Online state estimation of Li-ion batteries using continuous-discrete nonlinear Kalman filters based on a nonlinear simplified electrochemical model

Abstract

Online monitoring of Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) during the charge and discharge periods is imperative to characterize their performance, assess their safety, and mitigate their degradation. One way to achieve this goal is to resort to model-based state estimations. Electrochemical based modelling has demonstrated significant potential to predict both the microscopic and the macroscopic battery dynamics. Existing electrochemical models are however continuous-time systems while measurements are performed at discrete time steps. Yet, most estimators are designed based on a fully discretized model. In this study, various types of continuous-discrete nonlinear Kalman filters are developed not only to address this challenge but also to compare their performance in utilizing highly nonlinear and meaningful physical variables. The filters rest on a simplified electrochemical model that accounts for the nonlinearities that stem from the dependence of the parameters on the electrolyte concentration. The performance of the estimators in adaptive and nonadaptive modes is tested for two different driving schedule loads (FUDS and Synthetic random higher C-rate). The results reveal that the estimators can track the real states' values if the filter model matches the real battery, even in the presence of 30 % error in the states' initial conditions. Furthermore, unlike the continuous-discrete extended Kalman filter (CD-EKF), the suggested continuous-discrete unscented Kalman filter (CD-UKF) effectively predicts the actual state values, even in instances where a significant structural mismatch exists between the embedded model and the synthetically generated measurement signal.