ENERGY ENCYCLOPEDIA
Brief overview
The main task of a Battery Management System (BMS) is to protect the battery against faulty operation and to optimally control charging and discharging processes. Read more.
Without lithium-ion batteries, or LIBs for short, which belong to the metal-ion batteries, the success of electromobility and portable electrical devices would be inconceivable. Read more.
Lithium polymer (Li/Poly) batteries are rechargeable secondary batteries.No battery type is as diverse in length, width and thickness as the lithium polymer battery. Read more.
01
BMS / Battery Management System
In lithium batteries, the key to longevity, efficiency and reliability lies in the permanently optimal interaction of the individual cells, modules and packs. The main task of a battery management system (BMS) is to protect the battery from operating errors and to optimally control charging and discharging processes. An active battery management system relies on several components simultaneously and thus becomes a smart BMS. The advantages of an Active Battery Management System: It monitors the aging and charging status as well as the depth of discharge of the battery modules. It controls the charging cycles intelligently and optimally with regard to speed, thermal management or overcharging.
01
BMS - Battery Management System
AREAS OF OPERATION
For example, my BMS is used in building technology to control energy-generating and energy-recovering systems. Optimal control of charging speed, processor performance and battery temperature is also relevant in the field of mobile consumer electronics and communication technology.
In addition to extreme fluctuations in power consumption and output in the automotive industry, the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) must be ensured.
INNOVATIONS
Since the development of the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery in the 1990s, numerous innovations have been in development. Especially in the Battery Management Types (BMS Types).
So-called AI BMS (Artificial Intelligence Battery Management System) are expected to bring self-learning algorithms to the battery. Fed by Big Data, information reaches the battery to optimize its range. EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) will be used to mathematically monitor the health of a battery. This helps in estimating in terms of cell performance during fast charging and enables early detection of cell damage.
AREAS OF OPERATION
For example, my BMS is used in building technology to control energy-generating and energy-recovering systems. Optimal control of charging speed, processor performance and battery temperature is also relevant in the field of mobile consumer electronics and communication technology.
In addition to extreme fluctuations in power consumption and output in the automotive industry, the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) must be ensured.
INNOVATIONS
Since the development of the lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery in the 1990s, numerous innovations have been in development. Especially in the Battery Management Types (BMS Types).
So-called AI BMS (Artificial Intelligence Battery Management System) are expected to bring self-learning algorithms to the battery. Fed by Big Data, information reaches the battery to optimize its range. EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy) will be used to mathematically monitor the health of a battery. This helps in estimating in terms of cell performance during fast charging and enables early detection of cell damage.
02
LITHIUM
ION BATTERY
Next Generation Batteries
Without lithium-ion batteries, or LIBs for short, which belong to the metal-ion batteries, the success of electromobility and portable electrical devices would be inconceivable. They have had the highest growth rates in the global battery market for years.No battery type is as diverse as lithium-ion batteries. There are dozens of electrode materials with different properties. Depending on which one is combined as the anode and cathode, the result is batteries that are better or worse suited for different applications. It is therefore important to classify the type accurately when talking about a lithium-ion battery. For example, it is informative to mention the cathode and anode material - such as NMC graphite or LFP-LTO - and other special components - such as when a solid-state electrolyte is used instead of a liquid electrolyte
02
LITHIUM ION BATTERY
NEXT GENERATION BATTERIES
Lithium-ion batteries
Lithium-ion batteries (Li/Ion, LIB) are rechargeable secondary batteries. Without lithium-ion batteries (Li/Ion, LIB), success in electromobility and in electrical and electrical devices would be inconceivable. No battery type is as diverse as lithium-ion batteries.
There are dozens of electrode materialswith different properties. Depending on which one is combined as anode and cathode, the result is batteries that are better or worse suited for differentiated applications.
It is therefore very important to define the battery type precisely when talking about a lithium-ion battery. Thus, it is informative to name the cathode and anode material - such as NMC graphite or NCA - and other special components.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages and disadvantages of Li/Ion batteries mentioned below refer to this battery type in general. Depending on how one combines the many different materials available for building a Li/Ion battery, the following advantages and disadvantages become less or more apparent.
