We are pleased to announce the Master of Science in Sustainable Design Engineering (MSc-SDE) Thesis Defense of Jordan Torrealba. 

Title: Autonomous Cell-Based LiFePO4 Battery Management System for Solar Photovoltaic Applications 

Date:  Monday, July 27, 1:00 to 4:00 PM

Abstract: This thesis documents the development of a novel lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery management system (BMS) intended for solar photovoltaic power system applications. While lead-acid battery systems are often implemented without a BMS, lithium-based battery systems require a BMS to provide two critical functions: cell protection and balance. The proposed innovative BMS approach aims to enable lithium batteries to be installed in low-voltage autonomous building blocks and treated much like traditional lead-acid battery banks connected in series and parallel configurations. Particular attention is paid to realizing a lithium-based approach that implements a low-cost, high-current protection mechanism and emulates the natural energy-dissipating balancing behaviour of unmanaged lead-acid based cells.

A novel BMS architecture was proposed, simulated, built, verified and tested. The BMS implements a noncommunicating and heat dissipating cell balance architecture combined with a low-cost fuse-based cell protection mechanism. The novel BMS system concept is ultimately prototyped in the context of a full-scale 6 V nominal, 220 Ah (2S59P layout of 3.8 Ah/12.16 Wh 26650 LFP cells) battery in the GC-2 form factor providing a functional initial prototype at a commercially viable scale.

Jordan is supervised by Dr. Andrew Swingler.

The presentation and examination will be presented via a web conference. Please RSVP with the FSDE Graduate Studies Coordinator and Chair of the Defense, Dr. Amy Hsiao, at ahsiao@upei.ca for the information to connect if you wish to attend, by Monday, July 27, at 10:00 AM.