Energy storage system and method for controlling the energy storage system

Abstract

An energy storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of batteries, one or more power conversion systems (PCS) linked to the batteries, and a control device that monitors the batteries for fire. Here, the control device can determine one or more second batteries that are within a predefined distance range from the first battery where the fire has occurred, and control the one or more PCSs to discharge the power stored in the second batteries.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing dates of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0121055 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 12, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0118889 filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 3, 2024, and the entire contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to an energy storage system and a control method for an energy storage system, and more particularly to an energy storage system and a control method for an energy storage system that can prevent the spread of fire when a fire occurs in a battery system. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries are batteries that can be reused by recharging after discharge and can be used as energy sources for small devices such as mobile phones, tablet PCs, and vacuum cleaners, as well as medium- to large-scale energy sources for automobiles and smart grid ESS (Energy Storage Systems).

[0004] Secondary batteries are applied to systems in the form of assemblies such as battery modules, in which multiple battery cells are connected in series or parallel, or battery racks, in which battery modules are connected in series or parallel, depending on the system requirements.For medium- to large-sized devices such as ESS for smart grids, high-capacity battery systems, in which multiple battery racks are connected in parallel, may be applied to meet the required capacity of the device.

[0005] When a fire occurs in a high-capacity battery system, the fire may spread from the igniting battery to surrounding batteries, resulting in a large-scale fire. To prevent the spread of fire in the battery system, a certain amount of space is generally formed between the batteries, or a fire extinguishing system is installed within the battery system.

[0006] However, if such a general fire prevention design is applied to a battery system, the energy density of the energy storage system will be reduced and the system design costs will increase.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for an appropriate fire prevention technology that can solve these problems. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an energy storage system that can prevent the spread of fire when a fire occurs in the battery system.

[0009] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a control device for controlling such an energy storage system.

[0010] Another object of the present invention to solve the above problems is to provide a control method for such an energy storage system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To achieve the above object, an energy storage system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of batteries, one or more power conversion systems (PCS) linked to the batteries, and a control device that monitors the batteries for fire.

[0012] Here, the control device can determine one or more second batteries that are within a predefined distance range from the first battery where the fire has occurred, and control the one or more PCSs to discharge the power stored in the second batteries.

[0013] The control device may control the charge / discharge paths of the remaining batteries except the second battery to be cut off, and may control the power stored in the second battery to be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

[0014] The control device can select one or more third batteries that can be charged from among the batteries excluding the first battery and the second battery, and control the power stored in the second battery to be discharged to the third battery.

[0015] The control device controls the PCS connected to the DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and controls the DC / DC converter linked to the second battery to a discharge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0016] The control device controls the PCS connected to the DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and controls the DC / DC converter linked to the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0017] The control device controls the PCS linked to the second battery to a discharge mode and the PCS linked to the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0018] The control device can define a discharge priority for each of the plurality of second batteries and control the plurality of second batteries to be sequentially discharged according to the discharge priority, where the control device can define the discharge priority based on one or more of a state of charge (SOC), a state of life (SOH), and a distance from the first battery.

[0019] The control device can monitor the temperature of the first battery and control the second battery to stop discharging if the temperature of the first battery drops below a preset temperature.

[0020] To achieve the above-mentioned other object, a control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control device for an energy storage system including a plurality of batteries and one or more power conversion systems (PCS) that are linked to the batteries, and may include at least one processor and a memory that stores at least one instruction that is executed through the at least one processor.

[0021] The at least one instruction may include an instruction to monitor whether or not a fire has occurred in the battery, an instruction to determine a first battery among the batteries in which a fire has occurred if a fire is detected, an instruction to determine one or more second batteries within a predefined distance range from the first battery, and an instruction to control the discharge of power stored in the second battery.

[0022] The command to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include a command to control the interruption of the charge / discharge paths of the remaining batteries excluding the second battery, and a command to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery to the AC link side through the PCS.

[0023] The instruction to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include an instruction to select one or more third batteries that can be charged from among the batteries other than the first battery and the second battery, and an instruction to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0024] The command to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include a command to control a PCS connected to the DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and a command to control a DC / DC converter linked to the second battery to a discharge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0025] The command to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include a command to control a PCS connected to the DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and a command to control a DC / DC converter associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0026] The command to control the power stored in the second battery to be discharged may include a command to control a PCS associated with the second battery to a discharge mode and a PCS associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0027] The instruction to control the discharge of power stored in the second battery may include an instruction to define a discharge priority for each of the second batteries, and an instruction to control the sequential discharge of the second batteries according to the discharge priority, wherein the instruction to define the discharge priority may include an instruction to define the discharge priority based on one or more of a state of charge (SOC), a state of life (SOH), and a distance from the first battery.

