High Conversion Cell-Level Battery Power Converter

With the aggressive adoption of renewable energy sources, the demand for reliable, efficient energy storage systems continues to grow in step. The next generation of power conversion systems must further facilitate the adoption of renewable energy sources by increasing efficiency and power density. Historically, low-income and minority communities have been disproportionately affected by a lack of access to clean energy infrastructure. Current and future equitable access to distributed energy systems along with the scalability of battery energy storage presents a synergistic solution to give these affected communities reliable access to renewable electricity. This proposal features a novel cell-level DC-DC converter topology, based on wide-bandgap semiconductors and custom planar magnetics, to drive the miniaturization and electrical performance of battery energy storage systems. This converter features a modular structure, allowing it to be integrated into systems of different sizes and power levels. Coupled with an efficient and power-dense inverter, the combined power conversion system is a reliable, portable, scalable, and innovative approach to the proliferation of distributed energy resources in low-income, minority, and tribal communities. During Phase I, high fidelity models and simulations were developed to demonstrate the converterĺs benefits. Prototypes of the custom magnetics were developed and tested to verify performance. Finally, full schematics and circuit board layouts were developed allowing for rapid development and system-level integration in Phase II. During Phase II, the development of the novel DC-DC converter will continue. The Phase I results provide a springboard for rapid hardware development at the start of Phase II. The DC-DC converter will be fully tested and characterized, and a =2 kW inverter system will be designed to demonstrate AC power generation from a single cell. This next-generation power converter can be integrated into a full-scale battery storage system of varying power levels. Phase II will demonstrate this capability by implementing a =2 kW single phase off-grid system. Pending a successful Phase II effort, this power conversion system will demonstrate its commercial potential for small, efficient battery energy storage systems during Phase III and beyond.