In modern energy scenarios, managing energy is a major challenge, be it an energy surplus or energy deficiency occurring at the generation, storage, or distribution level. With advancing technologies, there are hopeful and innovative solutions that make this challenge easier to tackle. One such solution in hand is the Energy Storage System or the ESS.

ESS enables the storage of energy at different scales, from residential to commercial and utility. Each scaled model serves its purpose when it comes to the generation, transmission, and end-user perspective.

An ESS is inconceivable without battery storage. As the largest manufacturer of electrical interconnect systems and a frontrunner in providing the connectors to the electronics revolution, we will also look at Amphenol’s contribution to this energy and battery storage revolution. We will explore some of the top connectors employed in battery storage.

Battery Storage- What is it and How does it function?

Battery storage in its simplest form refers to Lithium-Ion battery packs, as they are they are most commonly used and most efficient of chemical batteries. It is also the most essential component of the ESS. The primary function of the battery in an ESS is to store energy when there is a surplus and to release it back when there is a deficiency. This way there is an uninterrupted power supply.

Other Components of an Energy Storage System (ESS)

To place the battery storage in context and understand it better, let us dismantle the other major components of the ESS and understand their function.

Power Conditioning System (PCS)/ AC-DC Converter: This component collaborates with the battery units of an Energy Storage System (ESS) to ensure grid stability and smooth operation. They do this by inverting and conditioning the power before and after storage and assisting in grid functions like frequency regulation and peak shaving.

Battery Management System (BMS):  This is another component of the ESS which is used to oversee the performance of the battery units within it. This system makes sure the batteries are in optimal health and the charge and discharge cycles are regulated. This system ensures the battery does not overheat, overcharge, and have its longevity affected. 

Controller:  As the name suggests, this is a device that manages and optimizes the battery’s operations within the ESS. In addition to monitoring the battery’s charging and discharging cycles, it also performs temperature control and system monitoring, as well as collects and processes data on voltage, current, and fuse status.

Depending upon the scale of battery packs used in the ESS, the applications and the Amphenol connector products vary:

Battery Storage in a Residential ESS

Residential battery systems are typically smaller in scale, that is size and number, and they are used to power homes. The number of battery packs is lesser within a residential ESS. It is becoming a popular option amongst homeowners as it is making them less dependent on the grid and giving them a smoother electricity supply. It also gives them the option to harness other renewable sources of power like solar from residential photovoltaic installations. This stored energy can be used in their own terms and even given back to the grid at subsidized rates.

Better battery storage systems mean users can switch to economical and environmentally friendly means of energy consumption and storage. Amphenol plays a major role in enabling this by providing cutting-edge battery connectors.

Some of the high-performing connectors used in ESS are: 

Amphenol Battery Management Connectors

 

These highly reliable connectors are used within the different components of the residential energy storage system.

Commercial and Industrial Battery Storage / Utility Scale Battery Storage

These systems are larger and used in a commercial or industrial setting. They are used to manage energy usage on a much larger scale and to optimize the energy consumption. Since ESS provides the option to tap into the sustainable energy options of solar farms and wind turbines at an industrial level, there is a larger factor of operational efficiency and sustainability that should be taken into account.

At the industrial-commercial level and utility-scale, there is a massive number of battery packs used. The sheer volume of energy stored in these helps mitigate downtime, stabilize the grid, support industrial operations, and safeguard critical processes against disruptions.

Amphenol manufactures battery connectors that are used widely in industrial-commercial and utility-scale ESS and battery storage. Here are some of the most popular, high-current, and robust design examples.

These connectors come in ruggedized and non-ruggedized versions to withstand the harsh environments of industrial ESS.

As we move closer toward more sustainable options for energy generation, distribution and end-user consumption, efficient battery storage options, and battery connectors become increasingly important. Amphenol is a leading manufacturer of battery connectors to ESS and battery connectors used around the world.

Know more about our various products used in the energy storage sector here. To reach out to us, talk to our LiveChat Technical Team!