Container for electronic components of a renewable energy source and plant with the container

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a container for electronic assemblies of a renewable energy source and a system for operating a renewable energy source in the form of a solar power system.

[0002] Renewable energy sources are being used more and more and are an important component in achieving climate goals and reducing CO2 emissions. In addition to installations on residential buildings, roofs of industrial plants and production halls are also being equipped with solar panels. The energy generated in this way can be fed into the local power grid via transformer stations. Furthermore, the use of batteries as intermediate storage has proven effective.

[0003] To operate battery storage systems or large servers correctly according to manufacturer guidelines, they must be operated in thermally insulated rooms. Currently, lithium-ion or iron-phosphate batteries are used for this purpose, some of which are also equipped with appropriate temperature control. The prescribed temperatures for servers and battery storage systems, for example, are often room temperature, i.e., between 20°C and 25°C.

[0004] Previous solutions for installing energy storage systems have been implemented in existing buildings, containers, or buildings also used for transformer substations. Because these solutions were originally built for other purposes and sometimes require modification, users face several disadvantages in practice. In the case of existing buildings, these include the problem of the very high fire load when installing, for example, battery storage systems. These are mostly made of lithium-ion or iron-phosphate batteries and are difficult to extinguish in the event of a fire. Furthermore, there is a risk of deflagrations (e.g., exploding capacitors in the inverters of the battery storage systems).Even if buildings achieve fire resistance class F 90 (90-minute fire resistance), these types of batteries are very difficult to extinguish, so that even with timely intervention by the fire department, adjacent buildings and their contents can still be significantly damaged. In some cases, these energy storage units are deliberately allowed to burn out in the event of a fire. Using them in separate buildings located outside the main production site represents a very expensive solution. Furthermore, flexibility is limited, for example, if the building needs to be relocated.

[0005] In the case of deployment in containers, one current practice involves housing these batteries or other flammable electrical components in freestanding containers not connected to buildings. If maintenance of the electrical components is performed externally via side doors, flexibility is limited, as the electrical component must be positioned directly in front of the side or rear door for maintenance or replacement. These components (energy storage systems, inverters, control boxes, servers, etc.) typically vary in size and are combined in different configurations depending on the requirements.

[0006] In practice, this results in various order-specific variations, which negatively impact the cost-effectiveness of container production. Necessary maintenance work must be carried out outdoors. Furthermore, too many doors compromise the container's insulation as described above.

[0007] When used in transformer substations, the fact that these are manufactured using conventional concrete techniques makes them correspondingly expensive. The components are thick-walled and heavy, requiring special transport vehicles for the delivery of the building sections or the prefabricated substation. Furthermore, pre-installation is hardly possible, as these substations are usually assembled on-site.

[0008] In addition to installing battery storage systems, large servers are often installed in their own containers. Such computer systems also require temperature control to maintain the performance of their electronic components.

[0009] EP 2 879 475 A1 describes a solar inverter comprising a DC input for connection to photovoltaic devices, an AC output for connection to an AC grid, a first enclosed zone, and a second, partially enclosed zone. The solar inverter includes a capacitor bank with one or more capacitors for maintaining an intermediate circuit voltage, a converter for converting the intermediate circuit voltage into an AC voltage, and an inductor box connected between the converter and the AC output. The inductor box contains one or more inductors, is mounted in the second zone, has connections to the inverter accessible from the first zone, and is otherwise separated from an outer enclosure of the first zone by an air gap.

[0010] JP 6 005 995 B2 describes a transformation unit that can reduce or eliminate the effort required for underground wiring, decrease the number of earth fault detectors required, and also reduce or eliminate combined on-site testing. The cables in a first duct, installed between a container and a step-up transformer, and the cables in a second duct, installed between the step-up transformer and a system connection board, are laid with a certain distance, or more, that does not cause dielectric breakdown for the inner wall surface of the duct, and are secured in place.

[0011] US 8,482,163 B2 describes an inverter unit comprising a housing, an inverter within the housing, and a cooling source in thermal communion with the inverter, wherein the inverter has a rated output power at a first temperature, and the cooling source is configured to maintain the inverter at or below a second temperature sufficient to allow the inverter to be overridden to increase the output power by 5% or more above the rated output power in response to detected load and temperature conditions.

