Professional Documents
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Anton Andersson
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1.1 Introduction
Technologies for stand alone energy systems in remote areas are steadily developing and expanding
worldwide. Environmental issues and rising fuel costs have turned interest for integration of
renewable energy towards these systems. At the same time new technologies have proven reliability
for solar photovoltaic and small wind turbines. Consequently, renewable energy has steadily and
beyond doubt become an acceptable energy source.
Battery storage is often necessary in autonomous power supplies with continuous power demand. It
often improves both economics and performance of the system. To be able to understand the
operation characteristics of batteries, knowledge in several different topics are necessary. Battery
science connects topics such as chemistry, physics and energy engineering in a genuine mixture.
None of the topics can independently of one another explain and describe the battery fully. This
makes battery simulations difficult, but at the same time very interesting and necessary.
Battery operation is the key for optimal performance of small-scale off-grid hybrid systems.
However, it is commonly agreed that batteries contribute to a significant investment cost and are the
weakest link in the system. The aim with this project is to improve an existing battery model to be
able to accurately predict lifetime and performance of the batteries used in renewable based rural
energy systems. This project will in detail explain the steps made to improve the model, which has
resulted in a model that performs faster calculations and more accurate simulations.
The intension with the improved battery model is, in the future, to implement it into the larger
hybrid simulation platform IPSYS. Experience has shown a need for complete system simulations,
to be able to predict the performance and cost of energy systems.
1
1.1.1 Hybrid systems
There are several different definitions of a hybrid system. The car company Toyota have a well-
defined all-embracing description “A hybrid system combines different power sources to maximize each
one's strengths, while compensating for each other's shortcomings” [1].
Off-grid power, locally produced electricity, supplies many people and applications around the
world with electricity. For remote areas such as isolated communities, islands and developing
countries, these systems are vital for survival. Examples of usage are rural health clinics,
communication and water supply maintenance [2].
Numerous sites around the world are today powered by conventional diesel generators. By
integrating renewable energy sources into these local systems, it is possible to produce
environmentally friendly energy at a reasonable cost. Each kWh produced by renewable energy will
save the same amount of energy generated from conventional fossil systems. Environmental
awareness is something that has become very important during the past few years.
Renewable energy hybrid systems consist of several components interacting together to meet the
power demand. This interface between the mix of power generation results in a unique system of
design issues that strongly depends on local conditions, such as wind speeds and solar radiation.
The term “renewable penetration” is a measure of the amount of renewable energy used in the
system. The following presents a short survey over the components that together build up a hybrid
system [3],[4]
PV panels are rated in terms of peak watts (Wp) which is a combined measurement of both panel
size and panel efficiency. It states the amount of power delivered by a panel during solar radiation
of 1 kW/m2 at 20°C. A Panel rated at 150 Wp will produce 150 W during these conditions [2].
The efficiency of regular silicon solar cells is about 10-15 %. Today higher efficiencies are
available (>20%) but then the price is very high. New techniques such as chemical vapour
deposition make it possible to construct multi-junction solar panels. Each junction is designed to
absorb a specific wavelength of radiation. Consequently less energy is lost by heat radiation and
higher efficiency is achievable [5].
The power from the PV panel equals the product between the current and voltage. Depending on
different solar radiation intensities the power output from the PV panel can fluctuate. Consequently,
the photovoltaic panels and the load will only have a single operation point at any given conditions
2
since they have different current-voltage relations [6]. Smaller independent PV systems with a
consumption power of less than 200 W are almost always designed as DC system with storage in
lead acid batteries. For larger systems, greater than 1000 W consumer power, the system is
converted by an inverter to an AC system.
The combination of solar energy and wind power is considered beneficial over the year. The wind
turbine complements the solar cells during winter and bad weather [7].
Risø National Laboratory has during the last three and a half years performed tests on a modified 11
kW wind turbine produced by the Danish company Gaia-Wind. The turbine has been modified to
ensure stable operation in hybrid systems. The intensions with the tests have been to demonstrate
that the wind turbines can operate in a proper way in the combined system.
The Gaia turbine operates on the horizontal axis, down wind and free yawing principle. The rotor
consists of two stall regulated blades that work in the range of 3.5 - 25 m/s with a fixed rotor speed
of 56 rpm. The generator is of asynchronous induction type that needs reactive power for
magnetization. This reactive power is provided by the diesel generator [3].
Smaller wind turbines are often designed as permanent magnet machines. These wind turbines
produce an AC current with a frequency that is proportional to the rotor speed. By power
electronics it is possible to convert the power into DC current. The voltage is also proportional to
the rotation speed of the rotor [2].
3
1.1.4 Diesel generator
For small independent grids containing wind turbines, the power production is often secured by
diesel engines directly coupled to synchronous generators. The diesel generator operates also as a
source of reactive power. This implies that the system always has to have at least one diesel
generator operating. Many remote communities are today powered with diesels systems only. High
fuel costs have turned interest to new alternatives. An attractive solution for many locations, with
sufficient wind resources, is to reduce running cost by implementation of wind turbines [6].
At the test site at Risø National Laboratory a 48 kW / 60 kVA diesel generator is connected to the
Gaia wind turbine. When the wind turbine’s power production falls short of the power demand the
diesel generator steps in to complement and secure power. [6]
There are many circumstances that need reconsidering when dimensioning the size of the storage.
However, there are two main design philosophies; storage with the capacity to ensure power for one
or two hours, to ride out power peaks, or a larger capacity to secure power for several days. The
design is done by carefully considering and weighting circumstances as wind conditions, diesel
prices and investment cost of the batteries. The smaller size storage is dimensioned after autonomy,
which means discharge time or capacity at a continuous load [7].
1.1.6 Inverter
Several components, such as PV panels, batteries or small wind turbines, operate with DC current.
An inverter converts DC into AC power. There are several different classes of AC current,
examples are, square wave, modified sine wave and sine wave. The square wave current is only
suitable for resistive load but it is the least expensive form. A modified sine wave inverter
constructs a sine wave by combining small steps. Some electronic equipment does not operate
properly with this modified wave. For these cases, a sine wave inverter is the only feasible method
[2].
1.1.7 Controller
For effective usage of renewable resources and to be able to regulate the system a controller is
necessary. The controller operates as the brain of the system; assesses system condition and
performance, controls factors such as frequency and voltage. The complexity of the controller
depends on the complexity of the system, since several components need to be measured and
supervised. For this project the lifetime of the batteries is an essential question. A decent battery-
charging algorithm is vital for continuous operation and a long battery lifetime. Furthermore, the
controller should have a low and high voltage disconnect to protect the batteries against over
discharge and overcharge.
4
1.2 IPSYS (Integrated Power Systems)
This chapter gives an overview of the simulation package, IPSYS [6]. Experience has shown that
hybrid systems need to be carefully designed. This is not an easily performed task since the systems
often consist of several components which make the configuration complex. The wind energy
department, Risø National Laboratory, has recently developed a simulation and supervisory tool to
perform the design and control of these autonomous power systems.
IPSYS operates as a platform where different system configurations, in the evaluation phases, can
be designed and evaluated. The ability to simulate energy systems opens up possibilities to
investigate different mixes of energy generation and as a result provide energy at a lower cost. As a
side effect it can be a push forward for exploitation of local renewable energy resources. To satisfy
investors a technical and economical analysis needs to be done over the proposed system
configuration. To be able to perform these calculations correctly the system needs either to be
running or at least simulated. With the IPSYS concept it is possible to simulate how an existing
diesel system should cooperate with different new system configurations. Performance estimations
can be carried out as a result of different operating strategies. By simulating a wide range of
configurations it is possible to show that the project can be an economically profitable deal.
An additional key feature of IPSYS is that it can operate as a supervisory controller, to apply
control signals to operate the interaction between renewable and conventional energy generations.
IPSYS is designed to perform accurate calculations in terms of fuel consumptions, power flows and
voltage levels. These calculations are performed under the condition that there exists an energy
balance for the included modules [6].
The power system simulated in this example has a fluctuating load with an average value of 25 kW
and a reactive power consumption of 10 kVAr. The hybrid system consists of two Gaia 11 kW wind
turbines and three diesel generators. The diesel generators individually supply a power between 5-
35 kW and a maximum reactive power of 60 kVAr.
Figure 2 presents the simulation result. Figure 2(a) shows running status of the diesel generator.
Diesel generator 1 runs continuously while the other two run at 18 % and 0 % respectively of the
simulated period. Figure 2(b) presents the voltage fluctuations at the defined busbars. Figure 2(c)
illustrates the different powers. The grey line indicates that some excess energy must be dumped to
keep the power balance in the system. The fourth and last Figure 2(d) presents the total diesel
consumption.
5
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 2 IPSYS output plot. From top to bottom: Diesel generator status, busbar voltages, active power, fuel
consumption for diesel generators.
By analysing the simulation results it is possible to see that an implementation of battery storage in
the system configuration could save diesel runtime. In a hybrid system the diesel generators are
configured with a minimum runtime. A small load peak can trigger the diesel generator to run for a
defined period of time. The load peaks that trigger diesel generator 2 to start in Figure 2(c) could
instead be levelled out by the capacity of the battery storage. The implementation of battery storage
would then compensate diesel generator 3 fully and save fuel consumption for the remaining two
diesel generators.
6
2 AIM WITH PROJECT
During this project, studies will be undertaken on lead acid batteries that operate in hybrid systems.
A lead-acid battery model developed in cooperation between Fraunhofer-Institute and Risø national
laboratory will be improved and used as a simulation tool to identify and map major damage
mechanisms that cause battery ageing. The goal is to produce a simulation tool that can accurately
predict the lifetime and performance of batteries by analyzing the current profiles from a hybrid
system. The improved model will in a later project be implemented in a larger hybrid simulation
platform IPSYS.
The original MATLAB battery model requires further development, in order to shorten its
simulation time and to improve battery lifetime predictions. The current model severely over
predicts the lifetime of the simulated batteries and is in strong need of improvement. The current
model does take into account several important physical properties, one among which is the effect
of a low charge on the crystal distribution on the electrode’s surface.
In order to achieve an improved model a complete understanding of the current model is essential.
Consequently, a review of the mathematics and the functions used in the model is undertaken. The
parts of the model that need improvements must be identified. Furthermore, the model requires
reconstruction to yield faster calculations and enable a later translation and implementation in
IPSYS.
This project will follow-up the request for more validation of the battery model, stated in earlier
projects. The simulation results from the improved model will be analyzed in search of control
strategies that will improve the battery lifetime in a hybrid system. Both old and new current
profiles will be simulated in order to get an enhanced validation and complete understanding of the
model. Even though some of the tested batteries are of the same type and brand, their performances
may differ. By comparing simulation results it maybe achievable to understand the spread in
performance between “identical” batteries.
7
3 LEAD ACID BATTERIES
The unpredictable nature of renewable energy sources implies that in most autonomous cases,
storage of energy is required to meet the power demand and ensure stability and power quality [8].
Lead acid batteries have been a successful solution for more than a century. The French physicist
Raymond Gaston Planté performed initial research in 1860. Even though the lead acid battery
suffers from a poor energy-to-weight ratio it is the most commonly used rechargeable battery today.
The explanation for this is that the battery provides high-quality performance and has fairly
satisfactory life characteristics. This has resulted in the battery being available in many different
designs and sizes at a low price, in fact it is the least expensive storage battery and the battery type
is sold in growing numbers [9].
