Heterogeneous Battery Module Management via Virtualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional battery banks require homogenous cells to maintain safe operating limits, but this restricts the use of heterogeneous battery modules with different specifications, ages, and capabilities, limiting flexibility and efficiency in energy storage systems, especially in electric vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A battery management system that includes electrical controllers to monitor and manage heterogeneous battery modules by calculating bank-wide operational parameters based on differential performance levels, allowing for the integration of modules with varying characteristics and optimizing their performance and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If homogenous cells are used in battery banks, then safe operating limits are maintained, but flexibility and efficiency are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The battery bank is divided into multiple battery modules, each with its own controller that monitors and reports performance attributes. This segmentation allows heterogeneous modules to be managed independently while maintaining overall bank safety through centralized coordination of bank-wide operational parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts bank-wide operational parameters based on the differential performance levels detected across heterogeneous modules. By changing operational parameters rather than requiring uniform module specifications, the system maintains safety while accommodating diversity in module characteristics.
2Reliability
If homogenous cells are used in battery banks, then predictable electrochemical behavior is achieved, but utilization and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes operational parameters dynamically based on the performance characteristics of each module. By adjusting bank-wide parameters according to detected performance levels, the system optimizes utilization of heterogeneous modules while maintaining predictable and safe electrochemical behavior through controlled parameter management.
Solution Approach 2:
Module-side controllers continuously monitor performance attributes and provide feedback to the central controller. This feedback loop enables the system to adapt operational parameters in real-time, maximizing utilization of each module's capabilities while maintaining predictable overall bank behavior through coordinated control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heterogeneous battery modules are integrated, then flexibility and efficiency are enhanced, but management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The management system is segmented into module-side controllers and a central controller, distributing monitoring functions to individual modules while centralizing the coordination of bank-wide parameters. This segmentation reduces management complexity by localizing detection functions and simplifying central decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The central controller performs multiple functions: receiving performance data from all modules, detecting performance levels, calculating bank-wide operational parameters, and distributing control decisions. This multi-functionality consolidates complex management tasks into a single coordinating unit, reducing overall system complexity despite heterogeneous module diversity.
4Productivity
If heterogeneous battery modules are integrated, then utilization and efficiency are optimized, but operational safety becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes utilization by dynamically adjusting bank-wide operational parameters based on the performance differential across heterogeneous modules. Safety is maintained by ensuring these parameter changes keep all modules within their safe operating limits, coordinating individual module capabilities with overall bank safety requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Continuous monitoring of performance attributes by module-side controllers provides real-time feedback on module status. The central controller uses this feedback to adjust operational parameters, optimizing utilization while maintaining safety through informed, data-driven control decisions that respond to actual module conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A battery management system and method that allows a battery bank to be composed of battery modules that can be heterogeneous with respect to each other. A battery bank composed of modules that support the battery management system allows for any subset of modules to be easily replaced with modules of different electrochemical characteristics. Each of the modules may also have a controller that manages cells of the module. The bank level controller and module level controller may operate to virtualize the hardware under their management to reduce or eliminate the heterogeneous features of the underlying cells and modules.