[0012] US Patent 11,382,242 B2 describes a power electronics system with an environment-sealed electronics compartment for housing power electronics equipment. The system includes a collection chamber within the sealed electronics compartment for air circulation. A first liquid cooling circuit is configured to cool the air flowing through the collection chamber. A second liquid cooling circuit is configured to directly cool the power electronics equipment. The system includes a controller configured to independently regulate the flow rate of the first and second liquid cooling circuits.

[0013] DE 10 2019 132057 A1 discloses a mobile test container and an arrangement of at least two mobile test containers suitable for testing drive elements, in particular electric motors and gearboxes, including environmental simulation.

[0014] US Patent 5,735,639 A discloses a mobile safety structure for the storage and handling of containers of hazardous materials, comprising multiple modular storage units. The modular storage units can be configured in tandem. In this configuration, access between the interiors of adjacent modular storage units is provided by a bellows connected to, and detachable from, a bellows support frame in a side wall of each modular storage unit. The modular storage units can also be configured in a stacked arrangement. Each modular storage unit also includes front, back, and side walls, as well as a roof, constructed of a highly robust material. The interior and exterior surfaces consist of steel plates supported by a generally rectangular steel tube frame for each wall and the roof of the mobile safety structure.

[0015] US Patent 5,761,854 A shows an arrangement that combines the advantages of frame structures and tents in a portable, collapsible shelter by modifying standard shipping container designs to have fold-down side walls that extend the container's footprint and are fitted with a retractable fabric cover to enclose the extended space.

[0016] DE 101 42 103 A1 shows that a room enclosure for protecting a transmitter or other electrotechnical equipment for telecommunications has at least one fan element and ventilation openings in at least one wall of the enclosure. At least one fan element is located in a ventilation opening in the roof area of ​​the room enclosure, and at least one cooling unit is located inside the room enclosure for cooling the interior air. A condenser and an evaporator of the cooling unit, which has a separate air circuit, are located upstream of at least one wall opening. An air outlet opening is provided in the front wall of a housing of the cooling unit near the evaporator. For air conditioning of the room enclosure, the supply air is cooled by the internal cooling unit while the roof-facing ventilation element is operated.

[0017] WO 2022 / 015152 A1 discloses an enclosure structure for housing a solid waste management device. The enclosure is in the form of a container and a trailer or a vehicle-mounted version. The enclosure structure comprises a front and a rear wall with at least one electrical socket and a power supply connection, a first and a second side door with multiple hydraulic cylinders that hydraulically actuate the side doors within 30 seconds, a roof access with four main opening hatches to allow operational access and maintenance, a floor that serves as a platform for installing the solid waste management device, and electrical control panels for controlling the operation of the enclosure structure.

[0018] The brochure "ABB Solar Inverters" (https: / / www.solarmarkt.ch / artimg / 20-Wechselrichter / ABB / Hersteller / PU_DE_ABB_Solar-Wechselrichter.pdf) describes container solutions for solar systems with separate rooms and central inverters in one of the rooms.

[0019] Therefore, there is a need to create a container or a container-based system that enables improved temperature control in connection with the operation of a renewable energy source.

[0020] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. These can be combined with one another in a technologically meaningful manner. The description, particularly in conjunction with the drawing, further characterizes and specifies the invention.

[0021] According to the invention, a container for electronic assemblies, in particular a renewable energy source or a computer system, is created, comprising side walls with at least one door for access to the interior of the container, a floor element and a ceiling element, wherein the interior of the container is divided into two chambers separated by a partition wall, wherein the two chambers have differently adjustable permissible temperature ranges via at least one air conditioning unit, wherein at least the side walls have an inner covering layer and an outer covering layer made of electrically conductive material, preferably sheet steel or aluminum sheet, as well as a foam core, preferably made of polyurethane, for thermal insulation, wherein the electronic assemblies are arranged along a corridor in the interior of the chambers.

