Oxford University spin-out Brill Power has launched a new ‘intelligent’ battery management system (BMS) that can increase battery life by up to 60%, it says.
The BrillMS B62 Premium battery management system can enhance storage capacity by up to 129%, increasing systems uptime. As an ‘intelligent’ battery system, it can support both passive balancing or active balancing options.
Built on a patented approach to optimised cell-level current control, Brill Power has designed hardware and software around this.
Proprietary algorithms are able to determine the state of health and power capability of every parallel-connected cell block within the battery, with which information a novel control circuitry is able to regulate the electric current accordingly. This means stronger cell blocks can be exposed to higher currents and weaker ones lower currents.
“Our patented control concept ensures that every single Joule of energy is used during every single discharge cycle,” explained Brill Power’s chief technology officer, Damien Frost. “This means maximal performance, lifetime and reliability.”
This leads to the increased battery lifetime and capacity, and provides the additional benefits of increased reliability as faulty battery cells and modules can be bypassed and replaced which the system remains fully operational. Cell-level protection enhances safety, preventing currents from exceeding safe limits and isolating any approaching hazardous conditions.
Additionally, the battery can be directly connected to other power sources or loads in the system due to its regulated output voltage. This allows solar photovoltaic arrays or electric vehicle chargers to be connected without needing a costly DC/DC converter or charge controller.
“Brill Power’s novel BMS technology brings step-change improvements to batteries, previously only thought to be achievable with innovations in materials or chemistry,” said Christoph Birkl, Brill’s chief executive.
“The BrillMS enables battery system developers to create the safest, most reliable battery systems while ensuring the lowest possible cost of ownership for their customers.”
The BrillMS B62 Premium is the first in a series of battery management systems from Brill designed for both the stationary energy storage market and battery cells in electric vehicles. The launch has grown out of over a decade of PhD research into battery degradation, modelling and power electronics at the University of Oxford.
During its development it was extensively tested by independent assessment and validation authorities including DNV, which found that the technology complies with the functional safety requirements of standards IEC62619, UL1973, UL9540 and VDE-AR-E 2510-50.
Brill Power itself was formed in 2016, and is backed by Oxford University, Oxford Science Enterprises, Oxford Investment Consultants, Skunkworks Investment Corporation, Innovate UK, the EIT Climate-KIC, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Advanced Propulsion Centre, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, and Carbon Limiting Technologies.
This backing included funding as part of the Faraday Battery Challenge in 2017.