Study on Partial Degradation Operation Modes of VRB-ESS

Abstract

Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRB) holds unique characteristic as the power and capacity of the physical structure of independent design, which determines VRB different from other battery types in operating characteristics by taking unique operation modes under the circumstance of module degradation or failure in some cases. Paper focuses on how to ride through the case of VRB system with partial degradation or failure during the normal operational conditions, launched a comprehensive experimental study and theoretical analysis. The paper analyzes several situations from the point of view of the battery physical components which should lead VRB system partial failed, and simulated the battery partial degradation or failure by experimental means, and carried out two operation modes to respond to different partial failure situations, which including the use of lower rated power and the use of times rated power. Study proved that those two modes operated in the case of VRB partial failure conditions, has no significant effect to VRB Energy Storage System (ESS) efficiency, as well as be helpful to improve a higher reliability of VRB energy storage system. This paper takes the lead in studying the operational characteristics of VRB- ESS from the angle of partial degradation or failure conditions, which has practical engineering significance for developing VRB -ESS demonstration.