When an energy storage power supply operates in high-temperature environments, the heat generated by internal battery cells due to energy conversion efficiency losses increases significantly. If the heat dissipation system is inefficient, the battery cell temperature will continue to rise, triggering irreversible reactions such as electrolyte decomposition and electrode material structural damage, ultimately leading to the risk of thermal runaway. Therefore, improving the efficiency of the heat dissipation system is a core task for ensuring the safe and stable operation of the energy storage power supply, requiring comprehensive optimization across three dimensions: heat dissipation technology, system design, and material application.
In terms of heat dissipation technology, liquid cooling is the preferred solution for high-temperature environments due to its efficient heat exchange capabilities. Compared to traditional air cooling, liquid cooling systems circulate coolant directly in contact with the battery cells or heat sinks, leveraging the liquid's high specific heat capacity to rapidly absorb and dissipate heat. For example, in high-power density scenarios such as new energy power plants, liquid cooling can control the temperature difference between battery cells to within 3-5°C, preventing capacity degradation caused by local overheating. It also reduces heat dissipation energy consumption by 30%-50% compared to air cooling systems, significantly improving energy efficiency. Furthermore, the fully enclosed design of the liquid cooling system effectively blocks external contaminants such as dust and moisture, extending equipment life and reducing operation and maintenance costs.
At the system design level, optimizing the air duct structure and air flow path is key to improving heat dissipation efficiency. For containerized energy storage power supplies, a vertical air duct design with top outlet and bottom inlet can be adopted. In combination with deflectors, this design evenly distributes cooling air across the battery modules, reducing dead zones. For example, in the heat dissipation design of tram energy storage power supplies, internal ducts are used to direct air conditioning exhaust cooling air from both sides toward the center. This bottom cooling air flows through the gaps between modules and eventually exits through the exhaust duct, creating an orderly air circulation system. This design significantly reduces the operating temperature of the central modules and prevents localized overheating caused by poor air circulation.
At the material application level, the combination of high thermal conductivity materials and phase change thermal storage technology can further improve heat dissipation efficiency. Thermally conductive materials such as graphene or aluminum nitride, with thermal conductivity exceeding 200 W/mK, are used at the interface between the battery cells and the heat sink, rapidly transferring heat from the cells to the cooling system. Furthermore, phase change material heat storage plates are installed on the battery pack surface, leveraging the latent heat of paraffin-based composite materials to absorb transient thermal shocks. This thermal buffer, lasting for over 10 seconds, buys time for the cooling system to respond. Furthermore, the use of thermal insulation materials such as aerogel firewalls effectively blocks the spread of flames during thermal runaway. Their thermal conductivity below 0.02 W/mK significantly reduces the risk of heat exposure to adjacent cells.
The introduction of an intelligent temperature control system is a key means of dynamically optimizing cooling efficiency. Fiber Bragg grating temperature sensors monitor the cell surface temperature in real time with an accuracy of ±0.1°C. Combined with PID algorithms and PWM speed control technology, the control unit can respond to temperature anomalies within 1 second and automatically adjust coolant flow or fan speed. For example, if a cell temperature spike is detected in a specific area, the system can rapidly increase coolant flow in that area, achieving "targeted cooling" and buying valuable time for safe handling.
Environmentally adaptable design is fundamental to ensuring stable cooling system operation in high-temperature environments. For extremely high-temperature environments like deserts, a sand-resistant heat dissipation structure is required, while intelligent fan speed adjustment strategies are optimized to compensate for the low pressure at high altitudes. Furthermore, the chassis design of the energy storage power supply can utilize a hollow profile frame and a sandwich top cover. This hollow structure provides a degree of thermal insulation, reducing heat accumulation caused by direct sunlight.
