Case Study -
Battery Storage
The focus of energy producers is steadily shifting toward designing and building energy storage infrastructure to capture energy from renewable power. Solar+storage combinations are becoming very popular, requiring Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) units to be located in areas with high temperatures and sun irradiance. Unfortunately, intense environmental heat increases the chances of thermal runaway, reduces efficiencies, and increases the likelihood of equipment failure, requiring maintenance and replacement.
Each BESS system include a battery module, an inverter, and an HVAC system which attempts to maintain an optimal battery temperature. The HVAC system runs on either grid- supplied or battery-supplied electricity. Without HVAC systems, BESS systems cannot function appropriately. In hot weather, the HVAC system still might not keep up, causing equipment to derate, shut down, or malfunction.
BESS system covered in CoolFilm
Heat Inverse partnered with an energy supplier to install CoolFilm on the exterior walls of a BESS for a pilot outside Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The pilot was designed to compare HVAC needs across multiple BESS charge/discharge profiles. The study found that HVAC duty cycles were reduced by 25-50% after CoolFilm was applied. Furthermore, reduced stress on the HVAC systems was projected to result in increased longevity and a decreased chance of failing. The success of this pilot has led to an expansion that will encompass a newly established battery site outside Austin, Texas.
“25% improvement far exceeded our 10% expectation.”
“I cannot believe how easy this is to install.”
-Feedback from the battery owner