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 configured with the plurality of heat flux components , the temperature sensors 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 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 configured with the plurality of heat flux components , the temperature sensors 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 electrically coupling each of the plurality of heat flux components individually to the power source. <EOS>