Advanced Modular EV/HEV Energy Storage System

This project addresses the need for higher fuel economy, reduced pollutants, and increased performance associated with electric and hybrid-electric vehicle (EV and HEV) batteries. Standardized battery modules that support a wide variety of vehicles promise dramatic increases in performance, reliability and life-cycle cost. A standard 24V lithium-ion “building block” will fit in the envelope of a standard 12V lead-acid battery. Two packs with >50 Ah each of capacity can be wired in parallel for redundancy and still fit in the same space as one 50Ah lead-acid pack. Total pack weight will be approximately half that of the lead-acid pack, even with redundant strings. Modules contain commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) 18650 lithium-ion cells having high quality and low cost and now mass-produced for the portable electronics industry. “Smart” modules will contain proprietary internal electronics for cell balancing and safety, and will be interfaced together and to a standard master controller via a high-reliability optical data link. The master controller will control module-to-module equalization within the pack.