Battery Rack Augmentation Using DC/DC Control for Mixed-Age ESS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems face performance disparities between newly added and existing battery racks, leading to unnecessary rack balancing and underutilization of new battery racks due to performance differences.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a DC/DC converter exclusively for new battery racks in the augmentation area, controlled by a modified battery section controller, to manage and optimize the output of both old and new racks independently, without altering the existing power conversion system or energy management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If new battery racks are added to supplement deteriorating existing battery racks, then system capacity and performance are improved, but performance differences cause unnecessary rack balancing and underutilization of new battery racks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the battery management into two independent segments: existing battery racks managed by battery protection units and new battery racks managed by DC/DC converters. This segmentation allows each segment to operate independently according to its own characteristics, preventing the new racks from being constrained by the performance limitations of existing racks and eliminating unnecessary balancing operations between them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces DC/DC converters as intermediary devices between the new battery racks and the power conversion system. These converters act as mediators that enable independent control of the new racks' output, allowing them to contribute their full capacity without being limited by the performance disparities that would otherwise require balancing operations.
2Reliability
If new battery racks are added for performance compensation, then existing rack performance is supplemented, but new racks follow the performance of existing racks instead of utilizing their maximum potential
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control architecture so that new battery racks are managed independently through DC/DC converters rather than being controlled by the existing battery protection units. This independent control segment allows new racks to operate at their maximum performance potential without being constrained by the older racks' limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different control strategies to different parts of the system: existing racks continue with their traditional battery protection unit control, while new racks receive specialized DC/DC converter control optimized for their specific characteristics. This local differentiation allows each rack type to operate in its optimal performance regime.
3Device complexity
If a unified control system is used for all battery racks, then system simplicity is maintained, but new battery racks cannot be independently optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control system into two independent control paths: one for existing racks through battery protection units and another for new racks through DC/DC converters. This segmentation enables independent optimization of new racks without complicating the overall system architecture, as each segment operates autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the control system multi-functional by enabling it to handle two different control paradigms simultaneously: traditional battery protection unit control for existing racks and DC/DC converter control for new racks. This universality allows the system to optimize for different rack types without requiring separate independent systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention may comprise: a plurality of first battery racks; a plurality of battery protective units for managing the plurality of first battery racks, respectively; a plurality of second battery racks; a plurality of DC/DC converters for managing the plurality of second battery racks, respectively; and a battery section management device which is linked to the plurality of battery protective units and the plurality of DC/DC converters so as to monitor the output of the plurality of DC/DC converters and the plurality of battery protective units, and which controls the output of the plurality of DC/DC converters.