Patent Publication Number: US-2023155211-A1

Title: Energy storage system with removable, adjustable, and lightweight plenums

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/019,622, filed on May 4, 2020, titled “Energy Storage System with Removable, Adjustable, and Lightweight Plenums,” the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present subject matter relates to examples of removable, adjustable, and lightweight plenums for energy storage systems that include battery racks. The present subject matter also encompasses energy storage systems and techniques for coupling plenums to the battery racks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An energy storage system typically includes an enclosure that houses many battery racks inside. The battery racks hold battery modules. To keep the battery racks from overheating, the enclosure typically includes a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, such as a cooling system. The enclosure may optionally include alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) power inverters, and DC-DC power converters inside. 
     The HVAC system typically includes plenums to distribute air. A supply plenum is an air-distribution box that attaches to a supply outlet of the HVAC equipment to distribute cool air in air conditioning mode. A return plenum is an air-collection box that attaches to the HVAC equipment to draw back warm air into the HVAC equipment in air conditioning mode. Supply ductwork connects to the supply plenum for distribution of the cool air and return ductwork connects to the return plenum for collection of the warm air, which creates inefficient airflow. 
     Existing plenums are enclosed from all sides and include rectangular or circular openings. For energy storage systems, the existing plenums are problematic in terms of operating requirements, installation time, and construction costs. First, existing plenum designs require that the cross-sectional area of the plenum meet or exceed the cross-sectional area of the HVAC supply/return in order to maintain the speed of airflow in the enclosure environment. Second, the existing plenums that exist in the market require bolts, screws, or brackets to secure them in place. Third, the existing plenums require insulation, which takes up more space and weight. Fourth, the construction costs of affixing existing plenums to the HVAC system is high. 
     SUMMARY 
     Hence, there is room for further improvement in plenums and energy storage systems that incorporate such plenums. The plenum technologies disclosed herein have a very lean and lightweight design, as well as reduce installation time and costs. With the plenum technologies, the battery rack structure along with the batteries housed in the battery racks becomes part of the airflow pathway. Compared to existing plenums in the market, the disclosed plenum technologies allow for easier maintenance, are more efficient, and have a decreased cost of renovation and reconfiguration if needed. 
     In a first example, an energy storage system includes an enclosure. The enclosure includes at least one door. The enclosure stores a plurality of battery racks. Each battery rack holds a respective plurality of battery modules. The enclosure further stores a plurality of plenums. The plurality of plenums includes a left plenum and a right plenum coupled together to form an enclosed channel around the plurality of battery racks to direct air to the plurality of battery racks. The enclosure further stores a plurality of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems mounted on the at least one door to supply air to the left plenum and the right plenum. Each HVAC system includes a respective supply vent and a respective return vent. The left plenum and the right plenum each include a plenum interface for coupling to the respective supply vent or the respective return vent. 
     In a second example, an energy storage system includes a plurality of battery racks and a plurality of plenums. The plurality of plenums are coupled together to form an enclosed channel around the plurality of battery racks to direct air to the plurality of battery racks. 
     Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the present subject matter may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accordance with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. A reference numeral including the letter “x” (e.g.,  111 x) is intended to refer to all elements (parts) having the same beginning part of the reference numeral (e.g.,  111 ). 
         FIG.  1 A  is an isometric view of an energy storage system that includes an enclosure having at least one door. 
         FIG.  1 B  is a top view of the plurality of battery racks stored in the enclosure. 
         FIG.  1 C  is an isometric view of the energy storage system that includes an enclosure that includes a plurality of doors. 
         FIG.  1 D  is a zoomed in perspective view of a plenum, e.g., configured as a right plenum, that shows a top surface of the plenum for coupling to the upper surfaces of battery racks. 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric view of the battery racks of  FIG.  1 C . 
         FIG.  3 A  is a front view of a plurality of plenums, for example a left plenum and a right plenum. 
         FIG.  3 B  is an isometric view of the left plenum and the right plenum. 
         FIG.  3 C  is a zoomed in view of a left plenum interface and a right plenum interface. 
         FIG.  4 A  is a front view of a single plenum, e.g., configured as a right plenum. 
         FIG.  4 B  is an isometric view of the plenum of  FIG.  4 A . 
         FIGS.  4 C-D  are views of a plenum showing the geometry, for example, dimensions in inches and degree measurements of the various structures of the plenum. 
         FIG.  5    is a front view of a single plenum, in which the single plenum includes a plenum interface coupled to a supply air channel of the HVAC system. 
         FIG.  6 A  is a zoomed in isometric view of the plenum interface of the left plenum and the plenum interface of the right plenum before a depth adjustment. 
         FIG.  6 B  is a zoomed in isometric view of the plenum interface of the left plenum and the plenum interface of the right plenum during the depth adjustment. 
         FIG.  6 C  are views of a plenum interface showing the geometry, for example, dimensions in inches and degree measurements of the various structures of the plenum interface. 