ADVANTAGES
- Very high energy densities (about four times higher than lead-acid batteries)
- high cell voltages: up to 3.7 V nominal power. One lithium-ion cell can replace three NiCd or NiMH cells, which are only 1.2 V. Many scientists are currently trying to make even higher cell voltages possible. High cell voltages mean that fewer cells, as well as fewer connections between the cells and electronics, are needed to make high-voltage batteries. This makes the battery lighter and less vulnerable.
- can be optimized for specific capacity or performance requirements
- tolerate high discharge currents: can be discharged at a rate of up to 40C. This allows automotive applications such as cold starters or drives for hybrid vehicles to be equipped with lower battery capacities.
- Fast charging possible
- Batteries can be drained almost completely without affecting cycle time, life or high current output
- Very low self-discharge rate (3 to 5 percent per month, can store electricity for up to ten years).
- Very high coulombic efficiency (discharge/charge capacity almost 100 percent). This means that almost the entire current that is charged into a LIB can be discharged again.
- Virtually no memory effect, no refurbishment or complete unloading and loading required to maintain life cycle
- Variations in basic cell chemistry (e.g., the different anode and cathode materials) allow refinement of performance characteristics to meet specific applications.
AREAS OF OPERATION
LIBs are ideal for portable and mobile applications due to their high energy density. Almost no other technology is used anymore in cell phones, MP3 players, laptops and tablets. In power tools and electric bicycles, the market shares are constantly increasing. Hardly any other battery types are used in electric cars. Increasingly, LIBs are becoming attractive as stationary storage devices - for example, as home storage units to temporarily store the electricity generated by photovoltaic systems.
Disadvantages
- Sensitivity to deep discharge (see depth of discharge), overcharge and too high temperatures. In practice, however, this is rarely a problem, since many Li/Ion batteries already have integrated control electronics (BMS), which shields against almost all negative influences. However, if Li/Ion batteries are used without a corresponding BMS, the risk of a battery fire is very high.
- relatively high sensitivity to high or low temperatures: The ideal operating temperature is between about 10 and 35 °C. Especially at low temperatures below freezing point, the performance of Li/Ion batteries decreases significantly. However, there are also Li/Ion batteries that are specially designed for low temperatures down to -40 °C, but only with limited discharge currents.
- can be optimized for specific capacity or performance requirements
AREAS OF OPERATION
LIBs are ideal for portable and mobile applications due to their high energy density. Almost no other technology is used anymore in cell phones, MP3 players, laptops and tablets. In power tools and electric bicycles, the market shares are constantly increasing. Hardly any other battery types are used in electric cars. Increasingly, LIBs are becoming attractive as stationary storage devices - for example, as home storage units to temporarily store the electricity generated by photovoltaic systems.
Disadvantages
- Sensitivity to deep discharge (see depth of discharge), overcharge and too high temperatures.
In practice, however, this is rarely a problem, since many Li/Ion batteries already have integrated control electronics (BMS), which shields against almost all negative influences. However, if Li/Ion batteries are used without a corresponding BMS, the risk of a battery fire is very high.
- relatively high sensitivity to high or low temperatures: The ideal operating temperature is between about 10 and 35 °C. Especially at low temperatures below freezing point, the performance of Li/Ion batteries decreases significantly. However, there are also Li/Ion batteries that are specially designed for low temperatures down to -40 °C, but only with limited discharge currents.
- can be optimized for specific capacity or performance requirements
ADVANTAGES
- Very high energy densities (about four times higher than lead-acid batteries)
- high cell voltages: up to 3.7 V nominal power. One lithium-ion cell can replace three NiCd or NiMH cells, which are only 1.2 V. Many scientists are currently trying to make even higher cell voltages possible. High cell voltages mean that fewer cells, as well as fewer connections between the cells and electronics, are needed to make high-voltage batteries. This makes the battery lighter and less vulnerable.
- can be optimized for specific capacity or performance requirements
- tolerate high discharge currents: can be discharged at a rate of up to 40C. This allows automotive applications such as cold starters or drives for hybrid vehicles to be equipped with lower battery capacities.
- Fast charging possible
- Batteries can be drained almost completely without affecting cycle time, life or high current output
- Very low self-discharge rate (3 to 5 percent per month, can store electricity for up to ten years).
