Battery Designer model parameters

The Battery Designer is an early-stage battery pack design tool for initial comparisons across different module and pack configurations. It uses simplified models and selection data from commercially-available cell types to estimate key performance metrics, taking choice of cell, configuration, casing and insulation materials, and thermal management system into account.

Note: The initial versions of Battery Designer and the Battery Cells table were developed as part of the MAT2BAT collaborative R&D project (Innovate UK, Faraday Challenge competition, Project no 133723), and subsequently further developed and integrated by Granta Design Limited, an ANSYS Inc. subsidiary.

Special thanks to Dr Billy Wu, Dr Samuel Cooper and Nathasha Gjerløv Fiig of Imperial College London for their contributions.

Cell to Module parameters

Section Parameter Description
Module Module name Used to name the synthesized records.
Battery cell Set the Material record that is used in the structure.
Performance Should last for at least Only applies to Cell to Module (by performance) models. The minimum discharge time. You can enter a single value or a range.
with Current Only applies to Cell to Module (by performance) models. The current to supply.You can enter a single value or a range.
and Voltage Only applies to Cell to Module (by performance) models. the voltage.You can enter a single value or a range.
Number of cells Number of cells in series Only applies to Cell to Module (by number of cells) models.
Number of cells in parallel Only applies to Cell to Module (by number of cells) models.
Discharge Discharge current Only applies to Cell to Module (by number of cells) models. You can enter a single value or a range.
Custom Configuration Casing material Select a material for the casing.
Wall thickness Default value is 1 mm.
Insulation material Select a material for the insulation.
Insulation thickness Default value is 5 mm.
Cell spacing Default value is 1 mm.
Pre-defined configuration Select from one of the predefined configurations:
  • Industrial
  • Automotive
  • Shrink wrap
Thermal management system (TMS) Cooling system type Select a cooling system from the list:
  • None
  • Passive air cooling
  • Active air cooling
  • Liquid cooling
  • Dielectric cooling

Module to Pack

Section Parameter Description
Pack Pack name Used to name the synthesized records.
Battery module Set the Material record that is used in the structure.
Number of Modules Discharge current The minimum discharge current.
Number of Modules (by performance) Voltage window (min) The minimum voltage.You can enter a single value or a range.
Number of Modules (by number in series and parallel) Number of modules in series
Number of modules in parallel
Packaging Casing material Select a material for the casing.
Wall thickness Default value is 1 mm.
Insulation material Select a material for the insulation.
Insulation thickness Default value is 5 mm.
Module spacing Default value is 1 mm.
The Notes field contains information about the model, cell, configuration and cooling system used. It also lists additional properties calculated by the model.