Module-Level Battery Reconditioning for Uniform Second-Life Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy storage systems face challenges in efficiently reconditioning and integrating second-life batteries from vehicular applications to stationary use due to degrading battery performance and health mismatches, leading to reliability and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A heterogeneous unifying battery system that determines the state-of-health of batteries, reconditions them by cycling through charging and discharging, and manages individual battery modules with independent converters and relays to achieve a uniform state of health, allowing for scalable and cost-effective integration of second-life batteries into energy storage systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If second-life batteries are integrated into stationary energy storage systems, then cost is reduced, but reliability and safety deteriorate due to degrading battery performance and health mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the battery management into individual module-level units, where each battery module has its own converter and control system. This segmentation allows independent monitoring and management of each module's state of health, enabling reliable integration of second-life batteries with varying performance characteristics without compromising overall system safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as charge/discharge rates, voltage thresholds, and current limits based on the real-time state of health of each battery module. This parameter adaptation allows the system to accommodate degraded batteries while maintaining reliability by preventing operation beyond safe limits for each specific module.
2Adaptability or versatility
If heterogeneous batteries with different health states are used, then cost and adaptability are improved, but system uniformity and performance consistency worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements module-specific management where each battery module operates with its own optimized parameters and control strategy tailored to its individual state of health. This local quality approach allows heterogeneous batteries to be integrated while maintaining overall system functionality, as each module contributes according to its specific capabilities rather than requiring uniform characteristics across all modules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as charge/discharge rates, voltage thresholds, and current limits based on the real-time state of health of each battery module. This parameter adaptation allows the system to accommodate degraded batteries while maintaining reliability by preventing operation beyond safe limits for each specific module.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual reconditioning processes are used for second-life batteries, then initial cost is reduced, but labor intensity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated reconditioning where battery modules are cycled through charge-discharge sequences without manual intervention. The control system automatically monitors state of health, determines when reconditioning is needed, executes the cycling process, and returns modules to service. This self-service capability eliminates labor-intensive manual reconditioning while maintaining cost-effectiveness through automated resource management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of battery module health status and proactively schedules reconditioning cycles before performance degradation affects system operation. By anticipating reconditioning needs and executing them during optimal times, the system minimizes downtime and avoids emergency interventions, thereby reducing overall time consumption.
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
The system enables the efficient reconditioning and integration of second-life batteries, improving cycle life and reliability, reducing energy storage costs per kilowatt-hour, and allowing for the use of batteries in secondary applications by achieving a predetermined state of health and uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
The battery may be connected to an electrical power source for re-conditioning. The method may further include determining a target state-of-health value for the battery and a number of cycles required to achieve the target state-of-health value of the battery. Each cycle in the number of cycles may include at least one of: a charging the battery and a discharging the battery.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, a method, and a computer program product for providing heterogeneous unifying battery storage. A state-of-health value of a battery is determined. The state-of-health value of the battery is less than an original capacity value of the battery. The battery is connected to an electrical power source for re-conditioning. A target state-of-health value for the battery and a number of cycles required to achieve the target state-of-health value of the battery are determined. Each cycle in the number of cycles includes at least one of: a charging the battery and a discharging the battery. The battery is re-conditioned by cycling the battery using the determined number of cycles. Cycling includes drawing electrical power from the electrical power source.