[0028] The instruction to control the sequential discharge of the second battery may include an instruction to monitor the temperature of the first battery, and an instruction to control the sequential discharge of the second battery to be interrupted if the temperature of the first battery becomes lower than a preset temperature.

[0029] To achieve the above-mentioned still another object, a control method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control method for an energy storage system including a plurality of batteries and a power conversion system (PCS) linked to the batteries, and includes the steps of monitoring whether or not a fire has occurred in the batteries, determining a first battery among the batteries in which the fire has occurred if a fire is detected, determining one or more second batteries within a predefined distance range from the first battery, and controlling the second battery to discharge the power stored therein.

[0030] The step of controlling so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged may include a step of controlling so that the charge / discharge paths of the remaining batteries excluding the second battery are cut off, and a step of controlling so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

[0031] The step of controlling the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include the step of selecting one or more third batteries that can be charged from among the batteries excluding the first battery and the second battery, and the step of controlling the discharge of the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

[0032] The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged may include the steps of controlling a PCS connected to a DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and controlling a DC / DC converter linked to the second battery to a discharge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

[0033] The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged may include the step of controlling a PCS connected to the DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and controlling a DC / DC converter linked to the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

[0034] The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged may include the step of controlling a PCS associated with the second battery to a discharge mode and a PCS associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0035] The step of controlling the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include the steps of defining a discharge priority for each of the second batteries, and controlling the second batteries to be sequentially discharged according to the discharge priority, wherein the step of defining the discharge priority may include the step of defining the discharge priority based on one or more of a state of charge (SOC), a state of life (SOH), and a distance from the first battery.

[0036] The step of controlling the second battery to be sequentially discharged may include the steps of monitoring the temperature of the first battery, and controlling the second battery to stop discharging if the temperature of the first battery becomes lower than a preset temperature. [Effects of the Invention]

[0037] According to the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the batteries located around the battery where the fire has occurred are forcibly discharged, thereby preventing the fire from spreading, and even if the fire spreads to surrounding batteries, damage caused by the fire can be minimized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0038] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical energy storage system. [Figure 2a] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2b] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]FIG. 2 is an operational flow diagram of a control method for an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a reference diagram for explaining a method for determining a second battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a reference diagram for explaining a control method of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a reference diagram for explaining a control method of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a reference diagram for explaining a control method of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a reference diagram for explaining a control method of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an operational flow diagram of a control method for an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a reference diagram for explaining a control method of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a reference diagram for explaining a control method of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a reference diagram for explaining a control method of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a reference diagram for explaining a control method of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device of the energy storage system according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] While the present invention can be modified in various ways and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. It is not intended to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments, but it should be understood that the present invention includes all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar components throughout the description of the drawings.

[0040] Terms such as "first," "second," "A," and "B" may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be designated as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be designated as a first component, without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term "and / or" includes a combination of multiple associated listed items or any one of multiple associated listed items.

[0041] When a component is referred to as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that the component may be directly coupled or connected to the other component, but that there may be other components in between. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it is understood that there are no other components in between.

[0042] The terms used in this application are merely used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The singular expressions include the plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "comprise" or "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, and are understood not to preclude the presence or additional possibility of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0043] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Terms as defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and should not be interpreted as having an ideal or overly formal meaning unless expressly defined in this application.

[0044] Some terms used in this specification are defined as follows:

[0045] SOC (State of Charge) is the current charged state of the battery expressed as a percentage [%], and SOH (State of Health) is the current remaining state of the battery expressed as a percentage [%].

[0046] A battery rack refers to a single-structure system that can be monitored and controlled through a BMS by connecting modules set by a battery manufacturer in series / parallel, and may be configured to include multiple battery modules and one BPU or protection device.

[0047] A battery bank can refer to a large-scale collection of battery rack systems consisting of multiple racks connected in parallel. The battery bank BMS can monitor and control the rack BMS (RBMS) for each battery rack.

[0048] A BSC (Battery System Controller) is a device that performs top-level control of a battery system including a battery system in units of a battery bank, and can also be used as a control device in a battery system with a multi-bank level structure.

[0049] Nominal Capacity (Nominal Capa.) can refer to the battery's set capacity [Ah] set by the battery manufacturer at the time of development.

[0050] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a typical energy storage system.

[0052] The smallest unit of a battery that stores power in an energy storage system (ESS) is typically a battery cell. A series / parallel combination of battery cells forms a battery module, and a number of battery modules can form a battery rack. In other words, a battery rack is a series / parallel combination of battery modules and can be the smallest unit of a battery system. Here, a battery module can also be called a battery pack depending on the device or system in which the battery is used.

