Energy Storage Testing

Battery research

SEEL’s facilities include an area specially designed for battery research. In this area, we provide all the equipment needed during the research and development (R&D) phase of battery cells including temperature chambers, cell cyclers, glove boxes and fume hood. SEEL aims to support both fundamental and applied battery research in areas such as high-energy density cells, next-generation battery chemistries, and advanced energy storage materials. Our facilities can cover the needs of our academic and industrial partners alike.

Battery testing

SEEL offers testing facilities at the three main levels of battery technology: cell, module, and pack. Our equipment is designed to be flexible in that it can handle test objects of various shapes and sizes and with varying properties such as internal chemistries (e.g. NCA, NMC and LFP cells) and onboard electronics (e.g. battery management systems, BMS). SEEL’s testing systems are built to make accurate, reliable, and reproducible measurements; for this reason, we conduct all tests in chambers to precisely control the test object’s surrounding temperature. Certain chambers also offer climate (i.e. humidity) control.

To meet the needs of our clients and partners, all our cell, module, and pack testing equipment can handle a wide range of temperatures, currents, and voltages. The measurement capabilities of all tests can also be expanded and adapted if the client desires. We are also constantly increasing our testing capabilities to meet the ever-growing demands of the electromobility market. For specific information on all our equipment, please contact us directly.

Safety is of the utmost importance at SEEL. In addition to conducting all our tests in chambers, our dedication to safety includes high-pressure water-mist to prevent thermal runaways, hazardous gas detectors, and isolated rooms that can be sealed off in case of an accident. We also value an ergonomic working environment: all noise-producing equipment is located on a separate floor from where all tests are conducted. This creates a quiet and comfortable workspace for everyone at SEEL.

All cell, module, and pack testers at SEEL are regenerative; that is when a test object is discharging, that energy is reused to either charge another test object or is put back into the building’s energy grid. This drastically lowers SEEL’s energy demand since, at any given point during its operation, about 50 % of SEEL’s energy need is supplied by discharging test objects. SEEL is also powered with solar panels to further lower its energy demand. The combination of regenerative testers and rooftop solar panels makes SEEL a truly forward-thinking research institute.

Battery cells

SEEL has facilities for all types of commercial battery cells, ranging from small cylindrical cells to large prismatic ones. We have many cell testers rated for different levels of current and higher currents can be achieved by connecting two or more channels in parallel.

SEEL offers cell testing with direct liquid cooling to mimic the cell environment in a battery module or a complete battery pack. The temperature of the cooling liquid can be adjusted independently from the test chamber temperature.

We are also currently looking into additional types of cell tests such as pressure and strain measurements.

Battery modules

SEEL has chambers capable of handling both battery modules and smaller packs that fit within the voltage, current, and power limitations of the testers. Higher currents and powers can be achieved by connecting two channels in parallel. Our module chambers are amendable to module management or battery management systems (MMS or BMS) and can handle CAN communications. We also have our own BMS to help with module testing.

Battery packs

The largest temperature and climate chambers at SEEL can handle complete battery packs consisting of battery modules, battery management systems (BMS), cooling systems, and electrical and mechanical components. The channels can be connected in parallel to achieve higher currents and powers. The pack testers can interface with the BMS and have the option of measuring individual cell or module voltage, temperature, and currents.

Charging function

SEEL offers the capability to test, verify, and develop charging functions for electric vehicles. The equipment can handle several international standards that reflect the varying requirements for charging functions in different countries (e.g. high voltage DC charging using CCS, CHAdeMO or GB/T 20234.3-2015). There are three main use cases: electric vehicle performance during charging, charger performance, and communication between vehicle and charger. In addition, the equipment is prepared for testing of megawatt charging as well as Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G).

Electric vehicle charging

SEEL has all the equipment necessary to test the charging functions of an electric vehicle. The test equipment can be configured to transfer power with either alternating or direct current using the electrical grid characteristics from many countries (e.g. North America, Europe, and China). SEEL also has the cables and connectors necessary to test different international standards of chargers.

Charger performance

SEEL can also test the performance and functionality of a charging station. The charger can be connected to the test equipment that serves as a load for the power transfer. As with the battery testers, this energy is re-used within SEEL.

Communication and power transfer analysis

The test equipment can be connected between a charger and a vehicle to allow for analysis of the communication and power transfer between the charger and the vehicle.