(Photo by Per Foreby on Flickr)
DONG Energy announced last week that it would purchase a sizable stake in fellow Danish company LiTHIUM BALANCE A/S. The latter company has developed a lithium-ion battery management system (BMS) that could be used in hybrid and all-electric vehicles. The investment from DONG Energy will help LiTHIUM take the next step into commercial vehicle applications by hiring more engineers and sales people for the northern European market.
The LiTHIUM BALANCE BMS can hold up to 120 cells, ideal for light vehicles and commercial applications. The BMS includes a set of 1kW and 2kW cells to start though the system’s developers have designed the BMS to handle 6kW and 12kW cells. This flexibility means that the BMS can control electrical systems carrying between 12 and 400 volts.
LiTHIUM BALANCE has been producing BMS units since 2008 though the company spent two years designing and testing the system. The BMS is carefully calibrated to handle charges and discharges in adverse conditions. Every battery cell used in the BMS features a string processor that allows for special programming and diagnostics by mechanics. LiTHIUM BALANCE addressed the issue of uneven cell use through cell balancing, allowing the system to shift energy patterns to extend cell life. While the high power capacity may seem like a safety issue for some, the LiTHIUM Balance BMS is protected against short-circuiting and temperature extremes.
DONG Energy has plans to sell the BMS to wind turbine producers and utilities, taking advantage of the system’s capabilities. The energy company is planning a partnership with Better Place to use the BMS in plug-in hybrids and public charging stations in Denmark. In the meantime, DONG Energy can tout the partnership as another part of its clean-energy portfolio.
Denmark serves as a great starting point for a product like the BMS due to the country’s commitment to lower emissions. The problem comes as the DONG Energy-LiTHIUM Balance collaboration expands outside of Danish boundaries, reaching markets outside of northern Europe that may not be friendly to the costs of clean energy. As the BMS is distributed throughout Denmark and neighboring countries, the benefits of investing in battery management systems will be obvious. The BMS will become more affordable with mass production, allowing applications in hybrid vehicle and clean-energy facilities that will make battery power something to be assumed rather than excused.
