1.Different cooling principles

Air cooling is the process of removing heat through the flow of air, which lowers the surface temperature of the equipment. The advantages of air-cooled heat dissipation are simple structure and low cost, but its heat dissipation effect is greatly affected by factors such as environmental temperature and air circulation, and is not suitable for high-power and high-density equipment.

Liquid cooling heat dissipation is the process of removing heat through liquid circulation, which lowers the internal temperature of the equipment. The advantages of liquid cooling are good heat dissipation effect and high stability, but its cost is high and it requires maintenance of the liquid circulation system.

2. Different applicable scenarios

Air cooling systems are suitable for energy storage systems of various scales and types, especially in outdoor environments with better applicability. It is currently the most widely used cooling technology, applied in industrial refrigeration, communication base stations, data centers, temperature control scenarios, etc., with relatively high technological maturity and reliability. Especially in low to medium power scenarios, air cooling remains the mainstream.

Liquid cooling systems are also suitable for various scales and types of energy storage systems, especially for large-scale, high energy density energy storage projects. The advantages of battery packs are particularly evident in situations with high energy density, fast charging and discharging speeds, and large environmental temperature changes.

3. Different design complexity

The design of air-cooled energy storage systems is relatively simple, mainly involving the installation of heat dissipation fans and the design of air circulation paths. The core of air-cooled systems is the air conditioning and air ducts, which are used for cooling and exchanging heat;

Liquid cooling design is usually more complex and requires consideration of issues such as the layout of the liquid circulation system, pump selection, coolant circulation, and maintenance.

4. Different heat dissipation effects

The heat dissipation effect of air-cooled cooling is greatly affected by factors such as environmental temperature and air circulation, and generally cannot meet the heat dissipation needs of high-power equipment. The cooling effect of liquid cooling is better, which can effectively reduce the internal temperature of the equipment, improve the stability and lifespan of the equipment.

5. Different operating power consumption

The composition of power consumption is different, and the main power consumption of air cooling is air conditioning+electrical compartment fan; The main power consumption of liquid cooling is the combination of liquid cooling units and electrical compartment fans (some manufacturers use whole machine liquid cooling). Under the same conditions and maintaining the same temperature, the power consumption of air cooling is higher than that of liquid cooling.

6. Different costs and maintenance

The cost of air-cooled heat dissipation is relatively low and maintenance is simple. However, due to its limited heat dissipation effect, it may be necessary to increase the number of heat sinks or increase the fan speed to improve the heat dissipation effect, thereby increasing energy consumption and maintenance costs.

The cost of liquid cooling is relatively high and requires maintenance of the liquid circulation system. However, due to its good heat dissipation effect and high stability, it can reduce equipment failure rate and maintenance costs. In the long run, its overall cost may be lower than that of air-cooled heat dissipation.

7. Different levels of noise and space occupancy

The noise generated by air-cooled cooling is relatively low and has a relatively small impact on the environment. But due to the need to install fans and heat sinks, it may take up some space.

The noise generated by liquid cooling is relatively high and has a certain impact on the environment. However, due to its small radiator volume, it can effectively save space. In addition, liquid cooling can also reduce the impact of noise on the environment by optimizing the design and layout of the radiator.

8. Different safety and risk points

The safety of air-cooled heat dissipation is relatively high due to its simple structure and no risk of liquid leakage. But it is necessary to pay attention to the safety issues of the fan to prevent damage or overheating.

The safety of liquid cooling is relatively low, and there are risks such as liquid leakage and corrosion. Therefore, the liquid cooling cooling system needs to use high-quality materials and strict sealing design to ensure safe operation.

Conclusion

Air cooling and liquid cooling are two commonly used heat dissipation methods in energy storage systems, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. When choosing a cooling method, it is necessary to comprehensively consider factors such as the actual power of the equipment, cooling requirements, and cost budget. With the development of technology, more efficient and low-cost new heat dissipation methods (such as the combination of air cooling and liquid cooling, immersion, etc.) may emerge in the future to provide guarantees for the stable operation of energy storage systems.