An energy storage system, comprising: at least one energy storage device, the energy storage device comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of side walls that define an internal volume, the plurality of side walls comprising, at least, a bottom side wall and a front side wall; wherein the plurality of side walls further comprise a top side wall, a rear side wall, and opposing side walls; a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix within the internal volume atop the bottom side wall and defining a top surface; a plurality of heat flux components arranged with the plurality of side walls within the internal volume, the plurality of heat flux components configured to reduce a temperature gradient across the plurality of cells during operation of the energy storage device, wherein at least one heat flux component is configured with each of the plurality of side walls; one or more temperature sensors (173,174,175,176,177,178) configured with the plurality of heat flux components, the temperature sensors (173,174,175,176,177,178) configured to monitor one or more temperatures at various locations of the plurality of cells; and, a controller configured to adjust a power level to each of the heat flux components as a function of the monitored temperature; characterized in that the energy storage device further comprises a common negative lead wire electrically coupling each of the plurality of heat flux components to each other and to a power source and a plurality of positive lead wires (202,204,206,208,210,212) electrically coupling each of the plurality of heat flux components individually to the power source. at least one energy storage device, the energy storage device comprising: a housing comprising a plurality of side walls that define an internal volume, the plurality of side walls comprising, at least, a bottom side wall and a front side wall; wherein the plurality of side walls further comprise a top side wall, a rear side wall, and opposing side walls; a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix within the internal volume atop the bottom side wall and defining a top surface; a plurality of heat flux components arranged with the plurality of side walls within the internal volume, the plurality of heat flux components configured to reduce a temperature gradient across the plurality of cells during operation of the energy storage device, wherein at least one heat flux component is configured with each of the plurality of side walls; a housing comprising a plurality of side walls that define an internal volume, the plurality of side walls comprising, at least, a bottom side wall and a front side wall; wherein the plurality of side walls further comprise a top side wall, a rear side wall, and opposing side walls; a plurality of cells arranged in a matrix within the internal volume atop the bottom side wall and defining a top surface; a plurality of heat flux components arranged with the plurality of side walls within the internal volume, the plurality of heat flux components configured to reduce a temperature gradient across the plurality of cells during operation of the energy storage device, wherein at least one heat flux component is configured with each of the plurality of side walls; one or more temperature sensors (173,174,175,176,177,178) configured with the plurality of heat flux components, the temperature sensors (173,174,175,176,177,178) configured to monitor one or more temperatures at various locations of the plurality of cells; and, a controller configured to adjust a power level to each of the heat flux components as a function of the monitored temperature; characterized in that the energy storage device further comprises a common negative lead wire electrically coupling each of the plurality of heat flux components to each other and to a power source and a plurality of positive lead wires (202,204,206,208,210,212) electrically coupling each of the plurality of heat flux components individually to the power source.