Baffled Energy Storage Cooling for Uniform Rack and Inverter Temperatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Energy storage systems face challenges in uniform thermal management due to non-uniform heat distribution caused by heat rejection from power electronics, leading to degradation of energy sources and potential power derating, with existing solutions being complex and not accounting for thermal management of other components within the container.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system with a container housing energy storage units and an inverter cabinet, utilizing an air temperature control unit, supply and return ducts, and baffles to circulate and distribute conditioned air, ensuring uniform cooling of energy sources and the inverter, with perforated baffles for efficient air distribution and mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat is rejected from power electronics into the container space, then the air conditioning unit can cool the container, but non-uniform heat distribution occurs among energy sources
Solution Approach 1:
The container interior is divided into multiple zones using baffles, with each zone having dedicated air inlets and outlets. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for energy sources and power electronics, eliminating non-uniform heat distribution without requiring a completely complex cooling system redesign
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the container are provided with different cooling characteristics through localized air supply and return ducts. The power electronics cabinet area receives targeted cooling separate from the energy source areas, allowing each component to be cooled according to its specific thermal requirements
2Reliability
If non-uniform heat distribution occurs among energy sources, then degradation of energy sources happens, but power derating is required to reduce heat
Solution Approach 1:
Temperature sensors are installed in different zones of the container to monitor heat distribution. The air conditioning unit adjusts its operation based on feedback from these sensors, maintaining uniform temperature across all energy sources and preventing degradation that would require power derating
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system is designed to proactively address heat accumulation before it causes degradation. Air circulation patterns are configured to prevent hot spots from forming, and the air conditioning unit operates to maintain optimal temperatures in advance, preventing the need for power derating
3Temperature
If a multi-air-vent design with airwall and built-in fans is used, then uniform cooling of battery modules is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air conditioning unit serves multiple functions: it cools both the energy sources and the power electronics cabinet through a unified system. The same conditioned air supply is distributed to different zones, eliminating the need for separate specialized cooling systems for each component type
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides efficient thermal management, minimizing temperature and velocity variations, preventing power derating, and ensuring uniform degradation of energy sources, while accommodating other components within the container without requiring specialized equipment.
Implementation Method 1
an air temperature control unit configured to circulate conditioned air to the container via a supply duct and to receive returned air from the container via the inverter exhaust duct and a return duct
Implementation Method 2
at least one baffle, configured to receive the conditioned air from the air temperature control unit and to distribute the conditioned air to an interior of the container and to the inverter cabinet via the inverter cabinet inlet
Implementation Method 3
The energy sources and the power electronics generate and reject large amounts of heat during use... an air conditioning unit, to cool the components within the container
Data Source
AI summary
An energy storage system may include a container having a plurality of racks, a plurality of energy storage units supported on the racks, and an inverter cabinet containing an inverter, the inverter cabinet having an inverter cabinet inlet and an inverter exhaust duct. The energy storage system may also include an air temperature control unit configured to circulate conditioned air to the container via a supply duct and to receive returned air from the container via the inverter exhaust duct and a return duct, and at least one baffle, configured to receive the conditioned air from the air temperature control unit and to distribute the conditioned air to an interior of the container and to the inverter cabinet via the inverter cabinet inlet.