A normal sized battery consist of six cells with a combined voltage of around 12 V and a capacity
of 40-60 Ah. The overall chemical reaction that occurs is:
disch arg e
→
Pb + PbO2 + 2 H 2 SO4 2 PbSO4 + 2 H 2 O
←
ch arg e
This will result in a cell voltage of 2.0 V depending on the acid concentration. Looking upon the
different electrodes; at the negative electrode Pb is oxidized to Pb2+ during discharge. The Pb(II)
ions then react with sulfate ions from the acid and form lead sulfate.
disch arg e disch arg e
→ →
Pb Pb 2+ + 2e − Pb 2+ + SO42− PbSO4
← ←
ch arg e ch arg e
At the positive electrode PbO2 reacts during discharge with the incoming electron and a proton from
the acid to form Pb2+ and water. The Pb2+ reacts with sulfate from the acid to form lead sulfate.
disch arg e disch arg e
→ 2+
+ 2+ 2− →
PbO2 + 4 H + 2e Pb + 2 H 2 O
_
Pb + SO PbSO4
← ←
4
ch arg e ch arg e
For charging, the reaction is reversed. As the cell approaches full capacity the electrode reactions
are pushed to the left, converting the majority of PbSO4 into Pb and PbO2.
The lifetime of a battery is counted in cycles. A complete cycle is equivalent to a full discharge and
charge, and varies widely depending on brand and model. A SLI (Starting, Lightning, Ignition)
battery is designed for shallow cycles and is not designed to survive deep discharges. A typical
lifetime for the shallow cycle cell design is about 300 cycles while a battery design for deep
discharges can withstand 1000-2000 cycles to an 80 % depth of discharge [2].
There are several different lead acid batteries on the market. Examples are flooded, SLA (sealed
lead-acid) and VRLA (valve-regulated lead-acid) types. Flooded batteries are the most widespread
type, with a liquid electrolyte, for example used in most vehicles. Market needs have driven the
development of two new kinds of lead acid systems SLA and VRLA. The difference from flooded
batteries is that the electrolyte is absorbed in a gel which makes it possible for the battery to operate
in different orientations without spillage [8].
8
3.1.1 Major stress factors of the batteries
There are several factors that influence the performance characteristics of a battery. One such factor
is the discharge rate which states the current that has been applied and duration. Other examples are
the amount of time the battery has been at low state of charge, the time between full charges, and
the battery temperature. The temperature is a very important parameter since it strongly affects the
chemical activity in the battery.
Hard/irreversible sulphation
Sulfate crystals are formed at both the positive and the negative electrode throughout discharge.
To achieve a continuous cycle these crystals are dissolved during charging. However, during certain
operation conditions, lead sulphate crystals can aggregate into larger crystals. These crystals may be
hard to dissolve and form particularly if the battery is not operated properly. This chemical response
is called hard or irreversible sulphation and occurs for instance if the battery is stored during a long
time in discharged condition. Least damage is caused to the battery if it is stored under float charge,
when the voltage is charged with a slightly higher voltage than the battery voltage and a small
current. This procedure prevents self discharge [8].
The sulfate crystals create mechanical stresses within the electrode structure since they have a larger
volume than the PbO2 or Pb atoms. Active material will be lost in the formations of the crystals,
resulting in capacity losses [10].
Higher discharge currents have a positive impact on the battery lifetime compared to low discharge
currents, a relation that can be surprising. The explanation lies in the crystal structure of the
electrodes. Under ideal conditions a fully charged battery does not have any sulfate crystals left
after recharging. This is not the case for a regular battery under normal conditions. During a
discharge with a small current a small number of crystals with a large radius are formed. These
crystals will gradually grow over a long time to become large and difficult to dissolve. A charging
for a longer time is necessary after a discharge with a small current. A large discharging current, on
the other hand, results in small crystals in large quantities with a large surface area. Experiments
have showed that large crystals surfaces are easer to dissolve [11].
9
Active mass degradation
Degradation [8] is a loss of active material due to the reconstruction process during charging and
discharging. It is a change in the mechanical structure of the electrodes that will reduce the porosity
and thereby the surface area that is essential for ion transport. The loss in area will affect the
chemical reaction and reduce the diffusion of the electrolyte. This process cannot be restored in an
attempt to fully charge the battery. The active material can, by repeated cycles, become crystalline
and finally break loose from the electrode.
Shedding
As a consequence of both corrosion and active mass degradation, mechanical stress can result in
material detaching from the battery structure. This process is called shedding [8] and results in a
loss of active material. For example overcharging can cause shedding.
Electrolyte stratification
It can be discussed if electrolyte stratification [8] is a separate damage factor or simply an
accelerator for the corrosion discussed previously. During the chemical processes that occur during
charge and discharge of the battery, the concentration of the electrolyte fluctuates. Gravity will
affect the different electrolyte concentrations. Higher density electrolyte will sink towards the
bottom and an electrolyte gradient will be built up. By overcharging a battery, bubbles are formed
which mix the electrolyte and the problem with stratification can be overcome.
The battery controller supervises the charging algorithm. A common approach is to divide the
charging into three steps. The standard charging method is called an IUIa charge [8]. During
charging the battery is charged with a constant current. This current is called the “bulk current”. The
charging continues until the voltage reaches the upper voltage limit point, in this case 2.4 V. At the
end of the first step the voltage increases up to that level where gassing occurs. This part is called
the I phase. In the next phase, the U phase, the voltage is kept constant meanwhile the current
lowered. The current drops down to a constant value and the Ia phase begin. The voltage can
increase until it reaches an earlier defined safety point [12].
A good quality controller should also operate as a deep discharge protection. Otherwise during deep
discharges a thin PbSO4 layer is formed at the surface of the battery plates and, as mentioned
earlier, this layer can be hard to dissolve resulting in degradation that reduces the capacity
dramatically [12].
To prevent acid stratification [8], the controller should allow some periods of over charging. Acid
stratification occurs mostly in PV systems where the charging procedure is a slow process. During
overcharge hydrogen and oxygen bubbles are formed that will force the electrolyte to blend. This
procedure is optimised if it is allowed to occur during 1-2 h each month. If it occurs too often then
the battery lifetime will be decreased due to corrosion. The acid stratification will be discussed in
more detailed later.
10
3.2 Battery model
The following text presents an overview of the battery model used in this project. Mathematical
simulations make the development of new technology both faster and more reliable. By using the
power of the computer it is possible to save both time and cost from expensive experiments. The
main goals with the development of the battery model are optimization of systems and minimizing
cost of storage by simulating major damage mechanisms. A good knowledge in energy storage is a
key factor for a successful development.
The original battery model was developed at Fraunhofer-Institute, Freiburg and used for lifetime
estimations of batteries in photo-voltaic systems. In order to be able to perform estimations of
current profiles from wind systems, improvements of the model have been done, partly at Risø,
(European Union Benchmarking research project)[8].
Simulations of battery lifetime in hybrid systems are essential to be able to make relevant cost
estimations of the system. The batteries constitute a significant part of the investment cost and it is
commonly agreed that the weakest part of renewable based rural energy systems is the batteries.
A large part of this project has been to review the model, with the ambition to understand how the
different functions of the model interact in order to predict performance and lifetime of the
simulated battery. The mathematics behind the model will be discussed in more detail in chapter
3.0. This section will provide an overview of the structure of the model. There are several different
methods to develop a lifetime model. The models used for this project combine a performance
model with an ageing model.
11
The input into the model is a current profile containing the information used by the battery model to
determine how the battery ages in the system. Another input is the battery specific parameters that
describing the type of battery simulated. Some of these parameters are defined by the battery
manufacturer others are established through a parameter fitting methodology.
The performance model is primarily constituted of two parts; charge transfer and the battery
voltage.
The charge transfer, SOC (state of charge), is calculated by a time integral of the current input. For
this battery simulation tool, and for most other battery models, the voltage is calculated by the
Shepherd Equation. The voltage is calculated with respect to the current profile, discussed in more
detail in chapter 3.2.2. The voltage is used as a control parameter and it is the voltage model
parameters that are used in order to simulate the ageing mechanism. These calculations are
performed at every model timestep according to the current input and various weighting factors. If
the battery capacity falls below 80 % of its nominal capacity1 the battery life-time expires.
The main assumption in the battery model is that degradation and corrosion are assumed to be
calculated separately. Thereby, the ageing model can be built by a corrosion part and an active mass
degradation part. The degradation embraces damage mechanisms such as hard/irreversible sulfation,
shedding, electrolyte stratification and active mass degradation. Some of these damage mechanisms
are simulated indirectly by using parameters and data from earlier performed battery tests.
The output from these calculations results in different factors that combined simulates the reduction
in capacity. By subtracting the reduction from the nominal capacity the remaining capacity is
achieved which is a measurement of battery lifetime.
The batteries are manufactured by BAE and known as OGI 50 and OPz 50.
Both are of the type 6 cells and an output voltage of 12 V. The rated capacities of both batteries are
50 Ah. The OGi battery has a positive electrode made by a round-grip plate in a corrosion-
resistance Pd alloy and the negative electrode made by a flat plate based on antimony alloy. The
OPz battery has a positive electrode consisting of a tubular plate with a woven polyester gauntlet of
Pd alloy. The negative electrode corresponds to an antimony grid equivalent to the one used for the
OGi battery. [14],[15]
1
For definition see appendix 1
12
3.2.2 Battery model input
The battery model uses a current input in order to calculate battery voltage output. Depending on
what system the battery is connected to, the current input profile will differ. In the case of the wind
charge of the battery the profile has a wide distribution range compared with a PV charge.
During the development of the battery model several different batteries have been subjected to test
current profiles. These tests are then used for calculations, evaluation and calibration of the
performance of the battery model. The present model has been tested against two different current
profiles; the wind and the photovoltaic (PV). The wind and PV profiles are constructed to represent
the operating conditions for batteries used in hybrid systems.
Wind profile
A wind block consists of 1 h discharge to reach 90 % SOC, followed by 50 wind profiles and a
capacity test. One profile has the duration of 15.75 hours and is produced by multiples of I10 to
ensure comparability. [8]
PV profile
The photovoltaic profile is shown in Figure 5. The magnitude of the current is smaller than for the
wind profile. Consequently, the PV profile will have a smaller effect on the lifetime of the batteries
compared with those tested with the wind profile, which is also the case in reality.
The PV blocks are constructed by an I10 discharge for two hours until a SOC of 80 % is reached.
This is followed by 35 PV profile cycles, a discharge for three hour to reach a SOC of 50%
continued by additional 35 PV profiles. The final part is made by a charge of a three hours charge to
a SOC of 80 % continued by 35 PV profiles. [8]
13
Capacity tests
Each test file consists of numerous blocks followed by a capacity tests. The capacity tests consist of
three capacity measurements. The first one is a residual capacity test designed to measure the
capacity left in the battery after each block. The second one is a solar capacity measurement,
designed to replicate the typical charge from a photovoltaic system. The third measurement is to
estimate the true capacity of the battery and is followed by an IUIa charge described earlier. [8]
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 6 Simulation results from the initial model. OPz Battery. Wind current profile from CRES.
From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green) and test battery capacity (red stars).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test current (I blue), Modelled controlled current (Ibatt, green), Initial discharge current (Icf, red)
14
In Figure 6(a) it can be seen that the capacities start at 150 %. This is explained by the actual
capacity of the battery being larger than the nominal capacity defined by the battery manufacturer.2
The manufacturer deliberately under predicts the capacity of the battery to ensure that under all
circumstances the actual capacity is greater than the nominal capacity. Figure 6(b) presents the
simulated voltage calculated by the Shepherd equation, described in detail in chapter 4.3.
