Addressing EV, Energy Storage Challenges

With its new approach, Element plans to improve the safety of new EV batteries while allowing used EV batteries to be repurposed for more cost-effective grid power storage solutions.

Element’sBMS is a combined hardware and software solution that offers a more granular approach to lithium-ion battery management by closely monitoring and optimizing charge and discharge rates for individual cells within the battery pack.

Current standards manage groups of cells as a single pack, but by managing individual cells, Element’s solution can prevent thermal runaway and extend the operating life and total deliverable energy of batteries by up to 50%.

Thermal Runaway in EV Batteries

The electrolyte used in lithium-ion battery cells is flammable. If a cell short-circuits, this electrolyte can heat up and combust to the point where the pressure within the cell forces the flammable electrolyte to breach the cell containment. Temperatures at the breached cell can reach over 1,000°C, and when it initiates the same reaction in other cells, it becomes thermal runaway propagation. Thermal runaway propagation can significantly threaten passengers, the vehicle, and nearby property.

The risk of battery fire exposes OEMs to expensive recalls or implementation of in-vehicle fire suppression systems that are not practical. By managing individual cells within the battery pack, Element Energy’s system can find and mitigate failures before thermal runaway occurs.