         FIG.  6 D  depicts views of a flange assembly to couple the plenum interface to a supply vent or a return vent of the HVAC system. 
         FIG.  7    depicts views of the plenum side plate showing the geometry, for example, dimensions in inches and degree measurements of the various structures of the plenum side plate. 
         FIG.  8 A  is a zoomed in isometric view of a plenum interface showing a plurality of deflector plates (e.g., four) of the slider, as well as the gasket. 
         FIG.  8 B  depicts views of the deflector plate showing the geometry, for example, dimensions in inches and degree measurements of the various structures of the deflector plate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. 
     In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings. 
     The term “coupled” as used herein refers to any logical, physical, electrical, or optical connection, link or the like by which signals or light produced or supplied by one system element are imparted to another coupled element. Unless described otherwise, coupled elements or devices are not necessarily directly connected to one another and may be separated by intermediate components, elements, or communication media that may modify, manipulate or carry the light or signals. 
     Unless otherwise stated, any and all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. Such amounts are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. For example, unless expressly stated otherwise, a parameter value or the like may vary by as much as ±10% from the stated amount. The terms “approximately” and “substantially” mean that the parameter value or the like varies up to ±10% from the stated amount. 
     The orientations of the plenums, associated components, and/or any complete devices, such as energy storage systems, incorporating plenums such as shown in any of the drawings, are given by way of example only, for illustration and discussion purposes. In operation for a particular energy storage application, a plenum may be oriented in any other direction suitable to the particular application of the energy storage system, for example upright, sideways, or any other orientation. Also, to the extent used herein, any directional term, such as left, right, front, rear, back, end, up, down, upper, lower, top, bottom, and side, are used by way of example only, and are not limiting as to direction or orientation of any energy storage system or plenum; or component of an energy storage system or plenum constructed as otherwise described herein. Reference now is made in detail to the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed below. 
       FIG.  1 A  is an isometric view of an energy storage system  100  that includes an enclosure  120 . As shown, enclosure  120  includes at least one door  121 . The enclosure  120  stores a plurality of battery racks  101 A-C. Each battery rack  101 A-C holds a respective plurality of battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  104 A-N. Each respective plurality of battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  104 A-N is shown as a separate stack of battery modules  102 x. 
       FIGS.  1 A-B  show an example in which energy storage system  100  includes three battery racks  101 A-C and thus the respective plurality of battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  104 A-N are depicted as three separate stacks of battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  104 A-N held in a respective battery rack  101 A-C. In comparison,  FIG.  1 C  shows an example in which energy storage system  100  includes six battery racks  101 A-F. Thus, the respective plurality of battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  104 A-N,  105 A-N,  106 A-N,  107 A-N are depicted as six separate stacks of battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  107 A-N held in a respective battery rack  101 A-F. Each plurality of battery modules  102 x,  103 x, . . .  107 x can include fewer or greater than fourteen battery modules, for example, five, fifteen, etc. For example, seventeen (17) battery modules  104 A-Q,  107 A-Q are actually shown in  FIG.  1 C . 
     Each battery module  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  107 A-N, . . .  107 A-N includes, for example, an array of prismatic, pouch, or cylindrical battery cells that are packaged together to increase voltage, amperage, or both. In some examples, each battery module  102 A-N,  103 A-N, . . .  107 A-N may include an electric vehicle battery pack, e.g., a collection of lithium-ion battery cells that are packaged together. 
     The enclosure further stores a plurality of plenums  111 A-B. Two plenums  111 A-B are shown in  FIG.  1 A . The plurality of plenums  111 x can include fewer or greater than two plenums  111 A-B, for example, one, three, four, or five plenums  111 x. Four plenums  111 A-D are shown in  FIG.  1 C . 
     The plurality of plenums  111 A-B includes a left plenum  111 A and a right plenum  111 B coupled together to form an enclosed channel  140  around the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C to direct air to the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C. Due to the formation of the enclosed channel  140 , the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C are not visible in  FIG.  1 A . For example, the left and right plenums  111 A-B are designed to be installed inside the enclosure  120 , in front of the three battery racks  101 A-C. 
     The enclosure  120  further stores a plurality of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems  131 A-B. HVAC systems  131 A-B are mounted on the at least one door  121  to supply air to the left plenum  111 A and the right plenum  111 B. HVAC systems  131 A-B supply cold or warm air to the plurality of plenums  111 A-B for cooling or heating of the battery modules  102 A-N held in battery racks  101 A-C. Each HVAC system  131 A-B includes a respective supply vent  132 A-B (e.g., to output cool air to battery modules  102 A-N) and a respective return vent  133 A-B (e.g., to remove warm air from battery modules  102 A-N). The respective supply vent  132 A-B and the respective return vent  133 A-B may be circular, rectangular, or have another shape to equally distribute the air and equalize the pressure. In the example, the supply vents  132 A-B are rectangular shaped and the return vents  133 A-B are circular shaped. The left plenum  111 A and the right plenum  111 B each include a plenum interface  112 A-B for coupling to the respective supply vent  132 A-B or the respective return vent  133 A-B. Although the HVAC systems  131 A-B each include a single respective supply vent  132 A-B and a single respective return vent  133 A-B in  FIG.  1 A , the number of supply vents  132 x and return vents  133 x may be greater than shown. 
