Connection technology for energy storage systems
Electrical energy storage units are the key to sector coupling. Rely on innovative connection technology from Phoenix Contact for your energy storage solution.
Play an active role in shaping the energy transition: The white paper illustrates how energy storage systems contribute to increased security of supply through well thought-out design, secure connection technology, and power-to-X concepts – and how individual contacting solutions and expertise pave the way to a carbon-neutral future.
As a company empowering a carbon-neutral world, we support you with leading solutions for sector coupling. Our experts for energy applications will work with you to identify optimization potentials in your system.
Would you like to test our connection solutions for energy storage? Request your free sample package and experience the convenient operation of our connectors first hand.
Utility-scale storage systems are used as a backup for the grid. For example, they allow high peak loads at fast charging stations for electric vehicles despite inadequate grid infrastructure. Another use of utility-scale storage systems is the storage and provision of energy depending on the price of electricity in energy trading.
Each level of an energy storage solution places different requirements on the electrical connection technology for signals, data, and power. The following two application examples for battery module wiring and for battery rack connection illustrate the versatility of device and field wiring.
Connection technology for battery module wiring
Reliable and low-loss connections are required for the reliable distribution of power flows inside the battery module. Innovative connection technologies are used for the efficient connection of signal lines. Data connections in accordance with current product standards ensure high failsafe performance.
Battery-pole connectors
Device and cable connectors that are protected against polarity reversal are ideal for use in energy storage systems.
The ESS DATA connector combines high-level IP protection with a compact size. Specially developed for battery energy storage systems, it enables safe and reliable data transmission even under harsh ambient conditions.
Connection technology for the rack-mounted BMS slot
The rack BMS slide-in module connects to the overall system via a blind-mating feature on the rear, thus not endangering the installer in any way. On the front, the individual battery modules of the rack are connected via efficient and user-friendly plug-in connections. Innovative connection technologies for fast and reliable manufacturing processes are used for the internal wiring of power, signal, and data components.
Battery-pole connectors
Device and cable connectors that are protected against polarity reversal are ideal for use in energy storage systems.
Our product range for PCB connectors offers a variety of connection options – from established screw connection and IDC fast connection to innovative Push-in Technology.
MCR current and voltage measuring transducers can be used to convert direct, alternating, and distorted currents and voltages into a standard analog signal.
HEAVYCON docking frames enable the fast installation and maintenance of battery storage systems. Floating sockets and a leading guide pin ensure reliable, blind contacting of modularly configurable interfaces.
Docking frame for slide-in systems
HEAVYCON docking frames enable the secure, blind plugging of slide-in systems and combine different transmission media in a modular interface.
The docking frames can be assembled to order with power modules for currents up to 300 A and voltages up to 2,500 V. The range is supplemented with modules for signal and data transmission.
Coupled with a photovoltaic system, energy storage systems play a huge role in homes. The proportion of self-generated electrical energy used in the household’s own electricity consumption is increased significantly. In the event of a fault in the public grid, it enables continuous, self-sufficient supply.
Current residential storage systems have a modular design. The user-friendly stack design enables quick and safe installation and also makes it easy to add more battery modules. Blind-mating hybrid connection systems are particularly suitable for this. They contain all the necessary connections for the storage modules and connect automatically when the individual modules are stacked.
Connectors for the power control unit
The Power Control Unit is the central control element of the residential storage system. It organizes the charging and discharging processes of the battery modules and ensures their safe operating state. To do this, it monitors currents and voltages and the temperatures inside the modules.
EtherCAT P
The DMCC 0,5 PCB connector features CAT5 transmission properties and EtherCAT P qualification.
Our product range for PCB connectors offers a variety of connection options – from established screw connection and IDC fast connection to innovative Push-in Technology.
Coded DC connectors were developed for energy storage applications up to 1,500 V/40 A. With proven spring connection technology, tool-free field assembly is possible.
Connectors for residential storage battery modules
Battery modules are the heart of energy storage systems. They contain battery cells in which the electrical charge is stored as chemical energy. Each battery module features cell balancing, which ensures that all the battery cells maintain an equal state of charge.
Lever-actuated PCB connectors
Benefit from a new level of convenience with LPC series PCB connectors.
Benefit from versatile connection technology solutions in different shapes, colors, and connection options as well as from our extensive development and manufacturing expertise for your individual connection solution.
Blind-mating hybrid plug-in systems contain all the necessary connections for signals and power. They connect automatically when the modules are stacked.
The key to a carbon-neutral society lies in the efficient use of renewable energy. Energy storage systems are essential for this. Their reliability and efficiency depend largely on the cabling and electrical connections.
Dr. Rüdiger Meyer, expert for energy storage systems at Phoenix Contact
Questions and answers about energy storage systems
Energy storage systems are used in a huge range of applications – for example, for providing electricity in the event of grid outages. Energy storage systems have an important role to play in the energy revolution, especially with the increased use of renewable energies. This is because renewables are not available at all times to meet demand. The supply of and demand for electrical energy are quite often out of sync. Energy storage systems can bring synchronization to this equation by storing excess electricity produced by solar power and wind power systems. Whenever the demand for energy from the grid is higher than that available, the energy storage systems can make this excess electricity available again.
Despite occasional reports of fires or other accidents, battery energy storage systems do not pose any significant dangers. State-of-the-art battery energy storage systems are produced by the manufacturers in accordance with applicable directives and standards, and are installed and commissioned by specialists. That said, battery energy storage systems are also to be considered as devices and plants with a very high energy content. Dangerous conditions can arise in the event of unauthorized access, willful destruction, or circumvention of the safety measures and equipment. However, the manufacturers themselves take such scenarios into account with failure mode and effects analyses.
As is the case with most technical devices and systems, battery energy storage systems should also be checked and serviced regularly. Depending on the storage media used, this maintenance work can be reduced significantly to just visual inspections, the tight fit of screw connections, and so on – as is the case with common lithium-ion batteries. With other systems, however, the amount of work can also be higher, for example in lead-acid batteries, where the electrolyte has to be checked and topped up regularly.
The battery pole connectors from Phoenix Contact can be plugged in and unplugged in any orientation. Moreover, they can be rotated through 360° when plugged in. This makes maintenance and troubleshooting so much easier. Moreover, it increases flexibility when designing the system.
Unintentional polarity reversal of the battery connection can cause enormous damage and, in the worst case, endanger life and limb. That is why Phoenix Contact battery-pole connectors are color-coded and mechanically coded. The positive pole only fits into the positive position, and the negative pole only into the negative position. Moreover, it is also ensured that the two polarities cannot be short-circuited. Because of the high energy content of a battery, a fault of this kind would cause the conductors to melt and would very likely result in a fire in the system.
Free sample
White paper on energy storage as part of sector coupling
The white paper explains what is important when it comes to the planning, design, and reliable operation of energy storage systems. The focus is on improving the security of supply with batteries and power-to-X technologies as well as the selection of suitable connection solutions.