Designing the architecture of electrochemical energy storage systems. A model-based system synthesis approach

Abstract

Designing complex systems that address a wide range of heterogeneous requirements is a difficult task. The skills and know-how of the designers are no longer sufficient and it becomes essential to provide them with efficient methodologies and computational tools to achieve this task. The objective of this paper is to present a model-based system synthesis (MBSS) approach to perform this task. This approach is notably based on the DEPS language and constraint programming. Design examples involving electrochemical energy storage systems are used to illustrate the approach. The design of a starting battery for an internal combustion engine is first presented. It demonstrates the ability to make rational and quantified design choices between several available cell technologies and models (lead–acid, Li-ion NCA, NMC or LFP) while taking into account many design constraints. An example of battery design for a hybrid or electric vehicle is then discussed. The requirements of this second example include in particular a mission profile to be satisfied. Based on these two case studies, the article shows the strength and usefulness of using the DEPS-based design methodology. This approach is particularly suitable for the preliminary design and requirements specification phases, which often require trade-offs between the different stakeholders.