Electrical systems, power supply apparatuses, and power supply operational methods

• US 20050062456A1
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Published: 03/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valence Technology Incorporated (Lithium Werks B.V.)
• Original Assignee: Valence Technology Incorporated (Lithium Werks B.V.)
• Inventors: Darilek, Christopher, Lamoreux, Joseph, Stone, Lawrence, Bjorklund, Tage, St. Angelo, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,986,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 320/116
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0016 using shunting, discharge or bypass circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0019 using switched or multiplexed charge circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/005 Detection of state of health [SOH]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/061 for DC powered loads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/70 Hybrid systems, e.g. uninterruptible or back-up power supplies integrating renewable energies
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Electrical systems, power supply apparatuses, and power supply operational methods are described. According to one aspect, an electrical system includes an electrical entity configured to utilize electrical energy, and wherein the electrical entity comprises a communications interface, and a power supply apparatus configured to provide the electrical energy for use by the electrical entity, and wherein the power supply apparatus comprises a support system, a plurality of battery assemblies configured to be removably coupled with and supported by the support system, wherein individual ones of the battery assemblies comprise at least one rechargeable electrochemical device configured to provide the electrical energy, at least one power terminal configured to couple with the electrical entity and to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the electrical entity, and a communications interface configured to implement communications with the communications interface of the electrical entity, and wherein the electrical entity and the power supply apparatus are configured to implement the communications comprising at least one of status information regarding the power supply apparatus from the power supply apparatus to the electrical entity and a command regarding an operation of the power supply apparatus from the electrical entity to the power supply apparatus.

Claims

1. An electrical system comprising:

an electrical entity configured to utilize electrical energy, and wherein the electrical entity comprises a communications interface; and

a power supply apparatus configured to provide the electrical energy for use by the electrical entity, and wherein the power supply apparatus comprises;

a plurality of battery assemblies individually comprising;

at least one rechargeable electrochemical device configured to provide the electrical energy;

at least one power terminal configured to couple with the electrical entity and to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the electrical entity; and

a communications interface configured to implement communications with the communications interface of the electrical entity; and

wherein the electrical entity and the power supply apparatus are configured to implement the communications comprising at least one of status information regarding the power supply apparatus from the power supply apparatus to the electrical entity and a command regarding an operation of the power supply apparatus from the electrical entity to the power supply apparatus.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical entity and the power supply apparatus are configured to implement the communications comprising both status information regarding the power supply apparatus from the power supply apparatus to the electrical entity and a command regarding an operation of the powers supply apparatus from the electrical entity to the power supply apparatus.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical entity and the power supply apparatus are configured to implement the communications comprising status information regarding the power supply apparatus from the power supply apparatus to the electrical entity.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical entity and the power supply apparatus are configured to implement the communications comprising a command regarding an operation of the powers supply apparatus from the electrical entity to the power supply apparatus.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications comprise the status information, and the electrical entity further comprises a control system configured to receive the status information and to effect at least one operation of the electrical entity responsive to receiving the status information.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the control system is configured to effect the at least one operation comprising adjusting an amount of electrical energy used by the electrical entity.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the electrical entity comprises a plurality of electrical loads which are individually configured to use electrical energy, and the control system is configured to effect the at least one operation comprising at least partially disabling at least one of the electrical loads.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the electrical entity further comprises charge circuitry configured to charge the electrochemical device, and control system is configured to effect the at least one operation comprising adjusting at least one operation of the charge circuitry.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications comprise the command, and at least one of the battery assemblies further comprises control circuitry configured to receive the command and to effect at least one operation of the respective battery assembly responsive to receiving the command.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the at least one of the battery assemblies further comprises a switching device and the control circuitry is configured to effect the at least one operation comprising controlling the switching device to electrically isolate the electrochemical device of the respective battery assembly from the electrical entity.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the communications interface of at least one of the electrical entity and the power supply apparatus is configured to implement communications with respect to a system manager.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the electrical entity comprises telecommunications equipment.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the power supply apparatus further comprises a support system, and wherein the plurality of battery assemblies are configured to be coupled with and supported by the support system.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the support system comprises a rack and the battery assemblies Individually comprise a housing configured to removably couple with the rack and to at least partially house the electrochemical device of the respective one of the battery assemblies.

