Southwest Research Institute

University of Texas System

Jeff Qiang Xu

Joe Steiber

Bing Dong

Bapiraju Surampudi

Craig M Wall

Zhaoxuan Li

Amin Mirakhorli

Robert Smith

Cheuk Ng

Disclosed are various embodiments for optimizing energy management. A quantity of renewable power that will be generated by renewable energy generation sources can be forecasted. The energy demand for a building or a cluster of buildings can be forecasted. A pricing model for buying energy from a grid can be determined. A quantity of energy to import from the grid or export to the grid can be scheduled based on the quantity of renewable energy forecasted and the state of charge or health of battery energy storage system, current and future operations of building HVAC, lighting and plug loads system, the forecasted energy demand for the building, and the pricing of the energy from the grid.

Building and building cluster energy management and optimization system and method

Measurements of energy usage including details of power consumption can be stored for power usage devices. The measurements of energy usage can be used to predict future consumption for each of the power usage devices. A power consumption can be modified using the prediction. The energy cost can be optimized based using the prediction, such as, for example, by modifying a power consumption of one of the power usage devices.

Systems and methods of managing energy cost of a building

A method and system for the monitoring and control of electrochemical cell degradation by use of strain-based battery testing. Strain-based battery is employed to recognize and implement a battery revival cycle to reduce battery degradation rates.

Monitoring and control of electrochemical cell degradation via strain based battery testing

A method and system for strain-based estimation of the state of health of a battery, from an initial state to an aged state, is provided. A strain gauge is applied to the battery. A first strain measurement is performed on the battery, using the strain gauge, at a selected charge capacity of the battery and at the initial state of the battery. A second strain measurement is performed on the battery, using the strain gauge, at the selected charge capacity of the battery and at the aged state of the battery. The capacity degradation of the battery is estimated as the difference between the first and second strain measurements divided by the first strain measurement.

Strain measurement based battery testing

A method and system for application independent map-based cycle life testing of battery cells is provided. A target depth of discharge (DOD) and a charge/discharge current level is selected for the battery test. The battery is discharged to the target DOD. The battery is cycled within the DOD range one or more times, wherein the cycling comprises a charge pulse and a discharge pulse at the selected current levels. A reference performance test (RPT) is performed on the battery, wherein the RPT comprises a static capacity test and a dynamic power test. The cycling and RPT testing are repeated until an end of test condition is detected.

Application independent map-based cycle life testing of battery cells

A dynamic formation protocol for a lithium-ion battery cell. An 'SEI formation end voltage' is identified, which is the voltage reached during formation at which the SEI layer is substantially formed. Charge rates are selected for the formation, with a first charge current rate to be used until the SEI formation end voltage is reached, and a second charge current rate, faster than the first charge current rate, to be used thereafter the SEI formation end voltage. These charge rates are applied to the cell for at least a first cycle of the dynamic formation process.

Growing community of inventors

San Antonio, TX, United States of America

Jeff Qiang Xu