G. Yadav, G. Cowles
Urban Electric Power, Inc.,
United States
Keywords: energy storage, system
Summary:
Energy storage system integration for novel battery chemistries presents unique challenges as commercially off the shelf (COTS) balance of system components (e.g., power conversion systems, battery management systems, and charge controllers) are not designed for these novel chemistries and therefore lead to suboptimal energy storage system (ESS) operations. Urban Electric Power (UEP) manufactures a rechargeable zinc-manganese dioxide battery for use in stationary ESS, and has deployed multiple such systems across the past three years. UEP has deployed multiple ESS in various applications and environments, using a combinations of COTS equipment and customized hardware and software. The lessons learned from these experiences serve to inform the specific limitations of current COTS equipment, as it relates to novel battery chemistries, and identifies areas for development in the power electronics sector to further the deployment of energy storage technologies. This presentation will examine two UEP system deployments and assess the strategy and end results of the ESS system integration. The system deployments discussed will be a multi megawatt hour power backup system supporting a data center, and a residential solar microgrid system in a remote location. These differing applications will help highlight challenges on both ends of the energy storage spectrum, for applications that are experiencing rapidly growing demand in the U.S. and globally. Attendees will come away with a deeper understanding of the current gaps within the power electronics and system integration industry, and the possible opportunities for future cross-cutting development work that will have direct commercial impact.