       FIG.  1 B  is a top view of the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C stored in the enclosure  120 . As shown in  FIG.  1 B , the enclosure  120  stores the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C and many battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  104 A-N are held in the depicted battery racks  101 A-C. Three battery racks  101 A-C are shown, but fewer or greater than three battery racks  101 A-C, for example, one, two, four, five, etc. battery racks  101 x can be stored in the enclosure  120 . As further shown in  FIG.  1 B , each battery rack  101 A-C includes a respective upper surface  170 A-C. As shown, each battery rack  101 A-C has a mounted protruding tray  183 A-C and the protruding tray  183 A-C is visible at the front of the battery racks  101 A-C. 
     Each respective upper surface  170 A-C includes a plurality of rack openings  170 x. In the example of  FIG.  1 B , upper surface  170 A includes two rack openings  105 A-B, upper surface  170 B includes two rack openings  105 C-D, and upper surface  170 C includes two rack openings  105 E-F. For example, the rack openings  170 x are holes in the upper surfaces  170 A-C to attach plenums  111 A-B. Rack openings  170 A-B enable left plenum  111 A to couple to the battery rack  101 A and rack opening  170 C enables left plenum  111 A to couple to battery rack  101 B. Rack openings  170 D enables right plenum  111 B to couple to the battery rack  101 B and rack openings  170 E-F enable right plenum  111 B to couple to battery rack  101 C. 
     The plurality of battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N . . .  107 A-N can include power energy modules  108 A-N, power modules  109 A-N, or a combination of the energy modules  108 A-N and the power modules  109 A-N. In  FIGS.  1 A-B , the battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N,  104 A-N include respective energy modules  108 A-N, which are capable of long duration charge and discharge (e.g., approximately 2 hours for full charge or discharge). In  FIG.  1 B , the front of the respective energy modules  108 A-N is the labeled area of protruding trays  183 A-C that stick out from the battery racks  101 A-C for connection to cables that are routed inside the enclosed channel  140 . 
     In  FIG.  1 C , the battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N, . . .  107 A-N include respective power modules  109 A-N, which are capable of short duration charge and discharge (approximately 30 minutes or 1 hour for full charge or discharge). Because the respective energy modules  108 A-N are larger in size (e.g., approximately double depth  193  of the two sets of power modules  109 A-N,  110 A-N), the enclosure includes a single door  121  in  FIGS.  1 A-B . In contrast, the enclosure of  FIG.  1 C  includes two doors  121 A-B because the two sets of power modules  109 A-N,  110 A-N are smaller in size (e.g., approximately half depth  193 ) of the energy modules  108 A-N. 
     Two HVAC systems  131 A-B are shown in  FIG.  1 A  and are mounted on the door  121 . The number of HVAC systems  131 x can include fewer or greater than two HVAC systems  131 A-B, for example, one, three, four, five, etc. Each HVAC system  131 A-B can include an air handler (air handling unit) like that shown in  FIG.  1 A , a compressor (not shown), and a heater (e.g., gas furnace or heat pump). The air handler of each HVAC system  131 A-B includes a blower (not shown) and includes an evaporator coil. The compressor includes a condenser coil. 
     During air conditioning mode, warm return air is drawn in from a respective return air channel  119 A-B to a respective return vent  133 A-B. Return air channels  119 A-B are located outside the enclosed channel  140  formed by the plenums  111 A-B. Return air channels  119 A-B are shown as the inwards sloped surfaces formed on the HVAC-facing surface  180 A-B of the plenums  111 A-B. However, return air channels  119 A-B can be sloped (e.g., inwards or outwards), curved, flat or a combination thereof. Refrigerant-filled tubing circulates refrigerant between the evaporator coil and the condenser coil to cool the warm return air from the respective return vent  133 A-B intake and supply cold air from the respective supply vent  132 A-B output. This cold air supply is then directed out of the HVAC system  131 A-B to the battery racks  101 A-C via the plenum interface  112 A-B of the plenums  111 A-B. 
     In a cold climate during wintertime, HVAC systems  131 A-B run in a heating mode. During heating mode, cold return air is drawn in from a respective return air channel  119 A-B to a respective return vent  133 A-B and heated by the heater (e.g., gas furnace or heat pump) to warm the cold return air from the respective return vent  133 A-B intake and supply warm air from the respective supply vent  132 A-B output. This warm air supply is then directed out of the HVAC system  131 A-B to the battery racks  101 A-C via the plenum interface  112 A-B of the plenums  111 A-B. 