[0022] The container is designed to house a system for operating a renewable energy source in the form of a solar power plant. A battery storage system is installed in the first of the two chambers, which has a narrow temperature range, while at least the inverters for operating the solar power plant are located in the second of the two chambers, which has a wider temperature range.

[0023] The container is assembled from side walls, similar to the refrigerated box of a refrigerated vehicle, with an inner and outer metal outer layer. A foam core is sandwiched between these layers, providing high thermal insulation. The container is completed by a floor and a ceiling element, which, like the side walls, can also be made with foam. The container's external dimensions can be designed to allow loading onto a trailer or low-loader, which can then be driven on public roads without special heavy transport markings. With appropriate securing devices, the container can also be easily moved to a different location. The electronic components can also be at least partially pre-installed inside the container.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, an externally connectable fire extinguishing water device is provided for flooding the container.

[0025] This design allows firefighters to extinguish any fire inside the container without having to enter it. The necessary water supply can be operated at a greater distance from the container, eliminating the risk of firefighters being endangered by fire spreading. A liquid-tight drip tray to collect decontaminated extinguishing water is particularly advantageous. Any external cable or conduit penetrations are also sealed, for example, using polyurethane foam. The container can be positioned to maintain a minimum distance from buildings, typically 5 meters to prevent fire spread. This also eliminates the need for a mandatory fire resistance rating for the container walls, thus reducing manufacturing costs.

[0026] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the two chambers enable a spatial separation of the electronic assemblies with regard to their power output.

[0027] The container's interior features two temperature zones, allowing electronic components with varying temperature requirements to be housed in separate compartments. The battery storage system of a solar power plant is located in one compartment with a narrower temperature range, for example, between 20°C and 25°C. The other compartment contains an inverter and, if necessary, other electronic components.

[0028] In another unclaimed embodiment, a server can be housed in one chamber, while the other chamber is equipped with a battery storage system for continued operation of the server in the absence of mains power.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the temperature ranges of the chambers can be controlled via a two-evaporator system or via a single-evaporator system and a fan arrangement.

[0030] This air conditioning unit can feature a single or dual evaporator system for separate climate control of each chamber. In a single-evaporator unit for only one chamber, a thermostat-controlled fan can be integrated into the partition. This significantly reduces energy consumption, as only the battery storage or other temperature-sensitive components (servers, etc.) need to be operated within a prescribed temperature range (usually +20°C to +25°C). When the outside temperature is warm, air is blown from the climate-controlled chamber into the other chamber until the desired temperature is reached. Conversely, when the outside temperature is cold, warm air can be blown from the warm, non-climate-controlled chamber into the first chamber. Under favorable conditions, this eliminates the need for the air conditioning unit altogether.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the partition wall is provided with a lockable access opening to allow access to both chambers or an escape route via the door.

[0032] The partition wall can be equipped with a sliding door or a swing door as an access opening.

[0033] According to a further embodiment of the invention, two doors are provided on opposite sides of the container to allow access to both chambers or an escape route.

[0034] The doors at the front allow both chambers to be accessed even without a connecting door in the partition wall.

[0035] It is particularly advantageous if the door(s) have panic locks on the inside. This makes it possible to leave the rooms at any time.

[0036] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an intermediate shelf is provided, which rests on a frame and on which the electronic assemblies are arranged. The area under the intermediate shelf can serve as a cable entry point via at least one opening in the side wall. It is advantageous if several openings are provided in the side walls, which are preferably arranged in a mirror-symmetrical or rotationally symmetrical manner relative to each other.

[0037] The container can be equipped with a double floor, which allows for the installation of high-voltage cables and their entry into the container underground. This provides particularly good protection for the high-voltage cables, as no above-ground routing is required. The insulated side walls are lined with conductive sheeting on the inside and outside. This sheeting can serve as grounding for equipotential bonding. According to a further embodiment of the invention, a roof hatch made of a plastic material is arranged in the roof element.

[0038] It is advantageous if the roof hatch spans the partition wall, with the area between the partition wall and the roof hatch being filled with an insulating panel.

[0039] The roof hatch is mounted in the upper part of the container as a pressure equalization flap, which can be used in the event of any deflagrations.

