Battery storage system

Abstract

A battery storage system may have a plurality of battery cells with multiple battery cells segregated into modules, and a fire detection and suppressant system for detecting and extinguish fire within each module. The battery cells within each module may be housed in a fireproof housing. The storage system may comprise a container for containing the plurality of battery cells and fire detection and suppression system. The container may comprise anti-vibration mountings and pickup points. The fire detection and suppression system may comprise foam injectors with at least one associated with each module. The storage system may comprise a climate control system and a system for charging / discharging of at least one battery cell. A controller for the system may be adapted to control the fire detection and suppression system for firefighting within each module based on a detected temperature.

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to battery and providing electrical power, and, in particular, to a battery storage system. Background The offshore oil and gas industry like many other industries is striving to reduce carbon footprint in the safe production of petrochemicals. The preferred method of power generation on offshore oil and gas installations is through the use of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) generators which are generally either fuelled by diesel or natural gas. These generators produce significant amounts of carbon dioxide which may increase if the generators are operating out with their most efficient operating band due to being underloaded or overloaded. Additionally, the cost of running and maintaining an ICE generator may be very expensive in terms of transporting the required volumes of fuel, shipping parts and tools onsite as well as mobilising specialist workers to undertake maintenance. Alternatives power solutions may be preferred. This background serves only to set a scene to allow a person skilled in the art to better appreciate the following description. Therefore, none of the above discussion should necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that that discussion is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects / embodiments of the disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues. Summary According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a battery storage system comprising: a plurality of battery cells with multiple battery cells segregated into modules; and a fire detection and suppressant system for detecting and supressing fire within each module. The system may provide reliable power on demand by utilising the electrical power stored in the battery cells when required. Additionally, the system may provide electrical power to a load, such as a motor, heater or generator, or form a load for equipment such as a motor, heater or generator such that the equipment operates at peak efficiency. Operating at peak operational efficiency may reduce carbon emissions in the equipment as hence reduce any carbon tax which may be payable as a result of higher carbon emissions. The system may form an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). The system may generally provide backup or emergency power when a primary power source fails. The purpose of a UPS, and therefore the system, is to provide continuous power without interruption in the event of a power outage. This is not the same as an auxiliary power source which requires a period of start-up time to provide power. The battery cells may therefore be well-suited for use as a UPS as no start-up time is required to provide electrical power. The system may be utilised in combination with offshore equipment such as equipment servicing and operating an offshore asset such as an oil and gas well, a wind turbine, a hydrogen production facility, a carbon capture storage and / or usage facility, or other facility. The system can provide reliable battery back-up to existing power sources, such as a diesel generator, or act a primary power source. The system may be adapted to provide power to an offshore location. The battery cells may be adapted to provide electrical power to a load. The system may provide one or more connectors and / or cables for connecting the battery cells to a load and / or to a power source. The connectors and / or cables may be standard sizes. The connectors and / or cables may be rated for harsh environments such as offshore locations. The load may comprise equipment. The equipment may be for use on an oil and gas asset. For example, the load may comprise an electrical motor or heater. The heater may be adapted to heat a fluid downhole for removal of materials from within a conduit. The materials may comprise precipitates, hydrates, sulphates, salts, waxes, viscous hydrocarbons, consolidated particulates, debris and / or the like. The heater may be adapted for use in applicant’s own Thermal Heavy Oil Recovery (THOR) system. The THOR system heats fluid downhole to avoid energy losses associated with conventional topside methods. The THOR system comprises a heater, e g., a liquid filled heating element, which requires rotational force to function. Rotational power may be provided by downhole motor. The outer body of the system may be heated by thermal induction to heat fluid contacting the outer body thereby removing materials from within a conduit, e.g., downhole casing / tubing. The heater may comprise a heating chamber and an agitator mechanism operable to agitate a fluid within the heating chamber to generate thermal energy within the fluid. The heater, and more specifically the agitator mechanism, may be driven by another fluid delivered to the THOR system. The THOR system may comprise a drive arrangement configured to operate the agitator mechanism of the heater. The drive arrangement may comprise a motor, such as an electrical motor, hydraulic motor and / or the like. In one example the drive arrangement may be configured to be operated by electrical power, for example from an on-board power supply, external power supply and / or the like. The system may be adapted to provide power to the drive arrangement. The system may comprise a suitable power conductor, such as e-line, for providing power to the drive arrangement. The power conductor may be used in the deployment, retrieval and or repositioning of the THOR system within the conduit. As such, the combination of the system and the THOR system may ensure the THOR system is able to continue to remove material from the