       FIG.  1 C  is an isometric view of the energy storage system  100  that includes an enclosure  120 . As shown, enclosure  120  includes a plurality of doors  121 A-B. In  FIG.  1 C , two HVAC systems  131 A-B are mounted on the first door  121 A and two HVAC systems  131 C-D (not shown) are mounted on the second door  131 B. As shown in  FIGS.  1 B-C , each plenum  111 x has a plenum height  194  that approximately covers (e.g., encloses) an entire height  191  of the respective battery rack  101 x and at least a width  192 x of the respective battery rack  101 x. More specifically, each plenum  111 x includes: (i) a plenum height  194  that approximately covers one ( 1 ) battery rack  101 x in battery pack height  191 ; and (ii) a plenum width  195  that approximately covers one-and-a-half (1.5) battery racks  101 x in battery pack width  192 A-C. 
     The plurality of plenums  111 A-D include a first plenum set  111 A-B and a second plenum set  111 C-D. The first plenum set  111 A-B includes a first left plenum  111 A and a first right plenum  111 B. The second plenum set  111 C-D includes a second left plenum  111 C and a second right plenum  111 D. The enclosure  120  includes a first door  121 A and a second door  121 B. The respective plurality of battery modules  104 A-N,  107 A-N include a respective set of power modules  109 A-N,  110 A-N. The plurality of battery racks  101 A-F include a first set of battery racks  101 A-C facing the first door  121 A that hold a respective first set of power modules  109 A-N. The plurality of battery racks  101 A-F further include a second set of battery racks  101 D-F facing the second door  121 B that hold a respective second set of power modules  110 A-N. The first left plenum  111 A and the first right plenum  111 B form a first enclosed channel  140 A around the first set of battery racks  101 A-C to direct air to the first set of battery racks  101 A-C. The second left plenum  111 C and the second right plenum  111 D form a second enclosed channel  140 B around the second set of battery racks  101 E-F to direct air to the second set of battery racks  101 D-F. 
     In the example of  FIG.  1 C , the first door  121 A is a front door and the second door  121 B is a rear door. As shown, two HVAC systems  131 A-B are mounted on the first door  131 A (e.g., front door). Although not visible, another two HVAC systems  131 C-D are mounted on the second door  131 B (e.g., rear door). The three front-facing battery racks  101 A-C are coupled to the plenum interfaces  112 A-B of the first left plenum  111 A and the first right plenum  111 B. The three rear-facing battery racks  101 D-F are coupled to the plenum interfaces  112 C-D (not shown) of the second left plenum  111 C and the second right plenum  111 D. 
       FIG.  1 D  is a zoomed in perspective view of a plenum  111 x, e.g., configured as a right plenum  111 B, that shows a top surface  160  of the plenum  111 B for coupling to the upper surfaces  170 A-C of battery racks  101 A-C. In one example, the plenum  111 x can be made of aluminum 5052-H32 with a thickness of approximately 0.040 inches to keep the plenum  111 x lightweight. The plenum  111 x can be made of other types of metals, alloys, or other suitable thermally conductive materials. As shown, plenum  111 x has cutouts  162 A-D on the top surface  160  and upper right side  166 . The cutouts  162 A-D are added for the cable routing to the battery racks  101 A-C. Because the plenum  111 x is configured as right plenum  111 B, the right plenum  111 B encloses half of battery rack  101 B and the entirety of battery rack  101 C. 
     As shown, the top surface  160  of plenum  111 x includes a plurality of self-clinching studs  161 x. For example, the self-clinching studs  161 x are separately formed and then connected together with the plenum  111 A. For example, self-clinching studs  161 x are PEM® studs; however, the self-clinching studs  161 x can be formed integrally with the plenum  111 x. In the example, right plenum  111 B includes three self-clinching studs  161 D-F, which are shown in an encircled area. The top surface  160  of the right plenum  111 B has self-clinching studs  161 D-F for alignment and positioning over the rack openings  105 D-F shown in  FIG.  1 B . Although not shown, the left plenum  111 A similarly includes a plurality of self-clinching studs  161 A-C for alignment and positioning over the rack openings  105 A-C shown in  FIG.  1 B . 
     When the left plenum  111 A and the right plenum  111 B of  FIG.  1 B  are coupled to battery racks  101 A-C, self-clinching studs  161 A-B of the left plenum  111 A are coupled to two of the rack openings  105 A-B of the battery rack  101 A. Self-clinching stud  161 C of the left plenum  111 A is coupled to the rack opening  105 C of the battery rack  101 B. Self-clinching stud  161 D of the right plenum  111 B is coupled to the other rack opening  105 D of the battery rack  101 B. Self-clinching studs  161 E-F of the right plenum  111 B are coupled to the rack openings  105 E-F of the battery rack  101 C. 
