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PARTNER CONTENT
Magnetics Components That Match 1,500-V

Battery Energy Storage System Requirements

By Cathal Sheehan, Market Manager, Magnetics Division, Bourns

This article will present the higher voltages, features, and capabilities of components
needed to connect various sources of energy to an electricity grid that uses battery
storage to maximize efficiencies. It will also discuss the insulation requirements that
designers should be aware of in specifying transformers rated to 1,500 V.

he trend to expand the use of solar inverters and power converters. monitors, fuses, and ground-fault devices.
renewable energy has led to the Considering that most utility-scale battery Figure 1 illustrates how renewable energy
development of flexible energy energy storage systems (BESS) are now being systems are connected to the grid, while
T systems to allow renewable sources deployed alongside utility-scale solar installa- Figure 2 shows in more detail the placement
such as solar or wind to be reliably and tions, it makes sense that the battery systems of connected sources for battery energy
safely connected to the energy grid. Support- match the input DC voltages of the inverters storage. These systems have evolved to
ing widespread adoption of these systems and converters. Most utility-scale solar invert- support higher DC voltages, which has caused
calls for significant advancements in mag- ers and converters now use 1,500-VDC input additional design challenges in finding com-
netics components technology that deliver from solar panels. ponents that both are rated at higher voltages
solutions for power protection, switching, The Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables and provide embedded protection features.
and conversion. Report forecasts strong growth in the renew- To address these concerns, Bourns is devel-
1
Energy storage systems are emerging able energy industry, with annual revenue oping insulated magnetics products rated at
as one of the potential solutions to increase projections growing from US$1.2 billion in 1,500 VDC. The company’s recently released
system flexibility due to their unique 2020 to US$4.3 billion in 2025. With this level Model SM91527L single-channel signal trans-
capability to quickly absorb, hold, and then of market expansion, manufacturers are con- former with integrated common-mode choke
reinject electricity. Over the last few years, tinually looking for ways to increase system (shown in Figure 3) is designed to meet the
DC voltages in energy storage systems have efficiency to obtain a competitive advantage. tough isolation requirements and EMI filter
continued to increase using lithium-ion requirements on isoSPI™ communication
battery technology. Today, 250 VDC, COMPONENTS THAT SUPPORT buses in BESS. Model SM91527L has a creep-
600 VDC, 1,000 VDC, and now even HIGHER DC VOLTAGES age of 15 mm between primary and secondary,
1,500 VDC are employed. There are several ways that energy sources allowing for use in environments requiring
One of the key drivers of these higher- can be connected to the grid, such as with reinforced isolation with working voltages
voltage systems is the availability of advanced breakers, disconnect switches, insulation of 1,500 V. Furthermore, Bourns’ new signal

1. Substation
2. MV transformers
3. Metering system
4. Circuit protection
5. DC/AC inverters
6. Battery energy storage system
7. Plant controller
8. DC junction boxes

Figure 1: Representation of energy network with renewable sources

NOVEMBER 2021 | www.eetimes.eu