The bottom diagram, Figure 6(c), shows the test current in blue and the modeled current in green.
After 210 days the controller steps in to restrict the charging current to save the battery. The
controller is currently extracted from the improved model and later simulations will not show this
behavior.
Figure 7 is an enlargement of the model voltage compared with test. It is possible to see that the
modelled voltage does not follow the peaks of the test voltage. It needs to be mentioned that this is a
lifetime model and not designed to perform accurate calculations of the voltage. Most noticeable is
the over prediction of voltage swings. An additional observation is that the voltage fits better during
charge than discharge.
Figure 7 Difference between the modelled voltage and the simulated voltage.
The battery model was made for PV systems with currents in the range of I10 or less. By including
the wind profile the currents increase. This affected the simulations and made the model over
predict lifetime of the batteries. The model includes simple control strategies, such as cut off. The
over voltage controller steps in at voltage of 2.45 V/cell.
2
For definition of the different capacities see appendix 1
15
Figure 8 presents the coefficients that result to a decline in capacity
Initial discharge capacity coefficient (Cd, green).
Capacity reduction from degradation (Cdeg, red).
Capacity reduction from corrosion process (Ck, light blue ).
Internal resistance (rdtotal = ρd,total, mauve).
Increase in internal resistance from the corrosion process (rk =ρk, yellow).
Figure 8 shows the contribution of various capacity factors to the total capacity. The degradation
(Cdeg) contributes to the largest reduction in capacity while the corrosion coefficient (Ck) contributes
only to a small extent for this OPz battery. The total capacity coefficient (Cdtotal) is derived by
subtracting the different reductions in capacity (Cdeg, Ck) from the initial discharge capacity
coefficient (Cd).
From the result of the benchmarking project there was an appeal for more test data to validate the
operating mechanism in the model and a request to validate the model in full scale system testing.
16
4 METHODS
The original model was programmed to calculate data with a constant time step of 300 s. Such a
constraint is not valid for the newly assembled datasets from ISPRA since the data was sampled at
different frequencies. Modifications have been made so that the model can cope with data files with
varying time steps, both in calculations and presentation of simulation result. Each time step is
calculated individually by (Eq1)
∆t = timevector(i + 1) − timevector(i) Eq 1
The code for graphical presentation has been rebuilt to incorporate a varying time step. The
improved model presents the simulation results as a function of a cumulative summation of the time
steps. Through this approach it is possible to get a continuous timescale measured in days that starts
at zero and continues until the battery is considered dead. Furthermore, computer memory is saved
by only displaying every twentieth simulation value. This resolution still guarantees sufficient data
for representative figures. To facilitate further use and analysis of simulation results all figures are
auto saved with proper filenames in (jpg)-format into a user defined directory.
An important step to improve the structure of the model is to evolve the OOP (object-oriented
programming) technique. The OOP technique was used in the initial model but not in full extent.
This section will try to provide the reader with a short survey of this programming theory.
OOP is about programming abstract data types (ADT), and their relationship. By this method it is
possible to break up the program into separate fractions that will result in a better organised
program.
The modules of OOP are called classes. A class is an expansion of the principle of struct used in the
traditional C-language. Each class can be seen as a blueprint to objects, like a car factory using the
blueprint to produce cars of a certain brand.
An object can be described as an exclusive variable that both stores data and is able to satisfy the
requests sent to it. The function that answers the requests inside the object is called a method. Each
object has its own user defined methods.
A good program consists of a web of interacting objects, sending information telling each other
what to do. By this communication it is possible to build up system complexity but at the same time
hide behind the simplicity of the object. A proper OOP structure will contribute to an easier
translation into IPSYS and C++ [17].
The initial MATLAB model consisted of one single large battery object that contained all
mathematical methods used for the simulation. The large battery object in turn consisted of smaller
17
structures such as voltage and degradation. This made foreseeable difficult but it also implied that a
method could by a simple mistake easily change variables outside its scope, since it had access to
all variables. To improve the structure the large battery object was divided into smaller objects. The
structures used in the initial model were upgraded to objects and corresponding methods were
moved from the large object into the object it belonged to. By restricting the methods to only be
able to write to the variables that belong to the same objects, data were encapsulated and secured for
manipulation from the outside by another object. To improve understanding, all methods were
renamed with a name that expressed what purpose their functions have to fill. Furthermore, since
the battery model has its origin in Germany some variables had to be translated into English.
To ensure that the variables are defined and used in the right object a variable overview graph was
constructed using the DOT software [18]. The overview prevented the variables from being defined
in the wrong objects, which would lead to unnecessary communication between the objects, and
thereby use unnecessary CPU power. The structure was optimised by moving the variables into the
objects where they were utilized. The principle is shown schematically in appendix 2 where also the
new variable structure is shown.
4.1.3 Vectorizing
Calculation speed can be increased by replacing traditional if and for statements with inbuilt vector
functions that MATLAB offers. One example of this principle was implemented in the part of the
code that calculates the dynamic timestep. The initial code was:
dt_series=[diff((data(:,1)-data(1,1))*24);0.0001];
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4.2 Current factor
A factor called the current factor (CF) had been implemented in the initial model to be able to deal
with high currents that otherwise would have had an unbalanced effect on the lifetime. The factor
was designed to reduce the rate of capacity degradation at high currents. For the calculations an
average period of 36 hours and a tuning constant C was used, see chapter 4.2.2 for mathematic
definition. These parameters are arbitrary numbers and do not have a physical basis. After some
consulting it was decided that the current factor needed to be redefined and a new approach needed
for the improved model.
During discharge, Pb at the negative electrode and PbO2 at the positive electrode will oxidise to
Pb2+. A large discharge current will result in that a large number of Pb2+ ions are formed. The
opposite relation pertains to a small discharge current. If a seed PbSO4 crystal is present the reaction
Pb2+ + SO42- → PbSO4 will begin and thereby lower the concentration of Pb2+. If a seed crystal is
not present the ion concentration of Pb2+ must be high compared with the saturation concentration
in order for the reaction to take place. As soon as a crystal is present the PbSO4 molecules will
aggregate into larger crystals. This reaction will decrease the Pb2+ ion concentration and the
production of PbSO4 will cease. Consequently, new PbSO4 molecules are formed at the initial state
of the discharge.
A small discharge current will result in a smaller number of PbSO4 molecules. Furthermore, a small
discharge current implies a long period of discharge, ensuring that the crystals will have time to
arrange into large structures. The opposite occurs for a large discharge current. A large number of
crystals are formed, but since the discharge time is reduced by the battery capacity only small
PbSO4 structures are able to build up [11].
A comparison of the crystals surface area can be made. The high discharge current with its large
number of small crystals, will have a larger surface area than the crystals from a lower discharge
current. Experiments have shown that when the battery is charged a larger surface area is easier to
dissolve than a smaller surface area. Consequently a large discharge current is optimal for a battery.
A small discharge current will result in longer charges to dissolve the large crystals. Additionally
there is a risk that crystals are not dissolved and that the battery would age by sulfation. This theory
can be used to define a new current factor. Poor recharging affects the size and number of crystals
present on the electrodes of the batteries. If a battery is not properly charged the surface of a single
crystal increases but the total number of crystals decreases. The result is that the total crystal surface
area decreases, which makes later charges more difficult. In an attempt to simulate the influences of
poor charging a factor was implemented that keep track on the number of poor charges. A bad
charge is defined to occur when the SOC does not reach 99 % [11],[19].
19
4.2.2 Current factor used in the initial model
For calculations of the current-factor, in the initial model [8], a running discharge current average is
required. It was calculated by summing the discharge Ah-throughput over the past 36 h, Q36h in (Eq
2), and dividing by the sum of the time steps as these discharges occurred, T36h in (Eq 3). The
average discharge current is expressed by (Eq 4).
t
Q 36 h = ∑I
past 36 h
disch arg e ⋅ ∆t Eq 2
t Eq 3
T36h = ∑ ∆t
past 36 h
Q36 h
I average disch arg e = Eq 4
T36 h
This average discharge current was then used in (Eq 5) to achieve the current factor that gets the
value 1 for small currents and 0.1 for large current values. CN is the nominal battery capacity.
C ⋅ CN
currentfactor = Eq 5
I average disch arg e
In the above expression a constant C is introduced. By changing the magnitude of C the current
factor can be tuned. A value of C equal to 0.1 will result in a current factor of size 1 for a current of
I10. All higher currents will result in a current factor < 1. Accordingly, if C is set to 0.01 the current
factor will equal 1 for a current of I100 and all higher currents will result in smaller values. This will
reduce the impact on the aging mechanism and the simulated battery lifetime will be increased. This
is something that is not physically explained and needs to be reworked in the improved model.
20
4.2.3 New approach for the current factor in the improved model
With the assumption that all lead sulphate crystals have the same radius it is possible to calculate
the number of crystals per cm3 by dividing the total surface of all crystals with the surface of one
crystal with radius r as in (Eq 6) below [19].
A
z=
4π ⋅ r 2 Eq 6
The number of crystals depends only of the initial discharge current and will not depend on DOD
(depth of discharge) [11]. Figure 9 shows the number of crystals plotted against a normalized
discharge current for 50 % and 100 % DOD. According to the discussion above the two plots results
in one single curve.
Figure 9 Number of crystals visualized as function of the discharging current, I1-100. The values DOD 100% is
laying exactly beneath the values for DOD 50%.
By using the MATLAB toolkit polynomial regression a function that represents the number of
crystals in the battery can be found by using (Eq 7).
C I
z = C 0 ⋅ C1 exp − N + C3 ⋅ cf Eq 7
C I CN
2 cf
CN is the nominal capacity of the battery and I is the initial discharge current.
The constants were determined to be: C0 = 2.5 1011π, C1 = 4.4 cm-3 , C2 = 1.5 h and C3 = 1.2 h.
21
The number of crystals can be found by multiplying z with a reference volume V0 (Eq 8):
n = z ⋅ V0 Eq 8
The radius for one crystal can be calculated by calculating the radius for a sphere in (Eq 9).
The volume V of one lead sulphate crystal.
3 ⋅V Eq 9
r=3
4π ⋅ n
The cumulative surface area is then, (Eq 10).
A = 4π ⋅ r 2 ⋅ n Eq 10
We now define the current factor (CF) as the ratio between a reference surface area and the present
surface area (Eq 11). Simulations have shown that I50 is an appropriate reference current, Iref.
Aref rref2 ⋅ n ref
CF = = 2 Eq 11
A r ⋅n
The radius in expression in (Eq 9) now can be substituted into (Eq 11) which gives (Eq 12):
2
n n ref n ref
CF = 3 ⋅
= 3 Eq 12
nref n n
(Eq 8) then is used to express CF in terms of z. V0 can be assumed to be constant and will thereby
be cancelled. Furthermore the CF is weighted with a factor that keeps track of the influences of
insufficient charge Cbad as in (Eq 13).
z ref
CF = Cbad 3 Eq 13
z
22
4.3 Mathematics behind the model
In order to describe and provide the reader with some knowledge of how the improved MATLAB
model is structured and operates the following chapter presents a short overview. The different
functions are presented with the same name as they appear in the syntax code. Furthermore, the
functions are listed together with the corresponding object. The objects contains the both the
functions and the parameters (variables) used by the functions. For definition of parameters see
appendix 11.
