What is a stack switchgear (BMS)?

At the battery stack level, when integrated into a Stack Switchgear device, Nuvation Energy’s BMS makes decisions about when it is safe to connect a battery stack to the rest of the energy storage system, and can automatically perform that connection. At Nuvation Energy the term ‘Stack Switchgear’ refers to our battery stack control system.

What happens when a BMS disconnects a battery stack?

When the BMS disconnects a battery stack in response to a battery fault (e.g. overvoltage, over-discharge), Nuvation Energy’s will communicate the reduction in total ESS capacity to the PCS. Alternately, when Nuvation Energy’s Stack Switchgear connects a battery stack to the DC bus, the BMS will communicate the capacity increase to the PCS.

What are battery management systems & battery monitoring systems?

Battery management systems and battery monitoring systems both use sensors connected to cells in a battery module to collect temperature, voltage, and current data.

Do battery chemistries need a BMS?

With a few exceptions, most battery chemistries require a BMS to support their day to day operation. All batteries can become damaged when abused, and a BMS helps prevent such damage. The term ‘abuse’ refers to the operation of the batteries outside of their nominal parameters.

What data does a BMS share with a PCs?

Also, the stack-level SoC data it communicates to the PCS includes information that enables the PCS to respond to individual cells at risk. A key device with which the BMS shares data is the power conversion system (PCS). The primary task of the PCS is to manage the charging and discharging of the battery.

What are the components of a battery management system?

It includes battery management modules, fuses, bus bars, contactors, current shunts, networking hardware and other components that work together to manage the cells, connect and disconnect a battery stack to and from the DC bus, and communicate with other ESS control systems.