Solar canopy with integral storage compartment to receive high capacity batteries

Abstract

The technology of the present application provides a solar canopy having a cavity. The cavity defines at least one space that is sized and shaped to receive a high capacity battery, of which electric vehicle batteries are one example. The cavity includes an opening to allow access to the space. Contacts are arranged in the cavity to align with contacts of a battery inserted into the space to electrically couple the battery to the power electronics or power conditioner, which includes a power conversion system, and inverter, and a converter or transformer. The cavity also includes a heat dissipation system.

1 - 36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . An energy storage system comprising:
 a power conditioner comprising at least a DC to AC transformation, wherein the power conditioner is configured to couple a DC high capacity battery to an AC load;   at least one busbar coupling the DC high capacity battery to the power conditioner;   the DC high capacity battery comprising at least a battery bank comprising a plurality of batteries coupled to the at least one busbar, wherein the plurality of batteries comprise:   a plurality of cells forming at least one battery of the plurality of batteries; and   at least one switch configured to electrically isolate at least one of the plurality of batteries.   
     
     
         38 . The energy storage system of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one switch comprises a switchgear electrically coupled between the power conditioner and a load. 
     
     
         39 . The energy storage system of  claim 37 , wherein the battery bank comprises a thermal control system including at least a heat dissipation system. 
     
     
         40 . The energy storage system of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of cells comprises one or more li-ion batteries. 
     
     
         41 . The energy storage system of  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of cells are regulated using a battery management system. 
     
     
         42 . The energy storage system of  claim 37 , wherein the battery management system regulates the charge and discharge of the plurality of cells. 
     
     
         43 . The energy storage system of  claim 37 , further comprising a power supply coupled to the power conditioner to charge the battery bank. 
     
     
         44 . The energy storage system of  claim 43 , wherein the power supply comprises a grid. 
     
     
         45 . The energy storage system of  claim 43 , wherein the power supply comprises one or more solar panels. 
     
     
         46 . The energy storage system of  claim 43 , wherein the power supply is a backup electrical generator. 
     
     
         47 . An energy storage system comprising:
 a plurality of battery banks electrically coupled in parallel wherein the plurality of battery banks comprise a plurality of batteries; wherein at least one battery of the plurality of batteries comprises a plurality of cells;   at least one power conversion system electrically coupled to the plurality of battery banks;   at least one transformer configured to electrically couple the at least one power conversion system to an external AC load;   at least one switch configured to electrically isolate at least one battery of the plurality of batteries to allow at least one of hot or cold swapping of the one battery; and   a power source selectively coupled to the plurality of battery banks to charge the battery banks.   
     
     
         48 . The energy storage system of  claim 47 , wherein the power source comprises a local power network. 
     
     
         49 . The energy storage system of  claim 48 , wherein the local power network is a backup electrical generator. 
     
     
         50 . The energy storage system of  claim 47 , wherein the plurality of cells comprise a plurality of li- ion batteries. 
     
     
         51 . The energy storage system of  claim 47 , wherein the power source comprises at least one solar panel. 
     
     
         52 . The energy storage system of  claim 47 , wherein at least one battery of the plurality of batteries is configured to be swapped while the plurality of battery banks is electrically coupled to the external AC load. 
     
     
         53 . The energy storage system of  claim 47 , wherein at least one battery bank of the plurality of battery banks is configured to be swapped while the remaining plurality of battery banks is electrically coupled to the external AC load. 
     
     
         54 . An energy storage system comprising:
 at least one high capacity battery comprising at least a plurality of individual cells;   at least one busbar coupled to the at least one high capacity battery;   a power conditioner coupled to the at least one busbar comprising at least a DC to AC transformation, wherein the power conditioner is configured to couple the at least one high capacity battery to an AC load;   a power source configured to be selectively coupled to the at least one high capacity battery to at least charge the at least one high capacity battery;   a battery management system to regulate the plurality of individual cells; and   at least one switch configured to electrically isolate the plurality of individual cells.   
     
     
         55 . The energy storage system of  claim 54 , wherein the power source is a backup electrical generator.