conduit, e.g., downhole casing / tubing, even if power is lost from a primary power source, e.g., diesel generator. Additionally, by utilising battery cells to power the THOR system, the THOR system may have reduced environmental impact compared to other systems which utilise carbon emitting power source, e.g., diesel generator, to remove material from the conduit. Segregating battery cells into modules may reduce the likelihood fire propagating through all battery cells once a fire has started in a single battery cell. This may especially relevant when the battery cells are lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery which are prone to thermal runaway which can spread fires quickly when a fire starts at one battery cell. Additionally, segregating battery cells may protect the cells from external impact forces during and use and during transport. Battery cells within each module may be housed in a housing. As such the plurality of battery cells which are segregated into modules may be housed in separate housings for each module. Each module may comply with IEC 62133-2:2017 - Safety requirements for portable sealed secondary lithium cells and batteries made from them, for use in portable applications. Each housing may be fireproof. Each housing may be at least partially fire-resistance and / or at least partially non-flammable. By making each module housing fireproof, fireresistance or non-flammable, any fire which starts at battery cells within one module housing may be contained to only that single module and may not spread to other module housing. Each module may contain the fire within it in the event of a fire, but also act as a barrier in the event of an external fire which could spread to battery cells in the module. Each of these modules will have a dual redundant fire detection system built in so that early fire detection is still possible in the event of a single point failure. The system may further comprise a container. The container may be adapted for containing the plurality of battery cells, and fire detection and suppressant system. The container may comprise a standard shipping container. For example, the container may comprise a DNV GL 2.1-7 shipping container. The container may be of a standard size. The container may be sized to 3.048 metres x 2.438 metres (10 feet x 8 feet). The container may comprise anti-vibration mountings. The mountings may be on an external surface of a container which house components of the system, e.g., the battery cells, and fire detection and suppressant system. The mountings may comprise one or more biasing members adapted to absorb vibration forces. The mountings may prevent the contents of the container, e.g., the battery cells from vibrating excessively, especially during transmit. This may prevent damage to the battery cells during transport of the container. The container comprises pickup points. The pickup points may allow for the container to be picked up and moved, for example by a crane, to the desired location. For the example, the container may be shipped via railcar, ship or vehicle to a remote location for use. The container may then be picked up by a crane at that location for appropriate placement proximate the load to be powered, or power source which provides electrical power to the battery cells. The plurality of battery cells may be located within the container in multiple banks, e.g., rows or columns. Each bank may comprise multiple modules of battery cells. For example, the battery cells may form two banks of modules within the container with each bank having four modules of battery cells. Each module may have four battery cells within a module housing. The fire detection and suppressant system may be powered by at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. As mentioned the battery cells, and fire detection and suppressant system may be within a container. During transport of the container, the fire detection and suppressant system may be powered by the battery cells. This ensures the battery cells have a continually active fire detection and suppression system while in transit, due to the risk of movement increasing the risk of faults occurring within the battery cells. The fire detection and suppressant system may also be powered by an external power source, e.g., a mains power supply. The fire detection and suppressant system may be powered by the battery cells when the system is in transit, e.g., the container is in transit, and by another power supply, e.g., mains power, when the system is stationary. The fire detection and suppressant system may comprise at least one foam injector. The fire detection and suppressant system may comprise at least one foam injector associated with each module. The fire detection and suppressant system may comprise at least two foam injectors associated with each module. This may provide a degree of redundancy if one foam injector fails thereby ensuring fire suppression is still achieved with the remaining foam injector. The foam injector are adapted to inject fire supressing foam. The foam injector may be adapted to inject foam upon the detection of a fire, i.e., increased temperature, in one or more of the battery cells, or modules. Battery cells may present a high-risk of fire. Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery cells may present an especially high risk. Li-Ion battery cells may contain flammable liquid electrolyte. This electrolyte represents a high fire-risk. Additionally, the battery cells may become pressurised if damaged, i.e., if the outer housing of the battery cell is damaged. Further, a Li-Ion battery cell may be charged too quickly causing a short circuit which may lead to explosion or fire. In a Li-Ion battery cell a fire may be started due to thermal abuse, e.g., poor cooling, or external fire; electrical abuse, e.g., overcharge, or external short circuit; mechanical abuse, e.g., penetration, or crash; or internal short circuit, e.g., due to a manufacturing flaw, or aging / degradation. Specifically, a short circuit may cause a battery cell to overheat and possibly catch fire. In Li-Ion battery cells, thermal runaway represents a significant safety concern. In thermal runaway, increasing temperature releases energy that further increases temperature. The result is such that a Li-Ion battery cell fire can propagate to adjacent cell. Additionally, smoke from thermal runaway in a Li-Ion battery cell fire is flammable and toxic. Further, Li-Ion fires are not extinguishable by regular fire extinguishers. Accordingly, the described