The FASTEST project aims to meet the urgent demand for the rapid development of advanced battery systems, which are essential for the expansion of electric vehicles, renewable energy, and portable electronics. Traditional battery testing is often lengthy and costly, impeding swift innovation. Additionally, ensuring the safety, reliability, and performance of batteries requires intricate testing across various scales, from materials to complete packs, while addressing a range of physical phenomena.
To tackle these challenges, FASTEST is creating and validating an innovative fast-track hybrid testing platform. This platform merges physical testing with virtual models, utilizing Design of Experiments (DoE) and robust testing methodologies to achieve considerable time and cost efficiencies. By integrating multi-scale and multi-physics virtual and physical testing, FASTEST facilitates the design of battery systems that are more reliable, safer, and longer-lasting.
The project aims to achieve a TRL 6 prototype of the platform, validated through three industrial use cases: automotive, stationary, and off-road applications. This will include the development of optimized DoE strategies for each scenario, a comprehensive suite of physics-based and data-driven models to replace physical experiments, and a cohesive Digital Twin (DT) architecture to streamline information management.
FASTEST will push the boundaries of innovation in several critical areas:
* Transforming test facility operations: Transitioning from a localized, often manual method to a comprehensive and interconnected system that utilizes intelligent DoE algorithms, virtualized benches, and DT data for optimal efficiency.
* Optimizing DoE strategies: Crafting customized DoE methodologies for each application, reducing the necessity for physical tests while maximizing information yield.
* Implementing a DT architecture: Developing a virtual representation of the battery system and its components, which will enable effective data management, accurate modelling, and enhanced analytical capabilities.
* Developing advanced models: Formulating and validating physics-based and data-driven models that can accurately simulate and replace essential physical characterization experiments, thereby decreasing dependence on time-intensive and costly physical testing.
By accomplishing these goals, FASTEST will not only expedite battery research and development but also bolster the competitiveness of the European battery sector. The project's influence will extend beyond the immediate consortium, fostering the broader adoption of electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and advanced portable devices, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable energy future.