Dual-Battery Energy Storage Switching for Continuous Data Center Backup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems for data centers face challenges in achieving high energy density, safety, and reliability due to limitations in lithium-ion batteries and lead-acid batteries, which restrict power density and require frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
An energy storage system with a power supply device, a main battery, and a backup battery connected in parallel, where the main battery is in standby mode during normal conditions and switches to backup mode when power fails, with the backup battery taking over and vice versa, allowing for high-rate discharge and high-energy density batteries to be selected based on their characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single battery type is used in the energy storage system, then the system structure is simple, but the energy density, power density, and reliability cannot be simultaneously optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage system is segmented into two independent battery subsystems: a main battery system and a backup battery system. Each subsystem can be independently configured with different battery types optimized for specific functions. The main battery (e.g., lithium-ion) provides high energy density for extended operation, while the backup battery (e.g., lead-acid) provides high power density for immediate power failure response. This segmentation allows each battery type to operate in its optimal performance range without compromising system reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If lithium-ion batteries are used to achieve high energy density, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but the power density and safety are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
Different battery types are assigned to different functional roles within the system. The lithium-ion main battery is optimized for energy storage with high energy density characteristics, while the lead-acid backup battery is optimized for power delivery with high power density characteristics. Each battery type operates in the region where its local qualities are maximized, achieving overall system optimization rather than compromising either parameter.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If lead-acid batteries are used for backup, then the safety is improved, but the energy density and maintenance requirements are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The backup battery subsystem using lead-acid batteries is segmented as a separate safety-oriented component specifically for power failure scenarios. This allows the system to leverage the safety advantages of lead-acid batteries (inherent thermal stability, no dendrite formation) without requiring the entire energy storage system to use lead-acid technology, thereby maintaining high energy density in the main battery while ensuring safety in the backup function.
4Productivity
If a single battery provides both main power and backup power, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and continuous operation capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply function is segmented into main power provision (lithium-ion battery) and backup power provision (lead-acid battery). This segmentation enables continuous operation capability because each battery type can be optimized for its specific function without compromise. The main battery handles normal operation and extended runtime requirements, while the backup battery handles immediate power failure scenarios, together providing uninterrupted power supply.
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 configuration improves energy density, safety, and reliability by ensuring continuous power supply and reducing maintenance needs, while allowing for the selection of batteries optimized for their specific performance characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
the backup battery is floatingly charged by the power supply device
Implementation Method 2
the main battery will be triggered to switch from the standby mode to a backup mode to start supplying power to the load
Data Source
AI summary
A energy storage system includes a power supply device, a main battery and a backup battery, and a power supply method of the energy storage system includes: when the power supply device works normally, a load is powered and the backup battery is floatingly charged by the power supply device, and the main battery is in standby mode; when the power supply device stops supplying power, the load will be powered by the backup battery, and meanwhile, the main battery will be triggered to switch from the standby mode to a backup mode to start supplying power to the load; when an output power of the main battery is equal to a power of the load, an output power of the backup battery is zero and the backup battery is in a bypass state.