foam injectors are utilised to supress fires in Li-Ion battery cells and prevent thermal runaway. Additionally, the at least partially fireproof module housing may aid in preventing thermal runaway and supressing the spread of a Li-Ion battery cell fire. The fire detection and suppressant system may comprise a sensor for detecting a temperature at each battery cell, module or bank of battery cells. An increase in temperature, and / or an increase the rate of change of temperature may indicate a fire and the fire detection and suppressant system may accordingly control one or more foam injector to inject foam to supress the fire and / or spread of fire. The fire detection and suppressant system may receive a signal from a gas detector, e.g., an off-gas detector such as Li-Ion Tamer, and / or a smoke detector as an early warning sign of thermal runway. The fire detection and suppressant system may comprise a plurality of foam lines with one foam line per bank of modules of battery cells. The foam line may communicate fire-supressing foam from a central storage to one or more foam injectors for injecting foam to the battery cells or modules of battery cells. As described, the fire detection and suppressant system, and battery cells may be contained within a container. The battery cells are segregated in modules which may be arranged in banks. There may be two banks with four modules each within the container. The fire detection and suppressant system may comprise two foam line with one foam line for each bank of modules. Each foam line may have four associated foam injector with each foam injector associated with one of the modules in the bank. The foam lines may be proximate a top surface of the container while the modules are positioned on an opposite bottom surface of the container. The foam lines may span a width or length of the container adjacent the banks of modules. In this way, each module may be suitably protected from fire by the fire detection and suppressant system. The system may further comprise: a climate control system for maintain a temperature of the system. The climate control system may increase the temperature or decrease the temperature based on a pre-set optimal operating temperature of the battery cells. For example, if the battery cells are being charged or providing electrical power to a load, the temperature of the battery cells may rise. The climate control may control a fan or air conditioning unit to reduce the temperature of the battery cells to prevent damage to the battery cells and / or fire. The climate control system may be adapted to maintain a temperature of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The climate control system may be adapted to control a temperature of at least one module and / or of each module. The climate control system may be adapted to control a lower explosive limit (LEL%) of a container in which the battery cells are stored. The climate control system may be adapted to dilute any off-gas produced by the batter cells to acceptable levels below the LEL. The climate control system may receive a signal from a gas detector, e.g., an off-gas detector such as Li-Ion Tamer, and / or a smoke detector as an early warning sign of thermal runway. The climate control system comprises at least one vent for venting gas from a container. The climate control system may control opening and closing of the vent to vent gas from the container. The container may be the previously-described container for containing the fire detection and suppressant system, and the battery cells. The climate control system may be within the container. The climate control system may further comprise a communication module for communicating the temperature and / or for receiving remotely communicated control signals to control operation of the climate control system. The container may comprise a base having sidewalls extending therefrom. The vent may be located in a sidewall or top surface of the container distal from the base. A high, i.e., high relative to the base of the container, mounted ventilation point may ensure that explosive limits are not exceeded while minimising the number of airchanges per hour / day / etc. so that battery cell temperature can be controlled effectively. The climate control system may be adapted to control the ventilation system to controls a temperature within the container. The climate control system may control a temperature within the container by controlling opening and closing of the vent. The climate control system may operate the vent to a partially open or closed state. The system may further comprise: a controller. The controller may be adapted to control operation of the fire detection and suppressant system. The controller may be adapted to additionally or alternatively control the climate control system. The controller may be for controlling charging / discharging of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The controller may receive as input a voltage, power and / or current level input and / or output to the battery cell. The controller may control charging / discharging of the battery cell based on the received voltage, power and / or current level. The controller may control charging / discharging of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells in addition to controlling the fire detection and suppressant system. In particular, the controller may control charging of one or more battery cells while receiving as input a temperature of the battery cells. In this way, the controller can ensure charging / discharging of the cells does not result in overheating which can lead to fire of the cells. If the temperature exceeds a threshold, the controller can stop charging / discharging and / or control the fire suppressant system to inject foam to the relevant battery cell to stop a fire. The controller may stop charging / discharging based on a detected temperature of a battery cell exceeding a first threshold value. The controller may operate the fire detection and suppressant system to inject foam based on a detected temperature of a battery cell exceeding a second threshold value. The second threshold value may be higher than the first threshold value. In this way, the controller can control charging / discharging to prevent a possible fire, and restrict use of foam injectors of the suppressant system to instance in which a fire is imminent or already in progress. This may reduce inadvertent operation of foam injectors which can result in downtime of the system. The controller may be adapted to