[0053] 1, one battery rack 10 can include multiple battery modules. The battery rack can be monitored and controlled through a Rack Battery Management System (RBMS). The RBMS monitors the current, voltage, and temperature of each battery rack it manages, calculates the SOC of the battery based on the monitoring results, and controls charging and discharging.

[0054] Each battery section, which includes a number of batteries and peripheral circuits and devices, is provided with a battery system controller (BSC) 20, which monitors and controls control targets such as voltage, current, temperature, and circuit breakers. The BSC is the highest-level control device in a battery system including a bank-level battery system including multiple battery racks, and can also be used as a control device in a battery system with a multiple-bank structure.

[0055] Furthermore, a power conversion system (PCS) 40 provided for each battery section is a device that performs actual charging and discharging based on charge / discharge commands from the EMS 30, and may include a DC / AC inverter and a controller. Meanwhile, the output of each battery rack 10 may be connected to a power generation device (e.g., a solar power generation device) and the PCS 40 via a DC bus, and the PCS 40 may be connected to the grid. Furthermore, the EMS (Energy Management System) 30 or PMS (Power Management System) manages the ESS system as a whole.

[0056] The battery rack 10 may include a BPU, or a BPU may be disposed on the input / output side of the battery rack 10. A BPU (Battery Protection Unit) is a device for protecting batteries from abnormal current and fault current in each battery rack. The BPU may include a main contactor (MC), fuses, circuit breakers (CB), or disconnect switches (DS). The BPU can control the battery system in each rack by turning on / off the main contactor under the control of the RBMS. The BPU can also protect batteries from short-circuit current using fuses when a short circuit occurs. As such, conventional battery systems may be controlled through protection devices such as a BPU and switchgear.

[0057] In the case of battery racks that use BPUs, individual control that takes into account the individual characteristics of each battery rack, such as battery capacity, SOH, and SOC, is not possible. To overcome this limitation, a bidirectional DC / DC converter can be installed for each battery rack. In this case, the BSC 20 can determine the output reference for each individual DC / DC converter taking into account the status of each battery rack and transmit it to each DC / DC converter.

[0058] On the other hand, the battery racks shown in Fig. 1 are connected in parallel to a DC link, and the DC link is connected to the DC side of the PCS 40. Unlike Fig. 1, each battery rack may be individually equipped with a PCS (DC / AC inverter), and the AC side of each PCS may be connected to an AC link to interface with the grid.

[0059] FIG. 2a is a block diagram of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2a, the energy storage system may include a battery system including a plurality of batteries 100, a power conversion system (PCS) 200 interfacing with the battery system, and a control device 300 for controlling one or more of the battery system and the PCS.

[0061] In the present invention, the battery 100 may refer to a battery rack, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.

[0062] Multiple batteries 100 may be connected in parallel with one another on a DC link.

[0063] The battery system may include one or more of a battery with a BPU disposed on the input / output side (hereinafter, a BPU-applied battery) and a battery with a bidirectional DC / DC converter disposed on the input / output side (hereinafter, a DC / DC-applied battery). For example, all of the batteries included in the battery system may be BPU-applied batteries or DC / DC-applied batteries. As another example, at least some of the batteries included in the battery system may be BPU-applied batteries, and the rest may be DC / DC-applied batteries.

[0064] The PCS 200 may include a DC / AC inverter, and the DC side terminal may be connected to a DC link and the AC side terminal may be connected to an AC link.

[0065] A switching device (SW) may be disposed between the DC side terminal of the PCS 200 and the DC link. Here, the switching device may be a circuit protection switch located inside a power distribution terminal box.

[0066] The control device 300 may monitor and control the states of the battery system and the PCS 200 in conjunction with the battery system and the PCS 200. Here, the control device 300 may correspond to an EMS or a BSC, or may be embodied as being included in the EMS or the BSC.

[0067] The control device 300 can monitor whether or not a fire has occurred in the battery system.

[0068] If a fire outbreak in the battery system is detected, the control device 300 can execute control measures to prevent the fire from spreading.

[0069] FIG. 2b is a block diagram of an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 2b, the energy storage system may include a battery system including a plurality of batteries 100' and a controller 300' for controlling the battery system.

[0071] The battery system may include a PCS 200' disposed on the input / output side of each of the plurality of batteries 100'.

[0072] The PCS 200' may include a DC / AC inverter, with DC terminals connected to the input / output sides of the battery 100' and AC terminals connected to the AC link.

[0073] Multiple PCSs 200' may be connected in parallel with each other on an AC link.

[0074] A switching device (SW) may be disposed between the DC side terminal of the PCS 200' and the AC link.

[0075] The control device 300' may be linked to the battery system to monitor and control the status of the battery and the PCS 200'. Here, the control device 300' may correspond to an EMS or a BSC, or may be embodied as being included in the EMS or the BSC.

