Over the past three decades, energy storage has substantially developed. Lithium-ion batteries have also become quite popular, and the need for the battery management system (BMS) has become critical.
Why do we need a battery management system (BMS)?
Battery management system (BMS) normally monitors, manage the output and control the charging and discharging of rechargeable batteries. It is used to notify the current status of a battery pack, i.e. the health of the battery and also provide vital protection against damage to batteries.
There are different types of battery management systems, depending on applications. It measures the voltage and stops the charge at the desired level and in case of any unusual or dangerous conditions, it shut down the flow of power and can trigger the alarm.
The BMS system includes tracking temperatures, voltages/currents, scheduling maintenance, optimising battery performance, predicting and/or preventing failures, and collecting/analysing battery data. It is also commonly used for alternative energy sources in other battery applications such as material handling, continuous power supplies, off-grid power systems, marine and battery banks. The BMS specifications for these applications are often very similar to those in the automotive market, i.e. the stable, efficient and optimal way of controlling cell and packaging is always important.
A BMS system is essential and required in every lithium-ion batteries. For lithium-ion battery, the battery management system is essential in all areas, from phones to electric cars. The system manages each battery cell’s real-time control, communicates with external devices, manages state of charge (SOC) status calculation, temperature and voltage measurements, etc.
BMS plays an important role in the lithium-ion battery industry because lithium-ion batteries are fairly hard to handle as they have a very non-linear charge/discharge curve. It is very difficult to tell about the state of charge of Li-ion cell or pack, which can cause permanent damage. In most cases, it is seen that if a lithium battery is overcharged, it causes overheating and even an explosion or flame. The cell can also be damaged and can permanently reduce the capacity if you discharge below a certain threshold around 5% of total capacity.
Therefore, a battery management system is in place with a dedicated lithium-ion shield, which guarantees the battery charge is not higher than or below its limits. With a lead-acid battery, on the other hand, the calculation of its voltage is very straightforward, and the process of obtaining a condition of charge with that data is quite quick.
For lithium-ion battery, a battery management system is essential in all products- from phones to electric cars. For example, when charging or discharging EVs, lithium-ion batteries can heat up. Without a device for tracking and handling the heat, the materials inside can get damaged, and the battery would have a shorter life.
In fact, the majority of battery packs for electric cars consist of hundreds of small batteries, and the device must achieve the right balance between these individual units when charging or discharging. There is a possibility that one of the several devices could over-charge, which can lead to a malfunction or even can result in a fire without a battery management system.