8CIOReview | | JANUARY 2023IN MY OPINIONIntegrated battery containers have become the most popular format for building stationary energy storage projects. These containers typically ship with integrated battery modules and racks, which eliminates the labor associated with assembling battery modules in the field. The number of battery racks is optimized to ensure that the container dimensions and weight meet standard transportation requirements. Recent advances in battery energy density, particularly with lithium-ion chemistry, have eliminated the need to ship battery modules and their enclosures separately to the project site.Integrated battery containers are outdoor-rated and feature thermal management systems for the battery cells that allow the batteries to operate over the specified ambient temperature range while maintaining the cells within their optimum operating temperature range. Several container products feature liquid cooling of the battery modules, which improves energy density and provides more uniform cooling. Forced air cooling is also common and can be more cost-effective in longer duration applications. The cooling system is typically powered by an auxiliary power input to the container that is fed separately. It could also be powered internally INTEGRATED BATTERY CONTAINERS ENABLE RAPID DEPLOYMENT OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMSBy Tilak Gopalarathnam, Sr. Director, Business Development and Applications, Energy Storage, Canadian SolarTilak Gopalarathnam
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