Flow Battery Charging System for EV Grid Peak Demand
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Solution Overview
Problem
The electrical grid faces challenges in meeting the high power demand for rapid charging of electric vehicles, as existing charging stations require significant power delivery over a short time frame, exceeding the grid's capability, even if it has sufficient energy generating capacity.
Innovation Solution
A modular and scalable flow battery system with separate charge and discharge stacks and a common DC bus, allowing for simultaneous charging and discharging, and the ability to draw power from various sources, including the electrical grid and renewable energy, to manage peak demand and store energy for later use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If charging stations draw power directly from the electrical grid to recharge PEV batteries, then charging can be provided to electric vehicles, but the power delivery requirement exceeds the grid's capability to meet peak demand
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the charging function into two independent components: a flow battery that stores energy and a power conversion system that delivers power. The battery handles energy storage while the power conversion system handles power delivery, allowing the station to draw power gradually from the grid during off-peak hours and deliver it rapidly during peak hours without overloading the grid.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow battery performs preliminary energy storage by accumulating electrical energy from the grid during periods of low demand. This pre-stored energy is then available for rapid delivery during peak charging periods, eliminating the need for the grid to provide high power delivery capability during peak demand.
2Speed
If charging stations possess very high power output to provide charging times comparable to refueling, then rapid charging can be achieved, but the power consumption would be extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the charging rate based on battery state of charge and power availability. The flow battery can deliver high power when needed for rapid charging while automatically reducing power draw from the grid when the battery is fully charged or when grid power is unavailable, optimizing the balance between charging speed and energy consumption.
3Device complexity
If a single battery stack is used for both charging and discharging, then the system structure is simpler, but the system cannot simultaneously charge and discharge to manage peak demand
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into separate charging stacks and discharging stacks. The charging stacks are dedicated to receiving electrical energy from the grid and storing it as chemical energy, while the discharging stacks are dedicated to releasing chemical energy as electrical energy to the load. This segmentation enables simultaneous charging and discharging operations, allowing the system to draw power from the grid while simultaneously delivering power to charging ports during peak demand periods.
4Quantity of substance
If conventional batteries are used for energy storage, then the system can store energy, but the battery systems would need to be oversized to meet peak demand requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the flow battery's unique parameter separation between energy capacity and power output. Energy capacity is determined by the volume of electrolyte storage tanks, while power output is determined by the size of the battery stacks. This allows the system to be scaled independently: large electrolyte tanks provide substantial energy storage capacity without requiring proportionally large battery stacks, avoiding the need for oversized battery systems while still meeting peak demand requirements.
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 reduces the strain on the electrical grid during peak demand times, enables rapid charging of electric vehicles, and provides a cost-effective and efficient means of energy storage and distribution, minimizing the need for oversized battery systems and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one battery stack can be configured to receive electrical energy from a power source and to facilitate redox reactions storing the received electrical power as chemical energy by the anolyte and catholyte solutions
Implementation Method 2
The at least one battery stack can be further configured to supply electrical energy to an electrical load, and to facilitate redox reactions releasing chemical energy stored by the anolyte and catholyte solutions as electrical energy to the electrical load
Data Source
AI summary
A flow battery system can include at least one pair of electrolyte storage, a first battery stack, and a second battery stack. The electrolyte storage pair can include an anolyte storage configured to contain an anolyte solution, and a catholyte storage configured to contain a catholyte solution. The first battery stack can be fluid communication with the electrolyte storage pair. The first battery stack can also be configured to receive electrical energy from a power source and to facilitate redox reactions storing the received electrical power as chemical energy by the anolyte and catholyte solutions. The second battery stack can be in fluid communication with the at least one pair of electrolyte storage. The second battery stack can also be configured to supply electrical energy to an electrical load, and to facilitate redox reactions releasing chemical energy stored by the anolyte and catholyte solutions as electrical energy to the load.