Abstract: An electrochemical battery system in one embodiment includes at least one electrochemical cell, a current sensor configured to generate a current signal, a voltage sensor configured to generate a voltage signal, a memory in which command instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to obtain the current signal and the voltage signal, and to generate an estimated cell nominal capacity (Cnom) of the at least one electrochemical cell by estimating a first leg Cnom during a first charging sequence using a first charging current, estimating a second leg Cnom during a second charging sequence using a second charging current, wherein the second charging current is at a current amplitude different from the current amplitude of the first charging current, and generating the cell Cnom based upon the first leg Cnom and the second leg Cnom.

Abstract: A method for peak load shaving uses an energy storage device. A controller predicts the threshold above which the energy consumed by a load is equal to the capacity of the storage device. Load forecasting methods include artificial neural networks and support vector machines to compute a real-time threshold estimate that is used to decide when to dispatch power from the energy storage device. The threshold estimates are adapted iteratively, using the most recent observed load and previous threshold estimates. The adaptive algorithm reduces the peak demand charge assessed to the customer compared to existing static approaches that compute dispatch policies in advance.

Abstract: A method of controlling an energy storage system to reduce a peak energy procurement includes obtaining a load forecast for an energy consumption system, and, at each of a plurality of predetermined time intervals during a predetermined time period, observing a charge state of an energy storage component and a load presented by the energy consumption system, determining an energy action for the energy storage component as a function of the load forecast, observed load and observed charge state, and executing the determined energy action.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery cell includes at least two working electrodes, each including an active material, an inert material, an electrolyte and a current collector, a first separator region arranged between the at least two working electrodes to separate the at least two working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes are electronically connected within the cell, an auxiliary electrode including a lithium reservoir, and a second separator region arranged between the auxiliary electrode and the at least two working electrodes to separate the auxiliary electrode from the working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes is electronically connected to the auxiliary electrode within the cell.

Abstract: A Dispatch Planner (DP) is a component in an Energy System Controller that controls the operation of energy resources interconnected into one energy system to provide optimal energy management for a customer. In one embodiment, the energy storage system includes an electric load, dispatchable sources of energy such as an electrical grid, diesel generators, combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy such as photo-voltaic cells and wind turbines; and stored energy resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an electrochemical cell includes a negative electrode including a form of lithium, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode and including an electron conducting matrix, a separator positioned between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, an electrolyte including a salt, and a charging redox couple located within the positive electrode, wherein the electrochemical cell is characterized by the transfer of electrons from a discharge product located in the positive electrode to the electron conducting matrix by the charging redox couple during a charge cycle.

Abstract: A planning tool and method for energy asset sizing and optimal dispatch is provided for managing the inter-temporal optimization problem caused by adding energy assets to an energy system. The tool and method are configured to optimally size and to operate energy assets including energy storage assets. Value stream models, asset cost models, constraint and operation strategies are applied in the tool and the optimization process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided to optimize the performance of energy resources interconnected in an energy system to provide an economic benefit to a customer. A dispatch controller and method of operation therefor provides for delivery of power from a number of energy resources to ensure acceptable operation of all components of the energy system while compensating for short-term fluctuations of loads or power generation from renewable resources. Optimized energy systems include an electric load, dispatchable sources of energy such as an electrical grid, diesel generators, combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy such as photovoltaic cells and wind turbines; and storage resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves. The energy controller operates in one or more different modes, each of which is configured to operate an energy system according to different operating conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the distribution of energy from a plurality of energy resources to a load. The system includes an energy system controller to control the distribution of energy to an electric load provided by a plurality of energy resources. The energy resources include dispatchable sources of energy such as diesel generators and combined heat and power generators; renewable sources of energy including photo-voltaic cells, wind turbines, and geothermal sources; and storage resources such as electrochemical batteries or pumped hydro reserves.

