Energy Storage System Cell Replacement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing energy storage systems face challenges in optimizing operation when storage cells need to be exchanged during operation, as existing solutions do not seamlessly integrate new cells and manage state of charge balancing effectively.

Innovation Solution

The energy storage system includes a control unit that detects and disconnects faulty cells, recognizes new cells by state of charge, temperature, and internal resistance, and adjusts the state of charge of new cells to match the existing cells, ensuring seamless integration and preventing damage from excessive equalizing currents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If storage cells are exchanged during operation to maintain system reliability, then the system can continue operating with replaced cells, but excessive equalizing currents may occur that damage the new storage cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operation continuityVSAvoidequalizing current damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs preliminary detection of the new storage cell's state of charge, temperature, and internal resistance before electrical connection. This preliminary characterization allows the system to prepare appropriate integration parameters, preventing damaging equalizing currents by establishing safe connection conditions in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit acts as an intermediary between the new storage cell and the existing energy store. It mediates the integration process by detecting cell parameters and controlling the electrical connection timing, ensuring that the new cell is connected only when conditions are safe, thereby preventing harmful equalizing currents.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the state of charge of new storage cells is adjusted to match existing cells before connection, then seamless integration is achieved, but the integration process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate of charge homogeneityVSAvoidintegration control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The new storage cell is electrically connected to the energy store in a state of charge that enables it to actively participate in system operations from the moment of connection. The control unit manages the state of charge adjustment automatically as part of the integration process, allowing the cell to serve the system immediately while maintaining overall charge homogeneity through controlled management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If storage cells are disconnected and replaced during operation, then worn cells can be renewed, but system performance may be disrupted during the replacement process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage cell replaceabilityVSAvoidenergy storage performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit detects and characterizes the new storage cell's parameters (state of charge, temperature, internal resistance) before electrical connection. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the new cell is integrated, it can immediately and seamlessly participate in energy storage operations without disrupting system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit continuously monitors the integration process and system performance, using feedback to adjust control parameters and ensure seamless operation. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain optimal performance during and after the cell replacement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3236557B1Energy storage system
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 ENFAS GMBH
  • EP3236557B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3236557B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to an energy storage system (10) for the repeated absorption, storage, and release of electrical energy, comprising a control unit (11) and an energy storage device comprising a plurality of storage cells (26, 26a, 28) which are divided into storage modules (14), wherein the control unit (11) is configured to determine the state of charge of at least some of the storage cells separately. The control unit (11) is configured to: - detect whether at least one storage cell (26a) is to be removed, - after detecting that at least one storage cell (26a) is to be removed, electrically disconnect the storage cell (26a) to be removed from the other storage cells, - detect whether the disconnected storage cell (26a) has been replaced by a new storage cell (28), - electrically connect the new storage cell (28) to the other storage cells.