For further details of this year's Vehicle Thermal Management Systems conference (5-6 June, Midlands), visit the event website.
Please briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience with vehicle thermal management:
Gery Fossaert (GF): As principal simulation engineer, I lead the technical activities of modelling, simulation and analysis in the field of battery systems. Through the modelling of battery systems, part of my role is to develop an understanding of how cells and batteries behave and spread this knowledge to the wider company. This knowledge is also translated into specific tools that we develop and distribute to different departments. My experience in vehicle thermal management extends to development and analysis of each component within a full vehicle cooling system. I am bringing this experience to Cosworth to enhance our outlook on battery operation within a full vehicle cooling system.
What is the top challenge facing your industry at present?
GF: Whilst the aim of modelling is to conduct up-front analysis to estimate cell behaviour, ageing estimation still relies heavily on time consuming test campaigns to develop models. This is a limitation that is to be addressed by the modelling industry. Predictive ageing mechanisms are starting to emerge but a complete solution that encompasses all mechanisms is ultimately required to analyse ageing without time consuming and costly test campaigns.
Uncertainty from the UK government and other countries on the speed of progress of electrification is a concern. Targets are being pushed out leaving OEMs with difficult decisions on investing in electrification. The nature of the battery industry in the UK needs to be addressed, there is a trend of negative press (mostly ill-informed or wrong) about electric vehicles at the moment, which is not helpful in accelerating industry growth.
How would you say your industry has evolved over the past five years?
GF: Cell technology and cell capability is continuously evolving. For us, this means our high-performance batteries will evolve at a similar rate. In essence, manufactures such as Molicel are continually increasing the power density as well as energy density. The evolution of P42B to P50Bs is an example of this. It is our task to integrate these new cells effectively in our packs to maximise their capability.
There is high growth in certain areas, new OEM's (from the Far East) are making big strides, introducing EV's into the global market. Alongside this, there is an increase in infrastructure across the UK and Europe. However, several battery and vehicle manufacturers have failed, especially in bus, van and truck applications. Cell technology is advancing but it’s not a Silver Bullet. The big question is, how the next 5 years will develop? And we hope the answer to this is positive, time will tell.
What developments are going on in your industry that may have an impact on the development of future thermal management systems and wider powertrain efficiencies?
GF: To improve powertrain efficiencies, the cells need to be operated in an optimum temperature window. To achieve this window, a matching exercise between type of cooling system and cell type needs to be conducted. This matching exercise is heavily dependent on the duty cycle. Therefore, the development, in my specific role in the industry, is to develop tools to allow us to do this task at an early stage in the development cycle.
However, advances in cell chemistry could make thermal management less important, equally the drive for shorter charge times, potentially in the form of smaller battery systems, could counter this. Immersive cooling is an interesting topic, there are questions that still need to be answered. Is it the way to go? What are the pros and cons with regards to safety? And what about weight, efficiency trade-offs?
Why is it important for engineers and industry to come together at this event and share best practice?
GF: Sharing lessons learned is key during this event. The programme lists many topics that all of us engineers in the wider EV world will encounter. Through this event, we can learn from each other about what challenges we face and how to overcome these. By sharing these experiences through this forum, we can progress the acceleration of this industry collectively.
There are several ways to thermally manage a battery system, they are very customer requirement driven, it’s a good idea to share best practises to speed up development and reach Net Zero quicker. There is huge market potential beyond what any one supplier can deliver therefore having a more holistic approach should generally help in the fight against climate change and pollution.
This year's Vehicle Thermal Management Systems Conference and Exhibition will return to the British Motor Museum in Warwick on 5-6 June 2024.
VTMS16 will explore the necessity and complexity of battery analysis through differing simulation techniques and offer a system engineering approach to balancing duration, durability, and immersive coolant technologies.
For further details of this year's conference, visit the event website.