The voltage-current characteristic is in the model described by the Shepherd-model [8]. The model
offers high precision, especially for PV-systems, and requires relatively few parameters compared
to other models. The parameters can be obtained by analysis of experimental data. The Shepherd
equation is expressed in (Eq 14) and consists of four terms; U0c represents the open circuit voltage
which is in equilibrium with the cell voltage achieved after full charge followed by a period of rest.
The second term is associated with the state of charge. Then a term follows, which represents ohmic
losses that are assumed to be proportional with the current. The fourth and final term models the
charge factor over-voltage which increases when the battery is either close to being empty or fully
charged.
I ρ c .M c .I
(I batt > 0 ) U cell = U 0c − g c (1 − F ) + ρ c + .
F
Eq 14
CN CN Cc − F
(I batt ≤ 0) U cell = U 0 d − g d (1 − F ) + ρd
I
+
ρ d .M d .I
.
(1 − F )
CN CN Cd − (1 − F )
The state of charge SOC, expressed by the variable F, is calculated by integrating the effective
current and then dividing it with the nominal capacity (Eq 15 below). The effective current is
strongly dependent on the cell voltage calculated by (Eq 14) [20].
23
I effectiv Eq 15
F = Finit + ∫
t =0
CN
dt I effectiv = I − I Gas
Here IG0 is the gassing current under normal conditions for a 100 Ah battery calculated by (Eq 17).
Ucell is the cell-voltage (V) and UN is the cell voltage at nominal conditions (2.23 V). cU and cT are
voltage and temperature coefficients respectively. TN is a reference temperature defined as 25 ◦C
and Tbatt is the cell-temperature.
ρ k ,t
I G 0 = 0.02 + 0.06
ρ k ,lim it Eq 17
In (Eq 17) ρk,t and ρk,limit are introduced for the first time. Both are variables concerning the internal
resistance of the battery and are in a liner relation to describe how the gassing increases with
ageing.
With a modification of the Shepherd equation it is possible to determine the corrosion voltage (Uk).
This voltage is a key factor in the investigations of how the corrosion layer grows at the positive
grid. The equation has been equipped with a constant (0.5) to determine the voltage distribution
between the positive and negative electrode, Eq 18) [20].
ρ c, 0 M c I batt F
(I batt > 0) U k = U k0, 0 −
10
g k (1 − F ) + 0.5ρ c ,t
I
+ 0.5
13 CN CN Cc − F Eq 18
24
CalculateCorrosionSpeed() Corrosion object
The corrosion speed parameter (ks), is assumed to be related to the corrosion voltage. The initial
studies of corrosion speed were done by J. Lander [21] and the relation is shown in Figure 11.
4.5
3.5
Corrosion Speed Parameter
2.5
1.5
0.5
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Corrosion Voltage (V)
Figure 11 Relation between Corrosion voltage and corrosion speed parameter ks.
When the corrosion voltage and corrosion speed have been found they can be used to calculate the
thickness of the corrosion layer (∆Wt), (Eq 19) [20].
1
∆Wt −1 0.6
(U k < 1.74) ∆Wt = ks ⋅ t '0.6 where t ' = + ∆t
ks
(U k ≥ 1.74) ∆Wt = ∆Wt −1 + k s ⋅ ∆t Eq 19
25
CalculateInternalResistance Voltage object
The internal resistance, (ρd,t), of the battery is assumed to consist of an initial resistance, (ρd,0), and a
contribution from corrosion, (ρk,t). For each time step the internal resistance will have a specific
value that can be calculated by Eq 20 [20]:
ρ d ,t = ρ d , 0 + ρ k ,t Eq 20
The contribution from corrosion discussed in the previous function, (ρk,t), is assumed to be
exponentially proportional to the end corrosion layer thickness (∆Wlimit) as in (Eq 21) below [20].
The same exponential relation is assumed to be valid for the decrease in capacity due to corrosion
(Eq 22) [20]:
ln
1
2 ∆W
ρ k ,t = ρ k ,lim it ⋅ 21 − e ∆Wlim it
t
Eq 21
ln
1
2 ∆W
t
= Ck ,limit ⋅ 21 − e ∆Wlim it
Eq 22
Ck ,t
(Eq 21) and (Eq 22) use the expression (∆Wlimit) as calculated below (Eq 23). (∆Wlimit) is the
corrosion layer at the end of battery lifetime. It is determined by using the declared lifetime of the
battery, L80%. L80% is a battery parameter in years and is determined by the battery manufacturer
and states the lifetime of the battery until it reaches a capacity of 80%.
Here (ks) is the term for corrosion speed determined during float charge, (Ifloat and Uk,float).
26
CalculateCorrIncreaceLimit() Corrosion object
The proportional constant (ρk, limit), in (Eq 21) is determined by considering (Eq 20). At the end of
the battery lifetime the internal resistance, (ρd,t), is equivalent to the final internal resistance, (ρd,t =
ρd,end). Furthermore, at the end of the battery’s life the exponential ratio in (Eq 21) is 1 which
implies that (ρk,t = ρklimit). By substitution and reorganisation of Eq 20 it is possible to derive (ρk,limit)
by (Eq 24)[8]:
ρ k ,lim it = ρ d ,end − ρ d ,0 Eq 24
The term (ρd,end) is possible to calculate with a reorganisation of the Shepard equation ( Eq 25). In
this expression (Ucell) has been substituted with, (Uempty), the voltage for a fully discharge cell to
simulate the end of life.
C ρ d ,0 M d H
ρ d ,end = N (U empty − U od + g d H ) − Eq 25
I batt 0.84 ⋅ C d ,0 − H
The decrease in discharge capacity due to corrosion, (Ck,limit), is assumed to be proportional to the
discharge capacity coefficient by (Eq 26)[20]:
C k ,lim it = 0.16 ⋅ C d , 0 Eq 26
The constant 0.16 is an assumption that 16 % of the total capacity loss is lost due to corrosion.
It is assumed that the capacity reduction due to degradation can be expressed as the difference
between initial capacity (Cd,0) and the reduction in capacity up until that time (Cdeg,t),(Eq 27) [20]:
C d ,t = C d , 0 − C deg, t Eq 27
An exponential approach is chosen to describe (Cdeg,t) the degradation capacity decreases (Eq 28)
[8]:
Z gN
− c Z N 1−
C deg, t = C deg, lim it ⋅ e Z Eq 28
27
CalculateAcidStratification() Acid Stratification object
Acid stratification is an electrolyte concentration gradient that increases during repeated cycles of
charging and discharging a battery. The acid stratification factor (fs,t) is modelled by two variables
(fplus) and (fminus) to describe the build up and breakdown of the acid stratification.
The current factor (CF) is implemented to adapt (fs,t) for higher currents (Eq 30) [8]:
f s ,t = f s ,t −1 + ( f plus − f min us )∆t ⋅ CF Eq 30
The deep discharge factor (fq) was implemented in an attempt to simulate the effects that result by
deep discharging a battery. The deep discharge factor has the value 1 when the battery is fully
charged and increases with elapsed time until next full charged. The growth is proportional to the
time elapsed since last full charge (tF) and to the lowest state of charge reached during that period
(Fmin). The current factor (CF) is implemented to adapt (fq) for higher currents, (
Eq 31) [20].
f q = 1 + (c f ,0 − c f , min ⋅ Fmin ) ⋅ t F ⋅ CF Eq 31
The constants (c,f0) and (cf,min) are used to model impact of State of charge (Fmin).
z ′ref
CF = C bad 3 Eq 32
z′
Where (z’) and (z’ref) represent the number of crystals. Cbad represent the status of the charge. A bad
charge is defined as the state of charge (SOC) that never reaches above 99 % during charging.
The charge throughput (Qct) is calculated in (Eq 33) by summation of the product of effective
discharge currents (Ieffective) and the time period which the discharge appeared ∆t. The effective
discharge current is equivalent to (Ibatt - Igas ).
Eq 33
t
Qct = ∑ I effective ⋅ ∆t
0
The weighting takes into account length of cycles, deep discharges, and state of charge.
Extreme deep discharges lead to an additional burden for the simulated battery.
28
In the function below (Eq 34) the weighted standardized charge throughput (Zgn) is calculated. Zgn
is equivalent with the number of cycles that would cause the same damage to the battery as without
acid stratification and deep discharges.
f q f s Qct Eq 34
Z gn = Z gn −1 +
(1 − C )C
deg, t N
The number of times the nominal capacity has passed through the battery is called nominal cycles
(ZN). It is calculated by adding the discharge throughputs and dividing by the nominal capacity as in
Eq 35. The discharge throughput is equivalent to (Ibatt - Igas )∆t when Ibatt<0 [20].
t
1
Z N ,t =
CN
∑I
0
effective ⋅ ∆t Eq 35
At the end of the battery lifetime the variable (Cdeg,limit) is calculated in (Eq 36) by reorganization of
(Eq 27). The capacity coefficient (Cd,t) in (Eq 27) is substituted with a reorganized Shepherd
equation. At the end of the battery life (Cdeg,t) in (Eq 27) is equivalent with (Cdeg,limit) since the
exponent in (Eq 28) is 1 [20].
ρ d ,0 M d (1 − F )
I
CN
C deg, lim it = C d ,0 − H + Eq 36
I
U cell − U 0,d + g d (1 − F ) + ρ d ,t
C N
The results from the different aging mechanisms, Eq 22 and Eq 28, are combined to form a general
expression over the reduction in capacity in Eq 37 below. Cd,total is then used in the Shepherd
equation to determine a voltage and to determine the remaining capacity.
C d ,total = C d , 0 − C k ,t − C deg,t Eq 37
29
CalculateMaxChargingcurrent() Voltage object
By the above described reorganising of the Shepherd equation it is possible to calculate the
maximum permitted charging current (Eq 38). This is done by considering the voltage at full
charge, Umax[20].
= U max − U oc + g c (1 − F )
CN Eq 38
I b max
F
ρ c ,t + ρ c , 0 M c
Cc ⋅ F
4.3.1 Parameters
SetVariant() PbBattery object
The parameters for the Shepherd equation for the initial battery model were found by a least square
fit of a parameter test profile. For a better fit some values were tuned by hand. The values used in
the current model are expressed for the battery models OGi in table 1 and OPz in table 2.
Table 1 OGi parameters Table 2 OPz Parameters
Other parameters that are not related to the Shepherd equation but battery specific and used in the
improved model are given in table 3-4.
Lt 10 Lt 14
Zd 600 Zd 1400
Iref -10 Iref -100
ks 0.0035 ks 0.0435
30
4.4 New test series
The ISPRA data have large jumps in time, but it could be seen that the battery had been dormant
during these periods. Large jumps would damage several functions in the model that uses the time
steps as an input. A too large time step would for example severely unbalance the weighting factors.
Two alternative solutions were discussed: to fill the gaps with an artificial timescale and put the
31
current for these points to zero, or simply cut out periods where a large time jump occurred. The
first alternative was chosen since it would not be correct to manipulate the timescale. A program
was constructed that looked up large time steps and filled them with artificial time regular sized
steps. During these periods, when the battery is at rest, the script sets the current to zero.
Figure 12 Wind profile with low discharge current Figure 13 Wind profile with high discharge current
Figure 12 shows the current profile where the discharge current is adjusted with a factor. The
discharge current is decreased with a factor of 0.8 and to get the same charge throughout the
discharge time is lengthened by a division of 0.8. The effects of the manipulation can be seen by the
test file is longer and the discharge current less. A high discharge test file was generated in a
similar way with a factor of 1.2. The file is shown in Figure 13. From the figure it is possible to see
that the test file is shorter and the discharging current higher.
