Method for controlling heat dissipation in an energy storage device of a battery-powered electric vehicle

Abstract

A method (400) for controlling heat propagation in an energy storage device of a battery-powered electric vehicle (300), comprising: Operating (402) the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) with a plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40), each separately providing electrical power to the battery-powered electric vehicle (300); and within a computer-controlled battery cell module group controller (100), monitoring the conditions within the individual battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40); Determining (404) the occurrence of a first abnormal event within a first of a plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40) based on the monitored conditions; Implementing (410) active thermal management; determining (412) whether a second abnormal event has occurred within a second of the plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40) based on the monitored conditions; in response to a second abnormal event having occurred; diagnosing (414) a thermal runaway and commanding maximum level thermal management by controlling the operation of a cooler module (110) operable to dissipate heat from the plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40) and wirelessly communicating with emergency personnel, and Controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) based on the determined occurrence of the first or second abnormal event.

Description

INTRODUCTION

[0001] The disclosure generally relates to a method and system for controlling heat propagation in an energy storage device of a battery-powered electric vehicle.

[0002] A battery electric vehicle (BEV) or hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) may include a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS). A RESS may include a battery pack comprising a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells may be electrically connected in series, with a positive terminal of a first battery cell connected to a negative terminal of a second battery cell. A positive terminal of the second battery cell connected to a negative terminal of a third battery cell. This configuration may be repeated, with the total voltage of the battery pack being a sum of the voltages of all battery cells within the battery pack.

[0003] DE 10 2014 101 939 A1 describes systems and methods for controlling a current interruption component in a battery system. Various embodiments may include a detection system configured to detect an event (e.g., an impact event, a resistive short circuit, a coolant leak, etc.) and a control system configured to receive information from the detection system and generate a control signal based on the detection of the event.

[0004] US 2019 0092257 A1 describes an electrical system having a power supply configured to supply electrical energy to components at a time when the electrical system experiences an electrical fault.

[0005] WO 2018 235 764 A1 describes a cooling device for batteries. The cooling device can be used in particular in hybrid vehicles. DESCRIPTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to better control undesirable heat propagation. This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0007] A battery pack with multiple, non-isolated battery cells connected in series is at risk of heat propagation between the battery cells. If one of the battery cells overheats or a thermal event occurs, the heat can spread from that single battery cell to the battery cells near or adjacent to it. Battery cells can contain chemicals and constructions sensitive to excessive heat, and heat applied to one battery cell can cause a reaction that triggers additional heat generation. In this way, a thermal event occurring in one battery cell can spread to neighboring battery cells and permeate an entire battery pack.Such an uncontrolled thermal event, which spreads throughout an entire battery pack, can cause the vehicle powered by the battery pack to become inoperable or to stop completely, leaving the vehicle occupants stranded in the middle of the journey.

[0008] A method for controlling thermal propagation in an energy storage device of a battery-powered electric vehicle is provided. The method comprises operating the battery-powered electric vehicle with a plurality of different battery cell module groups, each separately providing electrical power to the battery cell module. The method further comprises, within a computerized battery cell module group controller, monitoring conditions within the different battery cell module groups, determining the occurrence of an abnormal event within one of a plurality of the different battery cell module groups based on the monitored conditions, determining whether a second abnormal event has occurred within a second of the plurality of different battery cell module groups based on the monitored conditions, and, in response,that a second abnormal event has occurred, including diagnosing a thermal runaway and commanding top-level thermal management by controlling the operation of a cooler module operable to dissipate heat from the plurality of different battery cell module groups, and wirelessly communicating with emergency personnel, and controlling the operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle based on the determined occurrence of the abnormal event.

[0009] In some embodiments, determining the occurrence of the first abnormal event includes determining the occurrence of an open circuit condition, an over-temperature condition, or a thermal event within the one of the different battery cell module groups.

[0010] According to the invention, controlling the operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle comprises controlling the operation of a cooling module operable to dissipate heat from the plurality of individual battery cell module groups.

[0011] In some embodiments, controlling operation of the battery electric vehicle includes instructing the battery electric vehicle to stop.

[0012] In some embodiments, controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle includes communicating with emergency personnel via a wireless communications network.

[0013] In some embodiments, controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle includes communicating with a computer-controlled, remote server device over a wireless communications network.

