Inductively Coupled Electric Energy Storage System

This technology introduces a safer, modular approach to battery energy storage by using inductive coupling to transfer power through magnetic field, without direct electrical connections. By eliminating exposed high-voltage conductors, the system reduces risks such as arc flash and electric shock, while supporting flexible deployment. The approach enhances grid resilience and renewable integration by providing safe, scalable, and rapid-to-deploy energy storage including multi-chemistry battery systems.

Description 

Traditional battery energy storage systems rely on physical electrical connections, which can expose personnel to hazards like thermal runaway, high-voltage shocks, and arc flashes. This invention addresses these risks through an inductively coupled architecture that separates the battery and load sides while enabling efficient power transfer via magnetic field. The system utilizes a dual-stage bi-directional power conversion process, with one stage integrated near the battery and the other near the load, that are connected and coupled only through the magnetic field.

The design allows bi-directional energy transfer, meaning stored energy can be delivered to the grid or used to recharge different-chemistry utility-scale batteries, offering operational flexibility. Comparative analyses of coupling strategies—one using magnetic (ferromagnetic) materials, the other relying on non-magnetic (paramagnetic) materials—demonstrate trade-offs in efficiency, size, and weight, allowing tailored configurations based on application needs. Importantly, this system enhances modularity, enabling multiple units to be paralleled for higher capacity and facilitating safer field deployment without the constraints of direct wiring and exposure to high voltage potentials.

Benefits

• Improved electrical safety by eliminating direct connections
• Modular, scalable architecture for flexible deployment
• Multi-chemistry battery energy storage system
• Supports bi-directional power flow for charging and discharging

Applications and Industries

• Grid-scale energy storage and renewable integration
• Disaster relief and mobile power systems
• Industrial facilities requiring safe high-voltage storage
• Uninterruptible power supplies and super intermediate voltage converters (SIVOC) for data centers and high-performance computing
• Marine battery storage systems including unmanned underwater vehicles

Contact

To learn more about this technology, email partnerships@ornl.gov or call 865-574-1051.