Energy Storage System Segmented Power Regulators
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy storage systems face issues such as circulation between battery clusters, underutilization of battery capacity, excessive short-circuit currents, and reduced safety and efficiency due to parallel connections of multiple battery clusters.
Innovation Solution
Each power regulator is electrically coupled to at most two battery clusters, with a central controller communicating through optical fibers for high-speed data transmission, replacing the single high-power power regulator with multiple low-power regulators, and incorporating protection switches and shared AC switches to enhance modularization and reduce hardware costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple battery clusters are connected in parallel to increase system capacity, then the energy storage capacity is improved, but circulation between battery clusters and excessive short-circuit current occur due to unequal internal resistances
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the battery clusters into groups, with each power regulator managing at most two battery clusters. This segmentation prevents direct parallel connection of multiple battery clusters, thereby eliminating circulation current caused by unequal internal resistances while maintaining high energy storage capacity through modular expansion.
2Device complexity
If a single high-power power regulator is used to convert DC power to AC power, then the system structure is simplified, but the system lacks modularization and extensibility
Solution Approach 1:
The single high-power power regulator is segmented into multiple low-power power regulators, each managing specific battery clusters. This segmentation enables modular architecture where regulators can be added or removed based on capacity requirements, improving both adaptability and extensibility while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each power regulator is designed as a universal module capable of managing up to two battery clusters. This multi-functionality allows the same regulator design to be deployed in various configurations, enhancing system versatility and ease of expansion without requiring different regulator designs for different capacity levels.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional communication methods are used between central controller and power regulators, then the system is cost-effective, but communication delay is excessive and response speed is slow
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional electrical communication system is replaced with optical fiber communication between the central controller and power regulators. This substitution uses optical signals instead of electrical signals, dramatically reducing communication delay to microsecond level while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of standard optical fiber technology.
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 usable capacity, safety, service life, and efficiency by preventing circulation and short-circuit issues, reduces communication delay, and enhances modularization and cost-effectiveness of the energy storage system.
Implementation Method 1
The central controller is in communication with each power regulator through optical fibers. By the high data transmission rate of optical fibers, the communication delay is reduced effectively to be controlled in μs level.
Data Source
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AI summary
An energy storage system (1) is provided. The energy storage system (1) includes a plurality of battery clusters (11), a plurality of power regulators (12), a transformer (13), and a central controller (14). The plurality of power regulators (12) is configured to control charging and discharging of the plurality of battery clusters (11). Each power regulator (12) is electrically coupled to corresponding two, at most, of the plurality of battery clusters (11). A first terminal of the transformer (13) is electrically coupled to the plurality of power regulators (12), and a second terminal of the transformer (13) is electrically coupled to the power grid (2). The central controller (14) is coupled to the plurality of power regulators (12) and the plurality of battery clusters (11) for controlling the plurality of power regulators (12) and the plurality of battery clusters (11). The central controller (14) is in communication with the plurality of power regulators (12) through optical fibers, and a data transmission rate of the optical fibers is greater than IMbit/s.