[0014] In some embodiments, controlling operation of the battery electric vehicle includes continuing operation of the battery electric vehicle with limitations based on the loss of operation of the one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups.

[0015] In some embodiments, controlling operation of the battery electric vehicle includes determining a revised travel route for the battery electric vehicle based on an operational failure of one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups.

[0016] In some embodiments, operating the battery electric vehicle comprises operating the battery electric vehicle wherein one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups is physically separated from a second of the plurality of different battery cell module groups.

[0017] In some embodiments, operating the battery electric vehicle includes operating the battery electric vehicle with one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups physically spaced from a second of the plurality of different battery cell module groups.

[0018] In some embodiments, operating the battery electric vehicle includes operating the battery electric vehicle with the plurality of different battery cell module groups arranged in physical contact in a single device.

[0019] According to an alternative embodiment, a method for controlling heat propagation in an energy storage device of a battery-powered electric vehicle is provided. The method comprises operating the battery-powered electric vehicle with a plurality of distinct battery cell module groups, each separately providing electrical power to the battery-powered electric vehicle. The method further comprises, within a computerized battery cell module group controller, monitoring conditions within the distinct battery cell module groups, determining the occurrence of an abnormal event within one of a plurality of the distinct battery cell module groups based on the monitored conditions, and controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle based on the determined occurrence of the abnormal event.Determining the occurrence of the abnormal event includes determining the occurrence of an open circuit condition, an overtemperature condition, and a thermal event within one of the various battery cell module groups. Controlling the operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle includes controlling the operation of a cooling module operable to dissipate heat from the plurality of various battery cell module groups.

[0020] In one unclaimed embodiment, a system is provided for controlling heat propagation in an energy storage device of a battery-powered electric vehicle. The system includes a vehicle propulsion system and a plurality of different battery cell module groups, each separately providing electrical power to the vehicle propulsion system. The system further includes a computerized controller for the battery cell module groups. The controller monitors conditions within each battery cell module group, determines the occurrence of an abnormal event within one of a plurality of individual battery cell module groups based on the monitored conditions, and controls operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle based on the determined occurrence of the abnormal event.

[0021] In some embodiments, the computerized battery cell module group controller determining the occurrence of the abnormal event includes determining the occurrence of an open circuit condition, an over-temperature condition, or a thermal event within the one of the various battery cell module groups.

[0022] In some embodiments, the computerized battery cell module group controller that controls operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle includes controlling operation of a cooling module operable to dissipate heat from the plurality of individual battery cell module groups.

[0023] In some embodiments, the computerized controller of the battery cell module groups that controls operation of the battery electric vehicle includes instructing the battery electric vehicle to stop.

[0024] In some embodiments, the computerized control of the battery cell module groups that controls operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle includes continuing operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle with limitations based on the loss of operation of one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups.

[0025] In some embodiments, one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups is physically separated from a second of the plurality of different battery cell module groups.

[0026] In some embodiments, one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups is physically spaced from a second of the plurality of different battery cell module groups by an air gap.

[0027] In some embodiments, the plurality of different battery cell module groups are arranged in a single device and are in physical contact.

[0028] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present disclosure are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments for carrying out the disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS Fig. 1 schematically shows an exemplary battery pack having three different battery cell module groups according to the present disclosure; Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a battery cell made of Fig. 1, according to the present disclosure; Fig. 3 shows schematically the battery pack of Fig. 1 within a vehicle electrical system having a vehicle propulsion system receiving power from the battery pack and a computerized battery cell module group controller according to the present disclosure; Fig. 4 shows schematically the computer-aided battery cell module group control of Fig. 3, according to the present disclosure; Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary control signal architecture for a vehicle having components communicating via a communication bus device in accordance with the present disclosure; Fig. 6 shows schematically in a side view a vehicle which according to the present disclosure is equipped with various battery cell module groups of Fig. 1; and Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method for using a battery pack having a plurality of different battery cell module groups in accordance with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] In a RESS with multiple battery cells connected in series, thermal runaway can occur, triggering in one of the battery cells and spreading to neighboring cells. An entire RESS can be disabled within seconds, rendering the vehicle inoperable and / or eliminating the use of active thermal protection systems.