[0076] The control device 300' can monitor whether or not a fire has occurred in the battery system.

[0077] If a fire outbreak in the battery system is detected, the control device 300' can take control measures to prevent the fire from spreading.

[0078] FIG. 3 is an operational flow diagram of a control method for an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] The control method according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed by a controller located within the energy storage system.

[0080] The control device can monitor whether or not a fire has occurred in the battery system (S310).

[0081] Here, the control device can detect whether or not a fire has occurred in conjunction with the BMS of each battery, or can detect whether or not a fire has occurred in conjunction with one or more of a temperature sensor and a smoke detection sensor arranged inside the battery system.

[0082] If a fire is detected (Y in S310), the control device may determine a battery (hereinafter, a first battery) that has caused the fire among the batteries included in the battery system (S320). For example, the control device 300 may determine a battery that exceeds a predefined threshold temperature as the battery that has caused the fire.

[0083] The control device can then determine one or more second batteries within a predefined distance range from the first battery (S330), where the second batteries can refer to batteries that may be further ignited by the first battery.

[0084] The distance range for determining the second battery may be predefined based on the temperature distribution according to the distance from the firing battery.

[0085] FIG. 4 is a reference diagram for explaining a method for determining a second battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] FIG. 4 shows a graph of temperature change depending on the distance from the igniting battery (N) when a fire breaks out in a specific battery (N) among multiple batteries arranged in a row. Referring to FIG. 4, at the initial stage of the fire (t0), heat diffusion to surrounding batteries is minimal. However, after a certain time has passed (t1), heat may diffuse to batteries located farther away from the igniting battery. At the time (t2) when the igniting battery (N) reaches its saturation temperature, heat may diffuse to all batteries. If the temperature of a specific battery exceeds a predefined threshold temperature (e.g., ignition temperature) during the period from t0 to t2 until the igniting battery (N) reaches its saturation temperature, the diffused heat may cause a fire. Therefore, the ignition-risk battery (second battery) may be determined as a battery whose temperature exceeds a predefined threshold temperature during the period from the time of ignition until the igniting battery reaches its maximum temperature. In FIG. 4, batteries N-2 to N+2, centered around the igniting battery (N), may be determined as the second battery.

[0087] On the other hand, unlike FIG. 4, even when multiple batteries are arranged in a matrix (e.g., 8 rows and 8 columns), the second battery may be determined based on the temperature distribution according to the distance from the ignited battery (N) as the center point.

[0088] Referring back to FIG. 3, the control device may control one or more of the battery system and the power conversion device to discharge the power stored in the second battery (S340).

[0089] In the first embodiment, the control device may control the second battery to discharge power to the AC link side. Here, the control device may control one or more of the battery system and the power conversion device to block charge / discharge paths of the remaining batteries except for the second battery, and may cause the power stored in the second battery to be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

[0090] In a second embodiment, the control device can select one or more third batteries that can be charged from among the batteries excluding the first battery and the second battery, and control the power stored in the second battery to be discharged to the third battery. For example, a control device linked to a battery system including a DC / DC battery can cut off the connection path between the PCS and the battery system, and control one or more of the DC / DC converter linked to the second battery or the DC / DC converter linked to the third battery to discharge the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0091] The control device can control the second battery to discontinue discharging when the SOC of the second battery decreases below a predetermined SOC.

[0092] 5 to 8 are reference diagrams for explaining a control method for an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Specifically, Figures 5 to 8 are diagrams for explaining the control method according to the first embodiment, Figures 5 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the control method that can be performed in the energy storage system of Figure 2a, and Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the control method that can be performed in the energy storage system of Figure 2b.

[0094] FIG. 5 shows a control method for an energy storage system composed of BPU-applied batteries.

[0095] If a fire is detected, the control device may switch the PCS to a shutdown mode and switch all battery BPUs to an off state to cut off the battery charge / discharge paths. Here, the off state of the BPU may refer to a state in which a switching device (e.g., a main contactor or circuit breaker) included in the BPU is open, cutting off the electrical connection between the battery and the DC link. Also, the on state of the BPU may refer to a state in which a switching device included in the BPU is closed, electrically connecting the battery and the DC link.

[0096] If battery #4 is determined to be the ignited battery (first battery), the control device can determine that batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) within a predefined distance range (e.g., N-2 to N+2) from battery #4 are the second batteries.

[0097] The control device can then switch the BPUs of each of the second batteries (Batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) to an on state and switch the PCS to a discharge mode, allowing the power stored in the second batteries (Batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) to be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

[0098] FIG. 6 shows a control method for an energy storage system composed of DC / DC application batteries.

[0099] If a fire is detected, the control device can switch the PCS to shutdown mode and switch the DC / DC converters of all batteries to shutdown mode to cut off the charging and discharging paths of the batteries.

