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development speed and methodology
WE HAVE TOOLS, METHODS, TESTING SOLUTIONS
AND ADVANCED DATA-DRIVEN
METHODOLOGIES
TO SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS
THROUGHOUT THE LIFE OF A BATTERY.
N O . 2 2 0 2 0
How batteries age over time is heavily affected by the battery cell chemistry,
battery cell, module and pack design and the battery management system. We
support our customers in cell selection, testing, simulation and the development
of batteries to maximize performance and lifetime, as well as in optimizing
designs for battery repurpose and recycling. We have tools, methods,
testing solutions and advanced data-driven methodologies to support our
customers and partners throughout the life of a battery – from raw material
extraction to battery production, vehicle development and in-use fleet
operation, right through to second life applications and recycling.
While deriving lifetime requirements from battery testing during battery
development is the core target in the concept phase and basis for the quality
assurance of the battery, the final operation
of the battery in the vehicle needs
to be included to validate and complement
this approach. At AVL we utilize
battery data from the vehicle fleet in-use
phase and combine it with real-time capable
simulation models – known as digital
twins – to drive battery development
and optimize and predict in-use operation.
Finally, we use advanced data-driven
and cloud-based methods combined
with years of battery know-how, from
battery production to the end of its lifecycle,
to determine the remaining value
of the battery after its first life. This enables
us to define its second life destiny:
reuse, repurpose, or recycle.
BATTERY HEALTH FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLEETS
EV batteries have a tough life. Subjected to extreme operating temperatures,
hundreds of partial cycles a year, and changing discharge rates, they degrade
strongly during the first years of operation. The challenge for every vehicle
fleet provider is to maintain performance, maximize lifetime and optimize
residual value for second life applications.
We provide customized solutions to monitor vehicle fleets and battery
conditions on the road by using the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloudbased
analytic platform solutions. By connecting all vehicles in the fleet
and sending this data to the cloud, big
data and battery lifetime methodologies
can be applied to analyze the fleet operation
and provide recommendations on
operation and charging strategy, as well
as prediction of the battery’s end of life
and failure probability.
Our tools enable tasks such as:
• Real-time battery observation of all fleet vehicles
• Real-time battery status monitoring
• Route, operation strategy and charging optimization
• Time and cost savings with predictive maintenance
DEAD BATTERIES DESERVE A SECOND LIFE
The continued global growth of electric vehicles will lead to terawatt-hours
of batteries that no longer meet the requirements for EV use, but are still
useful in less demanding applications. While this is an emerging opportunity
for the stationary storage power sector, certain challenges need to
be overcome to enable an economic
and sustainable process along the
battery value chain, such as a standardization
of state of health definition
as well as the actual value of
a battery after usage.
Working closely with recycling
companies and second life service
providers, we are tackling these challenges
by combining data-driven
battery lifetime methodologies with
state-of-health measurement tools
and technological standards. The
outcome is a method for deriving
the remaining value of a used battery,
while considering economical
factors, sustainability and design
for reusability and recyclability.