32
5 RESULT AND DISCUSSION
33
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 14: Simulation results for OGi battery. Wind current profile from CRES.
From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green) and test battery capacity (red stars).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test current (I blue), Modelled controlled current (Ibatt, green), Initial discharge current (Icf, red)
(d) Initial discharge capacity coefficient (Cd, green).
Capacity reduction from degradation (Cdeg, red).
Capacity reduction from corrosion process (Ck, light blue ).
Internal resistance (rdtotal = ρd,total, mauve).
Increase in internal resistance from the corrosion process (rk =ρk, yellow).
34
Figure 14(c) shows the input current profile (test current) and the modeled current but the difference
between them is not noticeable. At the beginning of the current profile an initialization sequence
can be seen during the first 25 days. Under this period full charges and discharges are made to reset
the test battery before the current profile testing starts. Figure 14(d) visualizes the different factors
that contribute to the capacity reduction. It can be seen that it is the degradation (Cdeg) that gives the
greatest loss in capacity, rapidly increasing at the end of the batteries life. The increase in internal
resistance ρk contributes only to a small part to the aging of the OGi battery.
Figure 15 presents the different factors modeled in the simulation. The weighted and unweighted
standardized charge throughput (Zgn) and (ZN) is shown in Figure 15(a). The angle of the (Zgn) line
illustrates the effects of the weighting factors; (fq), (fs) and (CF). If the battery is aged fast, the angle
is steep.
Notice that in Figure 15(b) the implemented current factor increases with increasing number of poor
charges. As a consequence, the (fq) SOC weighting factor increases. Further investigation is needed
to explain the peaks of (fq) SOC weighting factor that appears after 60 and 100 days.
(a)
(b)
(c)
35
Figure 15(c) shows the build up of acid stratification (fs). The model uses the two variables, (fminus)
and (fplus), to describe the breakdown and built up of the acid stratification. Both variables are used
as weighting factors to describe the acid stratification factor (fs). By analysing Figure 14(c) and
Figure 15(c) it can be seen that the stratification is being built during the current blocks and is
removed when the battery is fully charged during the capacity tests. During full charges, especially
at overcharges, gas bubbles are formed which stir the electrolyte and the concentration layers
disappear. A conclusion from this behaviour is that full charges are important to break down acid
stratification.
Figure 16 shows the results from the OGi battery subjected to a PV current profile. The model
correctly predicts that the PV profiles are less harsh and thereby that the battery lasts longer.
Estimated remaining capacity Figure 16(a) fits well with the capacity from the test battery, with
only a slight over prediction. The lower charging current for the PV profile, Figure 16(c), will by
the Shepherd equation, result in a lower battery voltage, Figure 16(d), than is the case with the wind
profile, Figure 14(c).
36
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 16 Simulation results for OGi Battery. PV current profile from CRES.
From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green) and test battery capacity (red stars).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test current (I blue), Modelled controlled current (Ibatt, green), Initial discharge current (Icf, red)
(d) Initial discharge capacity coefficient (Cd, green).
Capacity reduction from degradation (Cdeg, red).
Capacity reduction from corrosion process (Ck, light blue ).
Internal resistance (rdtotal = ρd,total, mauve).
Increase in internal resistance from the corrosion process (rk =ρk, yellow).
In Figure 16(d) it can once again be seen that it is the degradation (Cdeg) that reduces the capacity.
Corrosion (Ck) contributes only to a small part.
Figure 17 presents the simulation results from the OPz battery subjected to a wind current profile.
Once again the model predicts an accurate lifetime, Figure 17(a). The higher charging currents
37
Figure 17 (c), results in a high voltage, Figure 17(b). The voltage controller has to step in to reduce
the charging current and thereby limiting the voltage to 2.45 V. The OPz battery has only a small
increase in internal resistance (ρk constant), Figure 17 (d). Thereby it is only the degradation (Cdeg)
that causes the OPz battery to fail.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 17 Simulation results for OPz Battery. Wind current profile from CRES.
From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green) and test battery capacity (red stars).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test current (I blue), Modelled controlled current (Ibatt, green), Initial discharge current (Icf, red)
(d) Initial discharge capacity coefficient (Cd, green).
Capacity reduction from degradation (Cdeg, red).
Capacity reduction from corrosion process (Ck, light blue ).
Internal resistance (rdtotal = ρd,total, mauve).
Increase in internal resistance from the corrosion process (rk =ρk, yellow).
Figure 18 shows the factor plot of the OPz battery. After approximately 180 days the battery cannot
be completely charged which is shown in Figure 18(b) by the increase in number of poor charges.
As a consequence, the increasing number of poor charges will influence the current-factor and
thereby increase ageing by degradation. The same relation is seen for the OPz battery as for the OGi
38
battery, the acid stratification builds up during the different current blocks and is removed when the
battery is fully charged between the blocks, Figure 18(c).
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 18 Simultaion results for OPz Battery. Wind profile from CRES.
From top to bottom:
(a) Weighted standardised charge throughput (Zgn= dQdf, blue).
Weighted standardised charge throughput (ZN = dQd, green).
(b) Deep discharge weighting factor (fq, blue).
The current factor (CF, green).
The cumulative number of bad charges (Cbad, red).
(c) Acid stratification factor (fs, blue).
The contribution to acid stratification (fplus, red) and reduction in acid stratification (fminus, green)
Figure 19 shows results from the OPz battery subjected to a PV current profile. In Figure 19(a), the
test battery capacity (stars) indicates that the test battery had not failed under the period of testing,
which makes truthful comparison for longer periods than 350 days difficult. Notice how the model
loops the current profile, after approximately 350 days, Figure 19(c), when it has reached the end of
file. This concept of recycling the test file, occurs only in the case of an OPz battery subjected to a
PV current profile since the OPz battery ages slow by PV current profile. The functions that
calculate the state of charge (SOC), illustrated in Figure 19(a), and the model voltage in Figure
19(b) seems to correctly simulate the recycling.
39
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 19 Simulation results for OPz Battery. PV current profile from CRES.
From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green) and test battery capacity (red stars).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test current (I blue), Modelled controlled current (Ibatt, green), Initial discharge current (Icf, red)
(d) Initial discharge capacity coefficient (Cd, green).
Capacity reduction from degradation (Cdeg, red).
Capacity reduction from corrosion process (Ck, light blue ).
Internal resistance (rdtotal = ρd,total, mauve).
Increase in internal resistance from the corrosion process (rk =ρk, yellow).
The OPz battery is not aged by corrosion (Ck constant). Once again it is the degradation (Cdeg) that
causes the battery to fail after 610 days, shown in Figure 19(d).
Table 6 presents the predicted and true lifetime of the batteries subjected to current profiles from
CRES. Life Initial model represents the lifetime predicted by the initial simulation model at the
beginning of this project. Life Improved model represents the lifetime predicted by the improved
model developed under this project and presented above. Tested lifetime is the measured lifetime of
40
the test battery at CRES. The lifetime of the OPz is long since the batteries had not failed when the
measurements ended. An accurate comparison between the simulated lifetime and the tested
lifetime is thereby impossible to make. As can be seen from the results, the improved model makes
more accurate predictions for the OGi battery than the initial. Also, lifetime predictions are more
accurate for PV current profiles than for wind current profiles. This is explained by the nature of the
current profile for the wind cases (recall Figure 4 and Figure 5). A strongly fluctuating current
applies strain to the dynamics of the model since it implies large changes in the different variables,
while a fairly steady current adjusts the variables only slightly.
3
Not complete capacity tests from CRES. Approximated lifetime.
41
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 20 Simulation results for OGi Battery. PV current profile from ISPRA.
From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green) and test battery capacity (red stars).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test current (I blue), Modelled controlled current (Ibatt, green), Initial discharge current (Icf, red)
(d) Initial discharge capacity coefficient (Cd, green).
Capacity reduction from degradation (Cdeg, red).
Capacity reduction from corrosion process (Ck, light blue ).
Internal resistance (rdtotal = ρd,total, mauve).
Increase in internal resistance from the corrosion process (rk =ρk, yellow).
In the simulations of the OPz battery subjected to a PV current profile two rest periods appear since
the input current profile is recycled (see Figure 21). For this case two initialisation periods need to
be subtracted to give a comparable result with the simulations on CRES data. In Figure 21(a) it can
be seen that the second capacity test (second red star) is not correct. By a further investigation it can
be seen that the current profile is slightly deformed at this point. The model seems to handle this
well since no disturbance can be seen in the result. The capacity test for the test battery was aborted
after 520 days so it is difficult to make a truthful comparison for a longer period than that. The
estimated lifetime is similar to the corresponding CRES data simulation, when the sequences at zero
current have been subtracted from the ISPRA simulation (620 days). The periods of zero current
can be seen breaking up the current blocks in Figure 21(c). The OPz battery is again only aged by
degradation (Cdeg) shown in Figure 21(d).
42
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Figure 21 Simulation results for OPz Battery. PV current profile from ISPRA.
From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green) and test battery capacity (red stars).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test current (I blue), Modelled controlled current (Ibatt, green), Initial discharge current (Icf, red)
(d) Initial discharge capacity coefficient (Cd, green).
Capacity reduction from degradation (Cdeg, red).
Capacity reduction from corrosion process (Ck, light blue ).
Internal resistance (rdtotal = ρd,total, mauve).
Increase in internal resistance from the corrosion process (rk =ρk, yellow).
The simulation of the ISPRA current profiles shows that the improved model can operate with a
varying time step. However, the graphs have a rougher appearance than in the simulations on CRES
data and this is an effect of the periods where the current is zero. In general, it can be seen from the
simulation results that batteries of same type react similarly to one and other. There is no visible
spread between “identical” batteries.
43
Improvements in calculation time
The improved model is equipped with a function that keeps track of the time it takes for the
computer to simulate the battery lifetime. For the CRES current profiles only small improvements
in speed are made since the calculations were fast from the beginning due to small test files and a
fixed time step. Most noticeable is the simulation speed gained under simulation of the larger
ISPRA current profiles. The reasons for improved speed are the reorganization of the code and
vectorization, both described in section 4.1. Table 5 presents the difference in simulation time
between the initial model equipped to operate with a varying time step and the improved model.
A reduced calculation time is essential for the later translation into the greater system simulation
model. A slow battery model would slow down the entire hybrid simulation tool dramatically.
44
5.1.3 Simulation response for different control strategies
A comparison between the simulation results from high and low discharge current, 4.4.2, is
complicated since the change in discharge current influences several parameters. The complete
results from the high and low current simulations are shown in appendix 9-10. Figure 22 and Figure
23 present a selected part of the simulated results with a high and low discharge current
respectively. In order to ease the comparison the figures have been enlarged and adjusted so that
similar parts of the simulations are shown. Note that for the two figures we have different timelines,
which is a result of the manipulation of the time steps done in the input current profile.
The Shepherd equation gives correctly a slightly lower voltage for the higher discharge current,
shown by a comparison between Figure 22(b) for a high discharge current and Figure 23(b) for a
low discharge current. The relationship between discharge current and voltage is discussed in
appendix 1.
