Stacked Inverter-Transformer Skids for Space-Limited Energy Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional stationary battery energy storage systems face challenges in increasing storage capacity due to space constraints, especially in urban areas, and the closed nature of shipping containers limits equipment density and maintenance access.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves configuring stationary battery energy storage facilities with stacked electrical equipment, including inverters and transformers, using skids that allow for elevation and lateral offsetting to increase equipment density without expanding the footprint, along with a support structure for safety and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional shipping containers are used to store electrical equipment, then safety and ease of maintenance are improved due to spacing and accessibility, but equipment density and space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from horizontal placement of equipment in shipping containers to vertical stacking arrangements. Multiple skids with electrical equipment are stacked at different heights, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase equipment density while maintaining accessibility through lateral offsets and platform design
2Ease of repair
If equipment is placed in wide open spaces with spacing for maintenance access, then ease of maintenance is improved, but space utilization and equipment density deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention stacks skids vertically at different heights rather than spreading them horizontally. The lateral offset between stacked skids and platform design enables maintenance personnel to access equipment from multiple directions (top, bottom, sides) without requiring large horizontal spacing, thereby reducing facility footprint while maintaining ease of repair
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure and platform are designed to nest around and between stacked skids, creating a compact integrated system. The platform provides access pathways that weave through the stacked arrangement, allowing maintenance access without requiring additional external space
3Reliability
If shipping containers are used to enclose electrical equipment, then safety is improved, but heat dissipation and ventilation deteriorate due to closed-in nature
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of enclosing all equipment in a single closed shipping container, the invention segments the system into multiple open skids stacked vertically. Each skid can be independently accessed and ventilated, allowing heat to dissipate from multiple surfaces while maintaining safety through the structural design and spacing
Data Source
AI summary
A battery energy storage system comprises a first equipment unit comprising a first skid positionable on a surface, a first inverter and a first transformer mounted on the first skid, a second equipment unit comprising a second skid, a second inverter and a second transformer mounted on the second skid, and a support structure for positioning the second equipment unit longitudinally above and spaced apart from the first equipment unit in a laterally offset manner. A method of increasing energy storage capacity of a storage system comprises building a support structure over a first inverter and transformer unit installed at a first location, placing a second inverter and transformer unit on the support structure such that the second inverter and transformer unit is longitudinally spaced from and laterally offset from the first inverter and transformer unit and adding an additional battery container.