Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling an energy storage system. The energy storage system includes a plurality of parallel-connected energy storage devices. The method includes determining, by one or more controllers, a limiting energy storage device based at least in part on a current rating for the limiting energy storage device. The method includes determining, by the one or more controllers, an adjusted allowable system current based at least in part on modifying one or more operational parameters of the limiting energy storage device. The method includes determining, by the one or more controllers, a modified operational parameter of the limiting energy storage device to increase the allowable system current of the energy storage system. The method includes controlling the limiting energy storage device based at least in part on the modified operational parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power distribution are provided. The method includes receiving a power command, wherein the power command requests a discharge from one or more BESS units, and wherein the one or more BESS units are housed in one or more temperature controlled rooms. For each of the one or more temperature controlled rooms, a lowest energy remaining of the one or more BESS units in the temperature controlled room is determined; a low threshold is determined based on the determined lowest energy remaining and a floor; a limit is determined based on the determined low threshold; and the limit is assigned to each of the one or more BESS units housed in the temperature controlled room. The method includes causing the power command to be at least partially satisfied by the one or more BESS units based on the assigned limits.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for controlling an energy storage system. The energy storage system includes a plurality of parallel-connected energy storage devices. The method includes determining, by one or more controllers, a limiting energy storage device based at least in part on a current rating for the limiting energy storage device. The method includes determining, by the one or more controllers, an adjusted allowable system current based at least in part on modifying one or more operational parameters of the limiting energy storage device. The method includes determining, by the one or more controllers, a modified operational parameter of the limiting energy storage device to increase the allowable system current of the energy storage system. The method includes controlling the limiting energy storage device based at least in part on the modified operational parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the charge of an energy storage device include determining an estimated energy production prediction for an energy source from a present time to a target time by which an energy storage device is desired to reach a top of charge (TOC) energy level when being charged by the energy source. An available amount of energy for storage at the energy storage device if the energy storage device is charged from the energy source at a first charge rate from the present time until the target time is determined. A present charge rate for the energy storage device is controlled to be the first charge rate when the available amount of energy is less than the energy storage capacity of the energy storage device and to be a second charge rate less than the first charge rate when otherwise.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power distribution are provided. The method includes receiving a power command, wherein the power command requests a discharge from one or more BESS units, and wherein the one or more BESS units are housed in one or more temperature controlled rooms. For each of the one or more temperature controlled rooms, a lowest energy remaining of the one or more BESS units in the temperature controlled room is determined; a low threshold is determined based on the determined lowest energy remaining and a floor; a limit is determined based on the determined low threshold; and the limit is assigned to each of the one or more BESS units housed in the temperature controlled room. The method includes causing the power command to be at least partially satisfied by the one or more BESS units based on the assigned limits.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the charge of an energy storage device include determining an estimated energy production prediction for an energy source from a present time to a target time by which an energy storage device is desired to reach a top of charge (TOC) energy level when being charged by the energy source. An available amount of energy for storage at the energy storage device if the energy storage device is charged from the energy source at a first charge rate from the present time until the target time is determined. A present charge rate for the energy storage device is controlled to be the first charge rate when the available amount of energy is less than the energy storage capacity of the energy storage device and to be a second charge rate less than the first charge rate when otherwise.

Abstract: The present techniques provide a novel electrolyzer and methods for welding components of such electrolyzers. The techniques may use conductors, such as resistance wires, placed in paths around the internal structural features and edges of the components. The conductors may be incorporated into the components during manufacture by injection molding, or other molding techniques, or may be tacked or otherwise applied to the surface of the components after manufacture. When current, a field or other excitation is applied to the conductors, the plastic surrounding the wire is melted. If this plastic is in direct contact with an adjoining component, a strong, hermetic seal may be formed between the two components, including the internal structural features.

Abstract: A method for a rechargeable battery is disclosed that includes applying a charge voltage to the rechargeable battery; monitoring a battery voltage and a battery current of the rechargeable battery; and identifying a top of charge condition when for a defined time period the battery voltage is within a voltage tolerance of the charge voltage and the battery current is within a current tolerance of a threshold current. Also disclosed is a rechargeable battery system.

Abstract: The present techniques provide systems and methods for mounting an electrolyzer stack in an outer shell so as to allow for differential thermal expansion of the electrolyzer stack and shell. Generally, an electrolyzer stack may be formed from a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, while the shell may be formed from a material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. The differences between the coefficients of thermal expansion may lead to damage to the electrolyzer stack as the shell may restrain the thermal expansion of the electrolyzer stack. To allow for the differences in thermal expansion, the electrolyzer stack may be mounted within the shell leaving a space between the electrolyzer stack and shell. The space between the electrolyzer stack and the shell may be filled with a non-conductive fluid to further equalize pressure inside and outside of the electrolyzer stack.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supplying power to a battery heater in one or more battery modules. A first DC electrical signal derived from an AC source or a second DC electrical signal derived from a DC bus is used to power a battery heater of one or more battery modules in dependence on a voltage level associated with the first DC electrical signal relative to a voltage level of the second DC electrical signal.