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 22 Simulation results from a high current discharge. From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test current (I blue), Modelled controlled current (Ibatt, green), Initial discharge current (Icf, red)
The lower voltage will result in a lower gassing current than for the high current discharge and
thereby affecting the state of charge (SOC) in Figure 22(a). Consequently, the number of poor
charges will be reduced and thereby lowering the current factor in Figure 24(b).
45
Furthermore, a manipulation of the current profile to a higher discharge current implies a high
initial discharge current, shown in Figure 22(c), which in turn will results in a lower current factor,
Figure 24(b).
(a)
(b
(c)
Figure 23 Simulation results from a low current discharge. From top to bottom:
(a) Remaining capacity (blue), State of charge, SOC (F, green) and test battery capacity (red stars).
(b) Modelled voltage (Ucell, blue).
(c) Test
The currentnumber
increased (I blue), of
Modelled controlled
poor charges current
will (Ibatt, green),
contribute Initialcurrent-factor.
to a higher discharge current (Icf, red)
Conversely, a low discharge implies a lower initial discharge current as shown in Figure 23(c) that
in its turn will result in a higher current factor, Figure 25(b).
The change in the current factor influences the weighting factors (fq, fs), shown in Figure 25(b,c).
As a result of the increased weighting factors the battery will age faster by degradation.
A smaller discharge current will result in a higher gassing current that in its turn will influence the
state of charge (SOC) in Figure 23(a). The change in (SOC) affects the counter that keeps track of
poor charges, consequently there will be an increased number of poor charges, shown in Figure
23(b).
46
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 24 Simulation factors for a high current discharge. From top to bottom:
(a) Weighted standardised charge throughput (Zgn= dQdf, blue).
Weighted standardised charge throughput (ZN = dQd, green).
(b) Deep discharge weighting factor (fq, blue).
The current factor (CF, green).
The cumulative number of bad charges (Cbad, red).
(c) Acid stratification factor (fs, blue).
A lower current factor (higher discharge current) reduces the contribution of degradation to the total
capacity loss; consequently, the battery will last longer before being considered dead. This is shown
for a high discharge current by the number of nominal cycles (also known as unweighted
standardised charge throughput (ZN, dQd)) in Figure 24(a). For the high current discharge case, 833
nominal cycles (ZN) will pass through the battery.
47
(a)
(b)
(c)
Figure 25 Simulation factors for a low current discharge. From top to bottom:
(a) Weighted standardised charge throughput (Zgn= dQdf, blue).
Weighted standardised charge throughput (ZN = dQd, green).
(b) Deep discharge weighting factor (fq, blue).
The current factor (CF, green).
The cumulative number of bad charges (Cbad, red).
(c) Acid stratification factor (fs, blue).
For the low discharge current case, 680 nominal cycles (ZN) will pass through the battery, shown in
Figure 25(a). The model thereby predicts that the lower discharge current is harsher for the battery
than the high current discharge current, something that is in line with the earlier discussed crystal
theory.
48
6 CONCLUSIONS
Lead acid batteries are a complicated piece of technology and good simulation tools are essential to
reduce the calculation time and to improve understanding of the batteries’ aging mechanisms. The
improved model, introduced in this work, is a small contribution to the understanding of battery
aging mechanisms when combined in a hybrid system. Its full potential will be realized imminently
by an implementation in the hybrid simulation platform IPSYS.
By restructuring the code, the simulation time has been reduced to approximately 14 % of the
earlier value. At the same time, the reorganization will ease the translation into C++.
The improved model performs more accurate lifetime predictions than the earlier model, on the
tested batteries OGi and OPz manufactured by BAE. According to the simulation results, the OPz
battery shows good characteristics and long lifetime while the OGi battery is aged quickly by both
degradation and corrosion. The explanation lays probably in the different construction of the
batteries, recall 3.2.1. The model shows that degradation is the main damage mechanism for lead
acid batteries in hybrid systems. Degradation is a change in mechanical structure of the electrodes
caused by continuous charge and discharge processes. One way to prevent degradation is to lower
the number charges and discharges. For long battery lifetime it is important to find a middle way
between effective uses of the batteries on the one hand and on the other a low number of charges
and discharges.
In general, it can be seen from the test results that batteries operating in a wind energy system are
aged faster than the batteries operating in a photovoltaic system. The explanation for the wind
current profile (input to the model) causes a larger number of charge and discharge cycles as well as
a higher Ah throughput. This is something that is also observed in reality since wind is much more
fluctuating than solar resources.
The model simulates that acid stratification is built up during the current profile blocks, as described
in 3.2.2, and is only eliminated when the battery is completely charged during the capacity tests. For
an increased battery lifetime it is thereby important to take the batteries out of operation and fully
charge them. This should be done repeatedly after a defined period of time. This time period is
strongly dependant on the system configuration.
The simulations of the newly assembled ISPRA current profiles show that the improved model can
perform calculations with a varying time step. This is something that is important for the coming
translation into the simulation platform IPSYS.
A new crystal theory, developed by Professor D. U. Sauer [11], has been implemented in the model
that replaces the current-factor used in the earlier model. The new approach is to simulate the
changes in PbSO4 crystal structure at the electrode. A high initial discharge current will result in
many small crystals that together form a large surface area. A small initial discharge current form
few large crystals that have time to grow into irreversible structures that will complicate the
recharging process.
49
Experiments have shown that a high discharge current will result in less aging than a small
discharge current, something that the model simulation also shows. From this behavior a new
control strategy could be formed. Recommendations for future development are to perform real
tests on how lead acid batteries react to a higher initial discharging current. If the crystal theory is
assumed to be correct, a higher initial discharge current would increase the lifetime of the battery.
This would then be a new control strategy that has not previously been used.
Energy storage is something that will be seen more frequently in the future. It is necessary in stand-
alone renewable energy systems where the energy generation is fluctuating. One new interesting
futuristic approach is to integrate the future electrical vehicle fleets’ storage capacity into the
electrical grid. Excess energy during the night will be stored in the batteries of the car and used
when it is needed. This concept is called “vehicle two grid” (V2G) and studies are being performed
at the University of Delaware [22].
50
7 REFERENCES
51
Appendix 1
Battery parameters
In order to provide a good illustration of how a battery functions, some terms and definitions need
to be explained. These parameters are used later in the battery model (chapter 1.4).
The term capacity is often used in a battery context but can be a source of confusion. The term has
the definition of the total number of Ah, (1Ah = 3600 C), that can be obtained from a charged
battery under certain conditions of discharge. The capacity rated by the manufacturer is called
nominal or rated capacity. This capacity is obtained during performance tests of normally 10 h
durations, at constant rate of discharge, end voltage and temperature [1].
The size of the discharge affects the efficiency of the batteries and thereby the capacity. This special
rating system is needed in order to compare different kinds of batteries. As the current increases, the
battery’s capacity at that rate decreases, shown in Figure 1. For example, if the capacity C = 50 Ah,
C/10 is the current that will fully discharge the battery in 10 h which is equivalent with I10 = 5 A.
Compared with the capacity for the discharging current 3C = 120 A [120 (A) * 0.1 (h) = 12 Ah] is
only 24 % of the nominal capacity [2].
In battery literature it is possible to find definitions such as I5 and I10. These are charge or discharge
currents. I5, for example, is the current that discharges a fully charged battery in 5 hours. If we have
a battery with a capacity of 50 Ah, the I5 in this case is 10 A. Note that I5 > I10.
The rated or nominal capacity should not be confused with the available or actual capacity.
Nominal capacity is a measurement of the capacity specified by the manufacture, typically a
discharge at constant current.
Charge throughput is another term frequently used in a battery context. It is defined as the number
of discharge Ah that flows throw the battery.
51
SOC, (State of charge) is a unit that expresses, in percentage figures, the amount of capacity left in
the battery. SOC is obtained by the relation between available capacity and the rated nominal
capacity. Since the nominal capacity is used as a reference point in the model, the SOC can assume
negative values. This has to do with that the nominal capacity in general being lower than the actual
capacity of the battery [3].
Float charge
Float charging is a low-rate charge used for storing a battery in a fully charged condition. The main
purpose with the charging method is to compensate for self-discharging. Especially for hybrid
systems, where a current can be generated at a relative low cost by wind or by the sun, it can be
profitable to keep the batteries under float charge in order to maximize battery lifetime [4].
Gassing
Gassing occurs when small bubbles of gas are formed at the surface of the electrodes. The bubbles
grow bigger until the buoyancy force gets too strong and they rise to the surface of the electrolyte.
Some gassing is normal, excessive gassing indicates that the battery is overcharged. Gassing can be
used to reduce acid stratification but is also a stress factor for the battery [4].
References
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_%28electricity%29#Battery_capacity (12/10 2005)
[2] http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Batteries/nominal.htm (12/10 2005)
[3] http://www.mpoweruk.com/soc.htm (17/11 2005)
[4] Henrik Bindner, Tom Cronin, Per Lundsager ”Lifetime modelling of Lead Acid Batteries”
Risø National Laboratory, (2005)
52
Appendix 2
Variable Overview made by the DOT software, http://www.graphviz.org/.
Figure 2 Initial model variable relation. The red arrow points at a variable that is in the wrong object, seen from
the corresponding calls (large number of lines). The different colours refer to the different objects.
Figure 3 Improved model variable relation. A more efficient structure since there are fewer calls between the
objects.
53
Appendix 3
Simulation results of an OGi battery subjected to a wind current profile from CRES
54
Figure 6 OGi Wind Profile Simulation Result Factors, CRES
55
Appendix 4
Simulation results for an OGi battery subjected to a PV current profile from Gres.
56
Figure 10 OGi PV Profile Simulation Result Factors, CRES
57
Appendix 5
Simulation results for an OPz subjected to a wind current profile from Gres.
58
Figure 14 OPz Wind Profile Simulation Result Factor, CRES
59
Appendix 6
Simulation results for an OPz battery subjected to a PV current profile from Gres.
60
Figure 18 OPz PV Profile Simulation Result Factors, CRES
61
Appendix 7
Simulation results for an OGi battery subjected to a PV current profile from ISPRA.
62
Figure 22 OGi PV Profile Simulation Result Factors, ISPRA
63
Appendix 8
Simulation results for an OPz battery subjected to a PV current profile from ISPRA.
64
Figure 26 OPz PV Profile Simulation Result Factors, ISPRA
65
Appendix 9
Simulation results for an OPz battery subjected to manipulated wind current profile from CRES.
Factor 0.8.
66
Figur 30 Wind Profile Simulation Result Factor 0.8, CRES
67
Appendix 10
Simulation results for an OPz battery subjected to manipulated wind current profile from CRES.
Factor 1.2.
68
Figur 34 Wind Profile Simulation Result Factor 1.2, CRES
69
Page 1 Parameter Names 231105.xls
Name in Paper Name in code Value Description Equation i Purpose Location in Matlab Model Comments belongs to
(Initial Value ) initial class
paper
cZN 5 Coefficient of the exponential for determining Cdeg,t 3,57 V @sDegradation/calculateCapacityLossDeg
UN 2.23 Voltage per cell under normal conditions 3.61 V @cGassing/calculateGassingCurrent,
@cPbBattery/Operation
- a1 4,4 constant for current factor calculation - C @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor, CurrentFactor
resetCurrentFactor, @cPbBattery/SetVariant
- a2 1,5 constant for current factor calculation - C @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor, CurrentFactor
resetCurrentFactor, @cPbBattery/SetVariant
- a3 1,2 constant for current factor calculation - C @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor, CurrentFactor
resetCurrentFactor, @cPbBattery/SetVariant
- alpha_T Intermediate temperature variable - IV @cPbBattery/CellTemperature local
- aUmax 0 Acceleration of Umax-increase with Fmin (e.g. 2) - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl Used in deciding on switching on/off external Control
charging device.
