Sungrow’s James Li discusses liquid cooling for ESS – pv magazine International

pv journal: Nice to see your announcement of the PowerTitan 2.0 ESS. Are you able to inform us what has modified from PowerTitan to the brand new PowerTitan 2.0?

James Li: The principle change is predicated on the dear suggestions we obtained from prospects within the UK, Israel, and different locations. They expressed the necessity for larger energy density, particularly in areas with restricted land availability. Because the storage wants of residential and concrete areas method, the price of land will increase, and noise turns into a priority. They demand a smaller system footprint. That is why we’re introducing the PowerTitan 2.0, which affords a 5 MWh battery and a pair of.5 MW PCS.

We doubled the density whereas becoming all the things, together with the PCS, right into a 20 foot container. It is superb to have the entire system in such a compact container, which makes logistics simpler.

pv journal: Did the change to liquid cooling make this variation? Or is there one thing else?

Li: After we first launched the primary era, we already had future product choices in thoughts. It required vital engineering efforts to rapidly incorporate liquid cooling into our product. That is our first time utilizing liquid cooling for the complete system, changing the earlier air cooling technique.

Liquid cooling is used within the PCS and battery storage, which supplies benefits when it comes to thermal administration. In air cooling, there’s a temperature distinction of about 10 levels, whereas in liquid cooling, it decreases to about 2.5 levels. This interprets into a long life of roughly two years, which is important. As well as, the string PCS permits particular person charging and discharging of the battery racks, leading to greater than 7% improve in vitality capability throughout the life cycle and improved general effectivity.

pv journal: What was the principle problem you confronted in introducing liquid cooling to the market?

Li: Designing air cooling programs is simpler when it comes to warmth administration and warmth circulation for cooling the complete system. However, liquid cooling requires extra intricate design issues, together with pipe format to make sure environment friendly cooling and correct circulation route. This course of takes time and cautious management. Regardless of the extra design constraints, liquid cooling supplies higher general management, making it very efficient. It’s notably appropriate for utilities going through land limitations, particularly these searching for installations with greater than 20 MWh of vitality storage.

For a 100 MWh vitality storage venture utilizing PowerTitan 2.0, it is going to solely occupy roughly 1,200 sq. meters, vastly decreasing the required land footprint.

pv journal: How does this method differ from different options in the identical market phase? How efficient is it?

Li: PowerTitan 2.0 is an expert integration of Sungrow’s energy electronics, electrochemistry, and energy grid assist applied sciences. PowerTitan 2.0 distinguishes itself when it comes to 20ft container measurement, which is the smallest out there phase. The excessive density of the system positions us because the main selection for transportation and logistics. Though it’s heavier than the primary era, it could actually nonetheless be simply transported inside a 20-foot container.

One other essential facet is the adoption of liquid cooling for the PCS and the battery. It not solely supplies superior warmth administration but additionally reduces noise. As we see a shift in the direction of storage programs positioned nearer to residential areas, the noise stage discount of round 4 dB, on a log scale, which makes it loads, turns into extra helpful. The brand new system operates at roughly 75 dB, in comparison with the earlier 79 dB.

Nonetheless, an important benefit lies within the environment friendly use of land, which is our fundamental focus.

pv journal: Do you continue to supply the unique PowerTitan together with the PowerTitan 2.0?

Li: To keep away from confusion, we proceed to supply the unique PowerTitan to all prospects. Nonetheless, the PowerTitan 2.0 is barely out there as an choice in sure areas. These areas embody Israel, the UK, the Nordics, and Eire, the place there may be excessive demand for storage however restricted land availability. In these areas, prospects require larger density and longer period for his or her storage programs.

PowerTitan 2.0 is particularly designed to fulfill these buyer necessities and isn’t out there in international locations similar to Germany, the place the grid capability is bigger.

pv journal: Is the liquid cooling choice costlier?

Li: Total, we consider that providing a liquid cooling resolution in PowerTitan 2.0 will save prices. Smaller measurement, larger density batteries, and the mixing of a 20-foot container ends in general financial savings for purchasers when contemplating all capital and working prices. This discount in measurement of roughly 30% and the lengthy service lifetime of two years contribute to actual financial savings.

Whereas the PowerTitan 2.0 could have a better unit value, contemplating all capital and working prices, it has confirmed to be an efficient resolution.

pv journal: Based mostly in your expertise with PowerTitan installations within the subject, what sort of suggestions have you ever obtained from prospects?

Li: Clients have gotten extra skilled of their method, and we’re additionally turning into extra skilled in response to their wants. For instance, prospects are more and more demanding extra safety on the subject of fireplace extinguishing programs. Our system meets or exceeds all necessities and carries CE marking. Nonetheless, some prospects, particularly within the USA working with consultants, additionally search UL certification. We constantly attempt for full compliance in all areas, offering proof and check stories to provide prospects the very best stage of confidence.