c) a fluid terminal connected to the arrangement via a branch duct of the arrangement, the branch duct is located between the first and second ends, and (d) a control device coupled to the fluid terminal and configured that a flow of fluid through the fluid terminal is controllable such that within the arrangement a spatial temperature profile along at least a portion of the thermal interaction region is adjustable. A method and system are also described.