[0100] If battery #4 is determined to be the ignited battery (first battery), the control device can determine that batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) within a predefined distance range (e.g., N-2 to N+2) from battery #4 are the second batteries.

[0101] The control device can then switch the DC / DC converters of each of the second batteries (Batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) to a discharge mode and switch the PCS to a discharge mode, allowing the power stored in the second batteries (Batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) to be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

[0102] FIG. 7 shows a control method for an energy storage system including a BPU application battery and a DC / DC application battery.

[0103] If a fire is detected, the control device can switch the PCS to a stop mode, switch the BPU of a BPU-applied battery to an off state, and switch the DC / DC converter of a DC / DC-applied battery to a stop mode, thereby cutting off the battery's charge / discharge path.

[0104] If battery #4 is determined to be the ignited battery (first battery), the control device can determine that batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) within a predefined distance range (e.g., N-2 to N+2) from battery #4 are the second batteries.

[0105] Then, the control device can switch the BPU of the BPU-applied battery (batteries #2, 3, 5) among the second batteries to the on state, switch the DC / DC converter of the DC / DC-applied battery (battery #6) among the second batteries to the discharge mode, and switch the PCS to the discharge mode, so that the power stored in the second batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) can be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

[0106] FIG. 8 shows a control method for an energy storage system composed of PCS-applied batteries.

[0107] If a fire is detected, the control device can switch all PCSs (DC / AC inverters) to shutdown mode and cut off the battery charge / discharge paths.

[0108] If battery #4 is determined to be the ignited battery (first battery), the control device can determine that batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) within a predefined distance range (e.g., N-2 to N+2) from battery #4 are the second batteries.

[0109] The control device can then switch the PCS of each of the second batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) to a discharge mode, which allows the power stored in the second batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) to be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS of each of the second batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6).

[0110] 9 is an operational flow diagram of a control method for an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 9 shows a control method according to a second embodiment.

[0111] The control device can monitor whether or not a fire has occurred in the battery system (S910).

[0112] If a fire is detected (Y in S910), the control device can determine the battery that caused the fire (hereinafter, the first battery) from among the batteries included in the battery system (S920).

[0113] The controller may determine one or more second batteries within a predefined distance range from the first battery (S930).

[0114] The control device can select one or more third batteries that can be charged from among the batteries excluding the first battery and the second battery (S940). Here, the control device can determine that among the batteries excluding the first battery and the second battery, a battery that has a SOC equal to or lower than a predetermined value is the third battery.

[0115] The control device may control one or more of the battery system and the power conversion device so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged to the third battery side (S950).

[0116] For example, a control device linked to a battery system including a DC / DC battery can cut off the connection path between the PCS and the battery system and control one or more of a DC / DC converter linked to a second battery or a DC / DC converter linked to a third battery to discharge the power stored in the second battery to the third battery, thereby charging the third battery using the power stored in the second battery.

[0117] The control device can define a discharge priority for the plurality of second batteries and perform control so that the plurality of second batteries are sequentially discharged according to the discharge priority.

[0118] The discharge priority may be defined based on one or more of the state of charge (SOC), state of life (SOH), and distance from the first battery of each battery, where the closer the distance from the first battery, the higher the SOC, or the higher the SOH, the higher the priority may be defined.

[0119] 10, among the second batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, and 6), batteries #3 and #5, which are closest to the first battery (battery #4), may be defined as the first battery to be discharged, and batteries #2 and #6, which are the furthest, may be defined as the last battery to be discharged. Here, if the SOC of battery #3 is higher than that of battery #5 and the SOC of battery #2 is higher than that of battery #6, the discharge priority may be defined as battery #3, battery #5, battery #2, and battery #6 in that order.

[0120] The control device can monitor the temperature of the first battery while the plurality of second batteries are sequentially discharged according to the discharge priority, and can control the sequential discharge of the second batteries to be interrupted if the temperature of the first battery drops below a preset temperature. For example, if it is confirmed that the temperature of the first battery has dropped below a preset temperature after the discharge of battery #3 is completed according to the discharge priority, the control device can terminate the control measures to prevent the spread of the fire without discharging the remaining second batteries (batteries #5, #2, and #6).

[0121] 10 to 13 are reference diagrams for explaining a control method for an energy storage system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Specifically, Figures 10 to 13 are diagrams for explaining a control method according to the second embodiment, Figures 10 to 12 are diagrams for explaining a control method that can be performed in the energy storage system of Figure 2a, and Figure 13 is a diagram for explaining a control method that can be performed in the energy storage system of Figure 2b.

[0123] FIG. 10 shows a control method for an energy storage system composed of DC / DC application batteries.