[0030] A high-voltage RESS is provided, enabling the system to detect thermal runaway, send alerts to the driver, and maintain high-voltage circuit availability. The high-voltage RESS also allows the vehicle to continue driving or stop to facilitate safe vehicle exit and supports an active cooling system to cool the RESS package to effectively mitigate thermal runaway events. In one example, a high-voltage system may include operation around 400 volts.

[0031] A BEV can be an HEV, a battery electric vehicle, or any other vehicle that uses a battery to generate power.

[0032] A method and system for managing heat dissipation in an energy storage device of a BEV is provided. A battery pack may include a plurality of distinct battery cell module groups. These distinct battery cell module groups may each separately provide electrical power to the BEV, and each may be separately or individually deactivated and / or disconnected from the BEV such that a failure in one of the distinct battery cell module groups does not deactivate electrical power in the BEV. Remedial actions may be implemented, such as modulating control of an active cooling system capable of cooling a failed or malfunctioning individual battery cell module group. Operation of the BEV may be terminated in a controlled manner or maintained with limitations if a portion of the individual battery cell module groups are deactivated.A warning can be issued to the vehicle operator, authorities or other parties if, for example, a failure of a specific battery cell module group indicates thermal runaway.

[0033] A plurality of different battery cell module groups may comprise a plurality of battery cells arranged together in a single device, wherein the battery cells of the plurality of groups are arranged together without physical separation or are arranged in a single device without separation or in physical contact with each other. In such an embodiment, the wiring of the different cells may be capable of separately powering and / or individually separating the different groups of battery cells identified in each individual battery cell module group, even though the battery cells are physically arranged in a device.

[0034] In another embodiment, multiple different battery cell module groups may be physically separated from each other, for example, to prevent heat generated in a particular battery cell module group from being conducted to a neighboring particular battery cell module group. In one embodiment, a physical wall or insulating barrier could be disposed between a particular battery cell module group and the next particular battery cell module group. In another embodiment, a physical distance or air gap may be provided between a particular battery cell module group and the next particular battery cell module group.

[0035] Fig. 1 schematically shows an exemplary battery pack 10 with a first separate battery cell module group 20, a second separate battery cell module group 30, and a third separate battery cell module group 40. Each of the first separate battery cell module group 20, the second separate battery cell module group 30, and the third separate battery cell module group 40 includes a plurality of battery cells 50 connected in series with the other battery cells of that battery cell module. Fig. 1, three battery cell array modules are illustrated. A different number of battery cell array modules may be used in accordance with the disclosure. Each battery cell array module may contain a different number of battery cells 50. Each battery cell array module may contain the same number of battery cells 50, or each battery cell array module may contain a different number of battery cells 50. A battery cell 50 may have the same characteristics as other battery cells 50 or may have different characteristics compared to other battery cells 50.

[0036] The second separate battery cell module group 30 is arranged between, but separated from, the first separate battery cell module group 20 and the third separate battery cell module group 40. The separation may be achieved by a physical distance, including an air gap. The separation may additionally or alternatively be achieved by a wall containing insulating materials configured to prevent significant heat transfer from one battery cell module group to another battery cell module group. Separating the battery cell module groups from each other is effective to prevent significant heat transfer from one battery cell module group to the next.

[0037] A positive terminal 12 for the battery pack 10 is shown. Additionally, a negative terminal 14 for the battery pack 10 is shown. The illustrated battery pack 10 includes the first separate battery cell module group 20, the second separate battery cell module group 30, and the third separate battery cell module group 40, which are connected in parallel to electrically charge the positive terminal 12 and the negative terminal 14, respectively. Connecting the battery cell module groups in parallel can be advantageous in that if one of the battery cell module groups becomes inoperative or needs to be shut down, the defective battery cell module group can be isolated and / or deactivated without affecting the operation of the other two battery cell module groups.When connected in parallel, each of the first separate battery cell module group 20, the second separate battery cell module group 30, and the third separate battery cell module group 40 can be configured to each provide electrical power at a common voltage, e.g., 400 volts. When one battery cell module group is deactivated, the other two battery cell module groups can continue to supply power at the desired voltage, albeit with reduced current capacity compared to the battery pack 10 with the three activated battery cell module groups.