       FIG.  2    is an isometric view of the battery racks  101 A-F of  FIG.  1 C . Generally, a respective battery rack  101 A-F includes a plurality of battery modules  102 A-N. Hence, the six battery racks  101 A-F are for holding respective battery modules  102 A-N,  103 A-N, . . .  107 A-N. As depicted, the two sets of power modules  109 A-N,  110 A-N of  FIG.  1 C  are in a back-to-back configuration. In the back-to-back configuration, a front-facing battery rack  101 C holds a respective set of front-facing power modules  109 A-N and a rear-facing battery rack  101 F holds a respective set of rear-facing power modules  110 A-N. 
     As shown, the battery racks  101 A-F include a respective front-facing surface  215 A-F. The respective front-facing surface  215 A-F includes a respective plurality of tabs  210 A-G for coupling to the plenums  111 A-B. Existing battery rack designs may include tabs, but the tabs are typically for routing cables. But in  FIG.  2   , each of the battery racks  101 A-F have tabs  210 A-G on both sides of the front-facing surface  215 x to actually support the plenum(s)  111 x for installation purposes. 
       FIG.  3 A  is a front view of a plurality of plenums  111 A-B, for example a left plenum  111 A and a right plenum  111 B.  FIG.  3 B  is an isometric view of the left plenum  111 A and the right plenum  111 B.  FIG.  3 C  is a zoomed in view of the left plenum interface  112 A and the right plenum interface  112 B. The plurality of plenums  111 A-B are coupled together to form an enclosed channel  140  around the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C to direct air to the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C. As shown, the left plenum  111 B includes a plurality of handles  305 A-B and the right plenum  111 B includes a plurality of handles  305 C-D. More specifically, each plenum  111 A-B has two handles  305 A-B,  305 C-D, respectively, for ease of handling and installation. But the number of handles  305 x of the left plenum  111 A and the right plenum  111 B can be fewer or greater than the two handles  305 A-B,  305 C-D shown. For example, the plenum  111 x can include one, three, or four handles  305 x. 
     The left plenum  111 A and the right plenum  111 B are incorporated into the energy system  100  of  FIGS.  1 A-D  that includes a plurality of battery racks  101 A-C holding a plurality of battery modules  102 A. The energy storage system  100  further includes at least one heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system  131 x to supply air to the plurality of plenums  111 A-B. The at least one HVAC system  131 x includes a supply vent  132 x. The supply vent  132 x outputs cold air for cooling (during air conditioning mode) of the respective battery modules  102 A-N held by the battery racks  101 A-C. Alternatively, the supply vent  132 x outputs warm air for heating (during heating mode) of the battery modules  102 A-N. The supply vent  132 x is coupled a respective plenum  111 A-B. For example, if there is a single HVAC system  131 , then the single supply vent  132  is branched and coupled to both of the plenums  111 A-B. Alternatively, if there are two HVAC systems  131 A-B, then each supply vent  132 A-B is separated and coupled to a respective plenum  111 A-B. 
     In one example, the energy storage system  100  includes a plurality of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems  131 A-B to supply air to a respective plenum  111 A-B. Each HVAC system  131 A-B includes a respective supply vent  132 A-B and a respective return vent  133 A-B. The respective plenum  111 A-B includes a respective plenum interface  112 A-B for coupling to the respective supply vent  132 A-B or the respective return vent  133 A-B of a respective HVAC system  131 A-B. In a first example, the plenum interface  112 A-B is coupled to the respective supply vent  132 A-B of the respective HVAC system  131 A-B. The respective plenum  111 A-B includes a respective return air channel  119 A-B coupled to the respective return vent  133 A-B of the respective HVAC system  131 A-B. As shown, the left plenum  111 A includes a left return air channel  119 A and the right plenum  111 B includes a right return air channel  119 B. Left plenum  111 A includes an HVAC-facing surface  180 A in which the left return air channel  119 A is formed as two inwards sloped surfaces that intersect a flat surface. Right plenum  111 B includes another HVAC-facing surface  180 B in which the right return air channel  119 B is similarly formed. 
     Existing plenum designs typically require that the cross-sectional area of a plenum meet or exceed the cross-sectional area of the HVAC supply/return in order to maintain the speed of airflow in an enclosure environment. In contrast, as shown in  FIGS.  4 A-D , the advantage of the proposed plenum  111 x design, is that the plenum  111 x can be open from one side (e.g., HVAC-facing surface  180 x), and covered from five sides (top surface  160 , inner side wall  414 , outer side wall  415 , and bottom surface  416 ), which allows the plenum  111 x dimensions to be much smaller and for the airflow to be directed straight out to the battery racks  101 A-C (e.g., heat source) via the enclosed channel  140  rather than going through several channels, which can result in a loss of air velocity. Moreover, the existing plenum designs require bolts, screws, or brackets to secure the existing plenums in place. In contrast, the design of plenum  111 x enables easier installation and removal of the plenum  111 x. During installation, the plenum  111 x can be dropped in place by an installer (e.g., single person) using the built-in handles  305 A-B and then coupled to the battery racks  101 A-C via the side slots  408 A-G and self-clinching studs  161 x on the top surface  160 . During removal, the plenum  111 x can be lifted out of place by the installer using the built-in handles  305 A-B. Finally, as described in  FIGS.  6 A-B , the plenum  111 x design is adjustable to facilitate the depth adjustment  615 A-B to the HVAC system  131 x via the plenum interface  112 x. 