- BATTCHARGED 0,98 Considered as fully charged by operation control - C @cBattControl/setChargeControl Used in deciding on switching on/off external Control
charging device.
- c Factor for exponential decrease D2 IV @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Used in acid stratification weightning factor local
calculation.
CN CAh Nominal Ah-capacity of the battery (=C10) [Ah] - IP Used many times Parameters
Cc Cc ShepherdBase charging capacity coefficient ("pole") 3.34 IP @cVoltage/calculateMaxChargingCurrent, Shepherd equation parameter. Used in Parameters
SetVariant, @cVoltage/calculateVoltage, calculations for: maximum charging current,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage battery voltage and battery corrosion voltage.
Cd,0 Cd ShepherdBase discharge capacity coefficient ("pole") 3.48, 3.59 IP @cCorrosion/calculateCorrIncreaseLimit, Initial Shepherd equation parameter. Used in Parameters
Operation, reset, SetVariant, calculations for internal resistance and Cdtotal.
@sDegradation/calculateDegIncreaseLimit
Cdeg,t Cdeg Degradation decrease of Cd (discharge capacity coefficient) 3.57, 3.70 IV @sDegradation/calculateCapacityLossDeg, Degradation
@sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr
oughput , @cVoltage/calculateTotalCapacity,
reset, SetVariant
Cd,t Cdtotal Capacity coefficient for available active mass at time t. 3.35, 3.59 IV @sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity, Cdtotal is a Shepherd equation parameter and is Voltage
(Cdtotal = Cd - Ck - Cdeg) @cVoltage/calculateTotalCapacity, reset, calculated in @cVoltage/calculateTotalCapacity
SetVariant, calculateSoc,
@cVoltage/calculateVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage
- cf 1 Current factor that represents the impact of the current - IV @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor, CurrentFactor
resetCurrentFactor, @cPbBattery/SetVariant
- cFD 1 value that indicates if the a new first discharge current is - IV @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor, Used as a switch for calculation of the current CurrentFactor
needed resetCurrentFactor, @cPbBattery/SetVariant factor
Ck,t Ck Decrease in capacity coefficient of active mass available 3,53 IV @cCorrosion/calculateCorrosionResCap, Ck is set within Corrosion
through corrosion @cVoltage/calculateTotalCapacity, reset, @cCorrosion/calculateCorrosionResCap
SetVariant
Ck,limit / ∆W limit CklddWl 0 Cklim/dWlim (ratio of Ck,limit to ∆W limit) (3.53) IV @cCorrosion/calculateFinalCLThickness, Used for calculation convenience. Corrosion
Operation
Ck,limit Cklim 0 Decrease in Cd by corrosion to the end of the service life 3.48 IV @cCorrosion/calculateFinalCLThickness, Cklim is set within SetVariant by calling up routine Corrosion
calculateCorrosionResCap @sDegradation/calculateCorrIncreaseLimit.
Tom Cronin
Julia Schiffer
IP = Input Parameter, O = Output, IV = Internal Variable, B = Boolean, V = Value, C = Constant 1 Anton Andersson
Page 2 Parameter Names 231105.xls
Name in Paper Name in code Value Description Equation i Purpose Location in Matlab Model Comments belongs to
(Initial Value ) initial class
paper
cT CT 0,06 Temperature coefficient from gassing current [K-1] 3.61 C @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification, Gassing
@cGassing/calculateGassingCurrent
cU CU 11 Voltage coefficient for gassing current [U-1] 3.61 C @cGassing/calculateGassingCurrent Gassing
- DECOMPTIME 6 Unweighted and minimal decomposition time [h] D2 C @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Acid stratification weightning factor calculation. AcidStratification
- denom Denominator of the shepherd equation, solved after Cd 3.48 IV @sDegradation/calculateDegIncreaseLimit local
- dFExtLoadStart 0,02 Difference between start-of-recharge threshold and load IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl A variable used in deciding on when to switch of Control
shedding threshold external charging device.
- dFmindQ 0 Rising of threshold with charge throughput [1/Ah_nenn] - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl A variable used in deciding on when to switch of Control
external charging device.
- dFmindt 0 Rising of threshold with time [1/h] - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl A variable used in deciding on when to switch of Control
external charging device.
- DFPLUS 0,8 Increase of mass factor within 2 weeks D2 C @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification AcidStratification
- dQdfold Weighted charge turnover before deep discharge phase D2 IV @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr DeepDischarge
oughput, @cPbBattery/reset
- dQdfoldn Weighted, standardized charge turnover before deep D2 IV @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr DeepDischarge
discharge phase oughput, @cPbBattery/reset
- dQsoc Charge throughput during deep discharge phase D2 IV @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr DeepDischarge
oughput, @cPbBattery/reset
- dQsocn Normal charge thoughput during deep discharge phase D2 IV @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr DeepDischarge
oughput, @cPbBattery/reset
dt dt Time step[h] 3.63 IP Used extensively throughout Note that timestep has units of hours not Input
seconds.
- dtlowup 1 Weighted time needed by Umax to rise from Ulow to Uup - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl Used in the process for deciding on external Control
charge, etc.
tF dtsoc 0 Duration of deep-discharge phase [h] , Time since last full 3,67 IV @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr dtsoc tries to keep track of the duration of a Control, Deep
charge oughput, @cPbBattery/reset, cycle. Discharge
@sDeepDischarge/calculateDeepDischargeFact
or, @BattControl/setNewThresholds,
@cBattControl/setChargeControl
- dtu_ref Hours needed to decompose DFPLUS at U_batt=2.5V - IV @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification To do with acid stratification…. local
∆W limit dWlim 0 Corrosion layer thickness at the end of battery's lifespan on 3,47 IV @cCorrosion/calculateFinalCLThickness, Corrosion
standby operation @cCorrosion/calculateCorrosionResCap
- FERMIKT 0,5 Controls the shape of the fermi distribution D2 C @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Has something to do with acid stratification AcidStratification
distribution.
- FExtLoadStart Threshold for start of recharge - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds, Used in the process for deciding on external Control
@cBattControl/setChargeControl charge, etc.
Tom Cronin
Julia Schiffer
IP = Input Parameter, O = Output, IV = Internal Variable, B = Boolean, V = Value, C = Constant 2 Anton Andersson
Page 3 Parameter Names 231105.xls
Name in Paper Name in code Value Description Equation i Purpose Location in Matlab Model Comments belongs to
(Initial Value ) initial class
paper
- FExtLoadStop 0,8 Threshold for recharge stop - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds, Used in the process for deciding on external Control
@cBattControl/setChargeControl charge, etc.
- FLIMIT DFPLUS*2 Limit (Fermi distribution) for weighting D2 C @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Has something to do with acid stratification AcidStratification
distribution.
- FloadShed Load shedding threshold of highest priority - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl, reset Used in the process for deciding on external Control
charge, etc.
- Fmin0 0,3 Initial end-of-discharge threshold - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl, reset Used in the process for deciding on external Control
charge, etc.
- FmindQ End-of-discharge threshold with respect to charge throughput - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl, reset Used in the process for deciding on external Control
charge, etc.
- Fmindt End-of-discharge threshold with respect to time since full - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl, reset Used in the process for deciding on external Control
charge charge, etc.
f- fminus Decrease in acid stratification weighting factor due to gassing 3,66 IV @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Influences acid stratification dissolution local
f+ fplus Increase in weighting factor caused by acid stratification 3,66 IV @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Influences acid stratification growth local
fF fq 0 Weighting factor (state of charge) 3,67 IV @sDeepDischarge/calculateDeepDischargeFact Factor that tries to keep track of influence of Control, Deep
or, @BattControl/setNewThresholds, reset, depth of discharge (or time at state of charge) Discharge
@sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr
oughput
- FQ00 8 Weighting after 3 months with F_min=0.0 C @sDeepDischarge/sDeepDischarge Used in calculation of FQMC & FQMM. To do local
with depth of discharge weighting.
- FQ07 3 Weighting after 3 months with F_min=0.7 C @sDeepDischarge/sDeepDischarge Used in calculation of FQMM. To do with depth of local
discharge weighting.
- fqExtLoad 999 Turnover weighting factor, at which recharge begins - C @cBattControl/setNewThresholds Used to influence external charging regime. Control
cf,0 FQMC (FQ00 - 1)/ 2160 Increase of fF per hour at Fmin=0 (?). Constant slope for fq. 3,67 C @sDeepDischarge/calculateDeepDischargeFact DeepDischarge
or
cf,min FQMM -(FQ00- Influence of Fmin on fF. (Fmin-dependent fraction.) 3,67 C @sDeepDischarge/calculateDeepDischargeFact DeepDischarge
FQ7)/(2160*0.7)
or
fs fs Acid stratification weighting factor 3,66 IV @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification, Calculated in AcidStratification
Operation, @BattControl/setNewThresholds, @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification
gc gc Electrolyte coefficient of the cell voltage (charging) [V] 3.34 IP @cVoltage/calculateVoltage, SetVariant, Shepherd equation parameter Parameters
@cVoltage/calculateMaxChargingCurrent,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage
gd gd Electrolyte coefficient of the cell voltage (discharging) [V] 3.35 IP @cVoltage/calculateVoltage, SetVariant, Shepherd equation parameter Parameters
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrIncreaseLimit,
@sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity,
@sDegradation/calculateDegIncreaseLimit,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage
H H Depth of discharge 3.48 IV @sDegradation/calculateDegIncreaseLimit, Used as local variable for dod. local
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrIncreaseLimit
- H0 Available capacity (I = - I10 ,Uleer=1.8V, t=0) - IV @cPbBattery/SetVariant Capacity of battery when new Voltage
- H0limCd Decrease of Cd due to degradation - IV @sDegradation/calculateCapacityLossDeg Connected to dcd Degradation
- H0limdQ Charge throughput - IV @sDegradation/calculateCapacityLossDeg Connected to dQdfn Degradation
- H0limm Slope (?) - IV @sDegradation/calculateCapacityLossDeg Connected to dcd and Z Degradation
Tom Cronin
Julia Schiffer
IP = Input Parameter, O = Output, IV = Internal Variable, B = Boolean, V = Value, C = Constant 3 Anton Andersson
Page 4 Parameter Names 231105.xls
Name in Paper Name in code Value Description Equation i Purpose Location in Matlab Model Comments belongs to
(Initial Value ) initial class
paper
Hmax,t H0t Remaining capacity coefficient at time t 3,6 O @sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity, An output of the model.Calculated in Voltage
@sDegradation/calculateCapacityLossDeg, @sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity
Exchange, GetAhCapRemaining,
@BattLifetime/calculateLife, SetVariant,
ToBeExchanged,
- H0tExchange 0,8 Remaining capacity at which battery is changed - IP @cPbBattery/ToBeExchanged Set by argument when creating battery object. Lifetime
Tom Cronin
Julia Schiffer
IP = Input Parameter, O = Output, IV = Internal Variable, B = Boolean, V = Value, C = Constant 4 Anton Andersson
Page 5 Parameter Names 231105.xls
Name in Paper Name in code Value Description Equation i Purpose Location in Matlab Model Comments belongs to
(Initial Value ) initial class
paper
Md Md Activation polarization voltage coefficient (discharging) [V-1] 3.35 IP @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Parameter of the Shepherd equation. Parameters
@cVoltage/calculateVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage,
@sDegradation/calculateDegIncreaseLimit,
@sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity,
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrIncreaseLimit
- NomVoltage 2 Nominal voltage of a cell [V] - IP @cPbBattery/SetVariant - Parameters
- Number Number of batteries used (by replacement) - O @cPbBattery/Exchange, Lifetime
@BattLifetime/calculateLife
- Q_ct Charge throughput during time interval dt D2 IV @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr DeepDischarge
oughput, @cPbBattery/Operation,
@sDeepDischarge/calculateChargeThroughput
- Qcycle 0 Charge throughput since last detected full charge - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds Control
- QDEEPPENALTY 20 Added nominal charges per day, at U < 0.5 C @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr Used in determining the depth of discharge DeepDischarge
oughput weighting factor fq.