[0038] Fig. 2 shows schematically a battery cell 50 from Fig. 1. The battery cell 50 is illustrated with an exemplary rectangular body portion. Within the rectangular body portion, the battery cell 50 includes an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte bridging the anode and cathode. In one embodiment, the battery cell 50 may be a lithium-ion battery cell. The battery cell 50 includes a positive terminal 52 and a negative terminal 54. The positive terminal 52 may include an electrical connection connected to a negative terminal 54 of an adjacent battery cell 50. Alternatively, the positive terminal 52 may include a connection to devices or circuitry external to the battery cell array module or battery pack, e.g., providing a positive terminal for the battery cell array module.

[0039] Fig. 3 shows schematically the battery pack 10 of Fig. 1 within an electrical vehicle system 105 including a vehicle propulsion system 120 receiving power from the battery pack 10 and a computerized battery cell module group controller 100. The battery pack 10 is shown with the first separate battery cell module group 20, the second separate battery cell module group 30, and the third separate battery cell module group 40. The battery pack 10 is further shown with a cooling module 110 that cools one or more of the battery cell module groups. The cooling module 110 may include a device operable to dissipate heat from a battery cell or group of battery cells. In one embodiment, the cooling module 110 controls a flow of coolant to each of the battery cell module groups.The coolant flows through a heat exchanger connected to the battery cell module groups and receives a heat flow from the battery cell module groups, thereby cooling the battery cell module groups. In another embodiment, the cooling module 110 may use a different method of heat transfer, for example, with a solid-state cold plate connected to the battery cell module groups. In one embodiment, the cooling module 110 may operate in a reverse mode, e.g., by supplying heat to the battery cell module groups during a cold start of the system. In one embodiment, the cooling module 110 may independently control the heat transfer from each battery cell module according to temperature sensors located on or within each of the battery cell module groups.

[0040] The illustrated vehicle propulsion system 120 is capable of converting energy from the battery pack 10 into propulsion energy for the vehicle. In one embodiment, the vehicle propulsion system 120 may operate in a regenerative mode, in which electrical energy from a decelerating vehicle is recovered as electrical energy that is stored in the battery pack 10. An electrical connection 112 is shown connecting the vehicle propulsion system 120 to the positive terminal 12 of the battery pack 10. An electrical terminal 114 is shown connecting the vehicle propulsion system 120 to the negative terminal 14 of the battery pack 10. The vehicle propulsion system 120 may include an inverter and one or more electric machines.

[0041] The computerized battery cell module group controller 100 is connected to each of the first designated battery cell module group 20, the second designated battery cell module group 30, and the third designated battery cell module group 40. The computerized battery cell module group controller 100 is capable of monitoring the operation and / or temperatures of each of the battery cell module groups. The computerized battery cell module group controller 100 is further capable of commanding the isolation and / or activation of one of the battery cell module groups in the event of a detected overtemperature condition or thermal event.

[0042] Fig. 4 shows schematically the computer-aided battery cell module group control 100 of Fig. 3. The computerized battery cell module group controller 100 includes a computerized processing device 150, a communication device 160, an input / output coordination device 170, and a storage device 180. It should be noted that the computerized battery cell module group controller 100 may include additional components, and some of the components are not present in some embodiments.

[0043] Processing device 150 may include memory, such as read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM), in which processor-executable instructions are stored, and one or more processors that execute the processor-executable instructions. In embodiments where processing device 150 includes two or more processors, the processors may operate in parallel or in a distributed manner. Processing device 150 may execute the operating system of battery cell module array controller 100. Processing device 150 may include one or more modules that execute programmed code or computer-based processes or methods with executable steps. The illustrated modules may comprise a single physical device or functionality spanning multiple physical devices.In the illustrated embodiment, the processing device 150 also includes a battery cell module group evaluation module 152, a chiller control module 154, and an abnormal event response module 156, which are described in more detail below.

[0044] The communication device 160 may include a communication / data connection to a bus device configured to transmit data to various components of the system and may include one or more wireless transceivers to perform wireless communication.

[0045] The input-output coordination device 170 includes hardware and / or software configured to enable the processing device 150 to receive and / or exchange data with the on-board sensors of the host vehicle and to enable control of switches, modules, and processes throughout the vehicle based on determinations within the processing device 150.