       FIG.  4 A  is a front view of a single plenum  111 x, e.g., configured as a right plenum  111 B.  FIG.  4 B  is an isometric view of the plenum  111 x of  FIG.  4 A . As shown, the plenum  111 x includes a plenum interface  112 x for coupling to a supply vent  132 x of the HVAC system  131 x like that of  FIGS.  3 A-C . Plenum  111 x also includes a return air channel  119 x for coupling to the return vent  133 x like that of  FIGS.  3 A-C . In the arrangement of  FIGS.  4 A-B , the plenum  111 x causes a front to rear air flow through the battery racks  101 A-C. 
     As shown, plenum  111 x includes a plenum body  406 , handles  305 A-B, plenum side plate  407 , inner side wall  414 , outer side wall  415 , and bottom surface  416 . Plenum  111 x can be assembled using stainless steel rivets, for example. The plenum  111 x has side slots  408 A-G on the sides (e.g., formed in outer side wall  415 ), and the side slots  408 A-G act as guides for positioning of the plenum  111 x on the battery racks  101 A-C. As depicted in  FIG.  2   , the respective battery rack  101 A-F includes a plurality of tabs  210 A-G. The respective plenum  111 A-B is coupled to the respective battery rack  101 A-C via the plurality of tabs  210 A-G. For example, respective side slots  408 A-G engage respective tabs  210 A-G on front-facing surfaces  215 A-C of the battery racks  101 A-C to secure plenum  111 x in place. The side slots  408 A-G of the plenum  111 x and the respective tabs  210 A-G on the battery racks  101 A-C can be located on different surfaces to secure the plenum  111 x in place. 
       FIG.  4 B  further depicts that the plenum  111 x includes a top surface  160  and an upper right side  166  (e.g., plenum side plate  407 ) that include cutouts  162 A-D like that shown in  FIG.  1 D . Energy storage system  100  includes a plurality of cables for electrical connection to the respective battery rack  101 A-C. The respective plenum  111 A-B includes a top surface  160  having cutouts  162 A-D for routing of the plurality of cables to the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C. 
       FIGS.  4 C-D  are views of a plenum  111 x showing the geometry, for example, dimensions in inches and degree measurements of the various structures of the plenum  111 x. As shown, the plenum  111 x includes an inner side wall  414  and an outer side wall  415 . For example, the outer side wall includes  415  includes the plenum side plate  407  and the side slots  408 A-G. In the energy storage system  100 , where the plurality of plenums  111 A-B includes a left plenum  111 A and a right plenum  111 B, each plenum  111 A-B includes a respective inner side wall  414 A-B and a respective outer side wall  415 A-B. The left plenum  111 A and the right plenum  111 B intersect at the respective inner side wall  414 A-B. The respective outer side wall  415 A-B covers a greater depth  193  of the respective battery rack  101 A-C compared to the respective inner side wall  414 A-B (e.g., inner side wall  414 B is not as deep as outer side wall  415 B). 
       FIG.  5    is a front view of a single plenum  111 x, in which the single plenum  111 x includes a plenum interface  112 x coupled to a supply air channel  532 x of the HVAC system  131 x. In other words, the plenum interface  112 x is now relocated from the supply vent  132 x to the return vent  133 x, which causes a rear to front air flow through the battery racks  101 A-C. The plenum  111 x configured for the rear to front air flow configuration includes handles  305 A-B, which are not depicted. Although shown as having a rectangular shape, the plenum interface  112 x may be circular or any other shape that is suitable for coupling to the return vent  133 x of the HVAC system  131 x. Plenum  111 x also now includes a supply air channel  519 x, which is formed in the HVAC-facing surface  180 x as a flat valley below the plenum interface  112 x. For example, in an energy storage system  100  that includes a plurality of HVAC systems  131 A-B, the respective plenum interface  112 A-B is coupled to the respective return vent  133 A-B of the respective HVAC system  131 A-B. The respective plenum  111 A-B includes a respective supply air channel  519 A-B coupled to the respective supply vent  132 A-B of the respective HVAC system  131 A-B. 
     Either: (i) the supply vent  132 x is coupled to the plenum interface  112 x (as in  FIGS.  4 A-B ), or (ii) the return vent  133 x is coupled to the plenum interface  112 x (as in  FIG.  5   ), but not both (i) and (ii). Ducting both the supply vent  132 x and the return vent  133 x to separate plenum interfaces  112 x would create a short-circuit inside the enclosed channel  140 , which prevents proper air flow of the supply air and return air. 
