Battery Technology Research for High-Power Charging Systems
“In order to study the behaviour of reconfigurable battery systems, we decided to setup a battery system in a laboratory by ourselves” – Zoltan Mark Pinter.
Advancing Reconfigurable and High-Power Battery Systems for Fast Charging Electrical Vehicles
In this case story we dive into the research of Zoltan Mark Pinter, a Ph.D. candidate at the Technological University of Denmark (DTU), focused on high-power battery charging (HPCB) for electric vehicles (EVs). Utilizing resources and support from PowerLabDK, Pinter’s work aims to address significant challenges and potentials in battery technology to enhance performance, lifespan, and fast charging of EV batteries.
Zoltan Mark Pinter
PhD Candidate at The Technological University of Denmark (DTU)
Building a laboratory
In order to research the behavioural patterns of reconfigurable battery systems, Zoltan Mark Pinter and the team including PowerLabDK technicians decided to build a laboratory with the purpose of monitoring, manipulating and testing various battery system setups in a controlled environment.
“We decided to set up a battery system ourselves here at PowerLabDK. This included setting up a reconfigurable battery system, as well as equipment. This way we could better manipulate, make measurements and provide safety for myself and the equipment”
Pinter’s research is part of a project called Top Charge Project, supported by The Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) and Innovation Fond Denmark (IFD), aimed at developing a high-power charging battery system for fast EV charging. By constructing a scaled-down version of the battery system with fewer cells but maintaining the same operational characteristics, Pinter could better control and analyze system performance.
A key component of Pinter’s work involved a high-frequency pulse charge experiment, which utilized devices capable of precise measurements. This experiment sought to uncover the characteristics of battery cells under high-power conditions. The insights gained from these experiments are essential in understanding how to optimize battery performance and robustness.
Pinter’s work have led to various insights into the behavior of battery cells, contributing valuable knowledge to the field of battery technology. Pinter is currently preparing to publish the findings, with plans to contribute around six articles to the academic community, anticipated to be completed within the next six months after 2.5 years of dedicated research.
Research Environment and Support
Throughout his research, Pinter received support from PowerLabDK and the team there:
- Facilities and Infrastructure: Access to specialized lab space and research facilities for practical applications.
- Technical Assistance: Guidance and support from technicians in complex assembly tasks and technical advice.
- Safety and Monitoring: Safety protocols ensured a secure environment for high-power experiments.
- Equipment and Calibration: Access to equipment and precise calibration tools was essential for accurate research.
– Working here has been motivational, thanks to supportive technicians and the general environment. While my Ph.D. focused on theoretical work, gaining hands-on experience in the lab and witnessing practical results firsthand has really helped the project forward, says Zoltan Mark Pinter.
Background
Zoltan Mark Pinter holds an academic background in electrical and control engineering from the Technical University of Denmark, complemented by an Erasmus exchange at Linköping University in Sweden. Prior to that, he earned a degree in Mechatronics Engineering from Budapest University of Technology and Economics.