Battery Black Start Control Without UPS for Energy Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and limited lifespan of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) used for black start in energy storage systems, which occupy valuable space and reduce energy density, necessitate a more efficient and reliable method for initiating black start in off-grid scenarios.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system incorporating a black start controller, battery module, and converters to generate and distribute black start signals and voltages, enabling controlled power distribution to a system control unit and power conversion systems to implement black start efficiently and reliably.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is used to implement black start in off-grid mode, then the system can provide power to local loads, but the cost increases and energy density decreases due to occupied space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the black start function from the traditional UPS system and implements it directly through the energy storage system's existing components (battery module, control unit, and power conversion system). This eliminates the need for a separate UPS device, thereby recovering the space it occupied and increasing the overall energy density of the system while maintaining black start capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy storage system is designed to perform multiple functions: normal power supply, energy arbitrage, peak shaving, and black start. By making the energy storage system universal and capable of handling black start operations alongside other functions, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated UPS equipment, thus improving energy density while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) is used for black start, then power can be supplied to local loads, but the service life is shorter requiring replacement during system use
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is designed to perform multiple functions including black start, normal power supply, and energy management. By making the energy storage system universal and capable of handling black start operations, the patent eliminates the need for separate UPS equipment with limited service life, thereby improving overall system durability and reducing replacement requirements.
3Device complexity
If the system control unit directly obtains black start signal, then the process is simple, but the efficiency of obtaining signal is low and success rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the black start signal transmission process into distinct stages: signal generation by the black start controller, signal reception and processing by the control unit, and execution by the power conversion system. This segmentation allows for optimized signal handling at each stage, improving overall efficiency and success rate despite increased procedural steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary black start controller that generates and manages the black start signal, acting as a mediator between the energy storage system and the power conversion system. This intermediary ensures reliable signal transmission and coordination, improving the success rate of black start operations while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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
Improves the efficiency and success rate of black start by optimizing power distribution and preventing excessive current surges, ensuring stable power supply to loads.
Implementation Method 1
a battery module whose input port is connected to an output port of the black start controller, configured to generate an output voltage based on the black start signal
Implementation Method 2
a first converter whose input port is connected to an output port of the battery module and the output port of the black start controller, configured to supply, based on the black start signal and the output voltage of the battery module, power to a system control unit
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of this application provide an energy storage system and a black start method. The energy storage system includes a black start controller, a battery module, a first converter, and a system control unit. The black start controller outputs a black start signal, the battery module generates an output voltage based on the black start signal, and the first converter supplies power to the system control unit based on the black start signal and the output voltage of the battery module, to enable the system control unit to implement black start of the energy storage system based on the black start signal.