[0124] If a fire is detected, the control device can switch the PCS to a shutdown mode and open a switching device (SW) located between the DC side terminal of the PCS and the DC link to cut off the electrical connection between the PCS and the battery system. The control device can also switch the DC / DC converters of all batteries to a shutdown mode to cut off the charge / discharge paths of the batteries.

[0125] If battery #4 is determined to be the ignited battery (first battery), the control device can determine that batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) within a predefined distance range (e.g., N-2 to N+2) from battery #4 are the second batteries.

[0126] Furthermore, the control device can determine a rechargeable battery (for example, batteries #7 and #8) from among the remaining batteries excluding the first and second batteries as the third battery.

[0127] The controller may then switch the DC / DC converters of each of the second batteries (Batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) to a discharge mode and switch the DC / DC converters of each of the third batteries (Batteries #7, 8) to a charge mode, thereby discharging the stored power of the second batteries (Batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) and charging the third batteries (Batteries #7, 8).

[0128] For example, if the second batteries are defined as batteries #3 and #5 having the highest discharge priority and batteries #2 and #6 having the second highest discharge priority, the control device can switch the DC / DC converters of batteries #3 and #5 to discharge mode so that the first-discharged battery is discharged first. Once batteries #3 and #5 have discharged to a set SOC, the control device can switch the DC / DC converters of batteries #3 and #5 to stop mode and switch the DC / DC converters of batteries #2 and #6 to discharge mode so that the second-discharged battery is discharged.

[0129] FIG. 11 shows a control method for an energy storage system including a BPU application battery and a DC / DC application battery.

[0130] If a fire is detected, the control device can switch the PCS to a shutdown mode and open a switching device (SW) located between the DC terminal of the PCS and the DC link to cut off the electrical connection between the PCS and the battery system. The control device can also switch the BPU of a BPU-applied battery to an off state and switch the DC / DC converter of a DC / DC-applied battery to a shutdown mode to cut off the charge / discharge path of the battery.

[0131] If battery #4 is determined to be the ignited battery (first battery), the control device can determine that batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) within a predefined distance range (e.g., N-2 to N+2) from battery #4 are the second batteries.

[0132] Furthermore, the control device can determine a rechargeable battery (for example, batteries #7 and #8) from among the remaining batteries excluding the first and second batteries as the third battery.

[0133] The control device can then switch the BPUs of the BPU-applied batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5) among the second batteries to the on state, switch the DC / DC converter of the DC / DC-applied battery (battery #6) among the second batteries to a discharge mode, and switch the DC / DC converter of the third batteries (batteries #7, 8) to a charge mode, thereby discharging the stored power of the second batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) and charging the third batteries (batteries #7, 8).

[0134] FIG. 12 shows a control method for an energy storage system including a BPU-applied battery and a DC / DC-applied battery, which is different from that shown in FIG.

[0135] If a fire is detected, the control device can switch the PCS to a shutdown mode and open a switching device (SW) located between the DC terminal of the PCS and the DC link to cut off the electrical connection between the PCS and the battery system. The control device can also switch the BPU of a BPU-applied battery to an off state and switch the DC / DC converter of a DC / DC-applied battery to a shutdown mode to cut off the charge / discharge path of the battery.

[0136] If battery #7 is determined to be the ignited battery (first battery), the control device can determine that batteries (batteries #5, 6, 8) within a predefined distance range (e.g., N-2 to N+2) from battery #7 are the second batteries.

[0137] Furthermore, the control device can determine a rechargeable battery (for example, battery #1, 2, 3) from among the remaining batteries excluding the first battery and the second battery as the third battery.

[0138] Then, the control device can switch the BPU of the BPU-applied battery (battery #5) among the second batteries to the ON state, switch the DC / DC converters of the DC / DC-applied batteries (batteries #6 and #8) among the second batteries to the discharge mode, and switch the BPU of the third batteries (batteries #1, #2, and #3) to the ON state. This may discharge the stored power of the second batteries (batteries #5, #6, and #8) and charge the third batteries (batteries #1, #2, and #3).

[0139] FIG. 13 shows a control method for an energy storage system composed of a PCS-applied battery.

[0140] If a fire is detected, the control device can switch all PCSs (DC / AC inverters) to shutdown mode and switch the switching devices (SWs) located between the grid and the AC link to an open state, thereby cutting off the electrical connection between the battery system and the grid.

[0141] If battery #4 is determined to be the ignited battery (first battery), the control device can determine that batteries (batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) within a predefined distance range (e.g., N-2 to N+2) from battery #4 are the second batteries.

[0142] Furthermore, the control device can determine a rechargeable battery (for example, batteries #7 and #8) from among the remaining batteries excluding the first and second batteries as the third battery.

