Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EBAM (Electric vehicle battery monitoring)
Período documentado: 2016-12-01 hasta 2017-05-31
The state of the art in all battery applications is to use voltammetry and global temperature measurements to determine the battery status. However, such measurements are inadequate, and cause uncertainty in the predicted state of charge and health of the battery, since they do not take into account local chemical changes inside the battery. Due to the uncertainty, manufacturers are forced to use oversized batteries, put restrictions on the charging rate, and perform service too early.
Using Insplorions NPS sensor technology, the battery charge and health can be monitored from inside the battery, which enables a much more accurate and reliable monitoring. The obtained information can be used to increase the performance and lifetime of batteries, which will contribute to more efficient battery systems and increase their competitive advantage compared to fossil based energy sources.
The focus of this project has been a feasibility study of market introduction of the NPS based battery sensor. The findings have validated and strengthened the need for the NPS battery sensor. The NPS technology can add great value over a wide area of applications, enabling more efficient, safer and longer lasting batteries. During the project Insplorion has also been successful in creating long term collaboration partners.
• Identify key stakeholders (competition, potential partners and clients).
• Determine the market size, sectors, business potential and market dynamics in the battery monitoring segment.
• Map customer needs and benefits along with competitive advantage.
• Investigate the regulatory framework and the potential for influencing future standardisation work.
• Extend ‘freedom to operate analysis’ and update IPR strategy.
• Define unique value proposition to formulate a market entry strategy for the SME instrument Phase 2.
• Find 3-6 potential collaboration partners or customers and open dialogue with them.
• Analyse the economic viability of the case and make financial projections.
The market size and sectors have mainly been estimated by extensive literature searches and interviews with industrial and academic organisations. The project has also been supported by the coaching activities.
A go-to market strategy has been constructed as a result of conclusions based on discussions with industrial partners and within the Insplorion organisation. Three main stages are identified for commercialisation. The first will be focused on Battery Energy Storage Solutions (BESS), the other two on specialized (low volume) Electric Vehicles (EV) (e.g. sport cars, electric buses and heavy-duty vehicles such as mining vehicles) and high volume EV sale (e.g. Nissan Leaf, Tesla), respectively.
The BESS and low volume EV markets allow quick market entry and further technical verification. They can be pursued with Insplorion’s own sales organisation and existing partners. The first go-to market application will be the BESS, due to lower technical barriers on the miniaturization of the sensor system for integration into the BMS (Battery Management System) and fewer legislative obstacles. The market entry in EVs will be based on the knowledge gained for BESS applications, which will bring valuable verification of the sensor performance and its benefits for the end-user. The low volume EV market will act as verification of increased driving distance, battery lifetime, safety and faster charging. For both BESS and low volume EV, mainly Insplorion and current partners will manage the production and sales. However, for the high volume EV market the production will no longer be in-house, and instead revenue will come from large license deals with component manufacturers.
The cost and performance issues of existing LIB technology significantly hamper an accelerated fossil-free transition. By facing the shortcomings with today’s battery technology the NPS sensor will increase the competitiveness of battery energy sources compared to e.g. fossil based ones.