NOVELTY - The system has first set of pair of side plates (412) adjacent to first side of an insulator sleeve. Second set of the pair of side plates is adjacent to second opposing side of the insulator sleeve, where one of the pair of side plates comprises a set of protrusions (416) that are distributed across and protruded from an exterior surface of the one of the pair of side plates. An energy storage module (300) draws air through a cover (301) and propels air flow across an exterior surface of the one of the pair of side plates in response to pressure drop across a set of sub-modules (400).    USE - Energy storage system for powering a motor vehicle i.e. automobile (all claimed). Uses include but are not limited to a capacitor system such as a lithium ion capacitor system, a battery system such as a lithium ion battery system, a capacitor-battery hybrid system and a fuel cell system, for powering a car, a bus, a truck, a motorcycle and an off-highway vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The system maintains desired compressive force upon an energy storage device including a pouch cell configuration to facilitate desired operation of the energy storage device by reducing or preventing deformation of a pouch cell due to outward force to be exerted by gaseous byproducts is generated during operation of the pouch cell. The system ensures a secure alignment between components to improve reliability of spacing between the sub-modules, which improve control of the air flow across the sub-modules, thus improving overall temperature control of the module. The system reduces amount of material to be used in fabricating a carrying tray, so that the carrying tray is lightweight so as to provide desired structural rigidity to facilitate positioning of other components of the energy storage sub-module such as positioning of the energy storage devices and balancing device at desired positions relative to one another.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows an exploded perspective view of an energy storage module.    Energy storage module (300)    Cover (301)    Sub-modules (400)    Side plates (412)    Protrusions (416)