Battery module container equipped with a cooling system, electrical power storage system and associated process

Abstract

Battery module container equipped with a cooling system, electrical power storage system, and associated method. This container (12) includes a system (31) for distributing cooled air to each battery module (16), the distribution system (31) comprising a cooled air generation device. The cooled air distribution system (31) includes at least two horizontal tubes (62) for channeling cooled air to the battery modules (16), delimiting an intermediate space (64) between them. Each horizontal tube (62) has a plurality of cooled air distribution openings (80) designed to open opposite successive battery modules (16) placed along the horizontal tubes (62). The cooled air distribution system (31) includes at least one vertical plenum (66) connected to the cooled air generation device (60) and to the horizontal tubes (62) for distributing the cooled air into the horizontal tubes (62).Figure for the abbreviation: Figure 2.

Description

Title of the invention: Battery module container equipped with a cooling system, electrical power storage system and associated method

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery module container, comprising a structure including:

[0002] - a floor having an upper surface for supporting battery modules,

[0003] - peripheral walls,

[0004] - a roof, arranged above the peripheral walls,

[0005] the floor, the perimeter walls and the roof defining an interior volume for receiving the battery modules,

[0006] - a system for distributing cooled air to each battery module, included in the interior volume, the diffusion system including a cooled air generation device.

[0007] Such a container is intended to contain battery modules to provide a movable source of electrical power, suitable for temporary or permanent installation at a site requiring electrical power.

[0008] Conventionally, it is known to construct an electrical power storage system by placing battery modules and an electrical and thermal management unit for the modules in a standard rectangular container. This storage system is easily transportable, particularly by road, rail, sea, or air.

[0009] The structure of the container housing the battery modules generally comprises a floor, perimeter walls projecting from the floor, and a roof that encloses the interior volume containing the battery modules. The perimeter walls are equipped with doors that allow access to the interior volume when necessary.

[0010] During operation, the modules included in the container charge to store electrical power received from an electrical power source and discharge to supply electrical power to an electrical power consumer. These successive charges and discharges cause the cells of the battery modules to heat up and therefore increase the temperature within the battery modules.

[0011] However, a battery module must preferably operate within a very specific temperature range, for example between 18 and 25°C.

[0012] In some cases, battery modules can reach a temperature far exceeding the desired temperature, for example on the order of 40°C.

[0013] Above a certain temperature, the battery module cells exhibit an irreversibly reduced lifespan. In some cases, this degradation causes events that endanger the container, for example, thermal runaway.

[0014] Moreover, below a certain temperature, the modules exhibit increased internal resistance and heat up more due to the Joule effect.

[0015] Therefore, it is necessary to cool the modules so that they are at the ideal temperature for operation.

[0016] To achieve this, it is known to equip the container with a cooled air generation device by placing it under the roof above the battery modules. The cooled air generation device blows cooled air from top to bottom.

[0017] Such a solution is not entirely satisfactory. Indeed, the diffusion of cold air from top to bottom around the modules creates a vertical temperature gradient, since the upper modules are cooled more than the lower modules. Similarly, the modules located closer to the cooled air generation device are cooled more than those further away, which causes an axial temperature gradient.

[0018] To overcome this problem, CN112259827 describes a storage system in which cold air is transported from top to bottom by means of ducts to each battery module individually connected to a duct. The hot air produced in each module is recovered and transported by pipes to a cooled air generation device.

[0019] Such a solution is still not optimal. Indeed, since the pipes supplying cold air to the modules are vertical, a vertical temperature gradient still remains. In particular, the flow of cold air is not distributed homogeneously throughout the different modules, with the upper modules drawing in the cold air first, while the lower modules continue to receive warmer air.

[0020] Furthermore, this type of solution is particularly suitable for use in buildings, where it is easy to extract the hot air exiting the modules to the outside, and not in container-type applications, where the volume is limited and the container must be airtight. The cooling system is also bulky.

