Energy storage system including cooling system

Abstract

An energy storage system (100) is provided. The energy storage system comprises at least one cell stack (102) comprising at least one cell module (104). Each of the at least one battery module includes a plurality of temperature sensors. The energy storage system further includes a cooling system (106). The cooling system comprises a source of pressurized cooling medium (110), a channel system (108) arranged to selectively provide cooling medium from the source of cooling medium to each of the at least one battery module by means of a valve system, and a cooling system controller. The cooling system controller is configured to: determine that the battery module is in thermal runaway based on a signal received from the temperature sensor of the at least one battery module; and upon thermal runaway, activating the valve system to selectively release a predetermined amount of cooling medium into the battery module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to the field of energy storage systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an energy storage system including a cooling system, and a method for cooling battery modules in an energy storage system. Background Art

[0002] Energy storage systems (such as battery systems, and especially high-voltage battery systems) are subject to strict safety standards. One such standard relates to fire safety and stipulates that if a battery module in a stack is in thermal runaway, the thermal runaway may not spread to adjacent stacks.

[0003] There are different solutions currently available that attempt to meet this requirement. Some solutions include isolating adjacent stacks from each other, placing the stacks far apart, or using a sprinkler system to spray water on the stacks to cool them in the event of thermal runaway.

[0004] However, existing solutions have different types of drawbacks. Some existing solutions require a large space for the battery facility in order to provide sufficient distance between the stacks. Other solutions require expensive materials to isolate the stacks. Solutions involving sprinkler systems may pose a risk of water damage to the surrounding area and / or adjacent, unaffected stacks. Further, external sprinkler systems often trigger only when the module is already on fire, at which point the risk of fire spread is already at a high level. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome at least some of the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide improved methods and systems for cooling battery modules.

[0006] This and other objects are achieved by the energy storage system and method defined in the appended independent claims. The dependent claims define further embodiments.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an energy storage system. The energy storage system includes at least one battery stack, the at least one battery stack including at least one battery module. Each of the at least one battery module includes a plurality of temperature sensors. The energy storage system further includes a cooling system. The cooling system includes a pressurized cooling medium source, a channel system, and a cooling system controller, the channel system being arranged to selectively supply the cooling medium from the cooling medium source to each of the at least one battery module by means of a valve system. The cooling system controller is configured to: determine that a battery module is in thermal runaway based on signals received from the temperature sensors of the at least one battery module. The cooling system controller is further configured to: activate the valve system to selectively release a predetermined amount of the cooling medium into the battery module in the event of thermal runaway.

[0008] The energy storage system includes a cooling system that detects thermal deviation / runaway inside the battery module and provides cooling inside the battery module using a limited amount of cooling medium. The energy storage system according to the first aspect can meet the requirements of fire safety standards without an additional safety distance between stacks.

[0009] Temperature sensors can be arranged inside the battery module. Specifically, multiple temperature sensors can be distributed within the battery module. Arranging multiple sensors inside the battery module can provide earlier detection of thermal events (or temperature changes) in the battery module. When detected early, less cooling medium can be used to cool overheated battery cells before any fire breaks out. Earlier detection can also limit the risk of overheating of adjacent modules. For example, a temperature increase can be detected before the temperature change has reached the lid of the battery module. This can in turn limit the amount of coolant required because it may only be necessary to cool one module. For example, the temperature sensors can be arranged in thermal contact with or at least close to the battery cell group of the battery module to detect whether one or more battery cells in the battery cell group have experienced thermal runaway.

[0010] The cooling system controller can be part of an energy storage system (ESS) controller or a battery management system (BMS). For example, the processes executed by the cooling system controller can be implemented in the ESS controller, the BMS, or a separate cooling system controller.

[0011] In the present disclosure, a battery module in which a thermal event, or a temperature increase, or thermal runaway has been detected can be referred to as a faulty module.

[0012] According to some embodiments, a predetermined amount of the cooling medium can correspond to the volume of a single battery module.

[0013] Limiting the amount of cooling medium released into a faulty module can reduce the risk of water damage to other modules and / or the area around the energy storage system. The predetermined amount of cooling medium can be adapted to at least fill a single battery module. For example, the predetermined amount of cooling medium can correspond to the volume of a single battery module determined by the housing (e.g., in the form of a box) of the battery module in which the battery cell group is located. Potentially, the predetermined amount can be slightly larger than the volume of the module, such as 5%-10% larger.

