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Energy Storage Systems Evaluation

Photo of man standing between two vehicles and plugging the vehicle on the right into a charging station.

NREL system evaluation has confirmed that extreme climates can have a dramatic impact on batteries and energy storage systems.

Graph with numerous plots showing battery capacity and resistance with drive time data spanning a two-year period.

An NREL algorithm is being used to extract battery state-of-health information and degradation trends from BMW Mini-E drive data to assess the vehicle batteries' value in second-use applications. Figure courtesy of BMW.

Photo of electricity towers in a field with wind turbines in the background.

The electricity grid could potentially absorb a large quantity of repurposed EV batteries.

NREL's system evaluation project assesses the impact of a wide range of factors on all-electric vehicles (EVs) and their energy storage systems. Evaluating technical targets, weighing trade-offs among vehicle parameters, and investigating the interaction of energy storage modules with full automotive systems are vital to the design of successful batteries, energy storage components, and systems.

Researchers analyze the effects of climate, driver behavior, driving patterns, and battery thermal management strategies on energy storage systems and entire vehicles, as well as the broader techno-economic ramifications of EV ownership scenarios. Examination of conventional ownership scenarios, along with more advanced business models and range extension strategies such as battery swapping and fast charging, identify opportunities to make all-electric vehicles more cost competitive. Partnerships with major automotive and battery manufacturers supply researchers with real-world driving data that act as the bases for these models, combined with data collected in NREL's thermal characterization laboratories.

NREL systems evaluation activity is focused in four areas, exploring:

Contacts

For more information on NREL's:

  • Battery ownership and second-use activities, contact Eric Wood, 303-275-3290.
  • Energy storage control algorithm activities, contact Kandler Smith, 303-275-4423.