A DC energy storage unit with a plurality of energy storage modules, each energy storage module including a plurality of electrochemical energy storage devices electrically connected in series; an internal control unit in the energy storage module; a power supply for the internal control unit; and a wireless communication system; wherein the total voltage of the plurality of energy storage devices in series is greater than or equal to 40 V DC, wherein the plurality of energy storage modules are coupled together in series, or in parallel, each energy storage unit including a wireless gateway for communication between the energy storage unit controller and each energy storage module; wherein each energy storage module further has a housing, the housing at least partially having a non magnetic material.

Present embodiments include a control system for one or more battery cells. The control system includes a bi-stable relay configured to switch a state of the bi-stable relay upon receiving a control signal to electrically connect or electrically disconnect the one or more battery cells to a bus and to remain in the state after receiving the control signal. The control system includes a controller configured to be operatively coupled to the bi-stable relay and configured to send the control signal indicative of instructions to control operation of the bi-stable relay based on the state.

Disclosed are a communication method between a master controller and slave controllers, a slave controller for the communication method, and a battery management system using the communication method and the slave controller, in which the master controller receives safety information about battery cells through a plurality of channels even when each of a plurality of slave controllers includes only one micro controller unit, thereby minimizing the increase in the cost and enhancing the safety of the battery management system. The communication method includes performing bidirectional communication between a master controller and first to N.sup.th (where N is an integer equal to or more than two) slave controllers through a first communication channel, and receiving, by the master controller, an indication signal through a second communication signal via the first to N.sup.th slave controllers.

An electrochemical cell has a flexible low-profile sensor device that includes a solid state device or series of solid state devices on a common carrying material that enable the device(s) to sense battery cell conditions and actively perform cell control functions. At least a portion of the sensor device resides outside the cell. When arranged in a stack, cells including the sensor automatically form a communication network.

Various embodiments relate to an electronic device and a method for outputting an alert, and a system comprising a locking device coupled to the electronic device. To this end, the electronic device, according to various embodiments, comprises: a connection terminal; and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to: detect a connection with a locking device via the connection terminal; receive an identifier of the locking device from the locking device; identify the received identifier to set the electronic device in an alert mode; detect a disconnection between the electronic device and the locking device; and output an alert in response to the detected disconnection. Other embodiments may be possible.

A network enabled portable charging station for it mobile electronic devices comprising a rectangular shaped housing, one or more removable battery packs, a main charging board, a plurality of interchangeable cord housing cartridges, a wireless speaker, and an adjustable faceplate. The plurality of cord housing cartridges comprising retractable charging cords, each of the retractable charging cords having a USB connector end for connecting to the charge and cell balancing circuit board, and a device connector end for connecting to a mobile electronic device. The faceplate is configured to be retractable or removable from the housing body, and with one or more USB ports for receiving a USB-enabled charging cord, and a plurality of charge ports.

A photovoltaic (PV) energy storage system having a plurality of hybrid cells operable to generate DC electrical power. Each hybrid cell includes at least one solar power generation unit and a power storage device connected in parallel. The power storage devices of the plurality of hybrid cells are connected in series and the DC electrical power derived from the series of these power storage devices energizes a DC power load. The PV energy storage system has an inverter operable to convert DC electrical power into AC electrical power and is electrically coupled to the series of the power storage devices. The PV energy storage system energizes an AC power load, such as a power grid.

A sensing apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense a physical quantity of a battery, a memory configured to store one or both of physical quantity data corresponding to the sensed physical quantity and status information of the battery, a first interface configured to transmit one or both of the physical quantity data and the status information to a master processor and a second interface configured to provide an interface between a slave processor and the memory.

The invention provides a voltage balancing system for voltage balancing. The voltage balancing system includes an analog front end arranged in parallel with the cell group, a micro control unit communicating with the analog front end, a communication isolation module connected between the analog front end and the micro control unit, and a balancing module. The input of the balancing module is connected to the cell group to input the total voltage of the cell group. The output of the balancing module is connected to the micro control unit and the communication isolation module to output the operating voltage of the micro control unit and the communication isolation module.

The invention includes devices and methods used to regulate the power, voltage and/or current out of an individual energy storage module. A plurality of energy storage modules and/or individual interconnected energy storage modules can form an energy storage system when interconnected in series, parallel or series/parallel. The invention includes a method for storing and delivering energy, comprising providing an energy storage module for boosting the voltage of the energy storage component while delivering power to a load.