[0014] According to some embodiments, the cooling medium source can be a pressurized tank containing a predetermined amount of the cooling medium.

[0015] Embodiments including a pressurized tank as the cooling medium source can provide a stand-alone energy storage system.

[0016] The pressurized tank may contain a predetermined amount of cooling medium. The pressurized tank may contain a larger amount of cooling medium. The pressurized tank may be provided with a flow sensor or a timer communicating with the cooling system controller, thereby allowing the cooling system controller to inject a controlled amount of cooling medium into the faulty module.

[0017] According to some embodiments, the cooling medium may be water.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the cooling medium source may be a water supply device.

[0019] The cooling system may further include a flow sensor. The cooling system controller may further be configured to: based on the input from the flow sensor, when a predetermined amount has been released into the battery module, cause the water supply device or other pressurized cooling medium source to stop operating.

[0020] For example, the cooling system may include a cooling medium source valve. The cooling system controller may open the cooling medium source valve to selectively release the cooling medium into the faulty module. The cooling system controller may determine that a predetermined amount of cooling medium has been released into the (faulty) battery module based on the input from the flow sensor. When it is determined that the predetermined amount has been released, the cooling system controller may close the cooling medium source valve. For example, the cooling system may include a water supply valve. The cooling system controller may open the water supply valve to selectively release water into the faulty module. The cooling system controller may determine that a predetermined amount of water (cooling medium) has been released into the (faulty) battery module based on the input from the flow sensor. When it is determined that the predetermined amount has been released, the cooling system controller may close the water supply valve.

[0021] If the flow rate of the water supply device is known, the flow sensor may be replaced by a timer to limit the opening time of the water supply valve or the cooling medium source valve. For example, the cooling system controller may determine that a predetermined amount of cooling medium has been released into the (faulty) battery module based on the input from the timer.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the channel system may include dedicated channels for each of at least one battery module. The valve system may include a plurality of individually controllable module valves. Each of the individually controllable module valves may be arranged to connect to a corresponding dedicated channel and be configured to control the flow of cooling medium from the cooling medium source to the corresponding dedicated channel.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the valve system may further include a cooling medium source valve arranged at the cooling medium source. The cooling medium source valve may be arranged at different positions and may be configured to control the flow of cooling medium from the cooling medium source to the channel system of the cooling system.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the cooling system controller may further be configured to: when determining that a battery module is in thermal runaway, activate the valve system to open the module valve at the passage dedicated to the battery module. When the module valve is opened, the cooling system controller may further be configured to: open the cooling medium source valve to release a predetermined amount of cooling medium into the battery module.

[0025] Opening a valve from a pressurized liquid source into a closed channel system may result in a sudden pressure pulse in the closed channel system. Any valve arranged in such a closed channel system may have to be adapted or sized to be suitable for such a pressure pulse.

[0026] Opening the module valve before opening the cooling medium source valve may reduce or eliminate any such pressure pulse in the channel system of the cooling system.

[0027] Based on some embodiments, the cooling system controller may be configured to: determine that a battery module is in thermal runaway based on the difference between two temperature measurements taken at a predetermined time interval, the difference being greater than a threshold value.

[0028] In a failed battery cell (and thus a failed battery module), the temperature may rise rapidly (so-called thermal runaway). By comparing two temperature measurements taken at a predetermined time interval, the temperature rise can be detected.

[0029] According to some embodiments, each battery module may include at least four temperature sensors arranged at different positions inside the battery module.

[0030] For example, each battery module may include six, eight, ten or more temperature sensors. The temperature sensors may be positioned to allow at least two independent sensors to detect a rapid temperature change in the module, which rapid temperature change may indicate a thermal event / runaway.

[0031] The temperature reached during thermal runaway may damage the sensors. Arranging multiple sensors inside the module provides that even if one or more sensors are damaged, the thermal event can still be detected.

[0032] According to some embodiments, each battery module may further include at least one carbon monoxide sensor. The cooling system controller may further be configured to: determine that the battery module is in thermal runaway based on a signal received from the carbon monoxide sensor of the battery module.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the energy storage system may further include a cabinet, and at least one battery stack and a cooling system are arranged in the cabinet.