control charging of the battery cell such that: the battery cell is charged by a generator if the battery cell is in a low charge state and the generator is in an under loaded state, and / or the battery cell is no longer charged by the generator if the battery cell is in a full charge state. A low charge state may represent a power state in which the battery cell is below a full charge. A low charge state may represent a power in which the battery cell is below a threshold power level. An under loaded state may comprise a state in which the generator is not fully loaded. In an under loaded state, the generator may be operating at sub-optimal power efficiency. By charging a battery cell when the generator is under loaded, the generator may operate at an optimal power efficacy. This may reduce negative environmental impacts of the operating the generator. The generator may comprise an internal combustion engine (ICE) generator. The generator may be utilised for powering equipment of an oil and gas well. The plurality of battery cells may be adapted to be charged with direct current (DC) electrical power. The controller may receive a signal from a gas detector, e.g., an off-gas detector such as Li-Ion Tamer, and / or a smoke detector as an early warning sign of thermal runway. The system may further comprise: a rectifier / charger for converting alternate current (AC) to direct current (DC) for charging the plurality of battery cells. The system may further comprise: an inverter for converting direct current (DC) output by the plurality of battery cells to alternate current (AC). The system may further comprise: a sensor arrangement for sensing a parameter associated with the system. The sensor arrangement may comprise at least one temperature sensor. The sensor arrangement may comprise at least one power / current / voltage level detector. The sensor may comprise a smoke detector for detecting smoke a result of a fire. The parameter may comprise a temperature or heat generated by at least one battery cell. The parameter may comprise an electrical condition, e.g., short circuit, or other electrical fault, of at least one battery cell. The electrical condition may be detected by detecting a power, current and / or voltage level of a battery cell. The parameter may comprise a load of a generator to control charging / discharging of at least one battery cell. Multiple sensors may be present for sensing multiple parameters. The sensors may sense any of the described parameters. The system may further comprise: an electrical isolation system for electrically isolating at least one battery cells of the plurality of battery cells. The electrical isolation system may comprise circuit breakers, relays, fuses and other protective devices to ensure that the battery cells are adequately protected against electrical faults occurring to prevent damage to the battery cells. Each module may comprise an electrical isolation system for electrically isolating battery cells contained in the module. The electrical isolation system may comprise an off-gas detector for detecting gas dissipated from a battery cell. The off-gas detector may also or alternatively form part of the sensor arrangement. The battery cells may be adapted to provide electrical power to a load. The load may comprise an electrical motor or heater. The heater may be adapted to heat a fluid downhole for removal of materials from within a conduit. The heater may form part of the described THOR system. The battery cells may comprise lithium ion (Li-Ion) battery cells. Li-Ion battery cells may be lighter weight than Lead-acid (Pb) or Nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery cells often used in conventional UPSs. Additionally, Li-Ion battery cells may have a higher power density. The system may further comprise: an electrical connector for connecting battery cells to a power source. The power source may be mains power. The electrical connector may be a standard electrical connector. The system may further comprise: an electrical connector for connecting battery cells to a load. The load may comprise an ICE generator. The electrical connector may be a standard electrical connector. The electrical connector may allow for “plug and play” electrical connection to other electrical components such as a load, power source, mains power, etc. The system may be adapted for base load support such that a generator connected to the system which normally operates at 50-85% of full load, for example, runs at optimal efficiency. The described controller may detect a load of the generator and a charge level to ensure the batteries optimise efficiency of the generator while not risking overcharging and fire. The system may be adapted for peak load support to support intermittent loads, e.g., pump motors. The may negate the requirement for generators which power these loads to take on additional load which results in them operating outside efficiency range. The controller may control the battery cells providing power to these intermittent loads to ensure sufficient charge is present in the battery cells to power the intermittent loads. The system may be used for safety critical element support. The controller may control the power level of the batteries to ensure sufficient charge is present in the battery cells to power any safety critical loads. According to another aspect there is provided a controller for a battery storage system, the system comprising a plurality of battery cells with multiple battery cells segregated into modules; and a fire detection and suppressant system for supressing fire within each module, the controller adapted to control the fire detection and suppressant system for supressing fire within each module based on a detected temperature. The temperature may be a temperature of at least one battery cell. The temperature may be a temperature of a battery module. The controller may be adapted to control the fire detection and suppressant system to supress fire based on a detected temperature exceeding a threshold. The controller may be further adapted to control charging and / or discharging of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The controller may be adapted to control charging of the battery cell such that: the battery cell is charged by a generator if the battery cell is in a low charge state and the generator is in an underloaded state, and / or the battery cell is no longer charged by the generator if the battery cell is in a full charge state. The controller may control charging such that the battery