[0021] One object of the invention is to provide an electrical power storage system, in which the heating of battery modules during successive charges and discharges is limited and this is done homogeneously over all the battery modules.

[0022] For this purpose, the invention relates to a container of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the cooled air diffusion system comprises at least two horizontal tubes for the path of the cooled air to the battery modules delimiting an intermediate space between them, each horizontal tube having a plurality of cooled air diffusion openings intended to open in relation to successive battery modules placed along the horizontal tubes, the cooled air diffusion system comprising at least one vertical plenum connected to the cooled air generation device and to the horizontal tubes to distribute the cooled air in the horizontal tubes.

[0023] The container according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0024] - the cooled air diffusion system comprises at least three horizontal tubes distributed along the height of the vertical plenum, the assembly formed by the horizontal tubes and the vertical plenum forming a comb for diffusing cooled air;

[0025] - the internal volume includes at least one module storage compartment of battery, the horizontal tubes extending horizontally over more than 50% of the length of the battery module storage compartment;

[0026] - the vertical plenum contains internally a plurality of distribution plates of the cooled airflow between horizontal tubes;

[0027] - at least two diffusion openings along each horizontal tube present sections of different areas and / or at least one diffusion opening on a first horizontal tube has a different area section than the area of ​​another diffusion opening on another horizontal tube;

[0028] - at least part of the diffusion openings open vertically towards the at the top, advantageously at least part of the diffusion openings opening vertically downwards;

[0029] - the plenum has an opening for the intake of cooled air into its space internal, connected to the cooled air generation device, the cooled air intake opening in the internal space having an internal area Al section substantially equal to the sum of the areas A2 of the internal sections of all the horizontal tubes.

[0030] The invention also relates to an electrical power storage system, comprising:

[0031] - a container as defined above;

[0032] - battery modules received in the internal volume;

[0033] - terminals, connected to the battery modules and intended to connect to a consumer of electrical power supplied by the battery modules and / or to an electrical power supplier for recharging the battery modules.

[0034] The system according to the invention may comprise one or more of the following features, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0035] - the storage system comprises at least one row of battery modules, each row comprising a plurality of columns of battery modules, the horizontal tubes extending along the row of battery modules at different heights opposite each column;

[0036] - each battery module is placed opposite a horizontal tube, the tube horizontal including a diffusion opening specific to each battery module;

[0037] - each battery module includes an outer casing defining a passage fresh air intake, the diffusion opening opening in the vicinity of the fresh air intake passage without connection with the fresh air intake passage;

[0038] - the external casing includes a hot air exhaust passage, the passage hot air exhaust vent opening into the interior volume without being connected to a hot air collection system;

[0039] - the cooled air generation device includes an air intake hot, the battery modules and the cooled air diffusion system externally delimit in the interior volume a fluid path between each hot air exhaust passage and the intake inlet.

[0040] The invention also relates to a method for cooling battery modules in a storage system as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:

[0041] - generation of cooled air using the cooled air generation device,

[0042] - passage of cooled air into the vertical plenum to distribute it between the tubes horizontal,

[0043] - circulation of cooled air through the horizontal tubes to the openings of broadcast,

[0044] - diffusion of cooled air from the diffusion openings to the modules of battery,

[0045] - intake of cooled air into the battery modules.

[0046] The method according to the invention may include one or more of the following features The following, taken individually or in any technically possible combination:

[0047] - the temperature difference between the temperature of the highest battery module hot and the average temperature of the battery modules is below 5°C;

[0048] - the cooling process includes a discharge of air heated by each battery module, and circulation of heated air between the battery modules and the cooled air diffusion system to a heated air intake inlet of the cooled air generation device, without passing through a hot air collection system.