- Qoldcycle 0 Charge throughput at last detected full charge - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds, Control
@cBattControl/setChargeControl
- QSOCLIM 0,98 Upper boundary D2 C @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr Determines new or present cycle. DeepDischarge
oughput, Operation
- QTLIM 0 Lower time boundary [h] - C @sDeepDischarge/calculateDeepDischargeFact Used in determining the depth of discharge DeepDischarge
or weighting factor fq.
ρ c,0 rc Parameter for initial ohmic resistance (charging) [ΩAh] 3.34 IP @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Initial parameter of the Shepherd equation. Parameters
@cVoltage/calculateMaxChargingCurrent,
@cVoltage/calculateVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateInternalResistance
ρ c,t rctotal Parameter for ohmic resistance (charging) at time t (rctotal = rc 3.34 IV @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Voltage
+ rk) @cVoltage/calculateMaxChargingCurrent,
@cVoltage/calculateVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateInternalResistance
ρ d,0 rd Parameter for initial ohmic resistance (discharging) at time t 3.35 IP @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Initial parameter of the Shepherd equation. Parameters
[ΩAh] @cVoltage/calculateVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage,
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrIncreaseLimit,
@sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity,
@sDegradation/calculateDegIncreaseLimit,
@cVoltage/calculateInternalResistance
ρ d,t rdtotal Parameter for ohmic resistance (discharging) at time t (rdtotal 3.35 IV @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Voltage
= rd + rk) @cVoltage/calculateInternalResistance,
@cVoltage/calculateVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage,
@sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity
ρ k,t rk Increase in internal ohmic resistance due to corrosion at time t 3.62 IV @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Corrosion
@cVoltage/calculateInternalResistance,
@cGassing/calculateGassingCurrent
ρk,limit / ∆W limit rklddWl 0 rklim/dWlim (Ratio of ρ k,limit to ∆W limit) - IV @cCorrosion/calculateFinalCLThickness Corrosion
Tom Cronin
Julia Schiffer
IP = Input Parameter, O = Output, IV = Internal Variable, B = Boolean, V = Value, C = Constant 5 Anton Andersson
Page 6 Parameter Names 231105.xls
Name in Paper Name in code Value Description Equation i Purpose Location in Matlab Model Comments belongs to
(Initial Value ) initial class
paper
ρ k,limit rklim 0 Increase in internal ohmic resistance due to corrosion at the 3.62 IV @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Corrosion
end of service life. Not sure this fits into Eq. 3.48?? Is it @cCorrosion/calculateFinalCLThickness,
correct? @cGassing/calculateGassingCurrent,
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrIncreaseLimit,
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrosionResCap
- SerialNumber 1 Number of cells in series - IP Used many times Always considered as a single cell for this model. Parameters
F Soc State of charge 3.34 O @cPbBattery/calculateSoc, Operation, An output of the model but also used to feed PbBattery
@sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr back into the Shepherd equation.
oughput, @BattControl/setNewThresholds,
@cVoltage/calculateMaxChargingCurrent,
SetSoc, @cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage,
@cVoltage/calculateVoltage
Fmin socmin 1 Minimal state of charge during deep-discharge phase, Lowest 3,67 IV @sDeepDischarge/calculateWeightedChargeThr Keeps track of the lowest SOC in a cycle, Control, Deep
state of charge since last full charge oughput, Influences the factor for state of charge Discharge
@sDeepDischarge/calculateDeepDischargeFact
or, @cBattControl/setNewThresholds,
@cBattControl/calculateDeepDischargeFactor
Fneu socn Normal state of charge for a new battery 3.63 IV @cPbBattery/calculateSoc local
- StartSoc 1 Starting SOC for a new battery - IP @cPbBattery/SetStartSoc, reset Starting SOC of new battery set by arguments PbBattery
when creating battery object.
- Swbattcharged true TRUE: "Befue"'s full charge criteria are met - B @cBattControl/setNewThresholds Only used for determining external charging Control
- SwDynamicThresholds Allows external charging thresholds to change. - B @cBattControl/setNewThresholds, Only used for determining external charging Control
@cBattControl/setChargeControl
- SwExtLoad false TRUE: Phase in which a full charge is done using "BSZ" - B @cBattControl/setNewThresholds Only used for determining external charging Control
- Tambient Ambient temperature - IV @cPbBattery/Operation, CellTemperature Ambient temperature. Set to 20 deg C when Input
battery object created by Startup.m procedure.
- battTemp Battery temperature [deg C] - IV @cCorrosion/calculateCorrosionSpeed Tbatt is the local variable used when determining local
corrosion speed parameter.
Tbatt TCell Cell temperature 3.61 IV @cPbBattery/CellTemperature, Tcell is the variable used in calculating the PbBattery
@cGassing/calculateGassingCurrent, Operation, gassing current, acid stratification and correction
@sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification, of Umax.
@cBattControl/UMaxCorrection
- tcharge Time after which Umax is set to Ulow [h] - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds Used in determining the external charge. Control
- tchargelow 3 tvoll at Umax = Ulow [h] - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds Used in determining the external charge. Control
- tchargeup 3 tvoll at Umax = Uup [h] - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds Used in determining the external charge. Control
- tF 0 Time after full charge without rise of thresholds [h] - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl Used in determining the external charge. Control
- tgas 0 Time since the last gasing period [h] - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl Used in determining the external charge. Control
- tgasset 10000 Time to next gasing cycle [d] - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl Used in determining the external charge. Set in Control
cBattControl.
- tremas Minimum time for removing acid stratification at 2.5V D2 IV @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification To do with acid stratification…. AcidStratification
- tremas25 Time for removing acid stratification at 2.5V D2 IV @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Equal to dtu_ref AcidStratification
t ts Intermediate variable 3.44 IV @cCorrosion/calculateCorrLayerDepth Used in calculation of depth of corrosion layer. local
Tom Cronin
Julia Schiffer
IP = Input Parameter, O = Output, IV = Internal Variable, B = Boolean, V = Value, C = Constant 6 Anton Andersson
Page 7 Parameter Names 231105.xls
Name in Paper Name in code Value Description Equation i Purpose Location in Matlab Model Comments belongs to
(Initial Value ) initial class
paper
- tU 0 After full charge: time without rise of Umax [h] - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl Used in determining the external charge. Control
- tUmax 0 Time (Battery voltage >= end-of-charge voltage) [V] - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds Used in determining the external charge. Control
U0c U0c Voltage at full SOC (F=1) for charging [V] 3.34 IP @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Shepherd equation parameter. Parameters
@cVoltage/calculateMaxChargingCurrent,
@cVoltage/calculateVoltage
U0d U0d Voltage at full SOC (F=1) for discharging [V] 3.35 IP @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Shepherd equation parameter. Parameters
@cVoltage/calculateVoltage,
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrIncreaseLimit,
@sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity,
@sDegradation/calculateDegIncreaseLimit
- UBatt Battery voltage - IV @cVoltage/calculateVoltage, calculateSoc, reset Ubatt = Ucell * SerialNumber Voltage
Uempty UEMPTY 1,8 Voltage of an empty battery 3.60 C SetVariant, reset, Voltage
@sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity
Uk Uk 0 Corrosion voltage at positive electrode (one cell) 3.44 IV @cCorrosion/calculateCorrLayerDepth, reset, Voltage
calculateSoc,
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrosionVoltage,
@cCorrosion/calculateCorrosionSpeed
Uk uk Corrosion voltage per cell [VSHE] 3.39 IV @cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage Local variable used within local
@cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage routine.
U0k,0 UKS0 1,716 Corrosion voltage per cell [V] when fully charged. No-load 3.39 C @cVoltage/calculateCorrosionVoltage Voltage
corrosion voltage when fully charged.
- Ulow 2,35 Lower limit of end-of-charge voltage [V] - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds, Used for determining external charging Control
@cBattControl/setChargeControl
- Umax End-of-charge voltage - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds, Control
@cBattControl/setChargeControl,
@cBattControl/UMaxCorrection
- UMax 2,45 Global end-of-charge voltage - IV @cVoltage/calculateMaxChargingCurrent used for high voltage controller Voltage
- Umaxgas 2,35 End-of-charge voltage during the gasing period [V] - IV @cBattControl/setChargeControl Control
- UmaxgradT -0,004 Temperature gradient for adapting Umax [V/K] - IV @cBattControl/UMaxCorrection Control
- UmaxT End-of-charge voltage (temperature corrected) [V] - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds, Control
@cBattControl/UMaxCorrection
- UREF 2,5 Cell voltage for weighted decomposition time [V] (calculating D2 C @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Something to do with acid stratification AcidStratification
c).
- USTART 2,3 Cell voltage at which decomposition begins [V] (calculating c). D2 C @sAcidStratification/calculateAcidStratification Something to do with acid stratification AcidStratification
- Uup 2,35 Upper limit of end-of-charge voltage [V] - IV @cBattControl/setNewThresholds, Used for determining external charging Control
@cBattControl/setChargeControl
x1 x Intermediate parameter for calculation 3.60 IV @sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity local
Tom Cronin
Julia Schiffer
IP = Input Parameter, O = Output, IV = Internal Variable, B = Boolean, V = Value, C = Constant 7 Anton Andersson
Page 8 Parameter Names 231105.xls
Name in Paper Name in code Value Description Equation i Purpose Location in Matlab Model Comments belongs to
(Initial Value ) initial class
paper
x2 w (Matlab), a (C++) Intermediate parameter for calculation 3.60 IV @sDegradation/calculateRemainingCapacity local
Z Z Cycle life without corrosion 3,55 IV @sDegradation/calculateCapacityLossDeg local
Z80%,dat Zd The cycle life, as indicated by the manufacturer. 3,55 IP @cPbBattery/SetVariant, Parameters
@sDegradation/calculateCapacityLossDeg
- ZdMean Mean number of nominal cycles - IV @sBattLifetime/calculateLife, Exchange Lifetime
ZN ZdNow Number of implemented nominal cycles with the present 3,64 IV @sBattLifetime/calculateLife, Exchange Lifetime
battery
- z normalized number of sulfat crystals at Icf - IV @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor used for calculating the current factor local
- z0 normalized number of sulfat crystals at Iref - IV @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor used for calculating the current factor local
- I_norm normalized Icf - IV @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor used for calculating the current factor local
- I_rel equal to -Iref - IV @sCurrentFactor/calculateCurrentFactor used for calculating the current factor local
Tom Cronin
Julia Schiffer
IP = Input Parameter, O = Output, IV = Internal Variable, B = Boolean, V = Value, C = Constant 8 Anton Andersson