Conclusions of the 2nd i-HeCoBatt Webinar

Innovation and industrialisation challenges for next-generation electric vehicles (EV) components.

On the past 3^rd of March of 2022, the i-HeCoBatt team, coordinated by CIDETEC Energy Storage, organised the second project webinar on innovation and industrialisation challenges for next-generation electric vehicles (EV) components. The event counted with the participation of 49 attendees representing SME´s (47%), Large Companies (21%), Research and Development Organizations (16%), and other organisations.

The event (moderated by LOMARTOV) offered an excellent opportunity to disseminate the achieved results of i-HeCoBatt, share the knowledge related to the innovation and industrialisation of electric vehicles components, and present experiences with 2 other EU-funded projects in the same field: SELFIE – SELF-sustained and Smart Battery Thermal Management Solution for Battery Electric Vehicles, coordinated by Vrije Universiteit Brussels (VUB), and MULTI-MOBY – Safe, Secure, High Performing Multi-Passanger and Multi-Commercial Uses Affordable EVs coordinated by Infineon Technologies Austria AG (IFAT).

The first part of the webinar was dedicated to the presentation of i-HeCoBatt – scope and main achievements on the next-generation EV, along with a brief contextualisation of the simulation process of the project’s battery packs and technical aspects in terms of components and systems.

i-HeCoBatt project and its achievements on the next-generation EV

CIDETEC Energy Storage, Mikel Arrinda Martínez

i-HeCoBatt coordinator introduced the project, presenting the aim, methodology, and results. At the same time, the presentation focused on the specific project objectives and the status, explaining how the consortium is working on the final optimisation of the industrial battery heat exchanger based on the first prototype developed during the first phase of the project.

All ongoing activities to be concluded by the end of the project in June 2022, were presented especially the development of the new and optimised heat exchange virtually designed (virtual B-sample), and the connected sub-actions: i.e. validation processes and new tests, presentation of the final eco-design recommendations and exploitation strategy.

Simulation of battery pack thermal architectures and strategy controls towards EV impact reduction

CEA, Christophe Morel

i-HeCoBatt partner, CEA, presented the simulation aspects of battery pack thermal architectures and their technical configurations, such as modelling processes covering two-scale numerical modelling, modelling in series (from meshing to simulation and data evolution) and modelling inside of the climatic chamber. The presentation illustrated the direct comparisons of the different tests using an old heat exchanger versus an A-Sample Heat exchanger developed in i-HeCoBatt.

To conclude it was mentioned that the battery pack had been studied in a step-by-step approach, showing the results of the comparison between the latest 2^nd test campaign.

Components and Systems for next generation EV

MIBA, Alois Sonnleitner

The presentation focused on a brief explanation of some devices and solutions related to the battery technology provided by MIBA. The company, dedicated to the production of automotive components, presented the “FLEXcooler”, a fully flexible cooling component proposed as the innovative thermal management solution for batteries used in i-HeCoBatt. This component count with numerous benefits, including a total reduction of gap filler, suitable for all cell types & space-saving, electrically non-conductive materials with advanced monitoring and high recyclability belong other benefits.

It was highlighted that the FLEXcooler is an innovation ready to go, and production had already started in small series production line available for all customers’ applications.

The second part of the webinar was dedicated to the presentation of two Horizon 2020 funded projects working on the improvement of innovation and industrialisation of EV components: 

SELFIE project SELF sustained and Smart Battery Thermal Management Solution for Battery Electric Vehicles

 Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Mahesh Suresh Patil

Started in 2018, SELFIE project will develop a smart, modular, scalable, energy efficient and self-sustained battery thermal management concept, which is flexible to allow extension of the battery capacity and voltage and can be further applied for larger/long distance vehicles. The Project technical coordinator, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, offered an overview of the project, main objectives and its targeted results for industrialisation. The session focused on the key achievements in the main tasks covering selection and in-depth characterisation of the cell in heat generation, the design and prototyping of the battery thermal management system components, the system definition, design and prototyping, and finally the module tests, integration and demonstration approaches.

To conclude, the project showed its expected mid to long term impact, illustrating three main phases of the project implementation: (i) component development, testing and modelling, (ii) prototyping, assembly and integration (iii) demo vehicle testing by the end of the project.

MULTI MOBY project Safe, Secure, High Performing Multi Passanger and Multi Commercial Uses Affordable EVs

University of Surrey, Aldo Sorniotti

MULTI-MOBY is an ambitious project aiming at quickly finalising the results of a cluster of European projects addressing the development of technology for safe, efficient and affordable urban electric vehicles. A fleet of multi-passenger and multi-purpose commercial vans is being developed during the project. The University of Surrey, in quality of MULTI-MOBY partner, presented the relevance of this project and its advancement on innovation and industrialization challenges in the proposed multi-use affordable electric vehicles.

The session focused on the vehicle installation, testing processes and safety implementation. Safety aspects proposed by the project include 2 approaches. On the one hand, passive safety, which refers to high strength steel structure combining its low cost with high energy absorption capability and very high stiffness. On the other hand, active safety, which refers to cost-effective and innovative powertrain, sensing and control solutions, including connectivity and partial driving automation.

Numerous examples of the MULTI-MOBY vehicles prototypes have been shown in terms of functions, preliminary experimental implementation and controls.

During the webinar, all speakers presented different visions and perspectives on innovation and industrialization trends and challenges for next-generation electric vehicles components adopted by their companies, institutions, and projects, providing an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge on the present and the future of this sector.

Finally, all the attendees had the time to share their questions/answers, evaluate the webinar and provide their perception on the covered topics.

Did you miss the webinar and want to know more about the presented sessions?

The material used during the event is available in PDF format using the links below each session. Additionally, recorded videos from the webinar will soon be available on our YouTube channel.

We hope this virtual meeting has been of great interest to all, and do not forget to stay tuned for future events:

 –  The presentation of i-HeCoBatt at the 5^th edition of the H2020RTR European conference – 29-30 March 2022

– The Electromobility Technology Workshop: Driving a Greener Value Chain organised by i-HeCoBatt – 17-18 May 2022. 

i-HeCoBatt Team.

March | 2022