[0049] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0050] - [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a view, taken in three-quarter perspective, of a first electrical power storage system according to the invention;

[0051] - [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a cross-sectional view along a median vertical plane of the first electrical power storage system according to the invention;

[0052] - [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view along a horizontal plane of the first electrical power storage system according to the invention;

[0053] - [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic view, taken in cross-section along a vertical plane, of a plenum of the cooled air diffusion system of the first electrical power storage system according to the invention;

[0054] - [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a view analogous to [Fig. 3] of a variant of the system electrical power storage according to the invention;

[0055] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate a first electrical energy storage system 10 according to the invention.

[0056] The storage system 10 is intended to be transported to a site of use, for example by a road vehicle such as a truck, by a rail vehicle, and / or by a maritime vehicle such as a transport vessel. It is intended to be electrically connected to an electrical power grid at a site of use and, alternatively, to an electrical power supply grid for recharging.

[0057] The storage system 10 comprises a container 12 of battery modules, delimiting an internal volume 14, and a plurality of battery modules 16 received in the internal volume 14. The storage system 10 advantageously comprises an electrical and thermal management system for the battery modules 16 (“Battery Management Module” or “BMM” in English) and a safety system (not shown).

[0058] In this example, with reference to [Fig.2], the container 12 contains, for example, between 10 and 150 battery modules 16. It extends along a longitudinal axis A-A'.

[0059] The battery modules 16 are mounted in series and / or in parallel to deliver to at least two electrical terminals 22 present on the container 12, an electrical power which can reach for example up to 4MWh for voltages up to 1500V.

[0060] Each battery module 16 comprises a plurality of electrochemical cells, for example received in prismatic or cylindrical inner housings or in flexible pouches. Each electrochemical cell comprises anodes, cathodes and separators, between which electrochemical reactions take place.

[0061] Each battery module 16 comprises an outer casing 21 containing the inner casings or cell pockets. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, each The outer casing 21 includes a fresh air intake passage 21A opening here towards the axis A-A' and a hot air exhaust passage 21B, opening here away from the axis A-A'.

[0062] The battery modules 16 are arranged vertically in the form of columns 22A and horizontally in the form of at least one row 22B, here of at least two parallel rows 22B extending parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A' of the container 12.

[0063] Each row 22B comprises a plurality of columns 22A of battery modules 16, arranged one after the other parallel to the axis A-A'.

[0064] The columns 22A define between themselves transverse intermediate volumes 22C. Similarly, the rows 22B delimit between themselves an axial intermediate volume 22D, the volumes 22C, 22D allowing a circulation of an airflow.

[0065] The management system (not shown) is designed to control the voltage and current delivered by each battery module during the supply of electrical power, and the power and current delivered to each battery module during the recharging of the battery modules 16.

[0066] The electrical terminals 22 are intended to connect to the user network (not shown) for the supply of electrical energy stored in the battery modules 16, and alternatively, to an electrical power supply network, for the recharging of the battery modules 16.

[0067] The safety system (not shown) includes, for example, temperature and / or pressure detection sensors in the internal volume 14, an inert gas source, and a control unit capable of delivering the inert gas into the internal volume 14 from the inert gas source, upon detection of an increase in temperature, smoke, carbon monoxide and / or pressure exceeding a given threshold in the internal volume 14.

[0068] With reference to [Fig. 1], the container 12 comprises a self-supporting structure 30, intended to define the internal volume 14, and to allow the combined transport of the battery modules 16, the management system, and the security system to a site of use. As can be seen in Figures 2 and 3, it contains a system 31 for distributing cooled air to each battery module 16 within the internal volume 14.

[0069] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the structure 30 comprises a floor 32, peripheral walls 36 projecting from the periphery of the floor 32 and a roof 38. The floor 32, the peripheral walls 36 and the roof 38 internally delimit the internal volume 14.

[0070] The structure 30 of the container 12 is here polyhedral in shape. In particular, the structure 30 has the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, extending longitudinally along the longitudinal axis A-A' which is horizontal when container 12 is placed on a horizontal support.

[0071] The dimensions of structure 30 are governed by transport standards.