[0034] An energy storage system can be located in remote and / or unsupervised locations. Battery modules are valuable and are often stolen. Further, the battery modules can be dangerous. Thus, to protect the battery modules, or to protect the surrounding environment and / or nearby people, the energy storage system can be arranged inside a cabinet.

[0035] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method for cooling a battery module in an energy storage system. The energy storage system includes at least one battery stack, and the at least one battery stack includes at least one battery module. Each of the at least one battery module includes a plurality of temperature sensors. The energy storage system further includes a cooling system, the cooling system including a cooling medium source and a channel system, the channel system being arranged to selectively supply the cooling medium from the cooling medium source to each of the at least one battery module by means of a valve system. The method includes receiving signals from the temperature sensors of the at least one battery module. The method further includes: determining, based on the received signals, that a battery module among the at least one battery module is in thermal runaway. The method further includes: at thermal runaway, activating the valve system to selectively release a predetermined amount of the cooling medium into the battery module.

[0036] According to some embodiments, determining that a battery module is in thermal runaway can include determining that the difference between two temperature measurements taken at a predetermined time interval is greater than a threshold.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the channel system can include dedicated channels for each of the at least one battery module. The valve system can include a plurality of individually controllable module valves, each individually controllable module valve being arranged to be connected to a corresponding dedicated channel and configured to control the flow of the cooling medium from the cooling medium source to the corresponding dedicated channel. The valve system can further include a cooling medium source valve arranged at the cooling medium source. The method can further include: upon determining that a battery module is in thermal runaway, activating the valve system to open the module valve at the channel dedicated to the battery module. When the module valve is open, the method can further include: opening the cooling medium source valve to release a predetermined amount of the cooling medium into the battery module.

[0038] It should be noted that other embodiments can be envisioned using all possible combinations of the features recited in the embodiments described above. Thus, the present disclosure also relates to all possible combinations of the features mentioned herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the following drawings:

[0040] Figure 1 Illustrates an energy storage system according to some embodiments;

[0041] Figure 2 Illustrated is a battery module according to some embodiments;

[0042] Figure 3 Illustrated is an energy storage system according to some embodiments;

[0043] Figure 4 Illustrated is a cooling medium source according to some embodiments; and

[0044] Figure 5 Illustrated is an energy storage system disposed in a cabinet according to some embodiments.

[0045] As illustrated in the drawings, the sizes of elements and regions may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes and are thus provided to illustrate the general structure of the embodiments. Throughout the text, like reference numerals refer to like elements. Detailed Description

[0046] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the presently preferred embodiments are shown. However, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an energy storage system according to some embodiments will be described.

[0048] Figure 1 An energy storage system 100 is illustrated. The energy storage system includes a battery stack 102 and a cooling system 106.

[0049] The battery stack 102 includes a plurality of battery modules 104. The illustrated battery stack 102 includes eight battery modules 104, however, the number of battery modules may vary. For example, the stack 102 may include seventeen battery modules 104.

[0050] Figure 2 Further details of the battery module 104 are provided. The battery module 104 includes a plurality of battery cells 214 (collectively forming a battery cell group) disposed inside a housing 218. If a fault occurs in one of the cells 214, the chemical reaction inside the cell 214 may cause the battery to rapidly heat up. The cell 214 may enter thermal runaway. The temperature rise of the cell 214 can in turn heat adjacent cells 214, which can initiate a chain reaction. If unchecked, the battery module 104 may catch fire or explode.

[0051] Each module 104 in the stack 102 includes a plurality of temperature sensors 216. In Figure 2, four sensors 216 are schematically illustrated. However, the number of sensors within the module 104 may vary. For example, the module 104 may include eight temperature sensors 216. The sensors 216 are distributed within the battery module 104 to actively monitor the temperature in different parts of the module 104. The distribution of the sensors 216 can provide that different sensors 216 can more quickly detect temperature changes in different parts of the module 104. Furthermore, if one or more sensors 216 are damaged by high temperatures, one or more other sensors arranged in different parts of the module 104 may still function.

[0052] Module 104 may further include other types of sensors, such as a carbon monoxide sensor.

