Johnson Controls and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft collaborate on next-gen cooling systems for Li-ion battery packs; focus on 48V micro-hybrid system
20 March 2014
Johnson Controls and Fraunhofer Gesellschaft have signed a collaboration agreement to develop the next generation of more energy efficient, cost-effective cooling systems for vehicle batteries. The scope of the work will initially focus on 48V Micro Hybrid battery technology, which is designed to deliver strong fuel and emissions efficiency, and load management at a lower price than hybrid and electric vehicle technology. (Earlier post.)
Scientists and engineers at Johnson Controls will work with both Fraunhofer’s Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology (UMSICHT) and with its Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM).
The collaboration will focus on technologies and thermal management strategies for Lithium-ion battery packs. Currently, systems with fans, compressors or pumps use energy to pull heat out of a battery.
Optimizing the energy storage solution within the broader vehicle environment will enable Johnson Controls to design, develop and commercialize systems which not only meet our customers’ requirements, but also lead to improvements in function, package and cost.
—MaryAnn Wright, vice president of Engineering and Product Development for Johnson Controls Power Solutions
Johnson Controls has demonstrated its advanced Micro Hybrid battery technology has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%, thus helping automakers meet increasing regulations, while consumers save money when they fill their gas tank.
Leveraging a dual voltage architecture, the Micro Hybrid battery system involves a 12-volt lead-acid starter battery and a 48-volt Lithium-ion battery. The 48-volt battery is designed with the capacity to quickly capture energy from braking and can support higher loads such as air-conditioning and active chassis technologies. The 12-volt battery will continue to provide power to the vehicle starter, interior and exterior lights, and entertainment systems such as radios and DVD players.
The technology is expected to be adopted in Europe first and then quickly move to the US, with global adoption starting in 2020.
Along with the Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, Johnson Controls Power Solutions works with partners such as Argonne National Lab, the University of Wisconsin System, Lawrence Technological University, Ohio State University, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Hannover University, Aachen University, the University of Cambridge and the University of Science and Technology- Beijing.
JC has been trying to sell high voltage batteries for some time...not needed and will be an added unnecessary complication and expense to automobiles. Mild Hybrid ICE cars are obsolete and late to the party. EVs are the future. JC should be building Lithium traction batteries.
Posted by: Lad | 20 March 2014 at 09:37 PM