Distributed capacitive energy storage for flow batteries

A method of performing capacitive power smoothing for a server load comprising:

• operating an array of processors with a fluctuating workload and a corresponding fluctuating net power consumption over time;
• for slow fluctuations in power consumption by the array of processors, smoothing available power using a flow battery with an electrochemical cell to reversibly convert between chemical energy stored in an electrolyte and electrical energy;
• for fast fluctuations in power consumption by the array of processors, smoothing available power using a pipe network to circulate the electrolyte through the electrochemical cell, the electrolyte serving as a first electrode for the capacitive power smoothing, wherein one or more sections of the pipe network includes:
• a metal contact running an interior length of the pipe network serving as a second electrode for the capacitive power smoothing;
• and
• an insulating coating applied over the metal contact and separating the metal contact from the electrolyte, the insulating coating serving as a dielectric for the capacitive power smoothing.

A fluid system with capacitive energy storage comprising:

• a power supply;
• a fluid reservoir to contain conductive fluid, the conductive fluid serving as a first electrode for the capacitive energy storage, wherein one or more sections of the fluid reservoir includes:
• a metal contact running about an interior of the fluid reservoir and serving as a second electrode for the capacitive energy storage;
• and
• an insulating coating applied over the metal contact and separating the metal contact from the conductive fluid, the insulating coating serving as a dielectric for the capacitive energy storage;
• and
• a lead running from the metal contact to the power supply, the lead to connect the capacitive energy storage of the fluid reservoir to the power supply.