[0053] The sensor 216 can communicate with the cooling system controller 107. The cooling system controller 107 is illustrated as forming part of the cooling medium source 110 (or being arranged in the same unit as the cooling medium source). However, the cooling system controller 107 can, for example, form part of at least one of an EES controller, a BMS, and a separate cooling system controller, or be distributed between the EES controller, the BMS, and a separate cooling system controller. Below, the operational details of the cooling system will be provided as operational tasks performed by the cooling system or, more specifically, by the controller of the cooling system. It should be understood that the operational tasks can be represented as steps of a method.

[0054] The cooling system controller 107 may receive measurements from sensors 216 associated with each of the battery modules 104 in the stack 102. Based on the measurements received from sensors 216, the cooling system controller 107 may determine that the battery module 104 is in thermal runaway. For example, the cooling system controller 107 may compare measurements from different sensors 216 within a module 104 to detect temperature variations between different locations within the module 104. The cooling system controller 107 may compare measurements from the same or different sensors 216 over time to monitor temperature variations over time. For example, the cooling system controller 107 may determine that the battery module 104 is in thermal runaway based on a difference between two temperature measurements generated at predetermined time intervals, the difference being greater than a threshold. The cooling system controller may further compare measurements from sensors 216 in different modules 104 to monitor temperature variations between different modules 104.

[0055] The cooling system 106 further comprises a cooling medium source 110 and a channel system 108. The channel system 108 is arranged to cool the cooling medium by means of a valve system ( Figure 1(not depicted) selectively supplies a cooling medium from a cooling medium source 110 to each of at least one battery module 104. The valve system may include a system of electrically controlled valves (such as solenoid valves).

[0056] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the channel system 108 includes a main channel and a plurality of dedicated channels 112. Each of the dedicated channels 112 connects the main channel to a corresponding battery module 104. The valve system includes a plurality of individually controllable valves 220 ( Figure 2 as illustrated). Each of the individually controllable module valves 220 is arranged to be connected to a corresponding dedicated channel and is configured to control the flow of the cooling medium from the cooling medium source 110 to (or through) the corresponding dedicated channel 112.

[0057] The valves of the valve system can generally be in a closed state such that the cooling medium does not diffuse from the cooling medium source 110 through the channel system 108 to the modules 104. When a thermal runaway of the battery module 104 is detected or determined, the cooling system controller 107 can control the valve system to selectively release a predetermined amount of the cooling medium into the battery module 104 during the thermal runaway. The cooling medium is only directed to the affected module 104. Thus, a limited (predetermined) amount of the cooling medium, such as 20 liters, can be used. Using a limited amount of the cooling medium can minimize the risk of water damaging other modules or the area around the stack. If the module 104 is watertight, the modules 104 below the affected module may not necessarily be damaged by the cooling medium.

[0058] In Figure 1 and Figure 2 the illustrated embodiment, the cooling system controller 107 can open the dedicated valve 220 to allow the cooling medium to flow from the cooling medium source 110 through the channel system 108, through the dedicated channel 220 and into the module 104 to cool the battery cells 214. Since only one of the valves 220 is opened, the cooling medium only flows to and into the relevant module 104.

[0059] The cooling medium source 110 can be a pressurized cooling medium source. For some systems, the cooling medium source 110 can be connected to multiple stacks.

[0060] The cooling medium source can be a pressurized tank, as Figure 1 shown, which can provide an independent energy storage system 100. Alternatively, the cooling system can be connected to a water supply device. In such an embodiment, the water supply device can be the cooling medium source.

[0061] In the pressure vessel, the amount of cooling medium can be limited to the amount of cooling medium required to cool a single module 104. For example, the amount can be adapted to fill the module 104. Potentially, a predetermined amount can be slightly larger than the volume of the module 104, such as 5%-10% larger. Alternatively, the vessel can include a larger amount of cooling medium. For example, the vessel can include enough cooling medium to cool two or more modules 104.

[0062] In a solution where the available amount of cooling medium is greater than the amount required to cool a single module, a timer or a flow sensor can be coupled to the cooling medium source 110. The timer or the flow sensor can communicate with the cooling system controller. The cooling system controller can control the flow from the cooling medium source 110 based on the timer (if the flow rate is known) or the flow sensor such that once a predetermined amount of cooling medium has been released into the module, the flow from the cooling medium source is shut off.

