New Industry Products

Bidirectional DC-DC for Energy Storage Battery Systems

April 19, 2015 by Jeff Shepard

TDK Corporation announces the introduction of the TDK-Lambda 2500W EZA2500-32048 bidirectional dc-dc converter. Ideal for solar or wind powered energy storage systems, this power supply can automatically, and continuously, change conversion direction from "grid side" 320Vdc nominal to "battery side" 48Vdc nominal. The EZA2500 is also designed to be used for energy recovery; recycling previously wasted power from battery testers, robots, cranes, elevators and autonomous ground vehicles.

When a 300 to 380 high voltage dc source is available, for example from solar panels during daytime, the converter can be programmed to charge 48Vdc rechargeable lithium-ion battery banks. At night the stored energy can then be converted back to high voltage dc to power either dc-ac inverters or dc-input electrical/electronic devices.

When used as part of an energy recovery system, the previously wasted power lost due to motor braking can be used to charge batteries. That stored energy can then be used to supply peak power requirements needed during high torque conditions or as emergency standby power.

The EZA2500’s output voltage and current can be programmed or monitored using the RS-485 communications port. Several converters can be paralleled to provide additional power by programming the units into droop-mode current share via the RS-485 interface. A variety of signals and alarms are also accessible including under or overvoltage alerts or remote on-off.

The converters can operate at full power in ambient temperatures ranging from -10 to +40oC. The advanced digital control enables operating efficiencies of up to 94% to be achieved. The EZA2500 is suitable for mounting in 19” cabinets, measuring 43.6mm (1U) high, 423mm wide and 400mm deep.

The converters are fully isolated – 3kVac from grid side to battery side input/outputs, 2kVac from grid side to ground and 500Vac from battery side to ground. The units are certified to UL/CSA 60950-1, EN 60950-1 and carry the CE mark for the LVD and RoHS2. The EZA2500 is backed by a five-year warranty.