       FIG.  6 A  is a zoomed in isometric view of the plenum interface  112 A of the left plenum  111 A and the plenum interface  112 B of the right plenum  111 B before a depth adjustment  615 A-B.  FIG.  6 B  is a zoomed in isometric view of the plenum interface  112 A of the left plenum  111 A and the plenum interface  112 B of the right plenum  111 B during the depth adjustment  615 A-B.  FIG.  6 C  are views of a plenum interface  112 x showing the geometry, for example, dimensions in inches of the various structures of the plenum interface  112 x. As shown, the respective plenum interface  112 A-B includes a respective slider  610 A-B for a depth adjustment  615 A-B of the respective plenum  111 A-B to the respective HVAC system  131 A-B. The respective slider  610 A-B can be formed of two sheet metal pieces (e.g., L-shaped brackets  611 A-B) that are spot welded together, for example. 
     The respective plenum interface  112 A-B includes a respective gasket  620 A-B around the respective slider  610 A-B to form a compression seal  625 A-B between the respective slider  610 A-B and the respective supply vent  132 A-B or the respective return vent  133 A-B. As shown, the respective gasket  620 A-B sits on an outer portion of the respective slider  610 A-B. The respective gasket  620 A-B can be a push on seal that is water and weather resistant. The respective gasket  620 A-B can be formed of fluoroelastomer, ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), or other thermoset or thermoplastic polymers. The respective gasket  620 A-B can include corner bulbs  670 x (e.g., two or four) formed of EPDM foam with a temperature range of −29° to 65° C. that compress between the two L-shaped brackets  611 A-B that form the respective slider  610 A-B. The respective gasket  620 A-B compresses when the door  121  of the enclosure  120  is closed to provide a sealing mechanism between the respective plenum  111 A-B and the respective HVAC system  131 A-B. 
     In the example of  FIGS.  6 A-C , the respective plenum interface  112 A-B is coupled to the respective supply vent  132 A-B of the respective HVAC system  131 A-B. The respective plenum interface  112 A-B includes a plurality of deflector plates  640 A-D to divert air flow to uniformly distribute air from the respective supply vent  132 A-B to the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C. More specifically, deflector plates  640 A-D divert the air flow towards/across the battery racks  101 A-C to achieve uniform distribution of air to the battery modules  101 A-N,  102 A-N,  103  A-N. 
     The respective plenum interface  112 A-B includes four deflector plates  640 A-D in  FIGS.  6 A-B . Each of the deflector plates  640 A-D can be adjusted manually by an installer to optimize air flow distribution. The respective plenum interface  112 A-B can include fewer or greater than four deflector plates  640 A-D, for example, one, two, three, four, or five deflector plates  640 x. 
     As further shown, the respective slider  610 A-B includes a plurality of slider sides  650 A-D (e.g. four), numbered consecutively in a clockwise direction as a top slider side  650 A, a right slider side  650 B, a bottom slider side  650 C, and a left slider side  650 D. Each slider side  650 A-D of the respective slider  610 A-B includes a respective slider slot  660 A-D (e.g., four) for the depth adjustment  615 A-B of the respective plenum  111 A-B to the respective supply vent  132 A-B or the respective return vent  133 A-B. As shown, each of the four slider slots  660 A-D have an oblong shape. Although shown as having an oblong shape, the slider slots  660 A-D can be various shapes. The respective slider  610 A-B further includes a respective fastener  661 A-D (e.g., four class 8.8 steel flanged hex head screws are used) for the depth adjustment  615 x of a slider side  650 A-D. During the depth adjustment  615 x, an installer utilizes a tool, such as screwdriver, to loosen the respective fastener  661 A-D to free the respective slider side  650 A-D and allow movement of the respective slider side  650 A-D. When all fasteners  661 A-D are sufficiently loosened, the installer pulls the respective slider  610 A-B out of the respective plenum  111 A-B or pushes the respective slider  610 A-B into the respective plenum  111 A-B to adjust a respective distance  680 A-B of the respective slider  610 A-B to the respective supply vent  132 A-B or the respective return vent  133 A-B. Once the respective distance is correctly set, the installer affixes the respective slider  610 A-B to the respective supply vent  132 A-B or the respective return vent  133 A-B by tightening all fasteners  661 A-D. The leeway of the respective distance  680 A-B during the depth adjustment  615  can be several inches (e.g., 2-3 inches) or feet (1-3 feet) or more. 
     Sliders  610 A-B can have a different shape, e.g., a continuous shape, such as a circle or oval; or the sliders  610 A-B can be a discontinuous shape, such as a polyhedron, including a triangle, pentagon, etc. Hence, although the sliders  610 A-B are shown as a rectangular shape that includes four sides  650 A-D, the sliders  610 A-B can include few or greater than four sides  650 A-D. For example, the sliders  610 A-B can have one side  650  with a continuous circumference or perimeter as in a circle or oval; or the sliders  610 A-B can have two, three, five, or more sides  650 x as in a polyhedron. 