[0040] This task is also solved by a system for operating a renewable energy source in the form of a solar power plant, comprising a transformer station for connection to the power grid and a freestanding container as described above, in which a battery storage system is installed in the first chamber with a narrow temperature range and at least the inverters for operating the solar power plant are arranged in the second chamber with a wider temperature range.

[0041] In this way, the connection of a solar power system via the transformer station is realized using the container according to the invention, so that the electronic components necessary for operation can be arranged in a thermally insulated area.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment of the system, the container has a predetermined minimum distance to buildings.

[0043] Some exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention in a side view, and Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the invention in a top view.

[0044] In the figures, identical or functionally equivalent components are provided with the same reference symbols.

[0045] In Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a container 2 according to the invention. The container 2 has two longer side walls 4 along its longitudinal side and two shorter side walls 6 along its transverse side. The side walls 4 and 6 each consist of an inner lining layer 8 and an outer lining layer 10, between which a foam core 12 is installed for thermal insulation. A door 14 is mounted on each of the two shorter side walls 6.

[0046] A partition wall 16 divides the interior of container 2 into a warmer chamber 18 and a colder chamber 20. Lighting fixtures 22 and fire detectors 24 for the two chambers 18 and 20, for example, can be installed on the ceiling. A roof hatch 26 is also provided, spanning the partition wall 16. In the illustrated configuration, the colder chamber 20 is equipped with an air conditioning unit 28, which supplies conditioned air 30 to the interior of the colder chamber 20. An airflow can also be directed into the warmer chamber 18 via a fan unit (not shown) in the partition wall 16.

[0047] Furthermore, several penetrations 32 are provided in the side walls 4, which are arranged symmetrically in a mirror-image or rotationally symmetrical manner, so that the container 2 can be connected to an adjacent container in different ways or, depending on the orientation of the container 2, to other units. In addition, a fire extinguishing water connection 34 is provided, through which fire extinguishing water can be supplied to the interior of the container 2 in the event of a fire.

[0048] Container 2 is configured such that electronic assemblies are inserted into the two chambers 18 and 20, depending on their operating temperature. In the example shown, several battery storage units 36 and a control unit 38 are installed in the cooler chamber 20. Battery storage units 26 typically need to be operated within a narrower temperature range, for example, between 20 °C and 25 °C, to meet the manufacturer's specifications. Chamber 20 was therefore designed with regard to its climate control to ensure compliance with this requirement.

[0049] For example, inverters 40 connected to a solar power system can be installed in the warmer chamber 18. Inverters 40 typically have higher power losses, so the warmer chamber 18 can meet different climate control requirements than the battery storage units 36. This allows the location of the electronic assemblies to be chosen so that optimal operating conditions are achieved for each component.

[0050] In another embodiment, it would also be possible to design the partition 16 to be removable or to equip the container 2 without the partition 16. The area between the partition 16 and the roof hatch 26 can also be sealed with suitable insulating material.

[0051] The two opposing doors 14 define a corridor accessible to personnel. The electronic assemblies are arranged along the corridor to ensure unobstructed passage. Preferably, the electronic assemblies are housed in control cabinets on the side walls 4.

[0052] The in Figure 1 The depicted structure of container 2 is in Figure 2 shown again in a side view. In addition to the features already described, Figure 2It can be seen that the electronic assemblies, in the form of the inverter 40, the battery storage unit 36, and the control unit 38, are arranged on an intermediate floor 42, which rests on a support structure (not shown) above the penetrations or openings 32. The support structure, in turn, is arranged on a base element 44, which forms the lower end of the container 2. A roof element 46, which includes the roof hatch 26, is also provided on the top. High-voltage lines can be routed to and from the container via the penetrations 32. The area below the intermediate floor 42 is typically buried in the ground. This area, which is Figure 2 The component marked with reference 48 can also form a watertight base tray in which contaminated extinguishing water is collected, which was supplied via the extinguishing water connection 34 in case of fire.

[0053] The roof hatch 26 functions as a pressure equalization flap, which can be used in the event of any deflagrations.