cells are electrically connected to a power generator to charge, e.g., ICE generator, only to increase the level of the power generator to within the optimal efficiency load range, so if the generator is normally running in an underloaded state charging the battery cells would bring it up to the optimal range. Once fully charged the battery cells may then take load away from the generator and the generator could be taken offline until the batteries have been discharged. The controller may continually monitor the loading of each generator, and once the generators are at a specified loading the load (i.e., a load that the generator is powering) can be removed from one of the generators and moved to the other generators in combination with the battery cells to support the load. The controller may be adapted to include any of the previously-described features or elements. According to another aspect there is provided a method comprising: controlling operation of a fire detection and suppressant system of a battery storage system to supress fire, the system comprising a plurality of battery cells with multiple battery cells segregated into modules, the fire detection and suppressant system for supressing fire within each module. The method may further comprise: controlling charging / discharging of a battery cell of the plurality of battery cells such that the battery cell is charged by a generator if the battery cell is in a low charge state and the generator is in an underloaded state, and / or the battery cell is no longer charged by the generator if the battery cell is in a full charge state. Either controlling step may be based on a detected first and / or second parameter of the battery cells, modules, container in which the modules are located, power source electrically connected to the battery cells which provides electrical power to the battery cells, and / or load electrically connected to the battery cells. The method may further comprise at least one of: detecting the first parameter; and detecting the second parameter. The first parameter may comprise an electrical condition such as power level, voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, impedance or reactance of the power source, load or battery cells. The first parameter may further or alternatively comprise an operating state of the power source and / or load. For example, the first parameter may be the operating efficiency of the load. The second parameter may be a state of the battery cells, module and / or container in which the modules are located. The state may be the temperature; pressure; physical condition, e.g., damage to a housing of a battery cell; or hazardous gas content level of a container in which the modules are located. The method further comprise any of the features described in connection to the aforementioned aspects. According to another aspect there is provided a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code stored thereon, the program code executable by a processor to perform the described method. The disclosure includes one or more corresponding aspects, embodiments or features in isolation or in various combinations whether or not specifically stated (including claimed) in that combination or in isolation. As will be appreciated, features associated with particular recited embodiments relating to systems may be equally appropriate as features of embodiments relating specifically to methods of operation or use, and vice versa. The above summary is intended to be merely exemplary and non-limiting. Brief Description of the Drawings These and other aspects of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of a battery storage system in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; Figure 2 is a block diagram of a controller for a battery storage system in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; Figures 3a-3c are views of a battery storage system in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure; and Figure 4 is a flowchart of a method of operating a battery storage system in accordance with an aspect of the disclosure. Detailed Description The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. As will be appreciated, like reference characters are used to refer to like elements throughout the description and drawings. As used herein, an element or feature recited in the singular and preceded by the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not necessarily excluding a plural of the elements or features. Further, references to "one example" or “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional examples or embodiments that also incorporate the recited elements or features of that one example or one embodiment. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, examples or embodiments "comprising", "having" or “including” an element or feature or a plurality of elements or features having a particular property might further include additional elements or features not having that particular property. Also, it will be appreciated that the terms “comprises”, “has” and “includes” mean “including but not limited to” and the terms “comprising”, “having” and “including” have equivalent meanings. As used herein, the term “and / or” can include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements or features. It will be understood that when an element or feature is referred to as being “on”, “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, etc. another element or feature, that element or feature can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with or contacting the other element or feature or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element or feature is referred to as being, for example, “directly on”, “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element of feature, there are no intervening elements or features present. It will be understood that spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “above”, “upper”, “front”, “back” and the like, may be used herein for ease of describing the relationship of an element or feature to another element or feature as depicted in the figures. The spatially relative terms can however, encompass different orientations in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Reference herein to “example” means that one or more feature, structure, element, component, characteristic and / or operational step described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment and or implementation of the subject matter according to the present disclosure. Thus, the phrases “an example,” “another example,” and similar language throughout the present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example. Reference herein to “configured” denotes an actual state of configuration that fundamentally ties the element or feature to the physical characteristics of the element or feature preceding the phrase “configured to”. Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of lower-numbered item (e.g., a “first” item) and / or a higher-numbered item (e.g., a “third” item). As used herein, the terms “approximately” and “about’ represent an amount close to the stated amount that still performs the desired function or achieves the desired result. For example, the terms “approximately” and “about” may refer to an amount that is within less than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, within less than 0.1% of, or within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. Turning now to Figure 1, a block diagram of a battery storage system 10 is illustrated. The system 10 comprises modules 14 in which battery cells 12 are segregated. In this arrangement the battery cells 12 are Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery cells and the modules 14 are at least partially fire non-flammable. The system 10 further comprises a controller 20 which controls charging of the battery cells 12 by a power source 16, and discharging or providing power to a load 18 from the battery cells 12. As will be described, the modules 14 of battery cells 12 may be within a container. The controller 20 receives as input various sensed parameters from sensors 22. For example, the controller 20 received a sensed temperature of one or more of the battery cells 12 and / or modules 14, an atmospheric pressure of the modules 14 or the container in which the modules 14 are located, a gas content of the container or modules 14, or a sensed electrical parameter. Exemplary electrical parameter include a voltage, current or power level of the load 18; a voltage, current or power level of the power source 16; and an operating condition such as efficiency of the power source 16 and / or load 18. As such, the sensors 22 comprise one or more temperature, pressure, gas, voltage, power, current or other sensor. The system 10 further comprises a fire detection and suppressant system 30 which comprises one or more foam injectors 32 which inject a fire suppressant foam on the battery cells 12 and / or modules 14 of battery cells 12. As will be described one or more foam injector 32 may be associated with a single module 14. The fire detection and suppressant system 30 may detect a temperature increase; electrical fault, e.g., short circuit; or physical event, e.g., physical damage to a module 14 or battery cell 12, and operate the foam injectors 32 accordingly to prevent or supress a fire. The suppressant system 30 may receive sensed parameters from the sensors 22 or may be controlled by the controller 20 as illustrated. The system 10 further comprises a climate control system 40 which comprises one or more climate control elements 42, e.g., vent, heater or air conditioner. The climate control system 40 controls the climate control elements 42 to maintain peak operating conditions for the battery cells 12. For example, the climate control system 40 receives a detected temperature from a sensor 22 or from the controller 20, and may open a vent to release air from a container in which the modules 14 are located. The climate control system 40 may operate one or more climate control elements 42 to maintain a pre-set temperature. While the climate control system 40, fire detection and suppressant system 30, and controller 20 are illustrated as separate distinct elements, one of skill in the art will appreciate that all of these elements may be integrated into a single element receiving input from the sensors 22 and controlling foam injectors 32 and climate control elements 42. This lead to optimised processing and fewer failure points. As illustrated in Figure 2, the controller 20 (or the fire detection and suppressant system 30, and / or climate control system 40) receives one or more sensed electrical parameters, temperature and gas measurement, e.g., content of a particular gas in a container in which the modules 14 are stored, as input. Based on the received input, the controller 20 controls charging 60 of the battery cells by the power source 16. The controller 20 may control charging 60 by controlling one or more switches, relays, MOSFET or other switching device to control electrical power from the power source 16 to the battery cells 12. Additionally or alternatively, the controller 20 may control an output power level of the power source 16 to control charging 60. The controller 20 further controls discharging / charging 62 of the battery cells to / from the load 18. For example, if the load 18 is not receiving sufficient power from a primary power source to operate, or to operate at peak efficiency, the controller 20 may control power to the load 18 from the battery cells 12. Further, if the load 18 is operating at below optimal power levels, the controller 20 may control charging of the battery cells 14 by the load 18. The controller 20 may control charging of the battery cells 14 by the load 18 or power source 16 to prevent over-charging, which may cause a fire. The controller 20 may control discharging / charging 62 by controlling one or more switches, relays, MOSFET or other switching device to control electrical power from the load 18 to the battery cells 12. The controller 20 further controls venting 64 of the air within a container in which the modules 14 are located by operating one or more climate control elements 42. The controller 20 controls the climate control element 42 based on a detected parameter from a sensor 22, e.g., temperature from a temperature sensor. While venting 64 is described, the controller 20 may alternatively, or additionally perform other actions within the scope of climate control such air conditioning or heating. The controller 20 further control foam injecting 66 to prevent fire spreading and / or supress a fire by operating one or more of the foam injectors 32. As described the battery cells used may be Li-Ion battery cells. In this instance, conventional fire extinguishers or water may be sufficiently supress fire. Foam injectors 32 have been shown to supress Li-Ion battery cell fire. The controller 20 may control a single foam injector 32 proximate a module 14 in which elevated temperature has been detected, or may