[0063] The valve system can further include a cooling medium source valve (such as Figure 4 the valve 432 in) disposed at the cooling medium source 110. The cooling medium source valve can control the flow of cooling medium from the cooling medium source 110 into the channel system 108. The cooling system controller 107 can first open the module valve 220 at the channel 112 dedicated to the battery module 104 upon detecting thermal runaway in the battery module 104. When the module valve 220 is open, the cooling system controller 107 can open the cooling medium source valve to release a predetermined amount of cooling medium into the battery module 104. When the valve 220 associated with the relevant module 104 is opened first, the channel system 108 may not be subjected to a pressure shock when the pressurized cooling medium is released into the system 108. This can allow the use of less sophisticated module valves 220.

[0064] Inside the module 104, the cooling medium can be distributed in different ways. In one example, the cooling medium can flow into the module 104 along one side of the module 104 to disperse around and between the battery cells 214. In another example, the battery module 104 can include tubes or pipes (not depicted) disposed within the housing 218 of the battery module 104. The tubes or pipes can include a plurality of holes to allow the cooling medium to disperse from the tubes or pipes and pass through the module 104.

[0065] Figure 3 An energy storage system 300 is illustrated, which is equivalent to the energy storage system 100 described above with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 except for the arrangement of the cooling system 306 and its channel system.

[0066] In Figure 3In [the figure], the cooling system 306 is disposed on top of the stack 302. The cooling system 306 includes a cooling medium source and a valve system. In the cooling system 306, each module 304 in the stack 302 has a valve. Each valve is connected to a dedicated channel (or pipe) 312, which is connected to the associated module 304 in the stack 302.

[0067] Figure 4 Illustrated is a cooling medium source 410, which may be disposed on top of the battery stack 302, such as in Figure 3 the illustrated cooling system 306.

[0068] The cooling medium source 410 includes two cooling medium tanks 428. The cooling medium in each of the cooling medium tanks 428 is pressurized by a pressure cylinder 430. The outlet channels from each of the cooling medium tanks 428 are connected to a common channel 434 via a manifold. At the common channel 434, a cooling medium source valve 432 is arranged to control the outflow of the cooling medium from the cooling medium source 410.

[0069] The common channel 434 may be connected, for example, to each of the valves in the valve system described with reference to Figure 3 [the relevant reference].

[0070] Figure 5 Illustrated is another embodiment of the energy storage system 500. The energy storage system 500 may be equivalent to the energy storage systems 100, 300 described above with reference to Figures 1 to 4 [the relevant reference].

[0071] The energy storage system includes a stack of battery modules 104 and a cooling system 506 disposed inside a cabinet 522. The energy storage system 500 further includes a battery management system (BMS) 526. The BMS 526 may manage the battery modules 104. For example, the BMS may monitor the battery modules 104, balance the charge of the battery modules 104, etc. The BMS 526 may also include at least a part of the cooling system controller. The BMS 526 may be configured to perform some processes of the cooling system controller.

[0072] The cooling system 506 is equivalent to the cooling system 306 described with reference to Figure 3 [the relevant reference], except that the channel system 508 is equivalent to the channel system 108 described with reference to Figure 1 and Figure 2 [the relevant reference]. In other embodiments, Figure 5 the channel system 508 of the illustrated cooling system 506 may be replaced with, for example, the channel system 312 described with reference to Figure 3 [the relevant reference].

[0073] The cabinet 522 can serve as a framework for holding the stack of modules 104 and the cooling system 506. The cabinet 522 can be a security cabinet with thick walls and a lockable door 524. The security cabinet can prevent unauthorized access to the battery modules 104. The security cabinet can further prevent the spread of fire to other stacks or prevent the cooling medium released into the modules from spreading outside the cabinet 522.

[0074] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is in no way limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, within the scope of the appended claims, many modifications and variations are possible.

[0075] Although the features and elements have been described above in specific combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements, or in various combinations with or without the other features and elements.

[0076] In addition, when practicing the claimed invention in light of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, those skilled in the art can understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. The mere fact that certain features are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these features cannot be used to advantage in combination.

