Battery Pack Balancing and Power Estimation from Coursera

This course can also be taken for academic credit as ECEA 5734, part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Electrical Engineering degree.

In this course, you will learn how to design balancing systems and to compute remaining energy and available power for a battery pack. By the end of the course, you will be able to:

- Evaluate different design choices for cell balancing and articulate their relative merits

- Design component values for a simple passive balancing circuit

- Use provided Octave/MATLAB simulation tools to evaluate how quickly a battery pack must be balanced

- Compute remaining energy and available power using a simple cell model

- Use provided Octave/MATLAB script to compute available power using a comprehensive equivalent-circuit cell model

What's inside

Syllabus

Passive balancing methods for battery packs

In previous courses, you learned how to write algorithms to satisfy the estimation requirements of a battery management system. Now, you will learn how to write algorithms for two primary control tasks: balancing and power-limits computations. This week, you will learn why battery packs naturally become unbalanced, some balancing strategies, and how passive circuits can be used to balance battery packs.

Active balancing methods for battery packs

Passive balancing can be effective, but wastes energy. Active balancing methods attempt to conserve energy and have other advantages as well. This week, you will learn about active-balancing circuitry and methods, and will learn how to write Octave code to determine how quickly a battery pack can become out of balance. This is useful for determining the dominant factors leading to imbalance, and for estimating how quickly the pack must be balanced to maintain it in proper operational condition.

How to find available battery power using a simplified cell model

This week, we begin by reviewing the HPPC power-limit method from course 1. Then, you will learn how to extend the method to satisfy limits on SOC, load power, and electronics current. You will learn how to implement the power-limits computation methods in Octave code, and will see results for a representative scenario.

How to find available battery power using a comprehensive cell model

The HPPC method, even as extended last week, makes some simplifying assumptions that are not met in practice. This week, we explore a more accurate method that uses full state information from an xKF as its input, along with a full ESC cell model to find power limits. You will learn how to implement this method in Octave code and will compare its computations to those from the HPPC method you learned about last week.

Future Battery-Management-System Algorithms

Present-day BMS algorithms primarily use equivalent-circuit models as a basis for estimating state-of-charge, state-of-health, power limits, and so forth. These models are not able to describe directly the physical processes internal to the cell. But, it is exactly these processes that are precursors to cell degradation and failure. This week quickly introduces some concepts that might motivate future BMS algorithms that use physics-based models instead.

Capstone project

This capstone project explores the design of resistor value for a switched-resistor passive balancing system as well as enhancing a power-limits method based on the HPPC approach.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines passive balancing methods for battery packs, which is standard in industry

Teaches active balancing methods for battery packs, which helps learners improve battery performance

Develops skills in computing and measuring remaining energy and available power in a battery pack, which are core skills for battery management system engineers

Taught by Gregory Plett, who is recognized for their work in battery management systems

Explores future battery management system algorithms, which is highly relevant to the field of battery management

Offers hands-on labs and interactive materials, which helps learners apply their knowledge in a practical setting

Reviews summary

Loved by learners

According to students, Battery Pack Balancing and Power Estimation is an excellent course that learners largely recommend to anyone interested in battery control algorithms. Students praise the engaging assignments, clear explanations, and practical implementations in their reviews. Students particularly cite the helpful final Honors Course and thorough coverage on cell balancing and power estimation methods.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Battery Pack Balancing and Power Estimation with these activities:

Design a Passive Balancing Circuit

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Engage in this comprehensive project to apply your knowledge in designing a passive balancing circuit for a battery pack. This hands-on experience will solidify your understanding of balancing techniques and their practical implementation.

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Determine the balancing requirements
Select appropriate components
Design the circuit
Simulate and test the circuit

Develop a Power-Limits Method for Battery Management

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In this challenging project, you will create a power-limits method for battery management. This will involve integrating various concepts from the course, enabling you to design a comprehensive solution for optimizing battery performance and safety.