15. A power supply apparatus comprising:

a plurality of battery assemblies individually configured to provide electrical energy to an electrical entity configured to utilize the electrical energy, wherein at least an individual one of the battery assemblies comprises;

a rechargeable electrochemical device configured to provide electrical energy;

at least one power terminal configured to couple with the electrical entity and to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the electrical entity for use by the electrical entity;

a communications interface configured to implement communications regarding the respective individual battery assembly externally of the respective individual battery assembly, and wherein the communications comprise communications with communications circuitry of the electrical entity configured to use the electrical energy; and

control circuitry coupled with the communications interface and configured to at least one of process communications received from the communications circuitry of the electrical entity and to formulate communications for communication to the communications circuitry of the electrical entity.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control circuitry is configured to both process the communications received from the electrical entity and to formulate the communications for communication to the electrical entity.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control circuitry is configured to process the communications received from the electrical entity.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the communications comprise a command configured to control the respective individual battery assembly and wherein the control circuitry is configured to effect at least one operation with the respect to the respective individual battery assembly responsive to processing of the command.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the at least one of the battery assemblies further comprises a switching device and the control circuitry is configured to effect the at least one operation comprising controlling the switching device to electrically isolate the electrochemical device of the respective battery assembly from the electrical entity.

20. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control circuitry is configured to formulate the communications for communication to the electrical entity.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the communications comprise status information of the respective individual battery assembly.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the status information comprises information regarding an electrical characteristic of the electrochemical device of the respective individual battery assembly.

23. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein a plurality of the battery assemblies are configured to provide electrical energy to a common electrical entity.

24. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein a plurality of the battery assemblies are configured to provide electrical energy to different electrical entities.

25. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the power supply apparatus further comprises a support system, and wherein the plurality of battery assemblies are configured to be coupled with and supported by the support system.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the support system comprises a rack and the battery assemblies individually comprise a housing configured to removably couple with the rack and to at least partially house the electrochemical device of the respective one of the battery assemblies.

27. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the control circuitry is configured to monitor at least one electrical characteristic of the respective electrochemical device using sensing circuitry configured to not directly receive electrical energy from the electrochemical device.

28. A power supply apparatus comprising:

a plurality of battery assemblies individually comprising;

a rechargeable electrochemical device configured to provide electrical energy, wherein the electrochemical device comprises an electrode active material represented by the general formula;

A_aMPO₄,

wherein;

(i) A is Li, and 0<

a≦

1; and

(ii) M=MI_n-pMII_o, wherein o=p, 0<

o≦

0.5, MI is iron (Fe), and MII is selected from the group consisting of Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, and mixtures thereof;

at least one power terminal configured to couple with an electrical entity and to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the electrical entity for use by the electrical entity; and

a communications interface configured to Implement communications regarding the respective battery assembly externally of the power supply apparatus.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the electrochemical device comprises an electrode active material represented by the general formula:

A_aM_m(PO₄)₃.

wherein;

(i) A is Li, and 0<

a≦

5, and

(ii) M is selected from the group consisting of Ti³⁺, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn³⁺, Fe³⁺, Co³⁺, Ni³⁺, Mo³⁺, Nb³⁺, and mixtures thereof, and 1<

m≦

3; and

wherein A, M, a and m are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of the electrode active material.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein M is V³⁺.

31. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the power supply apparatus further comprises a support system, and wherein the plurality of battery assemblies are configured to be coupled with and supported by the support system.

32. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the battery assemblies individually comprise a housing configured to at least partially house the respective electrochemical device, and wherein the housing is configured to removably couple with the support system.

33. The apparatus of claim 31 wherein the support system comprises a rack and the battery assemblies Individually comprise a housing configured to removably couple with the rack and to at least partially house the electrochemical device of the respective one of the battery assemblies.

34. A power supply apparatus comprising:

a plurality of electrically coupled rechargeable electrochemical devices configured to provide electrical energy, wherein at least one of the electrochemical devices comprises a plurality of lithium-comprising electrochemical cells coupled in parallel with one another and wherein the parallel-coupled electrochemical cells of the one electrochemical device collectively provide an equivalent lithium content of at least 3 grams;

at least one power terminal configured to couple with an electrical entity and to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical devices to the electrical entity for use by the electrical entity; and

a communications interface configured to implement communications regarding the respective electrochemical devices externally of the power supply apparatus.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the electrochemical devices are electrically coupled in series.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the electrochemical cells are individually configured to not experience thermal runaway during exposure to a temperature of approximately 190 degrees Celsius for two hours.

37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the electrochemical cells are individually configured to not experience thermal runaway during exposure to a temperature in a range of approximately 190 to 220 degrees Celsius for two hours.

38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the parallel-coupled electrochemical cells of the one electrochemical device collectively provide an equivalent lithium content of at least 15 grams.

39. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the one electrochemical device has a capacity In excess of approximately 10 Ahr.

40. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein the electrochemical cells of the one electrochemical device comprise an electrode active material represented by the general formula:

A_aMPO₄,

wherein;

(i) A is Li, and 0≦

a≦

1; and

(ii) M=MI_n-pMII_o, wherein o=p, 0<

o≦

0.5, MI is iron (Fe), and MII is selected from the group consisting of Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, and mixtures thereof.

41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein the electrochemical cells of the one electrochemical device comprise an electrode active material represented by the general formula:

A_aM_m(PO₄)₃,

wherein;

(i) A is Li, and 0<

a≦

5, and

(ii) M is selected from the group consisting of Ti³⁺, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn³⁺, Fe³⁺ Co³+, Ni³⁺, Mo³⁺, Nb³⁺, and mixtures thereof, and 1<

m≦

3; and

wherein A, M, a and m are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of the electrode active material.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 wherein M Is V³⁺.

43. The apparatus of claim 34 further comprising a housing configured to define at least one battery assembly and at least partially house the electrochemical devices, the power terminal and the communications interface.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 further comprising a plurality of additional battery assemblies, and wherein respective housings of the battery assemblies are configured to removably couple with a support system.

45. A power supply apparatus comprising:

a plurality of battery assemblies individually comprising;

at least one rechargeable electrochemical device configured to provide electrical energy;

at least one power terminal configured to couple with an electrical entity and to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the electrical entity for use by the electrical entity;

control circuitry configured to operate in;

a first operational mode to at least one of monitor an operational characteristic of the electrochemical device and control an operation with respect to the provision of electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the electrical entity; and

a second operational mode wherein less electrical energy is used by the respective battery assembly compared with operation in the first operational mode, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to monitor whether to operate in the first operational mode during operation in the second operational mode and to selectively switch operation to the first operational mode responsive to the monitoring; and

a communications interface configured to Implement communications regarding the respective battery assembly externally of the power supply apparatus.

46. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the control circuitry is configured to use the electrical energy from the respective electrochemical device during operation in the second operational mode.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein electrical energy from a source external of the power supply apparatus is absent during the operation in the second operational mode.

48. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising a user-operable switch configured to control the control circuitry to operate in the second operational mode.

49. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising a switching device configured to operate between a first state wherein the electrochemical device is electrically coupled with the electrical entity and a second state wherein the electrochemical device is electrically isolated from the electrical entity.

50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the control circuitry is configured to detect the presence of electrical energy of charge circuitry during operation of the switching device in the second state, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to control the switching device to operate in the first state responsive to the detection.

51. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the control circuitry is configured to control switching of the switching device to operate in the first state corresponding to operation of the control circuitry in the first operational mode and to operate in the second state corresponding to operation of the control circuitry in the second operational mode.

52. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the control circuitry, during operation in the first operational mode, is configured to detect a condition appropriate to provide operation of the control circuitry in the second operational mode and wherein the control circuitry is configured to control switching of the switching device from operation in the first state to the second state responsive to the detection of the condition.

53. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the switching device switches operation from the first state to the second state during operation of the control circuitry in the first operational mode and the control circuitry is configured to switch operation from the first operational mode to the second operational mode responsive to the switching of the switching device from the first state to the second state.

54. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the control circuitry is further configured to operate in a third operational mode wherein the control circuitry is off and no electrical energy is used by the control circuitry during operation in the third operational mode.

55. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the battery assemblies further individually comprise a respective power supply configured to provide operational electrical energy to the control circuitry during operation of the control circuitry in the first operational mode, and wherein the power supply is at least partially disabled during operation of the control circuitry in the second operational mode.

56. The apparatus of claim 45 wherein the control circuitry, during operation in the second operational mode, is configured to perform the monitoring at a plurality of moments in time.

57. The apparatus of claim 56 further comprising a timer configured to determine the moments in time.

58. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising a support system, and wherein the battery assemblies individually comprise a housing configured to at least partially house the respective electrochemical device, and wherein the housing is configured to removably couple with the support system.

59. A power supply apparatus comprising:

a plurality of battery assemblies individually comprising;

a rechargeable electrochemical device configured to provide electrical energy;

at least one power terminal configured to couple with an electrical entity and to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the electrical entity for use by the electrical entity;

control circuitry configured to control at least one operation of the respective battery assembly with respect to provision of the electrical energy to the electrical entity;

a power supply configured to operate in a first operational mode to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the control circuitry and to operate in a second operational mode wherein a reduced amount of electrical energy from the electrochemical device is used by the power supply compared with the operation in the first operational mode;

a communications interface configured to implement communications regarding the respective battery assembly externally of the power supply apparatus.

60. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the control circuitry is configured to use the electrical energy from the respective electrochemical device during operation of the power supply in the second operational mode, and wherein electrical energy from a source external of the power supply apparatus is absent during the operation of the power supply in the second operational mode.

61. The apparatus of claim 59 further comprising a user-operable switch configured to control the power supply to operate in the second operational mode.

62. The apparatus of claim 59 further comprising a switching device configured to operate between a first state wherein the electrochemical device is electrically coupled with the electrical entity and a second state wherein the electrochemical device is electrically isolated from the electrical entity, and wherein the switching device is provided in the second state during operation of the power supply in the second operational mode.

63. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the control circuitry is configured to monitor whether to maintain operation of the power supply in the second operational mode at a plurality of moments in time.

64. The apparatus of claim 59 further comprising a support system, and wherein the battery assemblies individually comprise a housing configured to at least partially house the respective electrochemical device, and wherein the housing is configured to removably couple with the support system.

65. A power supply apparatus comprising:

a plurality of battery assemblies individually comprising;

a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical devices configured to provide electrical energy;

at least one power terminal configured to couple with an electrical entity and to provide the electrical energy from the electrochemical devices to the electrical entity for use by the electrical entity;

a switching device configured to operate in a first state wherein the electrochemical devices are electrically coupled with the electrical entity and a second state wherein the electrochemical devices are electrically isolated from the electrical entity;

processing circuitry configured to monitor at least one operation of the respective battery assembly and to control operation of the switching device between the first and the second states responsive to the monitoring detecting a triggering event;

backup circuitry configured to monitor at least one operation of the respective battery assembly and to control operation of the switching device between the first and second states responsive to the monitoring detecting a triggering event and independent of the processing circuitry configured to monitor the at least one operation; and

a communications interface configured to implement communications regarding the respective battery assembly externally of the power supply apparatus.

66. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the processing circuitry and the backup circuitry are configured to monitor the same at least one operation of the respective battery assembly.

67. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the processing circuitry is configured to utilize a first period of time to implement the control of the switching device from the first state to the second state and the backup circuitry is configured to utilize a second period of time less than the first period of time to implement the control of the switching device from the first state to the second state.

68. The apparatus of claim 67 wherein the first and the second periods of time comprise periods of time to implement the switching using respective ones of the processing circuitry and backup circuitry responsive to the same triggering event.

69. The apparatus of claim 65 wherein the processing circuitry is configured to execute executable instructions to implement the monitoring and the backup circuitry comprises hardware configured to implement the monitoring without execution of executable instructions.

70. The apparatus of claim 65 further comprising a support system, and wherein the battery assemblies individually comprise a housing configured to at least partially house the respective electrochemical devices, and wherein the housing is configured to removably couple with the support system.

71. A power supply apparatus operational method comprising:

providing a battery assembly comprising at least one rechargeable electrochemical device;

supplying electrical energy from the battery assembly to an electrical entity;

communicating status information regarding the battery assembly externally of the battery assembly;

receiving a command originating externally of the battery assembly, wherein the receiving comprises receiving using the battery assembly; and

effecting at least one operation of the battery assembly with respect to the supplying responsive to the receiving the command.

72. The method of claim 71 wherein the status information comprises information regarding an electrical characteristic of the electrochemical device of the battery assembly.

73. The method of claim 71 wherein the effecting comprises electrically isolating the electrochemical device from the electrical entity.

74. The method of claim 71 wherein the effecting comprises switching an operational mode of the battery assembly.

75. The method of claim 74 wherein the switching comprises switching from a first operational mode to a second operational mode, and wherein the battery assembly is configured to use less electrical energy during operation in the second operational mode compared with operation In the first operational mode.

76. The method of claim 71 wherein the electrochemical device comprises an electrode active material represented by the general formula:

A_aMPO₄,

wherein;

(i) A is Li, and 0<

a≦

1; and

(ii) M=MI_n-pMII_o, wherein o=p, 0<

o≦

0.5, MI is iron (Fe), and MII is selected from the group consisting of Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺, and mixtures thereof.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein the electrochemical device comprises an electrode active material represented by the general formula:

A₂M_m(PO₄)₃,

wherein;

(i) A is Li, and 0≦

a≦

5, and

(ii) M is selected from the group consisting of Ti³⁺, V³⁺, Cr³⁺, Mn³⁺, Fe³⁺, Co³⁺, Ni³⁺, Mo³⁺, Nb³⁺, and mixtures thereof, and 1<

m≦

3; and

wherein A, M, a and m are selected so as to maintain electroneutrality of the electrode active material.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein M is V³⁺.

