EXPLORING THE FUTURE OF BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - STATIONARY BESS
As the world shifts towards renewable energy and sustainable practices, the demand for efficient battery energy storage systems (BESS) continues to grow. Here at Munich Electrification, we are proud to introduce our latest innovation: the Stationary Battery Management System (Stationary BMS). It’s designed specifically for BESS with 1500V DC. In this Q&A session, we delve into the intricacies of this new product with one of our Stationary BMS Technical Project Managers.
Today's conversation partner: Urs Kalt - Technical Project Manager at ME
Thank you for joining today Urs, can you tell us a bit more about yourself and what exciting topics you are working on at Munich Electrification?
Hi! My name is Urs Kalt and since the end of 2021 I’m a Technical Project Manager (TPL) at Munich Electrification. I joined ME after working several years in the Tier 1 automotive industry and continued to work with several automotive and commercial vehicle customers at ME for battery management systems (BMS). With a background in power engineering it was very exciting for me personally to start a new BMS product platform development for the BESS market, we call it Stationary BMS.
Can you tell us more about the Stationary BMS and its significance in the energy transformation landscape?
Certainly! Our Stationary BMS is tailored to meet the needs of BESS operating at 1500V DC, catering to a wide range of applications including grid stabilization, peak shaving, energy bidding and renewable energy integration. Its advanced monitoring and control capabilities ensure optimal performance, safety and security, empowering businesses and utilities to maximize the value of their battery assets while contributing to a more sustainable energy future.
How does the Stationary BMS differ from your existing automotive and commercial vehicle solutions?
While our traditional BMS solutions focus on a different voltage range and performance requirements, the Stationary BMS is specifically engineered to address the unique challenges and demands of stationary energy storage applications. It boasts enhanced scalability (Ethernet), robustness (reinforced insulation up to 1500V, 10kV impulse withstand voltage), and reliability to withstand the rigors of stationary operation (always on & continuous usage for 20 years), making it an ideal choice for utility-scale deployments and industrial applications. We have thoroughly worked through the industrial functional safety norms to comply with the UL1973 requirements, our expertise and certified compliance with our well-loved and well-known automotive ISO 26262 norm helps a lot.
In addition, we adapted our high-level battery algorithms to fit the stationary use cases. In particular, the algorithms including estimation of the battery state of charge (SoC) as well as battery cell balancing have to be made less reliant on fixed charging and discharging cycles compared to the automotive use cases. To comply with grid expectations, it became necessary to provide calculations of steady continuous power predictions for several minutes instead of dynamic dis-/charge current limits, as it would be used in vehicle inverters. SW Tools for technicians were also something that is established in the automotive world that we needed to bring to the industrial landscape.
Several topics we can utilize in both BMS worlds, like the traditional cell monitoring, failure detection and reactions, histograms, multi string, flexibility of used cell chemistries and capacities, cyber security and many more.
What sets Munich Electrification's Stationary BMS apart from other offerings in the market?
Our BMS platform offers a unique proven-in-use but flexible system including electronics, software and state-of-the-art algorithms. MEs unwavering commitment to innovation, excellence and sustainability is a strong driver for the partnerships we have with our customers. Leveraging our extensive experience for high performance in automotive electrification and with tough requirements for commercial vehicles, we've developed a BMS solution that not only meets the highest standards of safety and security but also incorporates cutting-edge technologies to enable seamless integration with energy infrastructure. Moreover, our dedicated team of engineers and experts are constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible, ensuring that our customers stay ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving energy landscape.
The Munich Electrification BMS with its supporting device of the Qulectra current sensors for SoX accuracy and the TCU for continuous battery analytics and monitoring capabilities form a strong connection.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Munich Electrification's Stationary BMS represents a pivotal step towards realizing the full potential of battery energy storage in the transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. With its advanced capabilities, unmatched reliability, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction, we're proud to be at the forefront of innovation in energy transformation. To all battery developers and integrators seeking to optimize energy usage and enhance grid resilience, we invite you to reach out and discover how Munich Electrification can empower your journey towards a brighter tomorrow.