The energy storage container is a comprehensive energy storage solution designed to fulfill the demands of the mobile energy storage market. It combines the container’s battery cabinets, lithium battery management systems (BMS), and dynamic environment monitoring systems. Additionally, it can be customized to include energy storage inverters and energy management systems based on customer needs.
Classification of Energy Storage Containers
By Material:
Aluminum Alloy Containers: Lightweight, aesthetically pleasing, corrosion-resistant, flexible, easy to process, and cost-effective to repair. However, they are expensive and have poor welding performance.
Steel Containers: Strong, structurally sound, highly weldable, watertight, and affordable, but heavy and less corrosion-resistant.
Fiberglass Containers: Strong, rigid, large internal volume, good insulation, corrosion, and chemical resistance, easy to clean, and repair. However, they are heavy and prone to aging, which reduces the strength around bolts.
Design of Energy Storage Containers
The design of energy storage containers is mainly divided into two parts:
Battery Compartment:
Includes batteries, battery racks, BMS control cabinet, fire suppression cabinet, cooling air conditioner, smoke sensors, lighting, and monitoring cameras.
Battery types can include lithium iron phosphate batteries, lithium batteries, lead-carbon batteries, and lead-acid batteries.
The cooling system adjusts the temperature in real time. Monitoring cameras enable remote monitoring of the equipment’s operational status.
A remote client or app can monitor and manage the operational status and battery condition.
Equipment Compartment:
Includes PCS and EMS control cabinets.
PCS controls the charging and discharging process, converting AC to DC, and can supply power directly to AC loads without a grid.
EMS is crucial for applications, communicating with smart meters to collect real-time power status and monitor load power changes, controlling automatic generation, and assessing power system status.
For a 1MWh system, the PCS to battery ratio can be 1:1 or 1:4 (250kWh PCS and 1MWh battery).
Components of Energy Storage Containers
A 1MW/1MWh energy storage container system typically comprises:
Battery System: Built from series-parallel connections of cells into battery boxes, then series-parallel connections to form battery strings, enhancing system voltage and capacity.
Monitoring System: Ensures accurate data monitoring, high voltage and current sampling accuracy, data synchronization, and rapid execution of remote commands.
Firefighting System: Includes dedicated fire protection and air conditioning systems, smoke, temperature, and humidity sensors, and emergency lights for automatic fire suppression.
Energy Storage Converter: Converts DC to three-phase AC, operating in grid-connected and off-grid modes. In off-grid mode, it provides voltage and frequency support to the plant and can start renewable energy sources.
Lithium Battery Energy Storage System
Lithium battery energy storage systems are categorized into cabinet-type and container-type based on installation methods. As energy storage systems shift towards longer durations, customers will increase their demand for energy and power. The energy storage container, based on advanced lithium battery technology, with standardized conversion equipment and monitoring systems, better meets the growing storage needs.
Energy storage containers simplify infrastructure construction costs, have short construction cycles, high modularity, and are easy to transport and install. They are suitable for thermal, wind, and solar power stations, islands, communities, schools, research institutions, factories, and large load centers.
Energy storage containers play a crucial role in modern energy systems. As the market for renewable energy grows, so does the importance of efficient energy storage solutions like energy storage containers. Their flexibility, scalability, and environmental benefits make them essential in the transition to a sustainable energy future. By integrating advanced technologies and intelligent management systems, energy storage containers are poised to revolutionize energy storage and management, ensuring reliable and efficient power supply across various applications.
