Since the world is inclined more toward renewable energy sources, energy storage systems (ESS) are becoming an increasingly important in maintaining grid stability and efficiency. Among the numerous technological improvements, liquid-cooled energy storage systems have become the most preferred choice due to their excellent heat dissipation, high efficiency, and long-term stability. As the energy storage technology, applied in AC/DC, is becomes increasingly popular, the whole business is moving to smaller and higher-performing solutions that can be considered a significant transformation.
There are many benefits to liquid cooling:
Awesome heat dissipation: Liquid cooling can keep the battery at a proper temperature without overheating or thermal runaway, so as to ensure the performance and safety of the battery.
High energy density: Due to its good cooling effect, the battery system can be designed to be more compact, allowing for more electricity to be stored in a limited space.
Longer life: Operating at the optimal temperature will extend the life of the battery and reduce its aging.
Quiet and stable: Liquid cooling is quieter and vibrates less than air-cooled systems and is thus well adapted to urban and home use.
Good adaptability: Liquid-cooled energy storage systems can operate stably in areas with high temperatures or high altitudes.
It is due to these benefits that liquid cooling technology is emerging as the mainstream solution for next-generation energy storage systems.
Apart from thermal management, another trend that is revolutionizing the field is the convergence of AC and DC elements in energy storage systems. Conventional energy storage systems need several components like Power Conversion Systems (PCS), battery management systems (BMS), and energy management systems (EMS), implying complicated installations and higher costs.
The AC/DC integrated energy storage system streamlines this by merging these functions into a unified platform, bringing several benefits:
Space and Cost Savings: It eliminates the need for separate PCS and DC cabling, reducing footprint and installation complexity.
Higher System Efficiency: Integrated systems minimize energy conversion losses, improving overall energy utilization.
Simplified Maintenance: With fewer components and streamlined design, maintenance becomes easier and less costly.
Enhanced Safety: Reduces the risk of faults associated with external cabling and connections, improving system reliability.
As renewable energy develops rapidly, the demand for large-capacity energy storage is also increasing, which has facilitated the widespread application of liquid cooling and AC/DC integrated energy storage systems.
In China, the national energy storage expansion plan has set high targets, aiming to exceed 30GW of energy storage deployment by 2025. The implementation of this plan offers ample room for the growth of liquid cooling and AC/DC combined energy storage systems.
In industrial practice, enterprises like Sunac Power have released 5MWh+AC/DC integrated liquid-cooled energy storage systems, establishing a new industry standard. Not only do these systems enhance energy storage efficiency, but they also realize more effective temperature control with liquid cooling technology, thus increasing battery lifespan.
Besides, the Huaneng Longteng energy storage project applies liquid-cooled AC/DC combined ESS, which raises the system efficiency by 2-3% compared to conventional configurations. Not only can the improvement in efficiency lower the operation expenses, but it can also improve the system's stability and reliability.
The deployment of these projects and technologies indicates that liquid cooling and AC/DC integrated energy storage systems are becoming the mainstream trend in the energy storage industry. As technology continues to evolve and market demand continues to expand, the trend can be expected to accelerate over the next few years.
As grid stability, efficiency and security become more important, liquid cooling and AC/DC integrated energy storage solutions are becoming increasingly popular. This solution combines efficient cooling, compact design, and smooth energy conversion, making it particularly suitable for large utility projects and commercial applications.
As the energy industry develops, the question now is not whether liquid cooling + AC/DC integrated energy storage will become mainstream, but how fast this transition will happen. Are we seeing the emergence of a new industry standard?