[0077] List of Embodiments

[0078] 1. An energy storage system (100), comprising:

[0079] At least one battery stack (102), the at least one battery stack including at least one battery module (104), each of the at least one battery module including a plurality of temperature sensors (216); and

[0080] A cooling system (106), the cooling system including:

[0081] A cooling medium source (110);

[0082] A channel system (108) arranged to selectively supply the cooling medium from the cooling medium source to each of the at least one battery module by means of a valve system, and

[0083] A cooling system controller (107);

[0084] Wherein, the cooling system controller is configured to:

[0085] Determine that a battery module is in thermal runaway based on signals received from the temperature sensors of the at least one battery module; and

[0086] During thermal runaway, the valve system is activated to selectively release a predetermined amount of cooling medium into the battery module.

[0087] 2. The energy storage system according to clause 1, wherein the predetermined amount of the cooling medium is adapted to the volume of a single battery module.

[0088] 3. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cooling medium source is a pressurized tank (428) containing the predetermined amount of the cooling medium.

[0089] 4. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the cooling medium is water.

[0090] 5. The energy storage system according to any one of clauses 1 to 2, wherein:

[0091] the cooling medium source is a water supply device;

[0092] the cooling system further includes a flow sensor; and

[0093] the cooling system controller is further configured to: based on an input from the flow sensor, when the predetermined amount has been released into the battery module, stop the water supply device from operating.

[0094] 6. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein:

[0095] the channel system includes dedicated channels (112) for each of the at least one battery module; and

[0096] the valve system includes a plurality of individually controllable module valves (220), each module valve being arranged to connect to a corresponding dedicated channel and being configured to control the flow of the cooling medium from the cooling medium source to the corresponding dedicated channel.

[0097] 7. The energy storage system according to clause 6, wherein:

[0098] the valve system further includes a cooling medium source valve (432) arranged at the cooling medium source.

[0099] 8. The energy storage system according to clause 7, wherein the cooling system controller is further configured to, upon determining that the battery module is in thermal runaway, activate the valve system to:

[0100] open the module valve at the channel dedicated to the battery module; and

[0101] when the module valve is open, open the cooling medium source valve to release the predetermined amount of the cooling medium into the battery module.

[0102] 9. The energy storage system as described in any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein the cooling system controller is configured to: determine that the battery module is in thermal runaway based on the difference between two temperature measurements taken at a predetermined time interval, the difference being greater than a threshold value.

[0103] 10. The energy storage system as described in any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein each battery module includes at least four temperature sensors, and the at least four temperature sensors are arranged at different positions inside the battery module.

[0104] 11. The energy storage system as described in any one of the foregoing clauses, wherein each battery module further includes at least one carbon monoxide sensor, and wherein the cooling system controller is further configured to: determine that the battery module is in thermal runaway based on a signal received from the carbon monoxide sensor of the battery module.

[0105] 12. The energy storage system as described in any one of the foregoing clauses, further including a cabinet (522), and the at least one battery stack and the cooling system are arranged in the cabinet.

[0106] 13. A method for cooling a battery module (104) in an energy storage system (100), the energy storage system including at least one battery stack (102) and a cooling system (106), the at least one battery stack including at least one battery module, each of the at least one battery module including a plurality of temperature sensors (216), the cooling system including a cooling medium source (110) and a channel system (108), the channel system being arranged to selectively supply cooling medium from the cooling medium source to each of the at least one battery module by means of a valve system, the method including:

[0107] Receiving signals from the temperature sensors of the at least one battery module;

[0108] Determining that a battery module among the at least one battery module is in thermal runaway based on the received signals; and

[0109] At thermal runaway, activating the valve system to selectively release a predetermined amount of cooling medium into the battery module.

[0110] 14. The method as described in clause 13, wherein determining that the battery module is in thermal runaway includes determining that the difference between two temperature measurements taken at a predetermined time interval is greater than a threshold value.

[0111] 15. The method as described in any one of clauses 13 or 14, wherein the channel system includes dedicated channels (112) for each of the at least one battery module, and the valve system includes:

[0112] A plurality of individually controllable modular valves (220), each individually controllable modular valve being arranged to be connected to a respective dedicated channel and configured to control the flow of cooling medium from the cooling medium source to the respective dedicated channel; and

[0113] A cooling medium source valve, the cooling medium source valve being arranged at the cooling medium source;

[0114] The method further comprises, upon determining that the battery module is in thermal runaway, activating the valve system to:

[0115] Open the modular valve at the channel dedicated to the battery module; and

[0116] When the modular valve is open, open the cooling medium source valve to release the predetermined amount of cooling medium into the battery module.