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Review existing power-limits methods
Develop a new power-limits method
Implement the method in a simulation environment
Analyze the results and refine the method

Show all two activities

Career center

Learners who complete Battery Pack Balancing and Power Estimation will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Battery Management System Engineer

Battery Management System Engineers design, develop, and test battery management systems (BMS) for various applications, such as electric vehicles and consumer electronics. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the challenges of BMS design, such as balancing cells and estimating power. You will also learn about different BMS technologies and how to select the right technology for a specific application.

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Battery Research Scientist

Battery Research Scientists conduct research on batteries and battery systems. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the different types of batteries and battery systems and how to conduct research on them. You will also learn about the different research techniques and strategies that are used to conduct research on batteries and battery systems.

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Battery Pack Design Engineer

Battery Pack Design Engineers design and develop battery packs for various applications, such as electric vehicles and consumer electronics. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the challenges of battery pack design, such as balancing cells and estimating power. You will also learn about different battery pack technologies and how to select the right technology for a specific application.

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Battery Project Manager

Battery Project Managers are responsible for the planning and execution of battery projects. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the different types of battery projects and how to plan and execute them. You will also learn about the different project management techniques and strategies that are used to plan and execute battery projects.

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Battery Systems Engineer

Battery Systems Engineers design, develop, and test battery systems for various applications, such as renewable energy storage and electric vehicles. This course can help you understand the fundamentals of battery technology and how to design and optimize battery systems. You will also learn about the different components of battery systems and how to integrate them into a complete system.

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Battery Modeling Engineer

Battery Modeling Engineers develop and validate mathematical models of batteries. These models can be used to predict battery performance and to design new battery technologies. This course can provide you with the skills you need to develop and validate battery models. You will also learn about the different types of battery models and how to select the right model for a specific application.

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Battery Simulation Engineer

Battery Simulation Engineers use computer simulations to predict battery performance. These simulations can be used to design new battery technologies and to optimize battery systems. This course can provide you with the skills you need to develop and run battery simulations. You will also learn about the different types of battery simulations and how to select the right simulation for a specific application.

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Battery Product Manager

Battery Product Managers are responsible for the development and marketing of batteries and battery systems. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the different types of batteries and battery systems and how to develop and market them to customers. You will also learn about the different product management techniques and strategies that are used to develop and market batteries and battery systems.

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Battery Design Engineer

Battery Design Engineers create, adapt, and improve new battery technology and battery products. This course can help you understand the components of batteries and the factors that affect performance. You will learn how to balance cells and estimate power, which are both critical to designing better batteries.

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Battery Quality Control Engineer

Battery Quality Control Engineers ensure that batteries meet safety and performance requirements. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the different types of battery quality control tests and how to interpret test results. You will also learn about the different factors that can affect battery quality, such as materials and manufacturing processes.

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Battery Test Engineer

Battery Test Engineers test and evaluate batteries and battery systems to ensure that they meet safety and performance requirements. This course can help you understand the different types of battery tests and how to interpret test results. You will also learn about the different factors that can affect battery performance, such as temperature and cycling.

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Battery Manufacturing Engineer

Battery Manufacturing Engineers design and develop processes for manufacturing batteries. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the challenges of battery manufacturing, such as quality control and cost reduction. You will also learn about the different types of battery manufacturing processes and how to select the right process for a specific application.

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Battery Sales Engineer

Battery Sales Engineers sell batteries and battery systems to customers. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the different types of batteries and battery systems and how to meet the needs of customers. You will also learn about the different sales techniques and strategies that are used to sell batteries and battery systems.

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Battery Analyst

Battery Analysts analyze battery data to identify trends and patterns. This information can be used to improve battery design and performance. This course can provide you with the skills you need to collect, analyze, and interpret battery data. You will also learn about the different statistical and analytical techniques that are used to analyze battery data.

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Battery Marketing Engineer

Battery Marketing Engineers develop and execute marketing campaigns for batteries and battery systems. This course can provide you with the knowledge you need to understand the different types of batteries and battery systems and how to market them to customers. You will also learn about the different marketing techniques and strategies that are used to market batteries and battery systems.

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