[0046] Storage device 180 is a device that stores data generated or received by battery cell module group controller 100. Storage device 180 may include, but is not limited to, a hard disk drive, an optical drive, and / or a flash memory drive.

[0047] The battery cell module group evaluation module 152 may include programming that monitors the readings from temperature sensors located on or within the battery cell module groups. The battery cell module group evaluation module 152 may compare the readings from the temperature sensors to fixed thresholds. The battery cell module group evaluation module 152 may additionally or alternatively be programmed with dynamic temperature ranges within which the battery cell module groups are to operate. The battery cell module group evaluation module 152 may include time-based thresholds, such as diagnosing whether a battery cell module group is above a threshold temperature for longer than a selected period of time.Based on the comparison of the temperature sensor readings with the programmed thresholds, the battery cell module group evaluation module 152 can determine the occurrence of an abnormal event within one of the battery cell module groups, such as an overtemperature condition or a thermal event. The battery cell module group evaluation module 152 can further monitor the voltage conditions within each of the battery cell module groups and include programming to evaluate whether one or more of the battery cell module groups are in an open circuit condition.

[0048] The cooler control module 154 may include programming that controls the operation of the cooling module 110 from Fig. 3. Operation of the cooling module 110 may include moderate or non-maximum coolant flow control during typical operation of the battery pack 10. Operation of the cooling module 110 may additionally or alternatively include controlling the cooling module 110 in response to a particular overtemperature condition or thermal event, e.g., increasing a coolant flow to a maximum flow to an overtemperature battery cell module group.

[0049] The abnormal event response module 156 may include programming that controls the operation of the multiple battery cell module groups based on a particular overtemperature condition or thermal event. The battery pack 10 may include electrical switches, each of which may be actuated to isolate or disconnect one of the battery cell module groups from the rest of the system. The abnormal event response module 156 may be programmed to control the opening or closing of these switches, thereby controlling the isolation or connection of each battery cell module group to the rest of the vehicle system.In one embodiment, the abnormal event response module 156 may be programmed to determine whether the vehicle can be stopped, whether operation can be maintained at a level typical of full vehicle operation, or whether operation can be maintained with reduced operating limits in response to an over-temperature condition or thermal event. In one embodiment, the abnormal event response module 156 may estimate how much power the remaining active battery cell module groups can supply and control vehicle operation accordingly. The abnormal event response module 156 may alert the driver or operator of the vehicle to vehicle conditions and / or communicate vehicle conditions to a remote server device.Such a remote server device may include programming to contact emergency personnel, may include a message to an operator-designated emergency contact, or may include programming to determine next steps, such as determining traffic conditions on nearby roads to plan a modified travel path for the vehicle operating under reduced operating restrictions. Automatically contacting a remote server device may generate a warning to emergency personnel in a short time before shutting down the BEV's electrical system. In another embodiment, communication with a remote server device may include communication with a home security system capable of wirelessly communicating with members of a household. Such a system may, for example,alert parents if a failure of one or more specific battery cell module groups occurs in a vehicle driven by a son or daughter.

[0050] The computerized battery cell module group controller 100 is provided as an exemplary computerized device capable of executing programmed code to operate the disclosed process. A variety of different embodiments of the battery cell module group controller 100 and the modules operable therein are conceivable, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples provided herein.

[0051] Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an exemplary control signal architecture 200 for a vehicle, with the components communicating via a communication bus device 210. The communication bus device 210 is shown in electronic communication with the computer-controlled battery cell module group controller 100, a computer-controlled vehicle propulsion system controller 220, the cooling module 110, the first dedicated battery cell module group 20, the second dedicated battery cell module group 30, and the third dedicated battery cell module group 40. Data, command signals, and other electronic signals may be exchanged between the various devices and modules connected to the communication bus device 210.In an exemplary embodiment, the computerized battery cell module group controller 100 may communicate restrictions to the computerized vehicle propulsion system controller 220 based on the deactivation of one or more battery cell module groups and the corresponding reduced power available from the battery pack 10.

