| |DECEMBER 20228IN MY OPINIONIntegrated battery containers have become the most popular format for building stationary energy storage projects. These containers typically ship with integrated battery modules and racks, which eliminates the labor associated with assembling battery modules in the field. The number of battery racks is optimized to ensure that the container dimensions and weight meet standard transportation requirements. Recent advances in battery energy density, particularly with lithium-ion chemistry, have eliminated the need to ship battery modules and their enclosures separately to the project site.Integrated battery containers are outdoor-rated and feature thermal management systems for the battery cells that allow the batteries to operate over the specified ambient temperature range while maintaining the cells within their optimum operating temperature range. Several container products feature liquid cooling of the battery modules, which improves energy density and provides more uniform cooling. Forced air cooling is also common and can be more cost-effective in longer duration applications. The cooling system is typically powered by an auxiliary power input to the container that is fed separately. It could also be powered internally from the battery, which is beneficial in applications requiring black-start capability.Walk-in battery containers were common in the early days of the industry but have been almost completely replaced by non-walk-in container designs. This transition has helped improve energy density and fire safety. The containers must feature, at a minimum, smoke and gas detectors, alarms and gas ventilation systems. They could also feature water-based or chemical-based fire suppression systems. Large-scale fire safety testing is conducted to ensure that any fires within a container do not propagate to adjacent containers. These features enhance the safety of first responders compared to building-based battery systems.Battery containers have built-in battery management systems that monitor the parameters of the cells, modules and racks and ensure that their operating limits are not exceeded. The most common container configuration consists of a DC output at a voltage level that is suitable for utility-scale battery inverters. Multiple battery containers may be connected to a single inverter, depending on the configuration. Some containers also feature built-in battery inverters so that the output is an AC voltage that can be connected to an MV transformer.Battery containers have at a minimum, a controller that forms the interface with an external energy management By Tilak Gopalarathnam, Sr. Director, Business Development and Applications, Energy Storage, Canadian Solar [CSIQ: NASDAQ]INTEGRATED BATTERY CONTAINERS ENABLE RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS
< Page 7 | Page 9 >