- Very high coulombic efficiency (discharge/charge capacity almost 100 percent). This means that almost the entire current that is charged into a LIB can be discharged again.
- Virtually no memory effect, no refurbishment or complete unloading and loading required to maintain life cycle
- Variations in basic cell chemistry (e.g., the different anode and cathode materials) allow refinement of performance characteristics to meet specific applications.
03
LiTHIUM POLYMER BATTERY
Lithium polymer (Li/Poly) batteries are rechargeable secondary batteries.
No battery type is as diverse in length, width and thickness as the lithium polymer battery. There are also dozens of electrode materials with different properties for the lithium polymer battery.Depending on which one is combined as anode and cathode, batteries result that are better or worse suited for differentiated applications. It is therefore very important to define the battery type precisely when talking about a lithium-ion battery. Lithium polymer batteries can be built extremely flat and have a thickness of less than one millimeter. They are ideal for smart cards, smart wearables and small mobile devices.
03
LiTHIUM POLYMER BATTERY
Lithium polymer (Li/Poly) batteries are rechargeable secondary batteries.
No battery type is as diverse in length, width and thickness as the lithium polymer battery. There are also dozens of electrode materials with different properties for the lithium polymer battery.Depending on which one is combined as anode and cathode, batteries result that are better or worse suited for differentiated applications. It is therefore very important to define the battery type precisely when talking about a lithium-ion battery. Lithium polymer batteries can be built extremely flat and have a thickness of less than one millimeter. They are ideal for smart cards, smart wearables and small mobile devices.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages and disadvantages of Li/Poly batteries mentioned below refer to this battery type in general. Depending on how one combines the many different materials available for building a Li/Poly battery, the following advantages and disadvantages become less or more apparent.
ADVANTAGES
- 20% higher energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries.
- high cell voltages: up to 3.8 V nominal power.
- can be optimized for specific capacity or performance requirements
- tolerate high discharge currents: can be discharged at a rate of up to 80C.
- Fast charging possible
- Batteries can be drained almost completely without affecting cycle time, life or high current output
- Very low self-discharge rate (3 to 5 percent per month, can store electricity for up to ten years).
- Virtually no memory effect, no refurbishment or complete unloading and loading required to maintain life cycle
DISADVANTAGES
- Sensitivity to deep discharge, overcharging and excessive temperatures.
In practice, however, this is rarely a problem, since many Li/Ion batteries already have integrated control electronics (BMS), which shields against almost all negative influences. However, if Li/Ion batteries are used without a corresponding BMS, the risk of a battery fire is very high. - relatively high sensitivity to high or low temperatures: The ideal operating temperature is between about 10 and 35 °C. Especially at low temperatures below freezing point, the performance of Li/Ion batteries drops sharply. However, there are also lithium polymer batteries that are specially designed for low temperatures down to -40 °C, but only with limited discharge currents.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages and disadvantages of Li/Poly batteries mentioned below refer to this battery type in general. Depending on how one combines the many different materials available for building a Li/Poly battery, the following advantages and disadvantages become less or more apparent.
ADVANTAGES
- 20% higher energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries.
- high cell voltages: up to 3.8 V nominal power.
- can be optimized for specific capacity or performance requirements
- tolerate high discharge currents: can be discharged at a rate of up to 80C.
- Fast charging possible
- Batteries can be drained almost completely without affecting cycle time, life or high current output
- Very low self-discharge rate (3 to 5 percent per month, can store electricity for up to ten years).
- Virtually no memory effect, no refurbishment or complete unloading and loading required to maintain life cycle
DISADVANTAGES
- Sensitivity to deep discharge, overcharging and excessive temperatures.
In practice, however, this is rarely a problem, since many Li/Ion batteries already have integrated control electronics (BMS), which shields against almost all negative influences. However, if Li/Ion batteries are used without a corresponding BMS, the risk of a battery fire is very high. - relatively high sensitivity to high or low temperatures: The ideal operating temperature is between about 10 and 35 °C. Especially at low temperatures below freezing point, the performance of Li/Ion batteries drops sharply. However, there are also lithium polymer batteries that are specially designed for low temperatures down to -40 °C, but only with limited discharge currents.