[0052] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of a vehicle 300 equipped with the battery cell module groups of Fig. 1. The vehicle 300 is illustrated with the first dedicated battery cell module group 20, the second dedicated battery cell module group 30, and the third dedicated battery cell module group 40. The vehicle 300 is further illustrated with the computerized battery cell module group controller 100, a computerized vehicle propulsion controller 220, and a telematics module 310. The telematics module 310 is capable of providing information to and receiving inputs from an operator of the vehicle. The vehicle communication device 320 is illustrated, which enables wireless communication between the vehicle and a remote communication network. In one embodiment, the computerized battery cell module group controller 100 may provide the telematics module 310 with system data, and the operator may be given vehicle operation choices via the telematics module 310, such as:selecting between a lower operating speed of the vehicle and deactivating a heating system in the passenger compartment in response to deactivating a battery cell module group according to the disclosure.

[0053] Fig.7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method 400 for using a battery pack having a plurality of different battery cell module groups. The method 400 begins at step 402. In step 402, the operation of the plurality of different battery cell module groups is monitored and compared to threshold values. In one embodiment, the battery cell module groups are monitored to determine if any of the battery cell module groups are in an idle state. In another embodiment, the battery cell module groups are monitored to determine if any of the groups are in an over-temperature condition or if a thermal event has occurred. In step 404, it is determined whether an abnormal event has been diagnosed in any of the battery cell module groups. Such an abnormal event may be a detected idle condition, an over-temperature condition, or a detected thermal event.If no such abnormal event is detected, the method returns to step 404, where the battery cell module groups are monitored. If it is determined that an abnormal event has occurred, the method proceeds to steps 408 and 410. In step 408, an alarm or warning is issued to the vehicle operator. Such an alarm may include an instruction to immediately pull the vehicle to the side of the road and safely exit the vehicle. In step 410, active thermal management may be employed, e.g., through the targeted operation of a cooling module and / or other system to control a thermal event. In step 412, it is determined whether a second abnormal event is indicated in a second battery cell module group. If no second abnormal event is detected, the method returns to step 410, where active thermal management continues.If step 410 continues for a period of time to determine that no second abnormal event has occurred, an optional method may be used to determine that the thermal event has been controlled and that the vehicle can continue driving with the remaining active battery cell module groups. If a second abnormal event is detected, the method proceeds to step 414, where thermal runaway is diagnosed and appropriate actions are commanded, such as highest-level active thermal management and wireless communication with emergency personnel. In step 416, method 400 terminates. Method 400 is provided as an exemplary method for operating and using a battery pack having a plurality of different battery cell module groups.A number of variations are conceivable, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples given.

[0054] While the preferred embodiments for carrying out the disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for carrying out the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

[1] A method (400) for controlling heat propagation in an energy storage device of a battery-powered electric vehicle (300), comprising: Operating (402) the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) with a plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40), each separately providing electrical power to the battery-powered electric vehicle (300); and within a computer-controlled battery cell module group controller (100), monitoring the conditions within the individual battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40); Determining (404) the occurrence of a first abnormal event within a first of a plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40) based on the monitored conditions; Implementing (410) active thermal management; determining (412) whether a second abnormal event has occurred within a second of the plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40) based on the monitored conditions; in response to a second abnormal event having occurred; diagnosing (414) a thermal runaway and commanding maximum level thermal management by controlling the operation of a cooler module (110) operable to dissipate heat from the plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40) and wirelessly communicating with emergency personnel, and Controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) based on the determined occurrence of the first or second abnormal event. [2] The method (400) of claim 1, wherein determining (404) the occurrence of the first abnormal event comprises determining the occurrence of an open circuit condition, an over-temperature condition, or a thermal event within the one of the different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40). [3] The method (400) of claim 1, wherein controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) includes commanding the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) to stop. [4] The method (400) of claim 1, wherein controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) includes communicating with emergency personnel via a wireless communications network. [5] The method (400) of claim 1, wherein controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) comprises communicating with a computerized remote server device over a wireless communications network. [6] The method (400) of claim 1, wherein controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) comprises continuing operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) with limitations based on the loss of operation of the one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40). [7] The method (400) of claim 6, wherein controlling operation of the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) comprises determining a modified travel route for the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) based on an operational failure of one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40). [8] The method (400) of claim 1, wherein operating (402) the battery-powered electric vehicle (300) includes operating (402) the battery-powered electric vehicle with one of the plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40) physically separated from a second of the plurality of different battery cell module groups (20, 30, 40).

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