[0072] Container 12 has, for example, a length greater than 2 m, in particular between 2.5 m and 15 m, a width greater than 1 m, in particular between 2 m and 4 m and a height greater than 1 m, in particular between 2 m and 4 m.

[0073] Container 12 is in particular a 20-foot container known as a "High Cube" with a length of 6.058 m, a width of 2.438 m and a height of 2.896 m. However, the present invention applies to any type of container having ISO corners (e.g., 40 feet (12 m), 10 feet (3 m), etc.).

[0074] The floor 32 is here flat. With reference to [Fig.2], it defines upwards, a flat upper support surface 43 which supports the battery modules 16, the cooled air diffusion system 31, the management system and the safety system when present.

[0075] With reference to figures 1 to 3, the peripheral walls 36 comprise two longitudinal vertical walls 50A, 50B, the longitudinal walls 50A, 50B being arranged vertically, parallel to the axis A-A', on either side of the axis A-A'.

[0076] The peripheral walls 36 further comprise two transverse vertical walls 52C, 52D extending perpendicularly to the axis A-A' and connecting the longitudinal walls 50A, 50B to each other at the longitudinal ends of the structure 30.

[0077] The longitudinal walls 50A, 50B and the transverse walls 52C, 52D delimit two by two the corners of the structure 30. They delimit the interior volume 14 on the outside.

[0078] As can be seen in figures 1 to 3, the longitudinal walls 50A, 50B and possibly the transverse walls 52C, 52D are provided with movable doors 53A, 53B allowing access to the interior volume 14 from outside the container 12, and a locking mechanism 53C for the movable doors 53A, 53B.

[0079] Advantageously, with reference to [Fig.2], the structure 30 optionally includes an internal partition 54 to the internal volume 14, delimiting in the internal volume 14 a compartment 56 for storing the battery modules 16, and separately, a control compartment 58, receiving the management system and the security system.

[0080] The cooled air diffusion system 31 is arranged in the internal volume 14. It comprises a cooled air generation device 60 (visible in [Fig. 3]), and horizontal tubes 62 for diffusing cooled air to the battery modules 16, delimiting two intermediate spaces 64. The cooled air diffusion system 31 further comprises a vertical plenum 66 for distribution within the tubes horizontal 62 of the cooled air produced by the generation device 60, interposed between the generation device 60 and the horizontal tubes 62.

[0081] With reference to [Fig.3], the cooled air generation device 60 includes, for example, an air conditioning unit 67 accepting hot air at a hot air intake 68 and expelling cooled air at a cooled air discharge outlet 70.

[0082] The horizontal tubes 62 extend linearly in an intermediate volume 22C along a row 22B of battery modules 16. They advantageously all extend parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A'.

[0083] The horizontal tubes 62 extend over at least part of the length of the rows 22B opposite, here over the entire length of the rows 22B.

[0084] Each horizontal tube 62 is placed opposite successive faces of the outer casings 21 of battery modules 16 in which the fresh air intake passages 21A are provided, at a predefined height relative to the floor 32. Advantageously, each horizontal tube 62 is placed in the vicinity or in contact with successive faces of the outer casings 21 of battery modules 16 in which the fresh air intake passages 21A are provided.

[0085] Each fresh air intake passage 21A of a battery module 16 present in a column 22A within a row 22B is thus advantageously arranged opposite a horizontal tube 62.

[0086] The horizontal tubes 62 are disjoint and are placed at different heights. They are separated in pairs by the intermediate spaces 64. The height of each intermediate space 64 between two adjacent horizontal tubes 62 is preferably greater than 10% of the height separating the central axes of the two adjacent horizontal tubes 62.

[0087] The height of each space 64 is preferably equal to the height of a module 16 so that the horizontal tubes 62 are exactly opposite the fresh air intake passages 21A.

[0088] The horizontal tubes 62 preferably have coplanar central axes, located in the same vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis A-A' or parallel to the longitudinal axis A-A'.

