Cost-effective solution for assisting the development of thermal management system for electric vehicle batteries

Effective battery thermal management systems are critical for the performance and safety of electric vehicles.   

Battery thermal management systems must both remove heat during battery charge and discharge and maintain the temperature of the cells above a minimum threshold for safe operation in cold environments.

As we move towards a carbon-neutral world, the performance and safety of electric vehicle batteries is a critical factor, and the Centre for Advanced Low-Carbon Propulsion Systems (C-ALPS), have the expertise, software and facilities to research and develop solutions.

Our approach

Computational Fluid Dynamic tools are often used at the first stage for the designing and optimisation of thermal management systems. Afterwards, experimental tests are conducted for validation.

Testing lithium-ion battery modules and packs requires battery module or pack cyclers and the application of high voltage or currents. Not only is this expensive, but it also requires high lab health and safety measures.

To replace real cells for thermal testing, we use thermal dummy cells which feature heating elements that are planted at the core of batteries. The voltage required for mimicking the real cell heat generation can be calibrated, meaning that a low voltage (<220v) power unit can make thermal testing cost-effective and safer.

Safe and cost effective solutions

Our thermal dummy battery cells offer a safe and effective solution for validating thermal management systems for lithium-ion battery modules and packs.

University expertise and state of the art environment for testing

C-ALPS is a £50m research centre within the Centre for E-Mobilty and Clean Growth, based on the campus in Coventry, West Midlands. C-ALPS was set up with founding partner and globally leading engineering consultancy, FEV which has its UK commercial operations co-located in the C-ALPS facility.

Supported by our experienced team of engineers and academics, we can help businesses to prove-out new concepts, develop and demonstrate prototypes and gain a deeper insight into complex phenomena arising in novel components and systems.  

Find out more

To find out more about our research excellence in Lithium-ion Battery Research, please get in touch with Dr Chongming Wang, Assistant Professor in battery energy storage systems at C-ALPS.

Alternatively email the Clean Growth and Future Mobility team at Coventry University.