[0143] The controller may then switch the PCS of each of the second batteries (Batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) to a discharge mode and switch the PCS of each of the third batteries (Batteries #7, 8) to a charge mode, thereby discharging the stored power of the second batteries (Batteries #2, 3, 5, 6) and charging the third batteries (Batteries #7, 8).

[0144] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a control device of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0145] The control device 300 may be located in an energy storage system including a plurality of batteries and one or more power conversion systems (PCS) connected to the batteries. Here, the control device 300 may correspond to an EMS or a BSC, or may be embodied as being included in the EMS or a BSC.

[0146] The control device 300 may include at least one processor 310, a memory 320 for storing at least one instruction executed by the processor, and a transceiver 330 for communicating with a network.

[0147] The at least one instruction may include an instruction to monitor whether or not a fire has occurred in the battery, an instruction to determine a first battery among the batteries in which a fire has occurred if a fire is detected, an instruction to determine one or more second batteries within a predefined distance range from the first battery, and an instruction to control the discharge of power stored in the second battery.

[0148] The command to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include a command to control the interruption of the charge / discharge paths of the remaining batteries excluding the second battery, and a command to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery to the AC link side through the PCS.

[0149] The instruction to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include an instruction to select one or more third batteries that can be charged from among the batteries other than the first battery and the second battery, and an instruction to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0150] The command to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include a command to control a PCS connected to the DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and a command to control a DC / DC converter linked to the second battery to a discharge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0151] The command to control the discharge of the power stored in the second battery may include a command to control a PCS connected to the DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and a command to control a DC / DC converter associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0152] The command to control the power stored in the second battery to be discharged may include a command to control a PCS associated with the second battery to a discharge mode and a PCS associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

[0153] The instruction to control the discharge of power stored in the second battery may include an instruction to define a discharge priority for each of the second batteries, and an instruction to control the sequential discharge of the second batteries according to the discharge priority, wherein the instruction to define the discharge priority may include an instruction to define the discharge priority based on one or more of a state of charge (SOC), a state of life (SOH), and a distance from the first battery.

[0154] The instruction to control the sequential discharge of the second battery may include an instruction to monitor the temperature of the first battery, and an instruction to control the sequential discharge of the second battery to be interrupted if the temperature of the first battery becomes lower than a preset temperature.

[0155] The control device 300 may further include an input interface device 340, an output interface device 350, a storage device 360, etc. The components included in the control device 300 are connected by a bus 370 to communicate with each other.

[0156] Here, the processor 310 may refer to a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which the method according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed. The memory (or storage device) may be composed of at least one of a volatile storage medium and a non-volatile storage medium. For example, the memory may be composed of at least one of a read-only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM).

[0157] The operations of the method according to the embodiment of the present invention may be embodied as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include any type of storage device in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. The computer-readable recording medium may also be distributed among computer systems connected via a network, so that the computer-readable program or code may be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

[0158] Some aspects of the invention have been described in the context of an apparatus, but they may also be described in terms of a corresponding method, where a block or apparatus corresponds to a method step or feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may be described in terms of a corresponding block or item or feature of a corresponding apparatus. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, one or more of the most important method steps may be performed by such an apparatus.

[0159] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. [Explanation of symbols]

[0160] 100, 100': battery 200, 200': Power conversion device 300, 300': control device

Claims

1. Multiple batteries, one or more power conversion systems (PCS) in communication with the battery; and a control device that monitors whether or not a fire has occurred in the battery; The control device An energy storage system that determines one or more second batteries that are within a predefined distance range from a first battery where a fire has occurred, and controls the one or more PCSs to discharge power stored in the second batteries.

2. The control device 2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the charge / discharge paths of the remaining batteries excluding the second battery are controlled to be blocked, and the power stored in the second battery is controlled to be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

3. The control device 2. The energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein one or more third batteries that can be charged are selected from among the batteries other than the first battery and the second battery, and control is performed so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged to the third battery side.

4. The control device 4. The energy storage system according to claim 3, wherein a PCS connected to a DC link of the battery is controlled to a stop mode, and a DC / DC converter linked to the second battery is controlled to a discharge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

5. The control device 4. The energy storage system according to claim 3, wherein a PCS connected to a DC link of the battery is controlled to a stop mode, and a DC / DC converter linked to the third battery is controlled to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

6. The control device 4. The energy storage system according to claim 3, wherein the PCS associated with the second battery is controlled to a discharge mode, and the PCS associated with the third battery is controlled to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

7. The control device The energy storage system according to claim 1 , wherein a discharge priority is defined for each of the plurality of second batteries, and the plurality of second batteries are controlled to be discharged sequentially according to the discharge priority.