operate all injectors 32 upon detection of elevated temperature or other triggering event. Other triggering event may include the build-up of gas within a container in which the modules 14 are stored, detected physical damage to a module 14 or battery cell 12, or an electrical event such as a short circuit of one of the battery cells 12. Turning now to Figures 3a-3c, view of an exemplary container 70 houses the described system 10 are shown. Figure 3a is a plan view of the internal of the container 70. Figure 3b is a side elevation view of the container 70. Figure 3c is a front elevation view of the container 70. In the illustrated arrangement, the container 70 is a DNV GL 2.1-7 shipping container. The container 70 is a standard size having dimensions of 3.048 metres x 2.438 metres (10 feet x 8 feet). While not illustrated, the container has pickup points for ease of pickup and transportation. Additionally or alternatively, the container has anti-vibration mountings to prevent vibration would could damage the battery cells 14, especially during transportation of the container 70. In the illustrated arrangement, the container comprises two banks 74 of modules 14. The banks 74 are arranging in two columns / rows running the length of the container 70. One of skill in the art will appreciate, more or fewer banks 74 may be present in other orientation. Each module 14 comprises four battery cells 12. One of skill in the art will appreciate, more or fewer battery cells 12 may be segregated within each module 14. Each module 14 is self-contained and segregated from an adjacent module 14. Additionally, the modules 14 are at least partially non-flammable such that if a fire occurs at any one battery cell 14, it is less likely to spread to an adjacent module 14. A foam line 72 is positioned overhead of each bank 74 of modules. Each foam line 72 transports foam from a foam module 76 which stores foam for injection. Each foam line 72 has four associated foam injectors 32 from which foam may be injected into an associated module 14 of battery cells 12. The foam supress fires, in particular Li-Ion battery cell fires. By injecting foam as soon an elevated temperature is detected, thermal runaway of the battery cells 12 may be prevented. A vent 64 is positioned within the container 70. The vent 64 provides external venting of gas within the container 70. The vent 64 may be opened upon detecting that a temperature and / or gas limit has been exceeded within the container 70. By venting gas, the container 70 may be cooled to reduce the risk of fire, especially a battery fire of any of the battery cells 14. In the illustrated arrangement, the vent 64 is positioned in a sidewall of the container 70 near the top surface (ceiling) of the container 70. By positioning the vent 64 near the ceiling, the controller 20 may control the vent 64 to ensure explosive limits are not exceeded while minimising the number of air-changes per hour / day / etc. of the container so that battery cell 12 temperature can be controlled effectively. While the controller 20 and other elements of the system 10 are not illustrated in Figures 3a-3c, this is simply for clarity and should not be seen as limiting. Turning now to Figure 4, a flowchart illustrated a method of operating the system 10 illustrated. The method may be performed by the controller 20 alone, or some combination of the controller 20; fire detection and suppressant system 40; and climate control system 30. The method comprises detecting 80 a first parameter of the battery cell 12, power source 16, and / or load 18. The first parameter may be electrical parameter, electrical state, operating efficiency etc. For example, the first parameter may be operating efficiency of the load 18. If the load 18 is operating at below optimal efficiency, charging the battery cells 12 with the load 18 may improve the operating efficiency of the load 18 and reduce the carbon emissions of the load 18. The method further comprises detecting 82 a second parameter of the battery cell 12, module 14, and / or container 70. The second parameter comprises a temperature of the battery cells 12 in each of the modules 14 within a container 70. The method further comprises controlling 84 the battery cell 12, power source 16 and / or load 18 to discharge / charge the battery cell 12 based on the detected first and / or second parameter. In this arrangement, the method comprises controlling the battery cell 12 to be charged by the load 18 and / or power source 16 based on the detected first parameter of each and the second parameter of the battery cell 12. For example, if the load 18 is operating at less than optimal efficiency because of a low load draw, and the battery cell 12 is not fully charged, but not overheated, the battery cell 12 may draw power form the load 18. In this way, the load 18 may be a power source to the battery cell 12. When the detected temperature exceeds a threshold or the battery cell 12 is fully charged, the controller 20 may stop charging of the cell 12. The method further comprises controlling 86 the fire detection and suppressant 40 to operate one or more foam injectors 42 based on the detected first and second parameter. For example, if the temperature of the cell 12 or of a module 14 to which the cell 12 belongs, foam may be injected via the foam injectors 42 to suppress and / or prevent a fire. Injecting foam may prevent a fire from spreading and / or prevent thermal runaway which is common in Li-Ion battery cells. The method may be performed by the controller 20. In this arrangement, the controller 20 may receive detected parameters from the sensors 22 rather than actually detect the parameters itself. While Figure 4 has been illustrated as comprising certain steps, one of skill in the art will appreciate that not all steps need be present. For example, only one of steps 84 and 86 may be present. Each individual feature described herein is disclosed in isolation and any combination of two or more features is disclosed to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole in the light of the common general knowledge of one of skill in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combination of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. Aspects of the disclosure may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to one of skill in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure. It should be understood that the examples provided are merely exemplary of the present disclosure, and that various modifications may be made thereto.

