High Efficiency, Reduced Cost, Modular, Scalable Battery Energy Storage System

The project aims to resolve the technology challenges of improving the efficiency of energy storage for renewable energy resources from small to grid scale through innovation.
This will be achieved through the development of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) technology based on a multi-level converter, distributed architecture system with next generation power electronics and adaptive battery control to improve performance, efficiency and lifetime over current state of the art battery.
A distributed type system architecture performs battery management at the module level. A key drawback of current BESS technology where the management and control of the battery pack is performed by a centralised supervisory controller is that the total energy available is limited by the weakest or poorest performing cell or module. With a distributed type system each battery module level control which can contribute voltage and current independently.
With this type of system the power conversion functionality is also decentralised so, in other words, the power electronics circuits are embedded within each battery module.
This type of technology has the following key advantages:
• Improved system performance and efficiency through independent module management
• Reduced inverter losses and cost, therefore improved efficiency
• Improved redundancy at end of life; individual modules can be replaced with cells from a later product variant
• Capability to exploit lower cost, less energy dense cell chemistries such as sodium-ion whilst still maintaining overall system energy density
• Improved volumetric energy density; elimination of separate inverters enables more battery modules to be packaged in a defined space i.e. standard container
• Extended battery life; weaker performing cells/modules can be energy limited or bypassed
• System modularity; enabling each battery module to behave as an independent energy source ensure full scalability from small to grid scale with the same core