1. Bern University of Applied Sciences
  2. School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences HAFL
  3. Research
  4. Research areas
  5. Battery and Storage Systems Laboratory
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Battery and Storage Systems Laboratory

Our laboratory works on systems and components of electrochemical energy storage systems. With our test stands we characterise and model storage cells and modules.

Our Laboratory

We study the properties of electrochemical energy storage devices such as performance, reliability and service life under a wide variety of requirements. We determine the parameters for optimal use and control of battery systems to ensure safe and economical operation. For this purpose we build battery management systems and batteries.

Services

  • Analysis of the storage of electrical energy in electrochemical storages
  • Testing and characterizing battery cells and modules
  • Development of battery systems / battery management systems and their integration into mobile and stationary applications
  • Analysis of system aspects of electricity storage of fluctuating energy sources, e.g. solar generated electricity
  • Analysis and promotion of efficient management of electrochemical storage facilities
  • Development and verification of mathematical models for the design of model-based battery management systems
  • In addition, we offer technological evaluations of batteries with regard to their integration into mobile and stationary applications.

Brochure

Skills

Our laboratory has the following skills:

  • Knowledge of lead, lithium ion and salt battery technology (NaNiCl).
  • Analyses of properties and performance of battery cells as well as measurements to determine service life and thermal properties, carried out on state-of-the-art test stands.
  • Development of adapted algorithms for monitoring and functional evaluation (state of charge, service life, performance) of battery systems based on the collected data.
  • Development of battery management systems (BMS), based on the adapted algorithms, with specially adapted hardware that offers the lowest possible internal consumption and a high level of security.

Institute for Energy and Mobility Research IEM

Our work involves researching and developing new solutions for storing and converting electricity for the energy supply and distribution sectors. We are also looking to make mobility as energy-efficient as...

Our laboratory has the following research and development infrastructure:

  • Automated cell and module test stands (five channels up to 5 V/200 A: all parallel connectable, 40 channels up to 5V/50A: all parallel connectable)
  • An automated module tester (one channel up to 100 V/100 A and one channel up to 35 V/200, 12 channels up to 100V/50A: all parallel connectable)
  • Infrastructure for the development and validation of battery management systems
  • A High-Power Impedance Spectrometer
  • Six temperature chambers for cell testing
  • Three temperature chambers for battery testing (packs/modules)
  • A refrigerated container for testing large battery modules or systems
  • Two thermal imaging cameras and over 80 small-format, high-precision temperature sensors

Battery experiments from -30 °C to + 80 °C are possible in the temperature chambers protected with protective gas.

Battery Test Lab (in German)
 

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Battery Consult GmbH and the research group have been working closely in the field of high-temperature salt batteries since 2009.

Battery Consult GmbH



Together with BFH, Integrated Power Solutions AG is developing an energy storage system for industrial trucks.

Integrated Power Solutions AG


The laboratory for batteries and storage systems is one of the key laboratories for research at the BFH-CSEM Centre for Energy Storage.

Energy Storage Research Centre

Contact

Contact us or meet our technical experts at various events in a direct conversation. Collaboration results in a win-win situation for everyone involved: your company, society and the university of applied sciences.

Technical literature prize Bulletin SEV/VSE 2010 - Information and communication technology

The jury awarded Andrea Vezzini for his article on the technical basics and possibilities of today's lithium-ion batteries. In his article, the author explains the technical basics of these batteries and describes the most important parameters and properties. A sound understanding of lithium-ion batteries makes an important contribution to their correct use.
Andrea Vezzini is listed as the inventor of 6 patent families in the field of chargers, battery management systems and battery construction with a total of 20 publications.