Abstract: A method for estimating a state of charge in a battery includes identifying a first state of charge in the battery at a first time, identifying the first state of charge in the battery at a second time after operation of the battery, identifying an estimated state of charge at the second time with reference to a model having a plurality of model parameters, modifying at least one of the plurality of model parameters with reference to an error between the estimated state of charge and the first state of charge, and generating an output corresponding to an estimate of the state of charge of the battery using the model with the at least one modified parameter while operating the battery in the at least one operating mode after the second time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrochemical battery system performs optimized charging of a battery. The electrochemical battery system includes at least one electrochemical cell, a memory storing command instructions, and a controller operably connected to the memory and a current source. The controller executes the command instructions to generate a first prediction of at least one state parameter corresponding to an internal state of the at least one electrochemical cell in the event that a first input current is applied to the at least one electrochemical cell for a predetermined time based upon a present state of the at least one state parameter in the electrochemical cell, determine a second input current based on the first prediction and at least one predetermined state parameter constraint, and control the current source to apply the second input current to the at least one electrochemical cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell in one embodiment includes a negative electrode including a form of lithium, a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode, a separator positioned between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, and an electrolyte including a load leveling agent in contact with the negative electrode.

Abstract: A system and/or method for replenishing lithium-ion battery capacity that is lost due to side reactions over the lifetime of a battery in one embodiment includes a battery with a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator region configured to electronically isolate the first and second electrodes, a first portion of lithium metal encapsulated within a first ionically insulating barrier configured to prevent transport of lithium ions therethrough, a memory in which command instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to (i) determine a first lithium content of the first electrode, (ii) compare the first lithium content of the first electrode to a first threshold, and (iii) activate the first portion of lithium metal based on the comparison of the first lithium content to the first threshold.

Abstract: A battery system and method of providing a state of charge of for the system in one embodiment includes at least one first cell, the at least one first cell having a first battery chemistry exhibiting a first open circuit potential, and at least one second cell in series connection with the at least one first cell, the at least one second cell having a second battery chemistry exhibiting a second open circuit potential, wherein the at least one first cell exhibits an open circuit potential with a center slope that is greater than the center slope of the open circuit potential exhibited by the at least one second cell.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery cell includes at least two working electrodes, each including an active material, an inert material, an electrolyte and a current collector, a first separator region arranged between the at least two working electrodes to separate the at least two working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes are electronically connected within the cell, an auxiliary electrode including a lithium reservoir, and a second separator region arranged between the auxiliary electrode and the at least two working electrodes to separate the auxiliary electrode from the working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes is electronically connected to the auxiliary electrode within the cell.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a flow battery system includes a reactor, a first pump operably connected to a first electrolyte tank and to the reactor, a second pump operably connected to a second electrolyte tank and to the reactor, a memory including program instructions stored therein, and a controller operably connected to the first pump, the second pump, and the memory and configured to execute the program instructions to determine a first flow rate through the first pump based upon first pump operating parameters including a differential pressure across the first pump, control the first pump based upon the first flow rate, determine a second flow rate through the second pump based upon second pump operating parameters including a differential pressure across the second pump, control the second pump based upon the second flow rate.

Abstract: A lithium-ion battery cell includes at least two working electrodes, each including an active material, an inert material, an electrolyte and a current collector, a first separator region arranged between the at least two working electrodes to separate the at least two working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes are electronically connected within the cell, an auxiliary electrode including a lithium reservoir, and a second separator region arranged between the auxiliary electrode and the at least two working electrodes to separate the auxiliary electrode from the working electrodes so that none of the working electrodes is electronically connected to the auxiliary electrode within the cell.

Abstract: An electrochemical battery system in one embodiment includes a first electrode, a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a separator positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, an active material within the second electrode, a pressure sensor in fluid connection with the second electrode, a memory in which command instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to obtain a pressure signal from the pressure sensor associated with the pressure within the second electrode, and to identify a state of charge of the electrochemical battery system based upon the pressure signal.

Abstract: A containerized energy storage system including a human-machine interface (HMI). The HMI is located at the site of the containerized energy storage system either in close proximity to the exterior of the system, on an exterior wall of the system, or within a space or compartment formed in the exterior wall of the system which is closable to protect the HMI from the elements but which is accessed exteriorly by a user.

Abstract: A flow battery system includes a flow cell, a reservoir including an aqueous electrolyte, a memory in which command instructions are stored, a model of the flow cell stored within the memory, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to obtain a current signal and a voltage signal, estimate a state of charge (SOC) of the flow cell using the obtained current signal, compute a model voltage of the flow cell using the obtained current signal, the obtained voltage signal, and the model, compare the model voltage with the obtained voltage signal, calculate a voltage error based upon the comparison of the model voltage with the obtained voltage signal, and correct the estimated SOC based upon the voltage error.