[0054] Container 2 can be used in a system for operating a renewable energy source in the form of a solar power plant, which includes a transformer station for connection to the power grid. The transformer station can be a freestanding container 2 as described above, in which the battery storage unit 36 ​​is installed in the first chamber 20 with a narrow temperature range, and at least the inverters 40 for operating the solar power plant are arranged in the second chamber 18 with a wider temperature range.

[0055] In another embodiment, instead of inverters of a solar power system, a server can be provided in the second chamber 18, which can be supplied via the battery storage 36.

[0056] Container 2 has external dimensions that allow it to be transported on public roads. Its width along the short side is slightly less than 3 m, and its length along the long side is approximately 5 m. The height is less than 3 m.

[0057] The features described above and in the claims, as well as those shown in the illustrations, can be advantageously implemented both individually and in various combinations. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments but can be modified in various ways within the scope of expert knowledge and the attached claims. List of reference symbols

[0058] 2 Container 4 Side walls 6 Side walls 8 Inner lining 10 Outer lining 12 Foam core 14 Door 16 Partition 18 Chamber 20 Chamber 22 Lighting fixture 24 Fire alarm 26 Roof hatch 28 Air conditioner 30 Air 32 Opening 34 Fire extinguishing water connection 36 Battery storage 38 Control unit 40 Inverter 42 Intermediate floor 44 Floor element 46 Roof element 48 Floor tray

Claims

1. Container (2) for a system for operating a renewable energy source in the form of a solar-power system, the container (2) being provided for electronic assemblies (36; 38; 40), in particular a renewable energy source or a server, and comprising: lateral walls (4; 6) which have at least one door (14) for access to the interior of the container (2), a floor element (44) and a ceiling element (46), the interior of the container (2) being divided into two chambers (18; 20) separated by a partition wall (16), the two chambers (18; 20) having permissible temperature ranges which can be adjusted differently by means of at least one air conditioning unit (28), characterized in that at least the lateral walls (4; 6) have an inner cover layer (8) and an outer cover layer (10) made of electrically conductive material, preferably steel sheet or aluminum sheet, and a foam core (12), preferably made of polyurethane, for thermal insulation, the electronic assemblies (36; 38; 40) being arranged along a passage inside the chambers, and a battery storage system being introduced in a first chamber of the two chambers with a narrow temperature range, and at least the inverters for operating the solar-power system being arranged in a second chamber of the two chambers with a wider temperature range.

2. Container according to claim 1, wherein an externally connectable extinguishing-water device (34) is provided for flooding the container.

3. Container according to claim 2, wherein a liquid-tight floor tray (48) is provided for collecting decontaminated extinguishing water.

4. Container according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the two chambers (18; 20) enable a spatial separation of the electronic assemblies with respect to their power output.

5. Container according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the temperature ranges of the chambers can be controlled by means of a two-evaporator system or by means of a single-evaporator system and a fan arrangement.

6. Container according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the partition wall (16) is provided with a lockable access opening to allow access to both chambers or an escape route via the door.

7. Container according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein two doors (14) are provided on opposite sides of the container to allow access to both chambers or an escape route.

8. Container according to either of claims 6 or 7, wherein the door or doors have panic locks on the inside.

9. Container according to any of claims 1 to 8, in which an intermediate floor (42) is provided which rests on a framework and on which the electronic assemblies are arranged.

10. Container according to claim 9, wherein the region under the intermediate floor serves as a cable feed through at least one opening (32) in the lateral wall.

11. Container according to claim 10, wherein a plurality of openings (32) are provided on the lateral walls, which are preferably arranged mirror symmetrically or rotationally symmetrically to one another on the lateral walls.

12. Container according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein a roof hatch (26) made of a plastics material is arranged in the roof element.

13. Container according to claim 12, wherein the roof hatch spans the partition wall, wherein the region between the partition wall and the roof hatch is filled with an insulating panel.

14. System for operating a renewable energy source in the form of a solar-power system, comprising a transformer station for connection to the power grid and a freestanding container according to any of claims 1 to 13.

15. System according to claim 14, wherein the container has a predetermined minimum distance to buildings.