79. The method of claim 71 further comprising:

providing a support system; and

coupling the battery assembly with the support system.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein the coupling comprises removably coupling the battery assembly with the support system comprising a rack.

81. A power supply apparatus operational method comprising:

providing a battery assembly comprising at least one rechargeable electrochemical device;

providing electrical energy using the electrochemical device;

operating the battery assembly in a first operational mode to supply the electrical energy to an electrical entity;

detecting a triggering event; and

operating the battery assembly in a second operational mode responsive to the detecting, wherein the battery assembly uses electrical energy at a reduced rate during the operating of the battery assembly in the second operational mode compared with the operating of the battery assembly in the first operational mode.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein the battery assembly ceases supply of electrical energy from the electrochemical device to the electrical entity during the operating in the second operational mode.

83. The method of claim 81 wherein the triggering event is controlled by a user.

84. The method of claim 81 further comprising monitoring the battery assembly, and wherein the detecting is responsive to the monitoring.

85. The method of claim 84 wherein the monitoring comprises monitoring an electrical characteristic of the electrochemical device.

86. The method of claim 81 further comprising receiving a command from externally of the battery assembly, and wherein the detecting is responsive to the receiving the command.

87. The method of claim 81 further comprising providing electrical energy to control circuitry of the battery assembly using a power supply during the operating of the battery assembly in the first operational mode, and wherein the power supply uses less electrical energy during the operating of the battery assembly in the second operational mode compared with the operating of the battery assembly in the first operational mode.

88. The method of claim 81 further comprising controlling the battery assembly using control circuitry during the operating of the battery assembly in the first operational mode, and wherein the control circuitry is at least partially disabled during the operating of the battery assembly in the second operational mode.

89. The method of claim 88 further comprising controlling the control circuitry to monitor whether to provide the operation of the battery assembly in the first operational mode at a plurality of moments of time during the operating of the battery assembly in the second operational mode.

90. The method of claim 81 wherein the supplying comprises supplying during an absence of electrical energy from another source of electrical energy.

91. The method of claim 81 further comprising electrically isolating the electrochemical device from the electrical entity during the operating of the battery assembly in the second operational mode.

92. The method of claim 91 further comprising monitoring for the presence of charge circuitry during the operating of the battery assembly in the second operational mode.

93. The method of claim 81 further comprising:

providing a support system; and

coupling the battery assembly with the support system.

94. The method of claim 93 wherein the coupling comprises removably coupling the battery assembly with the support system comprising a rack.

95. A power supply apparatus operational method comprising:

providing a power supply apparatus comprising a support system;

coupling a first battery assembly comprising at least one rechargeable electrochemical device with the support system;

coupling a second battery assembly comprising at least one rechargeable electrochemical device with the support system;

storing electrical energy using the first and the second battery assemblies;

supplying electrical energy to at least one electrical entity using the first and the second battery assemblies;

receiving a command originating externally of the first and the second battery assemblies within at least one of the first and the second battery assemblies; and

effecting an operation of the at least one of the first and the second battery assemblies responsive to the receiving the command.

96. The method of claim 95 wherein the supplying comprises supplying electrical energy to one electrical entity using both of the first and the second battery assemblies.

97. The method of claim 95 wherein the supplying comprises supplying electrical energy to a plurality of electrical entities using respective ones of the first and the second battery assemblies.

98. The method of claim 97 wherein the electrical entities individually comprise control circuitry configured to control operations of the respective electrical entities.

99. The method of claim 95 wherein the effecting the operation comprises ceasing the supplying from the at least one of the first and the second battery assemblies.

100. The method of claim 99 further comprising maintaining the supplying of the electrical energy from an other of the first and the second battery assemblies during the ceasing.

101. The method of claim 95 wherein the effecting the operation comprises reducing usage of electrical energy by the at least one of the first and the second battery assemblies.

102. The method of claim 95 further comprising communicating status information regarding the at least one of the first and the second battery assemblies externally of the at least one of the first and the second battery assemblies, and wherein the receiving the command is responsive to the communicating.

103. The method of claim 95 wherein the couplings comprise removably coupling the first and the second battery assemblies with the support system comprising a rack.