[0089] The horizontal tubes 62 have a vertical section, taken perpendicular to their central axis, with an outer polygonal or circular contour.

[0090] Each horizontal tube 62 further has, along its length, a plurality of openings 80 for diffusing cooled air opening upwards. Advantageously, some horizontal tubes 62, for example the highest one, also have openings for diffusing cooled air 80 opening downwards.

[0091] In some cases, the tubes 62 may have cooled air diffusion openings 80 at the top and bottom opposite each other.

[0092] The air diffusion openings 80 advantageously have different area sections along each horizontal tube 62 and between the horizontal tubes 62, in order to distribute the air between the battery modules 16 according to their cooling needs.

[0093] Thus, preferably, at least two air diffusion openings 80 along each horizontal tube 62 have different area sections and / or at least one air diffusion opening 80 on a horizontal tube 62 has a different area section from another air diffusion opening 80 on another horizontal tube 62.

[0094] Advantageously, at least one air diffusion opening 80 is placed opposite each fresh air intake passage 21A of each battery module 16 to permit the diffusion of cooled air from a horizontal tube 62 to each battery module 16 via the fresh air intake passage 21A.

[0095] As can be seen in the figures, the cooled air diffusion system 31 is without a duct connecting the air diffusion openings 80 to the fresh air intake passages 21A. Thus, the cooled air passes freely and without physical obstruction between the air diffusion openings 80 and the fresh air intake passages 21A in the intermediate space 64 between two adjacent horizontal tubes 62.

[0096] The vertical plenum 66 is intended to receive the cooled airflow from the cooled air generation device 60 and to distribute this cooled airflow between the different horizontal tubes 62 according to the individual cooling requirements of the battery modules 60 located opposite each horizontal tube 62.

[0097] The vertical plenum 66 extends at least over the entire height of the horizontal tubes 62, at one longitudinal end of the horizontal tubes 62.

[0098] With reference to [Fig.4], which is a schematic representation, the vertical plenum 66 includes a housing 90 defining an internal space 92, and cooling air distribution blades 94 in each horizontal tube 62, arranged in the internal space 92.

[0099] The housing 90 has an opening 96 for the intake of cooled air into the internal space 92 connected to the cooled air outlet 70 of the cooled air generation device 60, via a distribution conduit 98 which may be bent.

[0100] The housing 90 defines, opposite the horizontal tubes 62, a plurality of vertically distributed cooled air distribution openings 100, to which the horizontal tubes 62 are connected. Each distribution opening 100 thus exclusively supplies a respective horizontal tube 62.

[0101] The vertical plenum 66 and the horizontal tubes 62 assembled on the vertical plenum 66 together form a comb for distributing the cooled air to the different battery modules 16.

[0102] With reference to [Fig. 4], the cooled air inlet 96 in the internal space 92 has a maximum internal vertical cross-sectional area Al (taken perpendicular to the local axis of the opening 96) greater than at least twice the area A2 of the maximum internal vertical cross-sectional area of ​​each horizontal tube 62 (taken perpendicular to the central axis of the horizontal tube 62). The area Al is also substantially equal to the sum of the areas A2 of the internal cross-sections of all the horizontal tubes 62, for example, between 80% and 120% of the sum of the areas A2.

[0103] The air distribution blades 94 are arranged horizontally and / or inclined in the internal space 92 to create disjoint channels 102 for supplying cooled air connected upstream to the inlet opening 96 and downstream each to a respective distribution opening 100.

[0104] Each channel 102 thus has an advantageously increasing internal section from the inlet opening 96 to each distribution opening 100. Alternatively, depending on the pressure and flow requirements, this internal section is constant or decreasing.

[0105] The air circulating in the channels 102 is thus able to be distributed in the different horizontal tubes 62 according to the predetermined need for cooled air of each horizontal tube 62, which is itself dependent on the individual predetermined need for cooled air of each battery module 60 located along the horizontal tube 62.

