The Importantance Thermal Management in Energy Storage Integrated Systems
The integrated construction of electrochemical energy storage power stations faces many environmental challenges, such as high altitude in Inner Mongolia, high altitude in Qinghai, high temperature in Chongqing, high salt mist in Hainan, and sand and dust in Xinjiang. Different environments require energy storage power stations to have corresponding environmental adaptability, from equipment software to hardware, which must be matched with the environment. Therefore, how to avoid the impact of external factors on energy storage power stations and ensure stable operation and revenue is of utmost importance.
At present, the thermal runaway of energy storage stations is mostly caused by defects in the lithium battery itself and management system. Energy storage stations that have accidents often use lithium batteries, and the energy storage system usually gathers a large number of batteries, which are tightly arranged in a space. Moreover, the capacity and power of the batteries are large, the operating conditions are complex, and the high and low rates are variable, which can easily lead to problems such as uneven temperature distribution, uneven heat generation, and large temperature differences between batteries. These issues will greatly compromise the charging and discharging performance, capacity, and lifespan of some batteries, thereby affecting the performance of the entire energy storage integrated system. If thermal management is not carried out, it can even lead to thermal runaway and safety accidents in severe cases.
In addition, environmental factors, poor management of energy storage systems, and poor electric shock protection systems may also cause thermal runaway of the entire energy storage integrated system. The causes of thermal runaway in lithium batteries include mechanical, external environment, internal short circuits, and other reasons. The current temperature control technologies for electrochemical energy storage mainly rely on liquid cooling and air cooling. It is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as safety, economy, battery pack design, battery compartment air duct design, and the geographical environment of the project to choose the temperature control technology for energy storage. During the air cooling design, thermal simulation design of the air duct structure is required to demonstrate its rationality.
The thermal management technology of energy storage integrated systems is constantly being updated and improved. The integration of the entire system involves numerous supporting equipment. As an integrator, there are many factors that need to be comprehensively considered. The safety and stability of system integration are the primary considerations, and a stable temperature control system is related to the stable operation and project benefits of the entire project integration. The fire control system, temperature control system, and overall integrated system are all closely related. Temperature control management is not only focused on air conditioning or water-cooled units, but also takes the entire energy storage integrated system as the main body for comprehensive consideration. Product design, energy storage system integration, packaging and transportation, and later project maintenance will all affect the stability of the system.
Therefore, thermal management is a key role in the entire energy storage integrated system. Thermal management and temperature control need to comprehensively consider factors such as safety, economy, battery pack design, battery compartment air duct design, and the geographical environment of the project. Only by comprehensively considering these factors can the safe and stable operation of the energy storage integrated system be ensured.