8. The control device 8. The energy storage system of claim 7, wherein the discharge priority is defined based on one or more of a state of charge (SOC), a state of life (SOH), and a distance to the first battery.

9. The control device 8. The energy storage system according to claim 7, wherein the temperature of the first battery is monitored, and when the temperature of the first battery falls below a preset temperature, the discharge of the second battery is controlled to be interrupted.

10. A control device for an energy storage system including a plurality of batteries and one or more power conversion systems (PCS) associated with the batteries, at least one processor; and a memory for storing at least one instruction to be executed by said at least one processor; The at least one instruction: an instruction to monitor the battery for fire occurrence; if a fire is detected, instructions for determining a first battery among the batteries in which a fire has occurred; instructions for determining one or more second batteries within a predefined distance range from the first battery; and A control device for an energy storage system including instructions for controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged.

11. The instruction to control the second battery so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged includes: an instruction to control the remaining batteries excluding the second battery so that the charging and discharging paths of the remaining batteries are blocked; and The control device for an energy storage system according to claim 10, comprising an instruction for controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

12. The instruction to control the second battery so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged includes: an instruction to select one or more third batteries that are capable of being charged from among the batteries other than the first battery and the second battery; and The control device for an energy storage system according to claim 10 , comprising an instruction for controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged to the third battery side.

13. The instruction to control the second battery so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged includes:

13. The energy storage system control device according to claim 12, comprising instructions to control a PCS connected to a DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and to control a DC / DC converter associated with the second battery to a discharge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

14. The instruction to control the second battery so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged includes:

13. The energy storage system control device according to claim 12, further comprising instructions to control a PCS connected to a DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and to control a DC / DC converter associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

15. The instruction to control the second battery so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged includes:

13. The energy storage system control device according to claim 12, comprising instructions to control a PCS associated with the second battery to a discharge mode and a PCS associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

16. The instruction to control the second battery so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged includes: instructions for defining a discharge priority for each of the plurality of second batteries; and The control device for an energy storage system according to claim 10 , comprising instructions for controlling the plurality of second batteries to be discharged sequentially according to the discharge priority order.

17. The instruction for defining the discharge priority is 17. The controller of claim 16, comprising instructions for defining the discharge priority based on one or more of a state of charge (SOC), a state of life (SOH), and a distance to a first battery.

18. The instruction to control the second battery to be sequentially discharged includes: instructions for monitoring the temperature of the first battery; and The control device for an energy storage system according to claim 16, comprising an instruction to control so that discharging of the second battery is stopped if the temperature of the first battery becomes lower than a preset temperature.

19. 1. A method for controlling an energy storage system including a plurality of batteries and one or more power conversion systems (PCS) associated with the batteries, comprising: monitoring the battery for fire occurrence; if a fire is detected, determining a first battery among the batteries in which a fire has occurred; determining one or more second batteries within a predefined distance range from the first battery; and A method for controlling an energy storage system, comprising the step of controlling the second battery so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged.

20. The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged includes: controlling the remaining batteries excluding the second battery so that the charge / discharge paths of the remaining batteries are blocked; and The method for controlling an energy storage system according to claim 19, comprising the step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged to the AC link side through the PCS.

21. The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged includes: selecting one or more third batteries that can be charged from among the batteries other than the first battery and the second battery; and 20. The method for controlling an energy storage system according to claim 19, comprising the step of controlling so that the power stored in the second battery is discharged to the third battery side.

22. The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged includes:

22. The control method for an energy storage system according to claim 21, comprising the steps of controlling a PCS connected to a DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and controlling a DC / DC converter linked to the second battery to a discharge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

23. The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged includes:

22. The control method for an energy storage system according to claim 21, comprising the steps of controlling a PCS connected to a DC link of the battery to a stop mode, and controlling a DC / DC converter associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery side.

24. The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged includes:

22. The control method for an energy storage system according to claim 21, comprising the step of controlling a PCS associated with the second battery to a discharge mode and controlling a PCS associated with the third battery to a charge mode, thereby discharging the power stored in the second battery to the third battery.

25. The step of controlling the power stored in the second battery to be discharged includes: defining a discharge priority for each of the plurality of second batteries; and The method for controlling an energy storage system according to claim 19, comprising the step of controlling the plurality of second batteries to be discharged sequentially according to the discharge priority order.

26. The step of defining discharge priorities includes:

26. The method of claim 25, comprising defining the discharge priority based on one or more of a state of charge (SOC), a state of life (SOH), and a distance to a first battery.

27. The step of controlling the second battery to be sequentially discharged includes: monitoring the temperature of the first battery; and 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of controlling such that discharging of the second battery is interrupted if the temperature of the first battery becomes lower than a preset temperature.

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