Battery Energy Storage with Controllable Voltage Source for Ripple Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Battery energy storage systems in power systems face challenges due to voltage ripple from DC link capacitors, which can cause resistive heating and shorten the lifespan of electro-chemical batteries, and existing solutions like DC/DC converters are costly, especially for high voltage devices.

Innovation Solution

A battery energy storage system with a controllable voltage source that injects a voltage opposite to the voltage ripple of the DC link capacitor, using an active direct current filter device or a switched capacitor circuit, connected in parallel to the power converter, to stabilize the voltage and protect the batteries from harmonic current ripple.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If a battery energy storage is connected in parallel with the DC capacitor, then the ripple current is shared between the battery energy storage and the DC capacitor, but a significant amount of ripple goes into the batteries causing resistive heating and shortening their service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistive heating in batteriesVSAvoidservice life of batteries
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A DC/DC converter is introduced as an intermediary device between the battery energy storage and the DC capacitor. This converter acts as a mediator that decouples the ripple current from the battery, allowing the battery to provide active and reactive power support without directly承受ing the harmful ripple current. The converter transforms and regulates the power flow, protecting the battery while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a DC/DC converter with rating significantly lower than the full battery voltage (e.g., rated for only a portion of the battery voltage). This allows using a less expensive, lower-rated converter instead of requiring a costly high-voltage-rated converter. The converter handles only the ripple current component rather than the full power, making the solution more cost-effective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If a DC/DC converter is used to interface the battery energy storage with the DC capacitor, then the battery is protected from ripple current, but the DC/DC converter has to be rated for the full battery voltage which renders the solution costly, especially for high voltage devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection of battery from rippleVSAvoidcost of DC/DC converter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The DC/DC converter is designed to handle only the ripple current component rather than the full battery power. By rating the converter for a fraction of the total power (e.g., sized for ripple current only rather than full load), the system achieves adequate protection while dramatically reducing converter cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the voltage rating parameter of the DC/DC converter from full battery voltage to a lower value sufficient for ripple current handling. This parameter change allows using standard, lower-voltage-rated converters that are more economical and easier to manufacture, while still achieving the protective function through proper control strategies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This solution effectively isolates the DC link current ripple from the battery module, providing a stable voltage and extending the service life of batteries while being cost-efficient by using modular and standardized components, reducing the need for high-rated DC/DC converters.

Implementation Method 1

a controllable voltage source adapted to inject a voltage opposite to a voltage ripple of the direct current capacitor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage injection:

Implementation Method 2

the active filter device comprises a direct current to alternating current converter and a coupling transformer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDC to AC conversion:

Implementation Method 3

A primary side of the coupling transformer is connected to a first pole of the battery module and arranged to be connected to the DC link capacitor. A secondary side of the coupling transformer is connected to the AC side of the direct current to alternating current converter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 4

the controllable voltage source comprises a switched capacitor circuit. The switched capacitor circuit comprises a capacitor and four power electronic switches arranged in an H-bridge circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitive energy storage: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentEP2847841B1Battery energy storage and power system
Publication Date: 2016.08.24 ABB RES LTD
  • EP2847841B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2847841B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2847841B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a battery energy storage 14 arranged to be connected to a direct current capacitor 13, which is connected in parallel to a power converter 12. The battery energy storage 14 comprises a battery module 15 and a controllable voltage source 16 adapted to inject a voltage opposite to a voltage ripple of the direct current capacitor 13. The disclosure also relates to a power system 10 comprising such battery energy storage 14 and a direct current capacitor 13.