Advanced Architectures for Next-Generation Battery Energy Storage Systems

Abstract: (Please note: this webinar will be in Portuguese and is sponsored by PELS TC 5) Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming increasingly important as demand grows in both electric mobility and stationary applications. However, the conventional BESS architecture based on series/parallel cell arrangements and parallel battery-management circuitry have inherent limitations, including low operational flexibility and limited fault tolerance. Because all batteries in a string must share the same current, they must be similar in capacity and technology, which restricts the use of second-life batteries. Moreover, the failure of a single battery can compromise the operation of the entire system. An alternative approach to overcome these limitations is the integration of power electronics at the battery/module level, a concept commonly referred to as a modular BMS or smart battery. This webinar explores this idea by presenting advanced BESS architectures inspired by modular converter topologies. This approach enables SOC/SOH balancing, pulsed-current operation for battery lifetime extension, fault-tolerant operation through the selective bypassing of defective batteries, and a safety mode that reduces output voltage to facilitate maintenance and protection.