Construction and integration of a battery pack and management system into a solar car

摘要

In today’s world, we have reached the point where conventional energy forms are inevitably running out. At the same time, the technology for alternative energy harnessing is improving with big steps, especially with society rethinking their high consumption of finite energy and material. This opens the opportunity und increases acceptance for projects and research to prove its actual implementation and to push the boundaries of current technology further.One particular area of application is the automotive sector showcasing raise of costs due to depleting fuel. Solar powered cars are raising interest as it could be a way to complete independence of any resource that has to be produced, mined or in any way transported to the place of consumption. Involvement with the view to enhance their research in this field has become interesting for universities.With solar powered cars, new problems emerge, amongst others the amount of harnessed sun power and the storage to have it available at the point of use. Due to the low energy available, energy storage as light and as efficient as possible is needed. A system is required that allows to be operated independently of its surrounding in a way it is controllable.Lithium-ion based batteries were seen as the most applicable way to execute this, as they give the highest energy density with lower losses than stable, commercially available energy storage mediums.It was decided to design, build and integrate a battery system with its safety circuit into a solar car. After material selection suppliers were searched and contacted. With the successful manufacturing of this system combining different processing methods, partially at university and partially in the industry, the project included a monitoring and management system and protective measures. It was implemented so that neither the limitations of the chemistry and the physical cells nor the vibration occurring while driving the car prevents its proper use. Besides this, communication and dimensions to operate within the car followed, allowing the driver and convoy to access information and control the system.This battery system proved to be practical in street use comparable with that of regular cars and posed as a safe and effective energy supply for an electrically driven car, meeting the given demands.