Claims

1. An energy storage system (100), comprising: At least one battery stack (102), the at least one battery stack including at least one battery module (104), each of the at least one battery module including a plurality of temperature sensors (216); And A cooling system (106), the cooling system including: A pressurized cooling medium source (110); A channel system (108), the channel system being arranged to selectively supply the cooling medium from the cooling medium source to each of the at least one battery module by means of a valve system, and A cooling system controller (107); Wherein, the cooling system controller is configured to: Determine that the battery module is in thermal runaway based on signals received from the temperature sensors of the at least one battery module; And in the event of thermal runaway, activate the valve system to selectively release a predetermined amount of the cooling medium into the battery module.

2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein The predetermined amount of the cooling medium corresponds to the volume of a single battery module.

3. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cooling medium is water.

4. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The cooling system further includes a flow sensor; and The cooling system controller is further configured to: based on an input from the flow sensor, when the predetermined amount has been released into the battery module, stop the operation of the cooling medium source.

5. The energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The cooling system further includes a timer; and The cooling system controller is further configured to: Determine that the predetermined amount has been released into the battery module based on an input from the timer and a known flow rate of the cooling medium, and When the predetermined amount has been released into the battery module, stop the operation of the cooling medium source.

6. The energy storage system according to any one of claims 4 or 5, wherein, The cooling medium source is a water supply device.

7. The energy storage system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The cooling medium source is a pressurized tank (428) containing the predetermined amount of the cooling medium.

8. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The channel system includes dedicated channels (112) for each of the at least one battery module; and The valve system includes a plurality of individually controllable module valves (220), each module valve being arranged to be connected to a corresponding dedicated channel and configured to control the flow of the cooling medium from the cooling medium source to the corresponding dedicated channel.

9. The energy storage system according to claim 8, wherein: The valve system further includes a cooling medium source valve (432), the cooling medium source valve being arranged at the cooling medium source.

10. The energy storage system according to claim 9, wherein, The cooling system controller is further configured to, when determining that the battery module is in thermal runaway, activate the valve system to: Open the module valve at the channel dedicated to the battery module; And When the module valve is open, open the cooling medium source valve to release the predetermined amount of the cooling medium into the battery module.

11. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The cooling system controller is configured to determine that the battery module is in thermal runaway based on the difference between two temperature measurements taken at a predetermined time interval, the difference being greater than a threshold.

12. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each battery module includes at least four temperature sensors, the at least four temperature sensors being arranged at different positions inside the battery module.

13. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each battery module further includes at least one carbon monoxide sensor, and wherein the cooling system controller is further configured to determine that the battery module is in thermal runaway based on a signal received from the carbon monoxide sensor of the battery module.

14. The energy storage system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cabinet (522), in which the at least one battery stack and the cooling system are arranged.

15. A method for cooling a battery module (104) in an energy storage system (100), the energy storage system comprising at least one battery stack (102) and a cooling system (106), the at least one battery stack including at least one battery module, each of the at least one battery module including a plurality of temperature sensors (216), the cooling system including a pressurized cooling medium source (110) and a channel system (108), the channel system being arranged to selectively supply the cooling medium from the cooling medium source to each of the at least one battery module by means of a valve system, the method comprising: Receiving signals from the temperature sensors of the at least one battery module; Determining that a battery module among the at least one battery module is in thermal runaway based on the received signals; And At thermal runaway, activating the valve system to selectively release a predetermined amount of cooling medium into the battery module.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein, Determining that the battery module is in thermal runaway includes determining that the difference between two temperature measurement results generated at a predetermined time interval is greater than a threshold.

17. The method according to any one of claims 15 or 16, wherein The channel system includes dedicated channels (112) for each of the at least one battery module, and the valve system includes: A plurality of individually controllable module valves (220), each individually controllable module valve being arranged to be connected to a corresponding dedicated channel and configured to control the flow of cooling medium from the cooling medium source to the corresponding dedicated channel, and A cooling medium source valve arranged at the cooling medium source; The method further includes, when determining that the battery module is in thermal runaway, activating the valve system to: Open the module valve at the channel dedicated to the battery module; and When the module valve is open, open the cooling medium source valve to release the predetermined amount of cooling medium into the battery module.

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