Articles | Volume 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/ars-15-83-2017
https://doi.org/10.5194/ars-15-83-2017
21 Sep 2017
 | 21 Sep 2017

Lithium-ion battery models: a comparative study and a model-based powerline communication

Fida Saidani, Franz X. Hutter, Rares-George Scurtu, Wolfgang Braunwarth, and Joachim N. Burghartz

Abstract. In this work, various Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery models are evaluated according to their accuracy, complexity and physical interpretability. An initial classification into physical, empirical and abstract models is introduced. Also known as white, black and grey boxes, respectively, the nature and characteristics of these model types are compared. Since the Li-ion battery cell is a thermo-electro-chemical system, the models are either in the thermal or in the electrochemical state-space. Physical models attempt to capture key features of the physical process inside the cell. Empirical models describe the system with empirical parameters offering poor analytical, whereas abstract models provide an alternative representation.

In addition, a model selection guideline is proposed based on applications and design requirements. A complex model with a detailed analytical insight is of use for battery designers but impractical for real-time applications and in situ diagnosis. In automotive applications, an abstract model reproducing the battery behavior in an equivalent but more practical form, mainly as an equivalent circuit diagram, is recommended for the purpose of battery management. As a general rule, a trade-off should be reached between the high fidelity and the computational feasibility. Especially if the model is embedded in a real-time monitoring unit such as a microprocessor or a FPGA, the calculation time and memory requirements rise dramatically with a higher number of parameters.

Moreover, examples of equivalent circuit models of Lithium-ion batteries are covered. Equivalent circuit topologies are introduced and compared according to the previously introduced criteria. An experimental sequence to model a 20 Ah cell is presented and the results are used for the purposes of powerline communication.

Download
Short summary
This paper presents a comparative overview of models for lithium-ion batteries from an electrical Engineering Point of view. The comparison criteria and the different models are presented. After this comparison, a model is used to establish a new communication concept.