Research collaboration between the LHEEA (Centrale Nantes/CNRS), CRITTM2A and Gamma Technologies

This programme aims to develop the electric vehicle market by overcoming the scientific challenges related to the optimisation of batteries used for automotive transportation. A PhD thesis began on the same date and is being undertaken in partnership with Ecole Centrale de Nantes (through Centrale Innovation) and Gamma Technologies. Professor David Chalet of the Research Laboratory in Hydrodynamics, Energetics & Atmospheric Environment (LHEEA), a joint Centrale Nantes and CNRS research unit, is supervising this PhD. He thus lends his expertise in energy system modelling to this research programme.
The PhD thesis aims to develop an electrothermal model of an electric vehicle traction battery based on test results obtained using Li-ion battery technology. The electrothermal model developed should be of low complexity, with a target of integration into a BMS (Battery Management System), while maintaining a strong link with the physico-chemical phenomena governing the behaviour of the electrochemical cell. To this end, the research work will be based on an innovative work methodology and will benefit from the latest generation of battery test benches (2kW/4kW cells and 50kW modules, 250/750kW pack benches, EIS (Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy)) as well as high-performance simulation tools.
 
The model will deal with managing battery pack cooling in any use case scenario of the electric vehicle. This entails understanding and optimising the physical phenomena linked to the thermal management of the "propulsion battery" and energy storage system. From a more general point of view, it will be necessary to overcome scientific and technological challenges to improve the life of the propulsion system and the vehicle's range. The innovation of the thesis work will be to couple this battery modelling with an energy optimisation of the complete vehicle system.