Bench Talk

(Source: AS- stock.adobe.com)

Our relationship with energy is changing. With the advent of new and exciting energy storage technologies, consumers can take control of their energy needs for the first time. Homes and businesses can employ renewable solutions, including solar and wind generation, to reduce their environmental impact (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Homes and businesses can integrate renewable solutions, such as solar and wind energy, to reduce their environmental impact. (Source: petovarga - stock.adobe.com)

These energy sources offer consumers the chance to reduce their dependency on the traditional energy grid, but their use poses challenges. The efficiency of renewable energy sources depends upon the elements, and their supply can fluctuate. The conventional energy grid solves this variable supply with fossil fuels, but we need to explore alternatives as we move toward a decarbonized economy.

Energy users are turning to the latest energy storage solutions (ESS) to bridge the gap between fluctuating supplies and peak demand. Energy storage will play a key role in the future global energy economy, and there will be a need for both short- and long-term storage solutions.

The recent advances in battery technology, driven largely by the growth of electric vehicles, provide new and exciting possibilities for short-term storage solutions that will allow users to cater to variations in demands. In domestic and industrial applications, fixed batteries will give the grid stabilization required for day-to-day use.

For more strategic use, energy providers are turning to long-duration energy storage systems that will use various technologies to provide a ready source of energy at times of low production. This may include mechanical sources such as hydroelectric or new developments in the field of Power-to-X, which will see renewable energy used to produce hydrogen, which they can store for later use.

One of the most significant changes will be the distributed nature of these energy storage solutions. In traditional grids, the most efficient method to supply energy is to generate centrally and distribute it via a vast infrastructure of wires, inverters, and transformers. However, companies can install these new energy sources and storage systems remotely, close to the point of need. As a result, we will find these devices in a vast variety of applications.

We will find some of these installations in domestic situations. Large, fixed battery solutions will become a familiar sight in homes worldwide, protected from the elements (Figure 2). However, their use will extend far beyond the home, and ESS devices will be standard in a variety of environments and industries. These environments create challenges for the safe and reliable connection of power. The future of ESS devices will regularly see voltages of 1000 volts and currents of 300 Amps or greater. However, there will be a need for more than simple power connections. Whether designed for homeowners or industrial facilities, the latest ESS devices will require high-speed communication, allowing users to monitor and control their performance.

Figure 2: Energy storage solutions are becoming common in the home. (Source: millefloreimages - stock.adobe.com)

For ESS devices installed in remote locations, connectors need to protect against the ingress of water and other contaminants, as well as superior electrical safety and reliability. They also need to withstand frequent temperature changes and even resist the damage caused by sunlight. As a result, connectors intended for use in the renewable energy and energy storage industries must work with these conditions in mind.

Engineers identify connectors and other components intended for harsh environments with IP ratings that allow them to select solutions more easily. IP ratings use a 2-digit code to signify the level of protection provided. Devices that work in sheltered locations might need a rating of IP65 or resistance to light spray and rain showers. However, equipment intended for immersion in water for long periods would need a rating of IP68, while other equipment will need to resist high-pressure water. The rating required for these conditions would be IP69K, where K denotes the exposure to dynamic pressure.

Amphenol has decades of experience in manufacturing protected connectors that provide superior performance for the energy market. With connectors for both power and data applications, Amphenol offers a range of solutions for the latest energy storage solutions.

At the heart of these energy storage solutions will be batteries. The FlexLock^® range provides connectors for flexible printed circuits (FPC)-to-board applications. With a pitch of 2.54 mm and current ratings of 3 Amps per contact, the FlexLock handles the rigors of the automotive market. This high level of reliability, high circuit count, and superior current capacity make the FlexLock ideal for energy storage applications.

Figure 3: The Amphenol FlexLock® FPC-to-Board Connectors are ideal for energy storage applications because of their high level of reliability, high circuit count, and superior current capacity. (Source: Mouser)

The Minitek MicroSpaceXS^™ family is another power connector solution. The MicroSpaceXS connector is crimp-to-wire with a current capacity of 4 Amps per circuit and 100 mating cycles. Like the FlexLock family, the MicroSpaceXS family is compatible with the USCAR-T2V2 qualification, also for the harsh automotive environment. A waterproof version is also available for installations destined for harsh environments sealed to IP68.

To cater to the high data requirements of modern connected energy devices, the Minitek^® MicroSpeed 1.00mm Board-to-Board Connector family can support communication speeds up to 25 Gigabits per second. Combined with a shielded design that provides superior electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance, the low profile and 1.00mm pitch of the MicroSpeed make them ideal for the connected infrastructure that will be central to the energy network of the future.

In the quest for a carbon-neutral economy, many of us are changing from traditional, fossil-fuel energy sources to renewable alternatives. The latest energy storage solutions will play a vital role in this change, and connectors will be essential elements in these systems. In partnership with Mouser, Amphenol offers a complete range of connectors that deliver superior features that make them ideal for the new energy economy. To learn more about the range of battery management and energy storage solutions, the Plugged In series of videos provides fascinating insights into Amphenol's connectors and technology.

David Pike is well known across the interconnect industry for his passion and general geekiness. His online name is Connector Geek.