Charge into the future: Battery testing and the future of energy storage

Power towards a greener future with the latest energy storage breakthroughs and battery testing advances

7 Aug 2023
Georgina Wynne Hughes
Editorial Assistant

The field of energy storage and battery testing has experienced remarkable growth and evolution in the past 25 years, as the world moves towards developing more sustainable energy solutions. In this article we explore improving electric vehicle performance, enhanced battery testing capabilities and the promise of lithium-ion batteries and their future alternatives.

Rigorous battery testing has become increasingly important. This increase has been driven by the rapid expansion of electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable energy systems. Through comprehensive testing protocols, battery testing guarantees the performance, safety, and longevity of energy storage systems. By subjecting batteries to rigorous examinations, researchers and engineers can effectively mitigate potential risks, optimize battery design and performance, and elevate the overall system reliability. Substantial progress in testing technologies and methodologies have enabled more precise and efficient characterization of battery behavior under various operating conditions. These technological advancements have contributed toward significant improvements in battery performance, safety, and energy storage capabilities.

To stay up to date with the latest innovations and advancements in the complex field of batteries, we have rounded up a selection of resources covering various aspects of battery testing and energy storage. These resources cover cutting-edge technologies, novel testing methodologies, and also explore the profound impact of testing on battery performance and safety.

Electric vehicle battery testing to unlock safety and performance

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a global megatrend that are revolutionizing the automotive industry. Driven by electric motors and fueled by rechargeable batteries as their primary energy source, these vehicles eliminate the reliance on traditional petrol or diesel combustion engines. This pivotal shift not only minimizes harmful greenhouse gas emissions but also paves the way for a more sustainable future. With advancements in battery technology, EVs are now capable of longer driving ranges and faster charging times, making them a practical, efficient and environmentally friendly transportation option.

A lithium-ion battery and a lithium-ion battery which has been cut in half to show the contents inside.
Over the past year, there has been a staggering surge in fire incidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters, with a significant portion attributed to non-compliant lithium-ion batteries. Image © Antonio Gil @123rf.com

Improving electric vehicle performance through accurate battery testing

The performance and longevity of rechargeable batteries are critical factors that determine the success of electric vehicles (EVs). Any issues related to these batteries can significantly impact driving range, power output, and even raise safety concerns. Therefore, ensuring robust performance and durability of EV batteries is of utmost importance for their widespread use and success. Temperature fluctuations can have a significant impact on battery capacity and charging speeds. As a result, meeting temperature regulations are crucial for consistent and efficient charging of electric vehicles.

In this exclusive article, find out why battery testing is essential for the development and maintenance of electric vehicles and learn more about the importance of precise temperature control to ensure the safety, reliability and performance of vehicle batteries.

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An electric vehicle charging
Driven by electric motors and fueled by rechargeable batteries as their primary energy source, electric vehicles eliminate the reliance on traditional petrol or diesel combustion engines. Image © Auxin Nopparat @123rf.com

The importance of thermal management in optimizing battery performance

As batteries become more prevalent in electric vehicles, manufacturers must meet safety regulations and minimize risks by thoroughly researching the impact of temperature on battery chemistry.

In this article, learn more about the impact of temperature on battery performance and discover how low temperatures can diminish functionality, while extreme temperatures can trigger thermal runaway. Explore the necessity of conducting comprehensive thermal testing to establish appropriate operating zones for diverse environments and applications. Plus, discover different calorimetry techniques for characterizing battery thermal behavior, which help to determine heat generation rates, safe operating temperatures, and performance characteristics of batteries.

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Temperature simulation for quality assessment of batteries

Improving battery technology and charging capacity is crucial for enhancing the performance, range and efficiency of electric vehicles. ProNES automation GmbH is a specialist in delivering tailor-made automation solutions for testing and measurement technology, with a particular focus on serving automotive suppliers. The expertise of this company lies in providing customized automation solutions to meet the specific needs and requirements of the automotive industry. This application note discusses how JULABO's temperature control system was successfully utilized by ProNES automation GmbH to assess the quality and functionality of batteries in electric vehicles under realistic conditions.

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Revolutionize battery testing capabilities with the latest technology

Battery testing plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, performance, and reliability of batteries. It involves a comprehensive range of assessments, including battery capacity, cycle life, temperature performance, and safety evaluations under various conditions. These rigorous testing procedures are essential in establishing the robustness and effectiveness of batteries across a wide array of applications and scenarios. Utilizing the latest battery testing technologies helps optimize battery design and supports the transition towards a sustainable and energy-efficient future.

BINDER battery test chambers to ensure safe and reliable performance

This application note from BINDER sheds light on the significance of conducting meticulous safety and reliability testing of batteries. Discover how BINDER's cutting-edge battery test chambers are specifically engineered to facilitate aging, performance, and stress tests to ensure accurate and comprehensive evaluations of battery behavior. Explore how these chambers can contribute to enhanced battery research and development, ultimately paving the way for safer and more reliable energy storage solutions.

These chambers are equipped with comprehensive safety packages to ensure the protection of both the equipment and the operator. In addition, these battery test chambers offer remarkable flexibility to allow for customization to meet specific customer requirements. They are designed to be compatible with cyclers and chillers from any manufacturer, ensuring easy integration into existing testing setups and providing a versatile solution for diverse testing needs.

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A practical guide to elemental analysis of lithium-ion battery materials using ICP-OES

Understanding and implementing the appropriate elemental analysis of lithium-ion batteries is essential for meeting regulations and also improving battery performance and sustainability. This application note by Agilent Technologies provides an overview of the complex landscape of regulations and standards, providing researchers, engineers, and industry professionals with a comprehensive understanding of the guidelines that dictate the production, usage, and disposal of batteries. The resource highlights the elemental analysis testing required at different stages of the battery lifecycle, covering lithium and mineral extraction, battery research and development, manufacturing quality control, environmental monitoring and much more.

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Expanding the horizon for future energy storage solutions

Prof. Roberto Torresi
Prof. Roberto Torresi highlights his research on developing new materials for lithium-ion batteries and exploring promising alternatives.

Lithium-ion batteries are one of the most significant advancements in energy storage technology, and are commonly used in smartphones, laptops, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. The key advantages of lithium-ion batteries are their exceptional energy density, extended cycle life, rapid charging capabilities, and minimal self-discharge compared to other rechargeable batteries. Nevertheless, challenges including thermal runaway and concerns regarding the availability of lithium resources have led to continuous research efforts aimed at advancing the safety, performance, and sustainability of lithium-ion batteries.

The future of energy storage

Lithium-ion batteries have gained popularity due to their lightweight nature, high capacity, and low self-discharge. However, the growing demand for energy necessitates the improvement of existing technologies and the exploration of new battery chemistries with higher energy density and power. The development of improved energy storage technologies has widespread applications, ranging from mobile devices to renewable energy utilization and grid storage.

In this article, Professor Roberto Torresi shares his research focused on nickel-containing lithium metal oxides to enhance cathode materials and stability. This article also explores sulfur as a highly energy dense material for lithium-ion batteries, and how he is developing new materials for aqueous batteries to overcome challenges, such as low voltage output and high solubility of anode materials.

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