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 NREL's Energy Storage Laboratory. |
Welcome to our Energy Storage Laboratory at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado. Much of our testing is conducted at this state-of-the-art laboratory, where researchers use cutting-edge modeling and analysis tools to focus on thermal management systems—from the cell level to the battery pack or ultracapacitor stack—for electric, hybrid electric, and fuel cell vehicles (EVs, HEVs, and FCVs).
The laboratory houses a unique calorimeter that measures battery and ultracapacitor performance over a wide range of temperatures and sizes. Engineers use thermal imaging equipment to capture a battery's or ultracapacitor's infrared fingerprint to diagnose its behavior. They also assess the thermal and moisture management properties of fuel cell systems. Our capabilities enable world-class research in energy storage thermal management, battery and vehicle modeling and simulation, and energy storage from a vehicle systems perspective.
 See the laboratory's layout and read more below to learn how our unique equipment and capabilities can meet your energy storage needs.
Equipment
Accurate heat generation data from battery modules and ultracapacitor stacks are essential to properly design thermal management systems. Our customized large conduction calorimeter measures a battery's or an ultracapacitor's performance for heat generation at various rates, temperatures, states of charge (SOC), and heat capacities.
The Bitrode cyclers in the lab are designed specifically for hybrid electric, electric, and fuel cell vehicle (HEV, EV, and FCV) battery and ultracapacitor pack testing. Their voltages range from 0-420 volts with a maximum current output of 530 amps. These cyclers can meet the most demanding drive-cycle profiles. They are integrated with the calorimeter to measure heat generation under various charge/discharge cycles and for power profiles from vehicles.
Accurate temperature measurement and control are critical for testing energy storage systems. Our environmental chambers and isothermal baths can control temperature from -35°C to 100°C with an accuracy of 0.1°C.
Infrared thermal imaging equipment Check out these time-lapse battery thermal images (AVI 4.5 MB)! Use Windows Media Player 10 to view this file. Download Media Player.
Engineers use thermal imaging equipment to capture an energy storage device's infrared fingerprint to evaluate and diagnose the behavior of energy storage systems in advanced vehicles.
This unique, custom-made alternating current (AC) power amplifier enables us to test energy storage preheating concepts for vehicles that operate in cold climates, and to evaluate the effects of high-frequency harmonics on battery life.
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