An energy storage device for powering a downhole tool may be heated to an
effective temperature to improve the operability of the energy storage
device. The energy storage device may comprise, for example, a primary
battery, a secondary battery, a fuel cell, a capacitor, or combinations
thereof. The effective temperature to which the energy storage device is
heated may be greater than an ambient temperature in the wellbore near
the energy storage device. The energy storage device may be heated using
various heat sources such as an ohmic resistive heater, a heat pump, an
exothermic reaction, a power generator, a heat transfer medium, the
energy storage device itself, a downhole tool, or combinations thereof. A
thermal conductor may extend between the heat source and the energy
storage device. Further, a thermal insulator may at least partially
surround the heat source and the energy storage device.