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Gregory Plett

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

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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

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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.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
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

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Reviews summary

Design and analysis of battery management systems

According to learners, this course provides a solid foundation for understanding battery pack balancing and power estimation, crucial components of Battery Management Systems (BMS). Students particularly appreciate the course's focus on practical applications and the use of Octave/MATLAB simulation tools. While the lectures are often praised for their clarity and the instructor's expertise, some learners found the material, especially on complex modeling, to be challenging and requiring strong prerequisites in engineering and mathematics. The course is seen as highly relevant for professionals and students in the field.
Differences in modeling approaches discussed.
"I learned how the HPPC method extends to satisfy various limits."
"The comparison between the simplified and comprehensive cell models was insightful."
"Exploring methods using full state information from an xKF was valuable."
"Understanding how to use the full ESC cell model to find power limits was key."
Hands-on practice with Octave/MATLAB.
"Using the provided Octave/MATLAB scripts was extremely helpful for visualizing the concepts."
"The simulation tools allowed me to evaluate how quickly a battery pack must be balanced."
"Being able to implement the methods in code reinforced my understanding."
"The practical Octave examples were a strong point of the course."
Instructor's expertise and clear explanations.
"The instructor explains complex topics in a very clear and structured manner."
"Lectures were engaging and easy to follow most of the time."
"His knowledge of the subject matter is evident throughout the course."
"I appreciated the way the lectures were organized week by week."
Solid basis in balancing and power estimation.
"The course structure with passive/active balancing and simplified/comprehensive power models was logical and built knowledge effectively."
"It really helped solidify my understanding of the core principles behind balancing and power limits."
"I feel much more confident discussing different balancing strategies after taking this course."
"A good starting point for anyone interested in the algorithms behind modern BMS."
Provides practical understanding of BMS concepts.
"Provides a good foundation for understanding the fundamentals of battery pack balancing and state of power estimation."
"Very useful information to understand the complexity of BMS problems and practical approach to solve them."
"I learned how to implement methods in Octave code and saw results for a representative scenario."
"Excellent course, which gives a very clear picture of battery pack balancing methods and algorithms for power calculation."
Material can be difficult, requires prerequisites.
"Requires a good background in electrical engineering and control systems to fully grasp the advanced topics."
"Some sections, particularly on the comprehensive cell model, were quite challenging and needed extra effort to understand."
"The level of math and modeling expected was higher than I initially anticipated."
"Could be difficult for someone without a solid grasp of circuits and differential equations."

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
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.
Show steps
  • Determine the balancing requirements
  • Select appropriate components
  • Design the circuit
  • Simulate and test the circuit
Develop a Power-Limits Method for Battery Management
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.
Show steps
  • 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Battery Pack Balancing and Power Estimation.
Is an excellent companion to this course because it covers in-depth the fundamentals of managing battery packs, including advanced battery management algorithms.
Is dedicated to the topic of energy storage systems in electric vehicles, providing a comprehensive overview of the challenges and solutions in this area.
Provides a thorough exploration of advanced control technologies for battery management systems, including state estimation, optimization, and fault diagnosis. It can serve as a valuable reference for those seeking in-depth knowledge in this area.
Focuses specifically on battery management algorithms for electric vehicles, offering a practical guide to the design and implementation of these algorithms.
Provides a comprehensive overview of lithium-ion battery technology, including the chemistry, materials, and applications. It can serve as useful background reading for this course.
Provides a good understanding of power electronics as applied to electric vehicles, which is essential for designing and implementing battery management systems.
Focuses on the systems engineering perspective of battery systems, covering design, modeling, and control. It can provide additional insights into the practical aspects of battery management.
Although this book focuses on fuel cells, it provides valuable insights into the modeling and control techniques used in battery management systems.
Classic in the field of electrochemistry, providing a solid understanding of the fundamental principles that govern battery operation.
While this book's primary focus is on the materials science aspect of batteries, it provides a good foundation for understanding the electrochemical processes involved in battery operation.

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