Do battery energy storage systems need a cooling system?

An increase in battery energy storage system (BESS) deployments reveal the importance of successful cooling design. Unique challenges of lithium-ion battery systems require careful design. The low prescribed battery operating temperature (20° to 25°C), requires a refrigeration cooling system rather than direct ambient air cooling.

What temperature should a battery be cooled to?

The low prescribed battery operating temperature (20° to 25°C), requires a refrigeration cooling system rather than direct ambient air cooling. The narrow allowable temperature variation, no more than 5°C between hottest and coldest battery, requires near perfect air distribution. And, the rapid changes in power with time require tight control.

How hot does a battery cabinet get?

Typically, the larger the battery cabinet’s electrical capacity, the larger the size of each individual battery and the higher the room's DC voltage. Depending on the location of the base station, temperatures may range from a high of 50°C to a low of -30°C.

What is the operating range of a thermoelectric cooler?

For compressor-based systems, the typical operating range is +20 ̊C to +55 ̊C, allowing thermoelectric coolers to operate in a much larger environmental area. Thermoelectric cooler assemblies feature a solid-state construction, so they do not have compressors or motors.

Why are energy storage systems important?

Energy storage systems (ESS) have the power to impart flexibility to the electric grid and offer a back-up power source. Energy storage systems are vital when municipalities experience blackouts, states-of-emergency, and infrastructure failures that lead to power outages.