[0106] In the example shown in the figures, the battery modules 16 and the cooled air diffusion system 31 externally delimit in the internal volume 14 a free fluidic path between each hot air exhaust passage 21B and the hot air intake inlet 68 of the cooled air generation device 60. This path extends here, in the transverse intermediate volumes 22C, and / or in the axial intermediate volumes 22D between the external casings 21 of the battery modules 16 and the peripheral walls 36 of the container 12.

[0107] Container 12 is thus devoid of a hot air collection system comprising its own hot air guidance ducts. This significantly improves the available volume in container 12 for housing the battery modules 16

[0108] In operation, the container 12 is connected to a user network to deliver electrical power to this network from the battery modules 16 present in the container 12 or to an electrical power source in order to recharge the battery modules 16 present in the container 12.

[0109] To counteract any potential overheating within the battery modules 16, cooled air is continuously produced by the cooled air generation device 60. The air The cooled unit has a temperature lower than the ambient temperature within the internal volume 14, for example, 10 °C lower than the ambient temperature.

[0110] The cooled airflow thus generated is conveyed to the vertical plenum 66 via the distribution duct 98 and the cooled air intake opening 96. It is distributed into the horizontal tubes 62 via the circulation channels 102 created by the distribution blades 94.

[0111] The cooled air then circulates in the horizontal tubes 62 via the distribution openings 100 and exits each horizontal tube 62 through diffusion openings 80 opposite the battery modules 16.

[0112] The cooled air then moves towards the fresh air intake passages 21A of the external housings 21 of the various battery modules 16 to cool each battery module 16.

[0113] The heated air in each battery module 16 then exits through the hot air exhaust passage 21B of the outer casing 21 of the battery module 16 and opens into the inner volume 14. It flows freely in the inner volume 14 towards the hot air intake inlet 68 of the cooled air generation device 60.

[0114] The cooled air diffusion system 31 of the container 12 according to the invention therefore cools all the battery modules 16 homogeneously by distributing the cooled air in a manner adapted to the thermal configuration of the battery modules 16. It is therefore possible to cool all the battery modules 16 more efficiently with the same air conditioning capacity, and thus increase the life of the energy storage system 10.

[0115] Thanks to the arrangement of a plenum 66 and horizontal tubes 62 projecting from the plenum 66, the thermal difference in temperature between the temperature of the hottest battery module 16 and the average temperature of the battery modules 16 is advantageously less than 5°C.

[0116] In addition, the horizontal arrangement of the tubes 62 and the presence of intermediate spaces 64 between them ensures maximum compactness of the cooled air diffusion system 31, while allowing the passage of structural beams and uprights of the container and / or battery module support racks 16 in the intermediate spaces 64.

[0117] In one variant, shown schematically in [Fig.5], the cooled air generation device 60 is arranged in a central region of the internal volume 14 within a transverse intermediate volume 22C between two longitudinal segments 120A, 120B of a row 22B of battery modules 16.

[0118] The vertical plenum 66 is also positioned in the central region, opposite the cooled air generation device 60. The horizontal tubes 62 then protrude longitudinally on either side of the central plenum 66 to extend respectively opposite each segment 120A, 120B of the battery module row 60.

Claims

Demands

1. A container (12) for battery modules (16), comprising a structure (30) including: - a floor (32) having an upper surface for supporting battery modules (16), - peripheral walls (36), - a roof (38), disposed above the peripheral walls (36), the floor (32), the peripheral walls (36) and the roof (38) defining an internal volume (14) for receiving the battery modules (16), - a system (31) for diffusing cooled air to each battery module (16), included in the internal volume (14), the diffusion system (31) including a device (60) for generating cooled air, characterized in that the cooled air diffusion system (31) includes at least two horizontal tubes (62) for channeling the cooled air to the battery modules (16) delimiting between them an intermediate space (64),each horizontal tube (62) having a plurality of cooled air diffusion openings (80) intended to open opposite successive battery modules (16) placed along the horizontal tubes (62), the cooled air diffusion system (31) comprising at least one vertical plenum (66) connected to the cooled air generation device (60) and to the horizontal tubes (62) for distributing the cooled air into the horizontal tubes (62) and in that at least two diffusion openings (80) along each horizontal tube (62) have cross-sections of different areas and / or at least one diffusion opening (80) on a first horizontal tube (62) has a cross-section of different area from the area of ​​another diffusion opening (80) on another horizontal tube (62).