Claims

1. A battery storage system comprising:a plurality of battery cells with multiple battery cells segregated into modules; anda fire detection and suppressant system for detecting and supressing fire within each module.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein battery cells within each module are housed in a housing.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each housing is fireproof.

4. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising:a container adapted for containing the plurality of battery cells, and fire detection and suppressant system.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the container comprises anti-vibration mountings.

6. The system of claim 4 or 5, wherein the container comprises pickup points.

7. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the fire detection and suppressantsystem is powered by at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells.

8. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the fire detection and suppressantsystem comprises at least one foam injector.

9. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the fire detection and suppressant system comprises at least one foam injector associated with each module.

10. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising:a climate control system for maintaining a temperature condition of the system.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the climate control system is adapted to maintain a temperature condition of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells.

12. The system of claim 10 or 11, wherein the climate control system comprises at least one vent for venting gas from the container.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the container comprises a base having sidewalls extending therefrom.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the vent is located in a sidewall or top surface of the container distal from the base.

15. The system of any of claims 10 to 14, wherein the climate control system is adapted to control the ventilation system to controls a temperature within the container.

16. The system of any preceding claims, further comprising:a controller for controlling charging / discharging of at least one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the controller is adapted to control charging / discharging of the battery cell such that:the battery cell is charged by a generator if the battery cell is in a low charge state and the generator is in an underloaded state, and / orthe battery cell is no longer charged by the generator if the battery cell is in a full charge state.

18. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising:a sensor arrangement for sensing a parameter associated with the system.

19. The system of any preceding claim, further comprising:an electrical isolation system for electrically isolating at least one battery cells of the plurality of battery cells.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein each module comprises an electrical isolation system for electrically isolating battery cells contained in the module.

21. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the battery cells are adapted to provide electrical power to a load, the load comprising an electrical motor or heater, and optionally wherein the heater is adapted to heat a fluid downhole for removal of materials from within a conduit.

22. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the battery cells comprise lithium ion battery cells.

23. A controller for a battery storage system, the system comprising a plurality of battery cells with multiple battery cells segregated into modules; and a fire detection and suppressant system for supressing fire within each module, the controller adapted to control the fire detection and suppressant system for supressing fire within each module based on a detected temperature.

24. A method comprising:controlling operation of a fire detection and suppressant system of a battery storage system to supress fire, the system comprising a plurality of battery cells with multiple battery cells segregated into modules, the fire detection and suppressant system for supressing fire within each module.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising:controlling charging / discharging of a battery cell of the plurality of battery cells such that the battery cell is charged by a generator if the battery cell is in a low charge state and the generator is in an underloaded state, and / or the battery cell is no longer charged by the generator if the battery cell is in a full charge state.

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