       FIG.  6 D  depicts views of a flange assembly  695 x to couple the plenum interface  112 x to a supply vent  132 x or a return vent  133 x. For each respective plenum  111 A-B, the energy storage system  100  includes a respective flange assembly  695 A-B that couples the respective plenum interface  112 A-B to the respective supply vent  132 A-B or the respective return vent  133 A-B. Plenums  111 A-B can integrate the flange assemblies  695 A-B with the plenum interfaces  112 A-B or the flange assemblies  695 A-B can be provided separately and then coupled together. 
     The flange assembly  695 x includes a plurality of flanges  696 A-D (e.g., L-shaped sheet metal pieces). In the example, the flange assembly  695 x includes four flanges  696 A-D. The flange assembly  696 x further includes a respective fixing mechanism  697 A-D (e.g., an M6 self-clinching nut) to attach each of the flanges  696 A-D around the slider  112 x. The number of flanges  696 x can vary depending on the shape (e.g., polygon shape) of the plenum interface  112 x and the supply vent  132 x or the return vent  133 x. Alternatively, the flange assembly  695 x can be a continuous circular or oval shape formed of a single piece of flange  696  with one or more fixing mechanisms  697 x to attach a circumference or perimeter of the flange  696  to the supply event  132 x or the return vent  133 x. 
     In  FIGS.  5  and  6 A -D, an energy storage system  100  includes an enclosure  120  around the plurality of battery racks  101 A-C and the plurality of plenums  111 A-B. Enclosure  120  includes a door  121  and the plurality of HVAC systems  131 A-B are mounted on the door  121 . When the door  131  is closed, a respective gasket  620 A-B around a respective slider  610 A-B forms a respective compression seal  625 A-B between the respective slider  610 A-B and the respective supply vent  132 A-B or the respective return vent  133 A-B. 
       FIG.  7    depicts views of the plenum side plate  407  showing the geometry, for example, dimensions in inches of the various structures of the plenum side plate  407 . The plenum side plate  407  is placed on the upper right side  166  of the plenum  111 x to accommodate the protruding tray  183 x. As noted earlier, the protruding tray  183 x is mounted to the front of the battery rack  101 x (see  FIG.  1 B  for the protruding tray  183 x). Cables that connect to the battery racks  101 x are routed through the plenum side plate  407 . For example, the cables can provide electrical connection for the battery modules  102 x held in the battery racks  101 x, as well as input/output (I/O) signals to the control processing logic for management of the battery racks 
       FIG.  8 A  is a zoomed in isometric view of a plenum interface  112 x showing a plurality of deflector plates  640 A-D (e.g., four) of the slider  610 x, as well as the gasket  610 x. As shown, the slider  610 x includes a plurality of slider sides  650 A-D (e.g., four), which are labeled consecutively in a clockwise direction as top slider side  650 A, a right slider side  650 B, a bottom slider side  650 C, and a left slider side  650 D. Each slider side  650 A-D includes a respective slider slot  660 A-D. The plurality of deflector plates  640 A-D are coupled to the right slider side  650 B and the left slider side  650 D. Each of the deflector plates  640 A-D are coupled to the right slider side  650 B by a respective right rivet  811 A-D. Although not visible in  FIG.  8 A , each of the deflector plates  640 A-D are coupled to the left slider side  650 B by a respective left rivet  806 A-D. 
       FIG.  8 B  depicts views of the deflector plate  640 x showing the geometry, for example, dimensions in inches of the various structures of the deflector plate  640 x. The deflector plates  640 A-D can be formed of 0.040 inch thick aluminum 5052-H32, for example. 
     Each deflector plate  640 x is riveted on two opposing sides, for example, and can rotate along the axis of the rivet  806 x,  811 x. As shown, each deflector plate  640 A-D is riveted on the left deflector side  805  and the right deflector side  810 . The left deflector side  805  and the left slider side  650 D both hold a respective left rivet  806 A-D. The right deflector side  810  and the right slider side  650 B both hold a respective right rivet  811 A-D. Consequently, a respective deflector plate  640 A-D can rotate along an axis of the respective left rivet  806 A-D and the respective right rivet  811 A-D. During installation, the installer rotates the deflector plates  640 A-D to optimize air flow distribution to the battery modules  102 x held in the battery racks  101 x. 
     The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow. That scope is intended and should be interpreted to be as broad as is consistent with the ordinary meaning of the language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light of this specification and the prosecution history that follows and to encompass all structural and functional equivalents. Notwithstanding, none of the claims are intended to embrace subject matter that fails to satisfy the requirement of Sections 101, 102, or 103 of the Patent Act, nor should they be interpreted in such a way. Any unintended embracement of such subject matter is hereby disclaimed. 
     Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims. 
     It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises or includes a list of elements or steps does not include only those elements or steps but may include other elements or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
     In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed examples require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the subject matter to be protected lies in less than all features of any single disclosed example. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter. 
     While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and/or other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present concepts.