Introductory description

The transition to sustainable transportation has placed energy storage systems (ESS) at the forefront of innovation in the automotive industry. This module offers a comprehensive exploration of the technologies that power hybrid and electric vehicles (HEVs and EVs), with a particular focus on the design, integration, and performance of advanced battery systems. As global demand for cleaner mobility solutions accelerates, understanding the role of ESS in achieving energy efficiency, reducing emissions, and enhancing vehicle performance is more critical than ever.

This module includes 30 hours over 4 weeks consisting of interactive presentations, question and answer sessions and discussion, online sessions, videos, small group exercises and problem classes.

The module includes a significant practical element (~30%) where students gain hands-on experience in battery manufacturing, battery modeling and characterisation testing.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Energy storage requirements for vehicle applications
• Storage technologies and metrics for comparison
• Battery fundamentals: key terminologies, lithium-ion battery components, functions, and operation principles.
• Electrochemical principles of batteries: thermodynamics, kinetics and mass transport.
• Energy storage materials: chemistry of cathode and anode active materials, electrolyte and separator
• The manufacturing processes of battery cells, including mixing, coating, calendaring, cell assembly and formation
• Modular battery packs and packaging
• Battery modeling and battery charging
• Battery management systems
• Battery diagnostics and end of life
• Hands-on practical: Battery modeling
• Hands-on practical: Battery characterisation and testing
• Hands-on practical: Battery cell design and manufacturing

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate conceptual analysis of the electrochemical working principles of Li-ion batteries and evaluate different energy storage materials for battery cell design and manufacturing [AHEP:4; 7, M2]
• Independently make a systematic and sound choice of energy storage technologies, architecture and means of conversion for practical real-world vehicle applications [AHEP:4; 7, M2, M6]
• Independently design the electrical configuration of a traction energy storage pack, interpreting thermal management, energy management, safety and environmental considerations [AHEP:4; 7, M2, M3, M6]e guidelines, safety systems and practical considerations [AHEP:4; 7, M2, M3]
• Interpret battery characterisation, battery manufacturing or battery modelling practical activities in electric vehicles [AHEP:4; 7, M2]
• Work collaboratively in a team to resolve problems in the context of energy storage systems [AHEP:4; 7, M16]

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

Energy storage requirements for vehicle applications; storage technologies and metrics for comparison; battery fundamentals; electrochemical principles of batteries; energy storage materials; manufacturing process of battery cells; modular battery packs and packaging; battery modeling and battery charging; battery management systems. Hands-on practical: battery modeling; battery characterisation and testing.; battery cell design and manufacturing.

Transferable skills

Critical thinking; Problem solving; Self-awareness; Communication; Teamwork and working effectively with others; Information literacy (research skills); Digital literacy; Sustainability; Professionalism; Organisational awareness.