Assessment and development of the novel Intercal-Indra Battery Management System “i-BMS”

"WMG (University of Warwick) are collaborating with battery management experts Intercal (UK) Ltd and EV integrators Indra Renewable Technologies Ltd in the third phase of evaluation and development of a novel battery management system (the ""i-BMS"").

This patented technology has been developed through proof of concept and initial field trials with the aid of two previous Innovate grants. The technology signals a radical departure from prior art by eliminating the need for routine balancing of the cells.

This important feature offers scope for a greatly simplified battery pack design and thereby opens up opportunities for cost savings, greatly improved pack maintainability and end-of-life re-use.

A major potential benefit identified in completed trials is the potential for very early fault detection, which has major safety and reliability benefits. Tests have shown that, by eliminating all cell balancing currents, the i-BMS can be configured to provide sensitive detection of the first signs of anomalous behaviour by any cell in the pack, thereby allowing timely intervention before any risk of failure or fire develops.

The current study will combine advanced modelling and simulations by WMG to evaluate the i-BMS performance, coupled with a supplementary programme of laboratory tests and field trials led by Intercal and Indra respectively. Taken together, these will, if successful, validate the functionality of the i-BMS, including comparison of the pack's usable energy capacity, degradation rate and diagnostic capability alongside conventional BMS solutions.

The project will also explore the opportunities provided by the elimination of complex cell balancing circuits, to simplify modular assembly, maintenance and end-of-life repurposing of battery packs.

The partners' objective is to develop the technology to a state where it will be available for licensing to third parties for application in automotive, grid storage, aviation and marine battery applications, a growing global market currently in excess of $1Bn annually."