Abstract: A method for a rechargeable battery is disclosed that includes applying a charge voltage to the rechargeable battery; monitoring a battery voltage and a battery current of the rechargeable battery; and identifying a top of charge condition when for a defined time period the battery voltage is within a voltage tolerance of the charge voltage and the battery current is within a current tolerance of a threshold current. Also disclosed is a rechargeable battery system.

Abstract: A system having multiple uninterruptable power supplies switchably coupled to a single energy storage device. The uninterruptable power supplies are switchably coupled to the single energy storage device (e.g., a bank or collection of energy storage elements) by at least one disconnect switch assembly that includes at least a first switch coupled to the first uninterruptable power supply and a second switch coupled to the second uninterruptable power supply.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present techniques provide electrolyzers made using thermoformed electrode assemblies and diaphragm assemblies. Each electrode assembly is made from two plastic rings and an electrode plate using a twin sheet thermoforming technique. A first plastic ring is laid in a mold having the appropriate shape to form the electrode assembly. The electrode plate is laid on top of the first plastic ring and is generally centered on the ring. The second plastic ring is laid over the electrode plate, and is generally centered over the electrode plate. The plastic is heated to soften the plastic, and a vacuum is pulled on the mold to pull the softened plastic into the shape of the mold. The mold is closed over the assembly to seal the two plastic rings together. After cooling, the molded part may be removed, resulting in a hollow plastic rim surrounding an electrode plate.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell structure is provided which includes an anode, a cathode spaced apart from said anode, an electrolyte in ionic communication with each of said anode and said cathode and a nonconductive frame. The nonconductive frame includes at least two components that support each of said anode, said cathode and said electrolyte and define at least one flowpath for working fluids and for products of electrochemical reaction.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack is provided. The method provides forming an inspectable preassembly of multiple fuel cell assemblies that may be termed a pseudostack. Each fuel cell in the pseudostack has permanent electrical interconnections and sealing connections on only one of the two electrodes, namely an anode layer or a cathode layer. For example, an anode interconnect may be firmly attached to the anode layer by means of a bonding agent and a sealing agent used to seal passages on the anode layer of the fuel cell. Alternatively, seals and permanent electrical connections may be made on the cathode layer of the fuel cell, and not on the anode layer.

Abstract: A gas evolving bipolar electrolysis system is provided which includes multiple cells. Each cell further includes a cathode, an anode, at least one inlet and at least one outlet for flow of electrolyte and the cathode and the anode are configured to maintain a variable interelectrode gap between the cathode and the anode. In some embodiments, the cell includes a membrane disposed between the electrodes and in some other embodiments the electrodes are coated with electrocatalysts configured to provide uniform current density on the electrode surface.

Abstract: A fuel cell assembly comprises a separating structure configured for separating a first reactant and a second reactant wherein the separating structure has an opening therein. The fuel cell assembly further comprises a fuel cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electrolyte interposed between the first and second electrodes, and a passage configured to introduce the second reactant to the second electrode. The electrolyte is bonded to the separating structure with the first electrode being situated within the opening, and the second electrode being situated within the passage.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a fuel cell stack is provided. The method provides forming an inspectable preassembly of multiple fuel cell assemblies that may be termed a pseudostack. Each fuel cell in the pseudostack has permanent electrical interconnections and sealing connections on only one of the two electrodes, namely an anode layer or a cathode layer. For example, an anode interconnect may be firmly attached to the anode layer by means of a bonding agent and a sealing agent used to seal passages on the anode layer of the fuel cell. Alternatively, seals and permanent electrical connections may be made on the cathode layer of the fuel cell, and not on the anode layer.

Abstract: The present techniques provide systems and methods for mounting an electrolyzer stack in an outer shell so as to allow for differential thermal expansion of the electrolyzer stack and shell. Generally, an electrolyzer stack may be formed from a material with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, while the shell may be formed from a material having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion. The differences between the coefficients of thermal expansion may lead to damage to the electrolyzer stack as the shell may restrain the thermal expansion of the electrolyzer stack. To allow for the differences in thermal expansion, the electrolyzer stack may be mounted within the shell leaving a space between the electrolyzer stack and shell. The space between the electrolyzer stack and the shell may be filled with a non-conductive fluid to further equalize pressure inside and outside of the electrolyzer stack.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present techniques provide electrolyzers made using thermoformed electrode assemblies and diaphragm assemblies. Each electrode assembly is made from two plastic rings and an electrode plate using a twin sheet thermoforming technique. A first plastic ring is laid in a mold having the appropriate shape to form the electrode assembly. The electrode plate is laid on top of the first plastic ring and is generally centered on the ring. The second plastic ring is laid over the electrode plate, and is generally centered over the electrode plate. The plastic is heated to soften the plastic, and a vacuum is pulled on the mold to pull the softened plastic into the shape of the mold. The mold is closed over the assembly to seal the two plastic rings together. After cooling, the molded part may be removed, resulting in a hollow plastic rim surrounding an electrode plate.