The invention relates to a method for compensating peak loads during the generation of electrical energy, and/or for generating electrical energy by using the heat from heated carrier gas (2) for electrical power generation, and/or for using the heat from heated carrier gas (2) to generate hydrogen, comprising the steps: - heating the carrier gas (2), in particular hot air, in at least one gas heater (4a-d), wherein hot carrier gas (2) exits the gas heater (4a-d) at a specified target load temperature, - thermal charging of at least one heat accumulator module (5a-d) of a plurality of heat accumulator modules (5a-d) of the storage power plant (1) by heat output from the hot carrier gas (2) from the gas heater (4a-d) to the thermal accumulation material of the thermal accumulation module (5a-d), - time-delayed thermal discharge from at least one heat accumulator module (5a-d), preferably of a plurality of heat accumulator modules (5a-d), wherein colder carrier gas (2), in particular cold air, flows through at least one thermal accumulator module (5a-d) and heat from the heat accumulator material is transferred to the colder carrier gas (2) to heat the carrier gas (2), and wherein heated carrier gas (2) exits the heat accumulator module (5a-d) at a specified discharge temperature, and - use of the heat transferred to the carrier gas (2) in a process for electrical power generation and/or for hydrogen generation.