2. Container (12) of battery modules (16) according to claim 1, wherein the cooled air diffusion system (31) comprises at least three horizontal tubes (62) distributed over the height of the vertical plenum (66), the assembly formed by the horizontal tubes (62) and the vertical plenum (66) forming a cooled air diffusion comb.

3. Container (12) for battery modules (16) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the internal volume (14) comprises at least one compartment (56) for storing modules battery (16), the horizontal tubes (62) extending horizontally over more than 50% of the length of the battery module (16) storage compartment (56).

4. Container (12) for battery modules (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vertical plenum (66) internally contains a plurality of blades (94) for distributing the cooled airflow between the horizontal tubes (62).

5. Container (12) of battery modules (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the diffusion openings (80) open vertically upwards, advantageously at least a portion of the diffusion openings (80) open vertically downwards.

6. Container (12) for battery modules (16) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plenum (66) has a cooled air inlet opening (96) in its internal space (92), connected to the cooled air generation device (60), the cooled air inlet opening (96) in the internal space (92) having an internal cross-section of area Al substantially equal to the sum of the areas A2 of the internal cross-sections of all the horizontal tubes (62).

7. Electrical power storage system (10), comprising: - a container (12) according to any one of the preceding claims; - battery modules (16) received in the internal volume (14); - terminals (22), connected to the battery modules (16) and intended to connect to a consumer of electrical power supplied by the battery modules (16) and / or to an electrical power supplier for recharging the battery modules (16).

8. Storage system (10) according to claim 7, comprising at least one row (22B) of battery modules (16), each row (22B) comprising a plurality of columns (22A) of modules (16), the horizontal tubes (62) extending along the row (22B) of modules (16) at different heights opposite each column (22A).

9. A storage system (10) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein each battery module (16) is placed opposite a horizontal tube (62), the horizontal tube (62) comprising a diffusion opening (80) specific to each battery module (16).

10. Storage system (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein each battery module (16) comprises an outer casing (21) defining a fresh air intake passage (21A), the diffusion opening (80) opening in the vicinity of the fresh air intake passage (21A) without connection with the fresh air intake passage (80).

11. Storage system (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein each battery module (16) comprises an outer casing (21) which has a hot air exhaust passage (21B), the hot air exhaust passage (21B) opening into the inner volume (14) without being connected to a hot air collection system.

12. Storage system (10) according to claim 11, wherein the cooled air generation device (60) comprises a hot air intake inlet (68), the battery modules (16) and the cooled air diffusion system (31) externally delimiting in the internal volume (14) a fluidic path between each hot air exhaust passage (21B) and the intake inlet (68).

13. A method for cooling battery modules (16) in a storage system (10) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, the method comprising the following steps: - generation of cooled air using the cooled air generation device (60), - passing the cooled air into the vertical plenum (66) to distribute it between the horizontal tubes (62), - circulation of cooled air through the horizontal tubes (62) to the diffusion openings (80), - diffusion of cooled air from the diffusion openings (80) to the battery modules (16), - admission of cooled air into the battery modules (16).

14. Cooling method according to claim 13, comprising a discharge of air heated by each battery module (16), and a circulation of the heated air between the battery modules (16) and the cooled air diffusion system (31) to a heated air intake inlet (68) of the cooled air generation device (60), without passing through a hot air collection system.