Abstract: Systems and methods associated with example power converter systems are disclosed. For instance, a power converter system can include a power converter couplable to an input power source and configured to generate an output power substantially at a grid frequency. The power converter can include one or more inverter bridge circuits, each associated with an output phase of the power converter. Each inverter bridge circuit can include one or more first switching modules having a pair of switching elements coupled in series with one another, and an output coupled between the pair of switching elements. At least one switching element of each first switching module includes a reverse blocking transistor. The power converter further includes one or more input bridge circuits having a plurality of second switching modules coupled in parallel, each second switching module comprising a pair of silicon carbide transistors.

Abstract: Power converters that can allow for the transfer of DC power between a ground-referenced bus and a floating system are provided. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a ground-referenced DC bus associated with a DC voltage. The power converter further includes a first switching element, a second switching element, and a third switching element coupled in series between the ground-referenced DC bus and a ground reference. The power converter further includes a floating system associated with a floating DC voltage. The floating system can include a first terminal coupled to a first node between the first switching element and the second switching element. The floating system can further include a second terminal coupled to a second node between the second switching element and the third switching element.

Abstract: Power converters that can allow for the transfer of DC power between a ground-referenced bus and a floating system are provided. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a ground-referenced DC bus associated with a DC voltage. The power converter further includes a first switching element, a second switching element, and a third switching element coupled in series between the ground-referenced DC bus and a ground reference. The power converter further includes a floating system associated with a floating DC voltage. The floating system can include a first terminal coupled to a first node between the first switching element and the second switching element. The floating system can further include a second terminal coupled to a second node between the second switching element and the third switching element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an energy storage system are provided. In one embodiment, an energy storage system can include a plurality of energy storage units and a plurality of buses. The energy storage system can further include a control system that can be configured to receive one or more signals indicative of a voltage associated with each energy storage unit of the plurality of energy storage units. The control system can be configured to send one or more command signal to selectively couple each energy storage unit to one of the plurality of buses based at least on the voltage associated with the energy storage unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a tap location associated with a string of an energy storage system are provided. In one embodiment, an energy storage system can include one or more strings. Each of the one or more strings can include a plurality of energy storage cells coupled in series. Each of the one or more strings can be associated with a selectively adjustable tap location to control the number of cells in the string that provide power to a power system. The energy storage system can further include a one or more control devices that can be configured to detect a change in a voltage associated with one or more of the one or more strings. The one or more control devices can be configured to adjust the tap location for at least one of the one or more strings in response to the change in the voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling an energy storage system are provided. In one embodiment, a method for controlling an energy storage system includes receiving a power demand associated with a grid service operation for an energy storage system and accessing data indicative of a time shift for responding to the power demand. The method includes implementing the time shift in the power demand to obtain a time shifted power demand; and controlling the charge or discharge of one or more energy storage devices in the energy storage system based at least in part on the time shifted power demand.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a heat flux assembly for an energy storage device. The energy storage device includes a housing with a plurality of side walls that define an internal volume and a plurality of cells configured within the internal volume. The heat flux assembly includes a plurality of heat flux components configured for arrangement with the side walls of the housing of the energy storage device and one or more temperature sensors configured with each of the plurality of heat flux components. Thus, the temperature sensors are configured to monitor one or more temperatures at various locations in the plurality of heat flux components. The heat flux assembly also includes a controller configured to adjust a power level of each of the heat flux components as a function of the monitored temperature so as to reduce a temperature gradient or difference across the plurality of cells during operation of the energy storage device.

Abstract: An energy storage system can include an energy storage device, such as a battery energy storage device, having a first terminal and a second terminal. A first unidirectional contactor can be coupled to the first terminal. A second unidirectional contactor can be coupled to the second terminal. The first unidirectional contactor can be coupled to the energy storage device with opposite polarity relative to the second unidirectional contactor. The first unidirectional contactor and the second unidirectional contactor can be controlled based on direction of current flow associated with the energy storage device.